HST 332: Age of Dictators, Europe 1850-1914 German Revolution HST 332: Age of Dictators, Europe 1850-1914

Outline Internal politics during the Great War November 1918 January 1919 The Myth of November

Internal politics during the War Unity of the parties. “I know no parties, only Germans.” Even Social Democrats vote for war. Breech within SPD in 1917. Independent Social Democratic Party. Spartakus. (Luxemburg and Liebknecht)

Internal politics during the War Polarization over war aims. Complaints of parties, military and Kaiser. Effect of the Russian Revolution. Berlin strikes in January 1918, over 1/2 million workers take part. Failure of the March 1918 offensive. Public and government remain in the dark.

Fall 1918 July 1918 - allied offensive begins. August 22 - “black day” of the German army. September 14 - Austria-Hungary seeks armistice. September 26 - Bulgaria capitulates, Romanian front collapses, unrest in Vienna, Ludendorff informs government that he needs an immediate armistice.

Fall 1918 October 4 - Prince Max of Baden appointed Chancellor, asks Woodrow Wilson for an armistice. October 26 - Max responds to American demands for reform, Ludendorff resigns, Wilhelm Groener new army chief, Kaiser leaves for the Front.

November 1918 November 4 - navy mutinies in Kiel, sailors set up a soviet. This spreads throughout Germany, in Berlin supported by Independent SPD and Spartakists. November 7 - Majority SPD demands Kaiser’s abdication, is supported by the Berlin garrison.

November 1918 November 9 - Kaiser abdicates. Max asks Majority Social Democrats Friedrich Ebert and Phillip Scheidemann to form a new government. Scheidemann announces new Republic, Liebknecht (Spartakist) proclaims soviet Republic. Groener and army accept Ebert as provisional leader. Ebert schedules an election to write a new constitution.

January 1919 December 1918 - Spartakists create a German Communist Party (DKP) with Luxemburg and Liebknecht as leaders. January 11 - DKP stages coup in Berlin. Constituent Assembly flees to Weimar, Ebert asks Groener for assistance. “Ebert-Groener pact” Spartakist revolt crushed, leaders murdered.

Was this a revolution? Depends on your definition and perspective. Monarchy was overthrown and a democratic republic was put in its place. Major social and economic reforms. It was however, a democratic, not a socialist revolution. Major elements of the old order remained.

The Myth of November Berlin November transfer of power to Ebert Mandate from Prince Max, 11/9; Forms coalition with USPD based on soviets; Council of Peoples’ Deputies, 11/10 Congress of Peoples’ Deputies calls for election of a National Assembly Dec. 28, USPD leaves coalition January Communist coup Successful anti-SPD demonstration on January 5 convinces Communists to launch a coup-d’etat

November in Berlin Rebels of the Berlin garrison Schiedemann proclaims the Republic Naval mutineers

January in Berlin Communist Red Guard on parade Karl Liebknecht at a rally Red Guards Rosa Luxemburg

The Myth of November Munich November 7, seizure of power by USPD under leadership of Kurt Eisner, Red Guard formed In January elections, SPD emerges as largest party February 21, assassination of Eisner March 17, SPD-led government installed April 7, Soviet Bavaria proclaimed by USPD, gov’t to Bamburg; Communists take over on April 13 April 27-May 3, anarchist Ernst Toller leads Soviet; put down by Freikorps

November in Munich Eisner leading a popular demonstration Kurt Eisner

First Munich Soviet Proclaimed by Workers and Soldiers Council Dominated by members of USPD Power limited to Munich Launch series of measures unpopular with the middle class Central committee of the first Soviet

Second Munich soviet Eugen Leviné sent by DKP in Berlin to put backbone into revolt Inspired by Hungarian example and supported by Russian money Middle class hostages taken Unpopular with local radicals and USPD Eugen Leviné

3rd Munich soviet April 27, Ernst Toller (USPD) and Erich Mühsam (anarchist) seize power Schwabing lunatics Hope to negotiate with the Bamberg government Overthrown by Freikorps on May 3 Erich Mühsam Ernst Toller

Bavarian aftermath

The Myth of November The Nazis conflated November and January in Berlin, November and April in Munich into a common happening. The Weimar parties, the politicians, the unions – all manipulated by Jews – brought Germany to disaster. If Germany were to be great again, it would need to deal with these traitors and overthrow the system they created to make Germany weak.