The creation of a Republic 1918-19
Why was a new constitution necessary?
The Revolution from above
The immediate cause of defeat in WW1 led to a new constitution. It
destroyed the government forcing the Kaiser to abdicate and democracy
was put in place to lessen the impact of the crisis. This government was
led by the Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD).
In September 1918 German leaders appealed to the US president to
negotiate a peace deal to end the war. To strengthen Germany’s position
the kaiser and leading generals they led the ‘revolution from above’.
Prince Max of Baden, who became the new chancellor led this. The
creation of the new government was an attempt to make allies believe
Germany was becoming more democratic, hopes that they would treat
Germany with sympathy rather than with a harsh peace treaty. In effect
this made Germany a constitutional monarchy.
Max of Baden- During WW1 he was critical of army military leaders. He
worked with the Red Cross helping Russian prisoners of war. He was
regarded as a liberal and was an obvious choice as a new chancellor.
The centre party (ZP)- Founded to protect the rights of German Catholics
and gained a high level of support. It supported the Weimar Republic. The
ZP and SPD collaborated to help improve welfare provision for the poor.
However, by the end of the 1920’s it became more authoritarian and
believed the Republic became a threat to democracy.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD)- It was the largest socialist party in
Germany. It was founded by Marxists and was determined to act legally
and tried to work through the Reichstag. The party was dominant in
Prussia which held 57% of Germany’s population. They worked to uphold
democracy and democratic values.
Growing pressure for democracy
During September 1918 the SPD and ZP had demanded a change in the
law to make government accountable in parliament.
Ending the War
Generals believed constitutional change was advantageous. Hindenburg
and Ludendorff played a major role in governmental change since 1916,
since they did not want to take responsibility for admitting defeat.
Why was a new constitution necessary?
The Revolution from above
The immediate cause of defeat in WW1 led to a new constitution. It
destroyed the government forcing the Kaiser to abdicate and democracy
was put in place to lessen the impact of the crisis. This government was
led by the Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD).
In September 1918 German leaders appealed to the US president to
negotiate a peace deal to end the war. To strengthen Germany’s position
the kaiser and leading generals they led the ‘revolution from above’.
Prince Max of Baden, who became the new chancellor led this. The
creation of the new government was an attempt to make allies believe
Germany was becoming more democratic, hopes that they would treat
Germany with sympathy rather than with a harsh peace treaty. In effect
this made Germany a constitutional monarchy.
Max of Baden- During WW1 he was critical of army military leaders. He
worked with the Red Cross helping Russian prisoners of war. He was
regarded as a liberal and was an obvious choice as a new chancellor.
The centre party (ZP)- Founded to protect the rights of German Catholics
and gained a high level of support. It supported the Weimar Republic. The
ZP and SPD collaborated to help improve welfare provision for the poor.
However, by the end of the 1920’s it became more authoritarian and
believed the Republic became a threat to democracy.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD)- It was the largest socialist party in
Germany. It was founded by Marxists and was determined to act legally
and tried to work through the Reichstag. The party was dominant in
Prussia which held 57% of Germany’s population. They worked to uphold
democracy and democratic values.
Growing pressure for democracy
During September 1918 the SPD and ZP had demanded a change in the
law to make government accountable in parliament.
Ending the War
Generals believed constitutional change was advantageous. Hindenburg
and Ludendorff played a major role in governmental change since 1916,
since they did not want to take responsibility for admitting defeat.
