1.  starter activity Senior members of the German government and military signed an armistice with the Allies. What effect do you think this event had on the German people? Two armistices were signed here. When was the second one signed?

2. What effect did WWI have on Germany To study the impact of WWI on German society To understand how the Kaiser was forced to abdicate To assess the political threats the new government faced  Aims

3.  Your task Study the different reactions to the end of the War on p.10 and create a spider diagram summarising the key reactions. Include the following: Study the different reactions to the end of the War on p.10 and create a spider diagram summarising the key reactions. Include the following: Political effects Political effects Physical effects Physical effects Psychological effects Psychological effects Anarchy Anarchy

4. Political effects Society was unfair & undemocratic – Reichstag was weak, lower classes under-represented, no opposition to Kaiser Society was unfair & undemocratic – Reichstag was weak, lower classes under-represented, no opposition to Kaiser Opposition leaders imprisoned during War Opposition leaders imprisoned during War German ruled as a military dictatorship by Kaiser & leaders, e.g. Ludendorff & Hindenburg German ruled as a military dictatorship by Kaiser & leaders, e.g. Ludendorff & Hindenburg

5. Physical effects Disruption to farming – by 1918 Germany producing 60% of butter & meat before 1914 British naval blockade disrupted food supplies Starvation – basic food supplies exhausted Disease – ¾ m died of hunger & disease British naval blockade of German ports

6. Psychological effects Demoralised Demoralised Bitter & angry Bitter & angry Looked for someone to blame Looked for someone to blame Why did Germany’s experiences before 1914 make the effects of the War even harder to swallow?

7. Anarchy Soldiers demobilised Soldiers demobilised Demonstrations against Kaiser and government Demonstrations against Kaiser and government Organised opposition groups, e.g. Communists stirred up trouble Organised opposition groups, e.g. Communists stirred up trouble

8.  Your task What happens during a revolution? Find out about the events that led to the abdication of the Kaiser. Was this really a revolution? What happens during a revolution? Find out about the events that led to the abdication of the Kaiser. Was this really a revolution?

9. 25 October 1918 Mutiny of German sailors Mutiny of German sailors Dreadnought battleships

10. 26 October – 5 November Strikes & demonstrations against the War & the Kaiser Strikes & demonstrations against the War & the Kaiser Soldiers begin to mutiny Soldiers begin to mutiny Workers protest throughout Germany

11. 6 November Soldiers and workers’ councils took control in many cities Soldiers and workers’ councils took control in many cities An early session of the Weimar Government

12. 7 November Social Democrats (including leader Friedrich Ebert) send an ultimatum to the Kaiser demanding he abdicate Social Democrats (including leader Friedrich Ebert) send an ultimatum to the Kaiser demanding he abdicate Friedrich Ebert, leader of Social Democrats

13. 9 November General strike in Berlin General strike in Berlin Armed workers & soldiers roam streets Armed workers & soldiers roam streets Ebert & Social Democrats fear revolution and announce Kaiser’s abdication & setting up a a German Republic Ebert & Social Democrats fear revolution and announce Kaiser’s abdication & setting up a a German Republic Demonstrations in Berlin

14. 10 November Kaiser Wilhelm fled into exile in Holland Kaiser Wilhelm fled into exile in Holland Members of the Kaiser’s retinue leave the Imperial Palace their services no longer needed One of last photos of Kaiser before his death in 1941

15. 11 November Armistice agreed with Germany and Allies Armistice agreed with Germany and Allies End of WWI

16.  Your task To what extent was the abdication of the Kaiser a revolution? Discuss this question with your partner?

17. Plenary Plenary Your teacher will give you a role card. Imagine you are the person on this card. Discuss with other people around your table how you would have felt about the news the Kaiser had abdicated and what you would expect the government to next. Your teacher will give you a role card. Imagine you are the person on this card. Discuss with other people around your table how you would have felt about the news the Kaiser had abdicated and what you would expect the government to next.