Why did the Kaiser abdicate? Germany 1918-39

Today we will… Describe the events of Kaiser’s abdication Identify the reasons behind the abdication and its consequences

I can… Complete two homework questions on the events of the Kaiser’s abdication

Kaiser Wilhelm II German Emperor 15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918 Queen Victoria’s grandson Aggressive, authoritarian

Events On 9 November 1918 the Kaiser abdicated (gave up the throne) On 11 November the armistice was signed by the new politicians who had little experience of running Germany Germany had become a very violent place at the end of WWI – people were fighting over how the country should be run

Friedrich Ebert was the leader of the new government after the Kaiser abdicated He would be very unpopular due to surrendering ‘too soon’ and signing the Treaty of Versailles They were the ‘November criminals’

If you won’t abdicate, the best thing for you to do is shoot yourself! General Groener and other leading army men persuaded the Kaiser to step down. They thought Britain would be kinder to them without the Kaiser. General Groener

The Kaiser became an exile in the neutral Netherlands David Lloyd George had proposed to ‘hang the Kaiser!’ The Kaiser hoped the Nazis might reinstate him when they were becoming more powerful He died in 1941 from a blocked artery

Why did he abdicate? Britain, France and America would not negotiate a peace with the hated Kaiser. He would have to go. The German Navy mutinied (went on strike) at Kiel Naval Base This started revolutionary activity, where workers and sailors took control of other naval bases Many German people blamed the Kaiser for Germany’s military defeats in WWI Many people had died of starvation (750,000) due to shortages and they blamed him

Mutiny at Wilmshaven Naval base

What did it mean for Germany? It meant lots of violence and unrest as Germany as different groups tried to take power It left Germany without a leader so elections had to be called and a new government elected German people had never had elections and politicians before – they were very confused by democracy Some German people were loyal to the Kaiser - whoever replaced him would probably be unpopular

Homework – The Kaiser’s Abdication for Fri 25th Oct 1. Why did the Kaiser abdicate in 1918? 4 marks 2.What problems did his abdication create for Germany? 4 marks IN YOUR OWN WORDS NO BULLET POINTS