Weimar Republic Establishment and Early Challenges
The Weimar Republic timeline GCSE begins with the end of World War I and the establishment of Germany's first democratic government. On November 9, 1918, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated his throne, marking the end of imperial rule in Germany. This was quickly followed by the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918, which officially ended the fighting in World War I.
The early days of the Weimar Republic were marked by political instability and violence. From January 5-12, 1919, the Spartacist Uprising took place in Berlin, led by the communist Spartacist League. This rebellion was suppressed by the Freikorps, paramilitary groups often composed of former soldiers.
In the following months, the foundations of the new republic were laid. The Weimar National Assembly was established between February and June 1919, drafting the new constitution and electing Friedrich Ebert as President. On June 28, 1919, Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles, officially ending World War I and imposing harsh penalties on the country.
The Weimar Constitution was signed on August 11, 1919, introducing a more democratic system of government. However, the young republic faced immediate challenges, including the Kapp Putsch on March 13, 1920, a right-wing revolt in Berlin that was ultimately defeated by a general strike.
Highlight: The Weimar Republic faced numerous challenges in its early years, including political violence, economic instability, and the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
Vocabulary: Freikorps - Paramilitary organizations composed of former German soldiers, often used to suppress left-wing uprisings during the early Weimar period.
Example: The Spartacist Uprising and the Kapp Putsch demonstrate the political instability and violence that characterized the early years of the Weimar Republic.
