German Revolution, 1918-1919

Shortly before the end of World War One there were

revolts across Germany, similar to the Russian

Revolution.

These rebellions continued until a new German

Republic – not Empire – was set up in 1919.

Real democracy?

After WW1, German army generals knew political change would happen.

They agreed to support a civilian government to stop

revolution.

They also thought a democratic Germany would

be better treated by the victorious Allies.

The Weimar Republic

Between 1919 and 1933, the system of government in Germany was known as

the Weimar Republic.

This was because the assembly that set up the

system met in the German city of Weimar.

Role of the army

The army reluctantly reached a deal with

Friedrich Ebert, who became President of

Germany.

Ebert agreed to not pursue revolution and respect law and order in return for the

army’s support.

Workers’ demands

A deal was reached with employers which

improved some working conditions.

However this was not the Soviet-style control of

industry that some Germans wanted to

happen.

German democracy

Huge democratic changes were introduced under

Weimar:

• All Germans age 20+ – male and female –

could vote• Reichstag (Parliament)

was directly elected• The President was elected by the people

German elections

German elections used proportional

representation, meaning a party with 15% of the

vote got 15% of the seats.

This meant many small parties were elected and

governments were always coalitions.

The Spartacist revolt

In 1919, Communists tried to lead a revolution

to take control of Germany.

They were defeated when Ebert persuaded the army to help, employing violent

ex-soldiers called the Freikorps.

Financial problems

During the Weimar Government there were

many challenges, but the mains were caused by the

economy.

Hyperinflation in the 1920s and the 1929

Depression brought major poverty to Germany.

Arguments for importance

The Weimar Government was weak from the very

start.

It had to make secret agreements with the army and unpopular

deals with employers, meaning no-one ever

truly supported it.

Arguments for importance

Weimar’s election system also undermined

confidence.

Proportional representation allowed extreme parties to get

elected, and led to coalitions which made taking action difficult to

agree.

Arguments against importance

Between 1924-1929, the Weimar Republic was very

prosperous.

It was only after the 1929 Wall Street Crash – a

global event – that Weimar collapsed. Hyperinflation can also be linked to the

Treaty of Versailles.