The German Revolution

The Causes
- Failure in the First World War as this lead to low public morales and the loss of 2 million German lives from 1914.
- The hardship caused by the war as the Allied navies were blockading the German coast, preventing basic essentials entering. This hardship was worsened by an influenza outbreak that spread across Europe.
- The Russian Revolution had caused many Germans to want the same for themselves and they demanded the end to the Kaiser and a government of the people.
The Key Events
- On 29th October, navy personnel stationed at Wilhelmshaven refused to obey orders. This spread to the base in Kiev.
- On 4th November, 40,000 personnel took over the dockyard. This spread to many other military bases, including Hamburg, Bremen and Lubeck.
- On 7th November, in the state of Bavaria, thousands of workers, led by Kurt Eisner, marched on the state capital, Munich. The local ruler, King Ludwig III left the country.
- On 8th November, Eisner set up workers' and peasants' councils. All across Germany, the aristocracy were fleeing.
- On 9th November, Kaiser Wilhelm was forced to abdicate so that the Allies could meet a 'representative of the people'.
- On 10th November, the Social Democrat Party [SPD], the largest political party, took over and Friedrich Ebert was put in charge.
The Effects
- The new government agreed on an armistice on 11th November. It then had to give up all land won, surrender its munitions and demilitarise the Rhineland.
- New regulations were set up for the new government as they took back control. Arrangements were made in Weimar.

	Created by Alfonzzzo R about 9 years ago

Development of Dictatorship: Germany 1918-45