Learning Objectives To understand the key events that made up the German Revolution. To understand the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution.

EventDate The first elections for the National Constituent Assembly19 January 1919 The Ebert-Groener agreement is signed10 November 1918 Soldiers and workers councils are set up in major cities (such as Berlin). 6 November 1918 Prince Max of Baden appointed Chancellor3 October 1918 The Kaiser abdicates9 November 1918 Sailors refuse to obey orders (mutiny) at Wilhelmshaven.29 October 1918 Stinnes-Legien agreement.15 November 1918 Kurt Eisner declares Bavaria an independent democratic socialist republic. The Bavarian Socialist Republic. 7 November 1918 The Spartacists form the German Communist Party – KPD.1 January 1918 Sailors gain control of the ports of Kiel and Hamburg.2 November 1918 Max of Baden announces that a provisional (temporary) coalition left-wing government will be formed under Friedrich Ebert. It is also announced that Germany is now a republic. 9 November 1918 The armistice is signed.11 November 1918 The Spartacist Uprising/Revolt begins5 January 1918 The Weimar Constitution is adopted.31 July 1919.

EventDate The first elections for the National Constituent Assembly The Ebert-Groener agreement is signed Soldiers and workers councils are set up in major cities (such as Berlin). Prince Max of Baden appointed Chancellor The Kaiser abdicates Sailors refuse to obey orders (mutiny) at Wilhelmshaven. Stinnes-Legien agreement. Kurt Eisner declares Bavaria an independent democratic socialist republic. The Bavarian Socialist Republic. The Spartacists form the German Communist Party – KPD. Sailors gain control of the ports of Kiel and Hamburg. Max of Baden announces that a provisional (temporary) coalition left-wing government will be formed under Friedrich Ebert. It is also announced that Germany is now a republic. The armistice is signed. The Spartacist Uprising/Revolt begins The Weimar Constitution is adopted.

DateEventMore details 3 October October November November November November November November November January January January July 1919

DateEventMore details 3 October 1918 Max of Baden becomes Chancellor -He was a moderate conservative with democratic views. -He initiates the October Reforms. 29 October 1918 Sailors refuse to obey orders at Wilhelmshaven - This (and the later naval mutinies) were triggered by a fear that a suicide attack was going to be launched on the British navy. 2 November 1918 Sailors gain control of other ports, such as Kiel and Hamburg - See above. This fanned the flames of mutiny in other ports such as Bremen and Lubuck. 6 November 1918 Soldiers and workers councils set up in cities such as Berlin and Stuttgart. - These councils were based on the ‘Soviets’ organised by the Bolsheviks in the Russian revolution of November 1918 Kurt Eisner proclaims Bavaria a Socialist Republic. -The last member of the House of Wittlesbach, King Louis III was deposed. -He was assassinated in February November 1918 Max of Baden announces that a provisional (temporary) coalition left- wing government will be formed under Friedrich Ebert. It is also announced that Germany is now a republic. -Seeing the situation was not improving, Max of Baden asked Ebert to form a coalition left wing government. -This was made up of the SPD and the USPD. 9 November 1918 The Kaiser abdicates- He fled to Holland where he lived until his death in November 1918 Ebert-Groener agreement-Ebert was the new Chancellor, Groener was the new Quartermaster General (head of the armed forces). -It agreed that the army would support the new government. In return, the new government would oppose the spread of Communism and try to preserve the authority of the army officers. -Significant because the old ‘conservative’ army is allowed to continue. 11 November 1918 Armistice signed.- Millions of soldiers would now return to Germany (potentially adding to the revolutionary atmosphere). 15 November 1918 Stinnes-Legien agreement-Legien was the leader of the trade unions. Stinnes was the leader of the industrial employers. -The trade unions agreed not to interfere in private ownership or the free market. In return, they were allowed to set up worker’s committees and an eight hour day. Ebert has been criticised by many for supporting compromises with the forces of conservatism and missing a chance to make some real changes in Germany. 1 January 1919 The Communist Party is formed. -The KPD – Komministische Partei Deutschlands. -It refused to participate in the upcoming elections and aimed to create a soviet republic. 5 January 1919 Spartacist revolt begins-Led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht. -They started by occupying public buildings and called for a general strike. -The new government used the army and the Freikorps to crush the revolt. -After three days of fighting around 100 Communists were killed. -Liebknecht and Luxemburg were killed in police custody. -After this there were several other disturbances and strikes. -In April, there was a serious one in Bavaria where another Soviet republic was set up. -The Freikorps was again used to bring this and the other disturbances under control. 19 January 1919 First elections for the National Constituent Assembly - 83% turnout and 76.1% voted for pro-democracy parties. -The SPD were the largest party with 165 seats and 37.9% of the vote. -The Centre Party were the second largest with 91 seats and 19.7% of the vote. 31 July 1919 Weimar Constitution adopted -Used the voting system of proportional representation. -All men and women over the age of 20 could vote.

11 November 1918 Armistice signed.- Millions of soldiers would now return to Germany (potentially adding to the revolutionary atmosphere). 15 November 1918 Stinnes-Legien agreement-Legien was the leader of the trade unions. Stinnes was the leader of the industrial employers. -The trade unions agreed not to interfere in private ownership or the free market. In return, they were allowed to set up worker’s committees and an eight hour day. Ebert has been criticised by many for supporting compromises with the forces of conservatism and missing a chance to make some real changes in Germany. 1 January 1919 The Communist Party is formed. -The KPD – Komministische Partei Deutschlands. -It refused to participate in the upcoming elections and aimed to create a soviet republic. 5 January 1919 Spartacist revolt begins-Led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht. -They started by occupying public buildings and called for a general strike. -The new government used the army and the Freikorps to crush the revolt. -After three days of fighting around 100 Communists were killed. -Liebknecht and Luxemburg were killed in police custody. -After this there were several other disturbances and strikes. -In April, there was a serious one in Bavaria where another Soviet republic was set up. -The Freikorps was again used to bring this and the other disturbances under control.

Ebert has been criticised by many for supporting compromises with the forces of conservatism and missing a chance to make some real changes in Germany. 1 January 1919 The Communist Party is formed. -The KPD – Komministische Partei Deutschlands. -It refused to participate in the upcoming elections and aimed to create a soviet republic. 5 January 1919 Spartacist revolt begins-Led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht. -They started by occupying public buildings and called for a general strike. -The new government used the army and the Freikorps to crush the revolt. -After three days of fighting around 100 Communists were killed. -Liebknecht and Luxemburg were killed in police custody. -After this there were several other disturbances and strikes. -In April, there was a serious one in Bavaria where another Soviet republic was set up. -The Freikorps was again used to bring this and the other disturbances under control. 19 January 1919 First elections for the National Constituent Assembly - 83% turnout and 76.1% voted for pro-democracy parties. -The SPD were the largest party with 165 seats and 37.9% of the vote. -The Centre Party were the second largest with 91 seats and 19.7% of the vote. 31 July 1919 Weimar Constitution adopted -Used the voting system of proportional representation. -All men and women over the age of 20 could vote.