Chapter 1

Before unification  Germany was  a number of separate states, the largest most dominating state was Prussia, the chancellor of Germany was previously its chancellor.

Men over 25 voted in Reichstag elections every 3 years. The Reichstag could pass/reject laws. Different parties across the political spectrum. People vote on who goes into the Reichsrat.

Kaiser appoints/dismisses the Chancellor and other ministers. The Reichstrat could veto legislation passed by the Reichstag. The Kaiser controlled foreign policy and armed forces.

1914- Lots of support for the was, political truce, shortage of necessities

1916-17- severe food shortages, rising prices, damaged morale, america joins war, worse social divisions.

1917 - Bolshevik Revolution, wave of strikes, Brest-Litovsk

1918 - People more open to revolution, unrest, November soldiers in retreat, Government advised to start peace talks

German people shocked by defeat because of propaganda

By end of September 1918, clear Germany would lose, had to ask for armistice if not surrender. Tried to make changes for lenient Wilson(exc. alsace lorraine), revolution from above.

October Reforms: Prince Max of Baden as new chancellor, responsible to Reichstag, new government based on majority parties, army under control of government.

3rd October - Peace note, Wilson  3 weeks, fully democratise system, evacuate all occupied territory, end submarine warfare.(Kaiser abdicate, Germany surrender.) Ludendorff flees. German morale broked, respect for Kaiser lost, increasingly seen as obstacle.             November Revolution of 1918

• 3rd - Kiel Mutiny
• 4th Kiel mutiny spreads to the city, councils
• 6th - Councils all over Germany,authority challenged, regime collapses
• 8th- Bavaria republic,move towards republic, Max knows he's lost
• 9th - SPD strike+threat, Max press statement, Max resigns Ebert Chancellor, Scheidemann Republic, Groener, Kaiser Abdicates
• 10th Kaiser goes to Holland
• 11th - Armistice

Ebert came to power through revolution - knew his government was a bit illegit. So wanted new constitution ASAP, so wanted organise election for National Constituent Assembly

The left were key in revolution wanted govt to refer to them for key decisions. 22nd November agreement that govt exercised power in name of councils. USPD wanted more revolution and to that aristocracy had to be abolished. Saw Ebert- Groener pact as betrayal to revolution.

Ebert needed support of the army ( v aristocratic, loyal to Kaiser, hate democracy), many were scared of Bolshevik revolution. 10th Nov- Groener called Ebert to say army would support government if Ebert resisted soldiers' councils' demands to democratise the army to defend Germany from communism. Ebert also didn't want more revolution + agreed - Ebert-Groener Pact.

1919- Weimar Constitution: universal suffrage, full democracy, all Germans equal, illegit = legit. Can form unions, no state chirch, referendums if 1/10 petition.                                            However: Proportional representation meant lots of small parties, coalitions, division in Reichstag.Federal overrides state law, arms used if defied, Article 48- Ebert used 136 times.