The German Revolution (1918)

The German Revolution (1918)

1. CAUSES

   • First World War (Faliure and Hardship)
   • Russian Revolution
     • Showed Germany how to do an effective revolution.
       • Russia had pulled off an effective revolution on the leader Tsar, and Germany wanted a similar revolution

2. EVENTS

   • Kiel Mutiny 29 October
     • 40,000 sailors refusing to take orders at Kiel.
       • sparked similar protests in surrounding states.
   • Role of Einser
     • 7 November
     • Thousands of workers, led by Kurt Einser, marched into Munich.
       • Next day, Einser set up a peasants' council, and declared Bavaria a peoples' state
         • King Ludwig III (local ruler) fled for his life, along with other royals who feared a similar revolt.
   • Abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm
     • 9 November Wilhelm agreed to abdicate and fled to Holland, Ebert became new chancellor.

3. CONSEQUENCES

   • Armistice
     • 11 November
     • Germany withdrew from all land won in war.
     • Germany pulled back its troops 30miles from the border with France.
     • Navy put under allied control.
   • Weimar Republic
     • By mid 1919, Ebert's new Germany was getting used to him, and in the town of Weimar, new rules were made for Germany.
     • Germany initially hated all from the armistice. 1918-19 was difficult.