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The Weimar Republic

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From Kaiserreich to Weimar Republic Kaiser Wilhelm II's Abdication Proclamation, November 1918 With Germany actively seeking an armistice and revolution threatening, calls for Kaiser Wilhelm II to abdicate grew in intensity. Wilhelm was himself deeply reluctant to make such a sacrifice, instead expressing a preference to lead his armies back into Germany from the Western Front. Upon being informed by his military advisers that the army could not be relied upon not to harm him Wilhelm abandoned the notion. Wilhelm's abdication was announced by Chancellor Prince Max von Baden in a 9 November 1918 proclamation - before Wilhelm had in fact consented to abdicate (but after Social Democrat Philipp Scheidemann had announced the Kaiser's departure from the balcony of the Reichstag). Faced with a fait accompli Wilhelm formally abdicated and went into exile in Holland. His abdication proclamation (reproduced below) was formally published in Berlin on 30 November 1918. Kaiser Wilhelm fled to exile in the Netherlands, where he lived until his death in 1941. Having instigated the Kaiser's abdication Prince Max resigned, handing power to incoming Chancellor Friedrich Ebert who, in statements issued on 10 November and 17 November, appealed for public calm and reassured the German public that the incoming government would be "a government of the people". Kaiser Wilhelm II's Abdication Proclamation I herewith renounce for all time claims to the throne of Prussia and to the German Imperial throne connected therewith. At the same time, I release all officials of the German Empire and of Prussia, as well as all officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the navy and of the Prussian army, as well as the troops of the federated states of Germany, from the oath of fidelity which they tendered to me as their Emperor, King and Commander-in-Chief. I expect of them that until the re-establishment of order in the German Empire they shall render assistance to those in actual power in Germany, in protecting the German people from the threatening dangers of anarchy, famine, and foreign rule. Proclaimed under our own hand and with the imperial seal attached. Amerongen, 28 November, 1918 November Revolution - November 9th, 1918 November 9th – Schicksalstag der Deutschen (Day of Fate) Important events of November 9th that went down in history 1918: November revolution in Germany – the monarchy ends and a new republic emerges 1923: Hitler putsch – attempt to overthrow the government 1938: Night of Broken Glass/ Reichspogromnacht – nationwide pogrom against Jews 1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall The German Revolution of 1918 In October 1918 preliminary talks about the conditions of a possible ceasefire took place between the Allied powers and the German government. Nevertheless, the German naval command ordered the fleet on October 28th, 1918 to engage in a last honorable battle with the British Navy. The preparations to sail first triggered a mutiny among the sailors in Kiel and Wilhelmshaven, who had no intention of risking their lives near the end of the war and who were also convinced that the credibility of the new democratic government which was seeking peace would be lost by an attack at this stage. Within a few days the mutiny spread throughout Germany and was joined by war-weary workers. Workers#’ and Soldiers’ Councils, based on the soviets in Russia, were formed all over the country and took over the urban administration. When the revolution reached Berlin in the early morning of November 9th, 1918, Chancellor Max von Baden quickly realized that there was no alternative to the Emperor’s abdication. Wilhelm II, however, was not inclined to renounce the throne. For this reason the Chancellor decided himself – in order to calm down the revolting masses – to announce the Emperor’s abdication. He then handed the power to the Social Democrat leader Friedrich Ebert by appointing him Chancellor. At 2 p.m. the Social Democrat Philipp Scheidemann stepped out onto a window sill of the Reichstag. From there he proclaimed (on his own authority) a Republic in front of a mass of demonstrating people. A few hours later, around 4 p.m., Karl Liebknecht (member of the Spartacus League and future founder of the KPD) proclaimed the Socialist Republic at the Berlin Stadtschloss. The following day the SPD and USPD formed the Council of the People’s Commissioners, which was to govern the country until February 1919. In December 1918, it was decided by the Reich Congress of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils that elections for a National Assembly were to be held on January 19th, 1919. Since demands by left-wing parties, first and foremost the Spartacus League, to turn Germany into a soviet republic, following the example of the Russians in the October Revolution in 1917, had been ignored, conflicts between Social Democrats and radical powers, now violently seeking to achieve their aims, got worse. On December 23rd, 1918 Ebert had to ask the army for support. Provoked by this alliance, left-wing parties called on the people to demonstrate against the government on January 5th, 1919. Due to the enormous number of participants the demonstration turned into a riot. Parts of the Berlin city center were occupied and the overthrow of the government was announced. However, the rebellion was soon put down and the elections for the National Assembly could take place. A few days later Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, the leaders of the so-called Spartacist uprising, were kidnapped, tortured and murdered by the Freikorps, a volunteer military unit. The Fall of the German Empire Background Failure of the last massive battles of the German army in the spring/summer of 1918 Impact of the US war entry in 1917 August 14th, 1918 – Oberste Heeresleitung (OHL- Supreme Army Command) - Hindenburg and Ludendorff - admits defeat OHL demands immediate armistice in September 1918 2. November events (Berlin) November 3rd, 1918: begin of sailor and soldier mutiny in Kiel, navy refuses to go out to sea to fight in one final hopeless battle and sacrifice lives The Kiel mutiny was a major revolt by sailors of the German High Seas Fleet on 3 November 1918. The revolt triggered the German revolution which was to sweep aside the monarchy within a few days. It ultimately led to the end of the German Empire and to the establishment of the Weimar Republic. November 9th, 1918: Chancellor Max von Baden hands over chancellorship to Friedrich Ebert and proclaims the abdication of the Kaiser, before he even abdicates A race for the proclamation of a new republic begins (decisive for the future of Germany) a. Philipp Scheidemann (SPD) – parliamentary republic b. Karl Liebknecht (Spartacist/Communist) – socialist republic A new provisional (temporary) government is formed (Rat der Volksbeauftragten) The Ebert-Groener Pact was an agreement between President Ebert and Wilhelm Groener (German Army) that ensured the safety of the new Weimar Republic in its early days. Facing threats from the Spartacists, led by Liebknecht and Luxembourg, the Army, along with the Freikorps, were allowed to crack down on left-wing groups posing a danger to the new Government. In return, the Army would be able to retain its independence and support from the interventions of bureaucrats. This is a very controversial decision as the Army is anti-republican and pro-monarchist. November 11. 1918 – armistice is signed and official end of the Great War – Remembrance Day/ Armistice Day is celebrated in many countries as a holiday The German delegation signs the armistice in a railway carriage in the middle of a forest at Compiègne. Mathias Erzberger (3rd from right) will eventually be murdered as a scapegoat for the situation Germany is in. This exact same location and railway carriage will eventually play another important and symbolic role in June 1940, when the French are forced to sign their armistice and surrender to Nazi Germany as a supreme moment of revenge. Philipp Scheidemann (SPD), Proclamation of the Parliamentarian Republic, November 9th, 1918 at the Reichstag Workers and soldiers! The four war years were horrible, gruesome the sacrifices the people had to make in property and blood; the unfortunate war is over. The killing is over. The consequences of the war, need and suffering, will burden us for many years. The defeat we strove so hard to avoid, under all circumstances, has come upon us. Our suggestions regarding an understanding were sabotaged, we personally were mocked and ignored. The enemies of the working class, the real, inner enemies who are responsible for Germany's collapse, they have turned silent and invisible. They were the home warriors, which upheld their conquest demands until yesterday, as obstinate as they fought the struggle against any reform of the constitution and especially of the deplorable Prussian election system. These enemies of the people are finished forever. The Kaiser has abdicated. He and his friends have disappeared; the people have won over all of them, in every field. Prince Max von Baden has handed over the office of Reich chancellor to representative Ebert. Our friend will form a new government consisting of workers of all socialist parties. This new government may not be interrupted, in their work to preserve peace and to care for work and bread. Workers and soldiers, be aware of the historic importance of this day: exorbitant things have happened. Great and incalculable tasks are waiting for us. Everything for the people. Everything by the people. Nothing may happen to the dishonor of the Labor Movement. Be united, faithful and conscientious. The old and rotten, the monarchy has collapsed. The new may live. Long live the German Republic!" Karl Liebknecht (Spartacus League), Proclamation of the Free Socialist Republic, November 9th, 1918, at the Stadtschloss (2 hours later) The day of the revolution has come.
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