The origins of the Weimar Republic, 1918-1919 In this lesson, we will: Describe the key events that led to the creation of the Weimar Republic Explain the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution Starter: How much do you know of German and its history? What is a Kaiser? By a republic; what do we mean? What is the capital of Germany? What is a constitution? If someone is a communist; what do they believe?

The collapse of the German Second Reich During the First World War, over two million Germans had died and four million wounded (55% of all German soldiers) The cost of the war had trebled Germany’s debts from 50 billion to 150 billion marks. In the final months of the war, the German government crumbled. The Allied naval blockade had caused massive food shortages and over 750,000 deaths. In Stuttgart, workers went on strike and demonstrated in the streets. In Hannover soldiers refused to stop protestors. In many places across Germany, people began to organise councils of soldiers and workers to take control of their cities. In October 1918m German sailors at Kiel refused to follow orders and in November protestors in Munich declared themselves separate from Germany. In Berlin it was clear that Kaiser Wilhelm II and his ministers had lost control.

The German Revolution, 1918-1919 By November 1918, the German revolution had begun. Kaiser Wilhelm II was informed by his ministers that he had to abdicate. At first he refused but he had lost support from the German army so on 10th November fled Germany and went to Holland. That day, thousands of people gathered peacefully outside the Reichstag in Berlin whilst others collected guns and took over parts of the city. Inside the Reichstag Phillip Scheidemann, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was told that rioters were preparing to declare a communist state. To ensure a moderate government Scheidemann proclaimed to the crowds from the windows that the Kaiser had gone and that there was a new German Republic. He appealed for a peaceful transition to the new regime. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhidzRvqo2s

Learning Task One All For each of the figures on you worksheet: Who are they? How did the help a peaceful transition from the Second Reich to the New Republic?

Checkpoint: Can you describe the key events that led to the creation of the Weimar Republic?

How did the Weimar Constitution work?

Learning Task Two Targets 9 – 5 Split your page into two columns to show the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar government. Targets 4-2 Collect your sheet showing the facts about the Weimar government. Using two colours identify which are strengths and which are weaknesses.

Strengths Weaknesses It was very democratic; the voting age fell from 25 to 21 and for the first time all women were able to vote. This made Germany far more democratic than Britain at that time. Elections would use proportional representation which meant smaller parties had a fair share of seats in the Reichstag. Every party was allocated one representative for each 60,000 votes in its favour. It was constructed so no one had too much power. The president had the power to choose a chancellor, dismiss the Reichstag and call elections but the people chose the chancellor every 7 years. Laws were only passed after being voted in both the Reichstag and Reichsrat Although the Reichstag was more powerful, the Reichsrat could delay new laws passed unless the Reichstag overruled it with a 2/3 vote. Government had more power than under the Kaiser. Local services such as police, schools and courts were run by local parliaments (land or Lander) PR meant that many small parties won seats in the Reichstag which often led to coalition governments (when no one party has a majority so they team up) Coalition governments aren’t great as arguments are common as well as compromises. Between 1919 and 1923 there were 9 coalition governments Lack of strong, single-party governments was a problem during crisis when quick decisions are needed. People began to see the constitution as weak and think that a single, all powerful leader was better than a parliament. Some people still did not see the Weimar Republic as the true choice of the people as the government had relied on the army to subdue riots. Some parties elected to the Reichstag (e.g. nationalists and communists) were against democracy and openly criticised the new constitution.

Checkpoint: Can you explain the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?