The German Revolution

Weimar Germany Readings- read the first three chapters and answer the following questions.

1. Using the documents in Chapter 1 as evidence, list the ways in which conditions in Germany worsened during the war.
-There is a picture of women in a line to exchange potatoe peelings for firewood. This shows how people had no money and they had to trade things to get firewood.
-There is a letter that shows how horrible the food shortages were. In the letter, the peson describes how the potatoes ran out, so they only ate turnips and bread, and small pieces of meat. People were starving.
-The food shortages in the army caused mutiny.

2. Give two reasons why the war caused such bad conditions for German civilians.
-The army was taking men away from their families.
-There was no money or food.

3. After reading Chapter 2, give two reasons why Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated on November 10, 1918.
-The soldiers mutiny had spread all over the country and socialist groups set up workers and soldiers councils to run the towns. There was no way for the Kaiser to gain back control of the country.
-The United States said that the Kaiser had to give up some of his power before they would think about peace.

4. Using the information you have read in this chapter, give evidence to support the statement that there was "revolution all over Germany."
-The soldiers mutiny quickly spread throughout the country, cities all over Germany were controlled by socialist groups.
-The food shortages and sicknesses spread throughout the country and everyone was unhappy.

5. Study the information about the German Socialists in Chapter 2, page 5. What did the three Socialist groups have in common?
They all wanted to improve workers' conditions and give democratic rights to all of the Germans, such as the right to vote.

6. In what ways were the Socialist groups different.
The methods were different.
The social democratic party wanted to support the government and try to make reforms by acts of parliament.
The independent socialists wanted to oppose the government and force it to make reforms by organising strikes.
The spartacists wanted to overthrow the government in a revolution. Councils of workers, called Soviets, would make reforms.

7. After reading Chapter 3 make a time chart of the events of the German Revolution from Nov. 10, 1918 to Jan. 15, 1919.
Nov. 10, 1918- Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated
Nov. 12, 1918-Ebert issued a statement to the German people. It said that there is no censorship, there is freedom of speach and religion, there is an eight hour work day, and the housing and food stituation will be dealt with.
Dec. 23, 1918-A large group of sailors broke into the government headquarters and held Ebert prisoner at gunpoint, demanding more pay. Ebert's troops joined the sailors so he had to give in.
Dec. 30, 1918-The Spartacists renamed themselves the German Communist Party and decided to work for a communist revolution.
Jan. 6, 1919-The German Communist Party start their revolution.
Jan. 10, 1919- The Free Corps, who supported Ebert, attacked the Spartacists in Berlin. There was fighting for three days.
Jan. 15, 1919-The Free Corps arrested Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Lievknecht, leaders of the Spartacists. They beat them and killed them.


8. At what time would you say the Communists had their best chance of seizing power? Explain your answer.
I think between Jan. 6, 1919 and Jan. 10, 1919. This was before Ebert got the support of the Free Corps, which was the group that defeated the Communists.