What political, social and economic problems did Ebert and the New Weimar Republic face

following WW1?By the end of the lesson you will:1.Be able to list some of the issues facing Weimar Germany2.Be able to explain some of the issues and why they existed3.Be able to weigh up and evaluate the issues facing Weimar Germany, leading to an explanation of why some issues were more significant than others

Starter : What political, social and economic problems did Ebert and the New Weimar

Republic face following WW1?Look back at your notes on the impact of war on Germany in 1918 and read the following points

Friedrich Ebert – leader of the new republic

•Germany was in a state of chaos in 1918•Terms had been offered but they were very harsh•There were revolts about whether or not the new Germany should be democratic•The Kaiser abdicated in November 1918•The new republic promised freedom of speech, freedom of worship and better working conditions•The German people were used to a more traditional, autocratic style of government•Not all people and politicians supported the new republic•The Kaiser’s influence was still felt in the army, judiciary, civil service and key industries•The new government’s powers were limited by the old autocratic power-holders•People believed the Weimar politicians had stabbed Germany in the back by signing the armistice•Some left wing elements believed that a Communist revolution was needed

The Weimar Constitution : Fact File

Before the War Germany had no real democracy; Wilhelm was an autocrat

The Weimar Constitution aimed to be one of the most democratic systems in the world; no one individual should be able to gain too much power

All Germans over 20 years of age could vote Proportional representation existed – 20% of votes =

20 % of seats in the Reichstag The Chancellor ran the country day by day but needed

Reichstag support for major decisions The Head of State was the President: he stayed out of

day to day issues but could assume control in a crisis via Article 48 – this gave him emergency powers with no Reichstag consultation

The Weimar Constitution

Why was there such opposition to the Weimar Republic?Date People Places Reasons why? This caused instability because …?

Abdication of the Kaiser

Nov 1918

Kaiser Wilhelm BerlinKielOther main cities

Many workers demonstrations were taking place because the Kaiser was refusing to abdicate, which meant that peace couldn’t start properly

Potential revolution and violent overthrow of the monarchy, could leave Germany leaderless

Left wing revolutionaries

1918 Rosa Luxemburg Berlin Wanted a social revolution and to give the lower levels of society power

The people after the war and the treaty are a)angry and unpredictaableb)inexperienced politically

Social Democrats

1918 Friedrich Ebert BerlinWeimar

Wanted to form a new government away from Berlin and all the troubleWanted some small political changes to make the country more democratic

Lacked the necessary support from the rich and powerful and therefore politically weak

Spartacists July 1919

Karl Liebknecht Rosa Luxemburg

Berlin Wanted a communist revolution like in Russia

Many groups strongly opposed to Communists e.g. the Freinkorps

Kapp Putsch 1920 Wolfgang Kapp and the Freikorps

Berlin Disliked the Treaty of Versailles and the limitations to the armed forcesAlso angry about the pressure from the allies to then reduce the Freikorps (TA)

Almost a military coup that was never punished despite its failure!

Homework / research task• Create a fact file for each of the following characters:o Kaiser Wilhelmo Rosa Luxembourgo Friedrich Eberto Karl Liebknechto Wolfgang Kapp and the Friekorp

• For each character include a picture, details of their role in the birth / against the birth of the Weimar Republic, and any dates, places etc

Pages 252 – 255 of “OCR Modern World History – Ben Walsh” will be helpful

What are the 3 most serious issues facing Ebert and the Weimar Government?

Discuss your views as a group (can you identify 1 political, 1 economic and 1 social issue, or are they all from 1 particular category?)

Write your own answer backing up the points you make with evidence and facts to support your decision

What political, social and economic problems did Ebert

and the New Weimar Republic face following WW1?

1. Your answer lists some of the issues facing Weimar Germany

2. Your answer explains some of the issues and why they existed

3. Your answer weighs up and evaluates the issues facing Weimar Germany. You have given an explanation of why some issues were more significant than others