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7 Dec 2025

44

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Uprisings and Political Turmoil in Early Weimar Republic

M

Mia Giles @miagiles_cjki

The early Weimar Republic faced constant threats from both left-wing communists and right-wing extremists trying to overthrow the... Show more

-
-
Spartacist Uprising.
5th Jan 1919
led by kan Liebknecht e Rosa Luxemberg
staged an armed uprising in Berlin to seize
power
from Eberts n

Early Communist Uprisings (1919)

Your history exams will definitely cover these two major communist revolts that almost toppled the Weimar Republic in its first year. Both failed spectacularly, but they reveal how desperate and divided Germany was after WWI.

The Spartacist Uprising kicked off in January 1919 when communist leaders Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg tried to seize Berlin. Problem was, they'd rushed into it without proper planning or enough working-class support. President Ebert wasn't messing about - he called in the army and the brutal Freikorps rightwingparamilitarygroupsright-wing paramilitary groups to crush them.

The street fighting was vicious, ending with both communist leaders executed on 13th January. This created lasting divisions on the left that would haunt German politics for years. Just months later, the Bavarian Uprising saw Kurt Eisner's radicals briefly establish a soviet republic, only to be crushed again by the Freikorps with 700 killed.

Key Point These early revolts showed that Ebert's government was willing to work with right-wing forces to survive, even though they'd later turn against the republic itself.

-
-
Spartacist Uprising.
5th Jan 1919
led by kan Liebknecht e Rosa Luxemberg
staged an armed uprising in Berlin to seize
power
from Eberts n

Right-Wing Putsches (1920-1923)

Here's where things get really messy - the same Freikorps that saved the republic then tried to destroy it! The Kapp Putsch in March 1920 happened because the Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to disband these paramilitary units.

General Lüttwitz refused orders and marched 12,000 troops to Berlin, backed by politician Wolfgang Kapp. When Ebert ordered the regular army to stop them, General von Seekt famously replied "troops don't fire on troops." Awkward! Luckily, trade unions called a general strike that paralysed Berlin and the putsch collapsed within four days.

The Munich Putsch of November 1923 was Hitler's first attempt at power during the hyperinflation crisis. The future dictator and his SA stormtroopers tried to force Bavaria's leader to support their revolution in a Munich beer hall. Despite having General Ludendorff's backing, the army crushed the revolt.

Sixteen Nazis died in the shooting, and Hitler got five years in prison (though he only served nine months). This failed putsch actually helped launch Hitler's political career through his trial publicity.

Key Point These right-wing revolts were more dangerous than the communist ones because they had support within the army and government structures.

-
-
Spartacist Uprising.
5th Jan 1919
led by kan Liebknecht e Rosa Luxemberg
staged an armed uprising in Berlin to seize
power
from Eberts n

Political Assassinations and Terror

Political murder was basically a hobby for right-wing extremists during this period - they committed 354 political murders between 1919-1923! The most shocking was the assassination of Walter Rathenau, Germany's Jewish foreign minister, in 1922.

Rathenau was gunned down on his way to work by Operation Consul, a terror group made up of former Freikorps members. They targeted him partly because he'd been involved in signing the hated Treaty of Versailles, and partly due to anti-Semitic hatred.

The public finally fought back after Rathenau's murder - 700,000 ordinary Germans demonstrated against the killing. These massive public protests actually worked, causing the number of political assassinations to decline significantly.

Key Point The scale of right-wing political violence shows how the Weimar Republic's enemies were literally murdering their way through democratic politicians.

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History

44

7 Dec 2025

3 pages

Uprisings and Political Turmoil in Early Weimar Republic

M

Mia Giles

@miagiles_cjki

The early Weimar Republic faced constant threats from both left-wing communists and right-wing extremists trying to overthrow the government. These uprisings and assassination attempts between 1919-1923 nearly destroyed Germany's fragile democracy before it even got started.

-
-
Spartacist Uprising.
5th Jan 1919
led by kan Liebknecht e Rosa Luxemberg
staged an armed uprising in Berlin to seize
power
from Eberts n

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Early Communist Uprisings (1919)

Your history exams will definitely cover these two major communist revolts that almost toppled the Weimar Republic in its first year. Both failed spectacularly, but they reveal how desperate and divided Germany was after WWI.

The Spartacist Uprising kicked off in January 1919 when communist leaders Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg tried to seize Berlin. Problem was, they'd rushed into it without proper planning or enough working-class support. President Ebert wasn't messing about - he called in the army and the brutal Freikorps rightwingparamilitarygroupsright-wing paramilitary groups to crush them.

The street fighting was vicious, ending with both communist leaders executed on 13th January. This created lasting divisions on the left that would haunt German politics for years. Just months later, the Bavarian Uprising saw Kurt Eisner's radicals briefly establish a soviet republic, only to be crushed again by the Freikorps with 700 killed.

Key Point: These early revolts showed that Ebert's government was willing to work with right-wing forces to survive, even though they'd later turn against the republic itself.

-
-
Spartacist Uprising.
5th Jan 1919
led by kan Liebknecht e Rosa Luxemberg
staged an armed uprising in Berlin to seize
power
from Eberts n

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Right-Wing Putsches (1920-1923)

Here's where things get really messy - the same Freikorps that saved the republic then tried to destroy it! The Kapp Putsch in March 1920 happened because the Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to disband these paramilitary units.

General Lüttwitz refused orders and marched 12,000 troops to Berlin, backed by politician Wolfgang Kapp. When Ebert ordered the regular army to stop them, General von Seekt famously replied: "troops don't fire on troops." Awkward! Luckily, trade unions called a general strike that paralysed Berlin and the putsch collapsed within four days.

The Munich Putsch of November 1923 was Hitler's first attempt at power during the hyperinflation crisis. The future dictator and his SA stormtroopers tried to force Bavaria's leader to support their revolution in a Munich beer hall. Despite having General Ludendorff's backing, the army crushed the revolt.

Sixteen Nazis died in the shooting, and Hitler got five years in prison (though he only served nine months). This failed putsch actually helped launch Hitler's political career through his trial publicity.

Key Point: These right-wing revolts were more dangerous than the communist ones because they had support within the army and government structures.

-
-
Spartacist Uprising.
5th Jan 1919
led by kan Liebknecht e Rosa Luxemberg
staged an armed uprising in Berlin to seize
power
from Eberts n

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Political Assassinations and Terror

Political murder was basically a hobby for right-wing extremists during this period - they committed 354 political murders between 1919-1923! The most shocking was the assassination of Walter Rathenau, Germany's Jewish foreign minister, in 1922.

Rathenau was gunned down on his way to work by Operation Consul, a terror group made up of former Freikorps members. They targeted him partly because he'd been involved in signing the hated Treaty of Versailles, and partly due to anti-Semitic hatred.

The public finally fought back after Rathenau's murder - 700,000 ordinary Germans demonstrated against the killing. These massive public protests actually worked, causing the number of political assassinations to decline significantly.

Key Point: The scale of right-wing political violence shows how the Weimar Republic's enemies were literally murdering their way through democratic politicians.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

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Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

2

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Quiz
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4.9/5

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

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Elisha

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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

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Anna

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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

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