1. Context to Democracy and Nazism, Germany 1918-1945
LO: Background for the establishment of Weimar Republic
Keywords
Reich – Empire
Kaiser – Emperor
Reichstag – the elected lower house of Parliament

2. IB History – Authoritarian States
Part 1 – The Weimar Republic
The establishment and early years of the Weimar Republic
The ‘Golden Age’ of the Weimar Republic
The collapse of democracy
Part 2 – Nazi Germany
The Nazi dictatorship
The racial state
The impact of war

3. Paper 2 and 3 Questions Paper 2: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Answer two questions on two different topics
The focus will be on questions that require candidates to "compare and contrast", "discuss", "evaluate", "examine" and to argue "to what extent".
Eg: “Successful foreign policy was essential for the maintenance of power by authoritarian leaders.” With reference to one authoritarian leader, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
Paper 3: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Answer three questions
Eg: Evaluate the reasons for the survival of the Weimar Republic in the period from 1918 to 1923.

4. Unification
The German Reich (also known as the Second Reich) was established in 1871.
A federation of states dominated by the Kaiser.
Each state was free to legislate on a variety of matters, but the federal Gov was responsible for; foreign policy, civil and criminal law, banking, press and taxation.

5. Power? Federal Gov divided into two house:
Bundesrat (dominated by Prussia)
Reichstag (elected by universal male suffrage)
Reichstag had the appearance of a legislative body, but its power was very limited “sham democracy”.
The system maintained the privileges of the army and the nobility (Members of the Reichstag were unpaid and had no say over foreign policy or military matters)
No cabinet, only a Chancellor, who was responsible only to the Kaiser (as he had the power to appoint and dismiss them – so the Chancellor’s policies had to please him!)

6. Reactions to unification
Nationalists were in favour of the unification – however wanted the inclusion of Austria, democratic elections and popular consent.
Prussian Kaisers ruled from
Wilhelm I,
Frederick, 1888
Wilhelm II,

7. Social divisions
Rapid industrialisation led to the emergence of a wealthy middle class and a discontented working class.
POLITICAL DIVISIONS
Middle class and Junkers (landed aristocracy) supported Kaiser’s rule.
Working class formed trade unions to campaign for higher wages and better conditions.

8. Political context
Politics was very fragmented and the political system was often paralysed.
There were many political parties (although none were genuinely national or broadly based).
Social Democratic Party (SPD) were the biggest party, mainly supported by the working class and campaigned for social change and greater democracy.

9. Impact of WW1
Wave of popular support for the Kaiser’s declaration of war.
Kaiser was supported as long as the German forces were perceived as being successful (propaganda)
Winter – severe food shortages and price increases
As civilian morale decreased, the Kaiser gave more political power to top military leaders, such as Ludendorff and Hindenburg.
US entry to the war changed the balance of power  CRISIS

10. What could he do about it?

11. Question – what does this source show about the crisis in Germany in October/November 1918?
Why would Germany send 2 civilians and an army officer?
What happened to the Kaiser?
What does the body language of the people suggest?
How useful is this source?
The Allied commanders receiving the German delegation before signing the armistice. The Germans sent two civilians and an army officer.

12. The cost of war
Industrial output fell by over 40% between 1914 and The workforce was not physically fit enough to work as hard as required as food shortages had been so bad that, "Germans ate dogs, crows, zoo animals and rodents, and even the front-line troops were reduced to meagre portions of horse-meat.“ Estimates suggest that up to 35% of all trade was organised illegally on the Black market. The economy also suffered from shortages of raw materials. From 1915 until the end of the war, Germans were forbidden to drive a car.
Lesson 1.1.1: To evaluate the reasons for the political crises of October to November 1918

13. Revolution from Above
Brought about by the High Command and not through the pressures of the German people.
Kaiser was disinterested in politics  the regime came under the control of army officials. (Ludendorff and Hindenburg)
Ludendorff believed the war was lost, so advised the Kaiser to hand power to the civilian cabinet – Prince Max of Baden appointed and constitutional reform proceeded.
Lesson 1.1.1: To evaluate the reasons for the political crises of October to November 1918

14. Revolution from Above
Why did the Kaiser and the military hand over power?
To remove/shift blame for military defeat away from the army onto the government.
The US President Wilson made it clear that reforms were necessary if Germany wanted to receive a more moderate peace treaty. (a move along democratic lines would please the Western democracies)
What was the significance of this “Rev from above”?
Germany ceased to be an autocracy and had become a parliamentary democracy.
Kaiser was now a constitutional monarch with no real power.
Prince Max took over as Chancellor - Liberal
Alan White “The behaviour of Hindenburg and Ludendorff in the autumn of 1918 was shameful. … The Reichstag politicians, by contrast, behaved extraordinarily well … they were aware that they were taking over a ‘bankrupt enterprise’, but they did not shrink from doing what they believed to be their patriotic duty.”
Lesson 1.1.1: To evaluate the reasons for the political crises of October to November 1918

15. Revolution from Below
The war created an enormous amount of discontent, focused on the continuation of the war
28th Oct – Wilhelmshaven mutiny
3rd Nov – Kiel mutiny
‘Councils of workers, soldiers and sailors’ were set up to replace local governments
Bavaria declared an independent republic
By the 9th Nov the whole of Germany was effectively in the hands of socialist controlled soviets (more of an anti-military than anti-capitalism uprising)
It was clear that unless some decisive action was taken Germany would continue to disintegrate.
Lesson 1.1.1: To evaluate the reasons for the political crises of October to November 1918

16. Revolution from Below What were the results of the Rev from below?
Kaiser Wilhelm, having lost the support of the army, fled to Holland.
Prince Max resigned, fearing a full communist revolution, and handed power to a socialist government (comprising of SPD and USPD). This was headed by Friedrich Ebert, leader of the SPD.
Philipp Scheidermann declared Germany a republic.
11th Nov – the new republic was responsible for signing an armistice, which marked the defeat of Germany.
Lesson 1.1.1: To evaluate the reasons for the political crises of October to November 1918

17. Key events of the crises
Create a timeline of the key events in the political crises of October and November (29th Sept – 11th Nov)
Put these events into categorises, colour code your timeline:
Political
Military
Social
Individuals
Lesson 1.1.1: To evaluate the reasons for the political crises of October to November 1918

18. Timeline - 1918 Date Event 29 Sept 30 Sept 1 Oct 3 Oct 24 Oct 26 Oct
3 Nov
6 Nov
8 Nov
9 Nov
11 Nov

19. Timeline - 1918 Date Event 29 Sept
Ludendorff called for armistice negotiations
30 Sept
Kaiser promised political reforms
1 Oct
Prince Max of Baden formed a new government
3 Oct
Prince Max’s letter to President Wilson asking for an armistice
24 Oct
Wilson replied to Prince Max’s request
26 Oct
Ludendorff resigned and fled to Sweden
28 Oct
Naval mutiny at Wilhelmshaven
3 Nov
Naval mutiny at Kiel
6 Nov
Councils are set up all over Germany
8 Nov
Revolt in Bavaria
9 Nov
Declaration of a German Republic in Berlin and abdication of the Kaiser
11 Nov
Armistice signed with Allies

20. Source Analysis Evaluating primary sources:
In what ways would Source 1 be of value to an historian investigating the feelings of the German people at the end of the war?
Lesson 1.1.1: To evaluate the reasons for the political crises of October to November 1918

21. Evaluating primary sources: In what ways would Source 1 be of value to an historian investigating the feelings of the German people at the end of the war?
Provence (NOP)
Tone & emphasis
Ernst Toller, a Jewish writer and member of the Independent Socialist Party, recalled the events of 1918 in his autobiography which was published in 1933:
Germany’s needs became ever more desperate. The bread got ever worse, the milk got thinner, the farmers would have nothing to do with the towns. The men at the front were incensed. For four years they had fought, on the Eastern Front, on the Western Front, in Asia, in Africa; for four years they had stood their ground in the rain and mud of Flanders. During the night of 3rd October the Peace Note was dispatched to President Wilson. This unexpected bid for peace opened the eyes of the German people at last; they had no idea of the impending catastrophe. So it was all for nothing – the millions of dead, the millions of wounded, the starvation at home. All for nothing. The people thought only of peace. They had been thinking of war too long, believing in victory too long. Why hadn’t they been told the truth?
Content & argument
Contextual knowledge

22. Left wing political groups
At the start, the republic was dominated by left wing political parties. On the board draw the political spectrum. SPD set up in 1875, USPD split from the SPD in 1917 over the war, Spartacists (KPD) more radical element split in 1916.

23. Struggle for Power
Provisional Government was formed by members of the SPD and USPD, who disputed how Germany should be governed.
SPD wanted parliamentary democracy and to hold elections for a Constituent Assembly.
USPD wanted more radical change, a change in the nature of German society and to create a Soviet republic.
Compromises were reached, however there was a continuing threat of revolution, and uprisings continued.
Lesson 1.1.1: To evaluate the reasons for the political crises of October to November 1918

24. Restore stability Retention of the imperial civil service
Postponed plans for nationalisation
Decision to work with the army (Ebert – Groener Pact)
Ebert promised to be moderate and resist demands by the councils to democratise the army
Groener promised that the army would give the republic support against left wing uprisings.
Questions – Why did Ebert take such moderate actions? Why did Groener promise this? Why was the support only the republic against left wing uprisings?
Lesson 1.1.1: To evaluate the reasons for the political crises of October to November 1918

25. Was there a “revolution”?
The revolution of 1918 was nothing more than the change from an imperial empire to a republic.
It did not change the socio-economic structure of Germany.
The army, bureaucracy, judiciary, educational and religious establishments remained intact. There loyalties were to the old imperial order
Lesson 1.1.1: To evaluate the reasons for the political crises of October to November 1918

26. Plenary
1. What was the most important reason for the political crises of October/ November 1918? 2. What was the most significant consequence of the crises? Be prepared to justified your answers!
Lesson 1.1.1: To evaluate the reasons for the political crises of October to November 1918