Do Now Work on the Treaty of Versailles Scenario Acitivty

What you should know by the end of this lesson. 1. Understand the political divisions within German society. 2. Understand the general atmosphere in Germany towards losing the war, the army, and the new democracy.

For the first few years after the war, Germany was in a state of almost complete upheaval. The nation was being torn apart by forces on the political left and right fighting for power. Although moderate forces who supported democracy won, their hold on the country was shaky. By 1923 a severe case of hyperinflation hit Germany that was going to play right into the hands of Adolf Hitler. What do people mean when they say “left”, “moderate”, and “right”? What is Hyperinflation? Things got so bad the army had to be stationed out in the streets!

Where do you fit in?

Forces on the Left A very large Communist party formed in Germany after the war and they tried to take over the country by force. In January 1919 the “Spartacus League”, a radical group of communists, tried to take over Germany but failed. Communists also briefly controlled Bavaria in early 1919 before being forced out. What do Communists believe in in regards to: A.Property B.Control of major industries What segments of society would most likely support the Communists?

Leaders of the “Spartacus League”, along with 5 of the 7 leaders of the Communists in Bavaria, were Jewish. This made many people believe that Judaism and Communism were the same thing, and were determined to take over Germany. This stereotype would have severe repercussions in the future. The first people Hitler would put into concentration camps were communists. What is the message of this cartoon? Did you know? The United States has its own Communist Party! Its national headquarters is located on 23 rd street in New York. “The Eternal Jew”

Forces on the Right: The Nationalists and The Friekorps The new German government had a problem. How can they stop the communists? With the German army disbanding at the end of the war this became a serious issue. Both the middle class and especially the rich would lose their property and investments if the communists took over. To oppose communism nationalists, the wealthy, monarchists, and anti- semitic forces joined to form the German Nationalist Party. What is a monarchist?

Using tax dollars and donations from the wealthy, former army soldiers would be recruited into fighting groups to stop the communists. These groups became known as the Freikorps (Free Corp) and many of these men would become Nazis in the years to come. Two members of the Freikorp that would later become major Nazis were Ernst Rohm (Right) and Heinrich Himmler (above). Do you know what they did to help Hitler? Fact: Jews represented only 2% of the German population. How might this actually increase anti- Semitism within the country?

The Moderates Although the forces of the Communists and the Freikorps were powerful, only a minority of Germans supported them. Most people wanted law and order and wished not to support radical forces. The moderates were led by the Social Democratic Party of Germany along with 7 other major political parties. Unfortunately because they controlled the German government they got the blame for the numerous misfortunes Germany suffered after the war. The moderates had to stop the communists and the Freikorps, while at the same time deal with a crippling economic depression. Philip Scheidmann, the first Chancellor of a democratic Germany. Did you know? The Social Democratic Party is still a major force in Germany. It is the only party in Germany to survive from the Second Reich until today.

War and Revolution in Germany Activity 1. Read the Article “War and Revolution in Germany”. 2. Each group will be responsible to answer 1 question from the reading. 3. As each group presents their findings, record your notes in the corresponding page.

T1: True or False: The German government along with the army discussed ending the war in secret. – What significance does this decision have by keeping the news of the approaching defeat from the public?

2: What event sparked the “Kiel Mutiny?” What did this lead to?

3. Who was Friedrich Ebert? What was he asked to do by the Germans?

4: What did the Allies say would happen if Germany didn’t accept the terms of the armistice? Knowing the chaotic situation in Germany what do you think would have happened if the war continued?

5. True or False: Both civilian and army leaders traveled to France to sign the armistice. Critical Thinking: Why didn’t the army go? How will that have repercussion in the future?

6. Many Germans were in a state of shock and asked “How could they possibly have lost the war?” – Who did they blame? – What did they call them? – How did the German army react to this? Why? – Who WASN’T blamed???

7. What group tried to bring about a revolution in Germany after the Kaiser and the Empire collapsed? Who in Germany do you believe would be against them? (In other words who would have something to lose if the Communists took power?)

8. What was the new German Republic called? Why?

9. How were the following elected in the new republic? – The German President – The German Parliament Do you remember the name of the building on the left? Fredrick Ebert: Germanys first president

10. What was the general weakness of this new government?

11. What new freedoms did the German people now have? How do you think this helped the Nazis?

12. What was Article 48? How might this help Hitler take control of Germany?

13. How well did political parties favoring democracy do in elections after the peace treaty was signed?

13. Many army officers, bureaucrats, judges, and teachers served the nation faithfully under the Kaiser. How important was the decision by President Ebert and other Social Democrats to allow them to keep their jobs? Were they likely to be as loyal to a republic? Ebert: Avoid Drastic Change and respect authority