1.  starter activity
Germans gathering at a travelling soup kitchen after WWI. How did ordinary Germans feel about the War? Would the situation have been different in Britain?

2. What effect did WWI have on Germany?
 LOs
To identify the difficulties facing ordinary Germans
To understand how the Kaiser was forced to abdicate
To assess the political threats the new government faced

3.  Your task
Read the information on p.4-5 (Wilkes) and list the problems facing ordinary Germans
How did health problems make the situation worse?

4. Problems
Food shortages – 1000 calories per day, turnips became staple diet hence ‘turnip winter’, ¾ m died of hunger & disease
Fuel shortages – limited coal supplies, power cuts, public buildings closed to save energy
Civil unrest – 1916, 10,000 workers called ‘Down with war, down with government’
Military unrest – mutinies in army

5.  Your task
Read p.6-7 (Wilkes) and identify as many reasons as you can why the Kaiser, Wilhem II was forced to abdicate
 What does Source F reveal about the leadership style of Kaiser Wilhelm
Kaiser Wilhelm II

6. Kaiser Wilhelm’s abdication
Criticism from military commanders - General Ludendorf thought War unwinnable
Mutiny – sailors refused to break British naval blockade
Civil unrest – workers councils set up across Germany, e..g. Hamburg and Munich
No allies – Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria & Turkey had surrendered

7. One of last photos of Kaiser before his death in 1941
 Extension
Investigate what happened to Kaiser Wilhelm after he abdicated in November 1918
Members of the Kaiser’s retinue leave the Imperial Palace their services no longer needed
One of last photos of Kaiser before his death in 1941

8.  Your task
Using this picture and your own knowledge, explain why Germany faced so many problems in 1918
A photograph taken during the revolution in Berlin, showing soldiers and sailors with guns driving through the Brandenburg Gates

9. Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Describes the picture source only
Explains a single cause, either based on the picture or own knowledge OR
Provides a range of reasons only partially explained
Explains a range of causes of unrest based on the image and own knowledge, for example military & civil unrest, unpopularity of Kaiser, hardships caused by War, Germany’s international isolation

10.  Homework
Read about the life of Rosa Luxemburg. Produce an A4 factoid on her life giving details on:
Her family background
Her relationship with other activists
Her political ideas
Key events in her life
Choose an image and label it

11.  Extension
Read p.7-8 (SHP) and write down 5 adjectives to describe the Kaiser’s personality.
Compare sources 2 & 10 and explain why they might differ in their interpretation of the Kaiser
Study the categories at the bottom of the page and rate the Kaiser (1-5) against each of them. Explain your choices

12.  Plenary 3 problems facing Germany in 1918
3 reasons why Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated
Tips on answering source-based questions
Why was there a revolution in Germany but not in Britain?