The German Revolution

1. Using the documents in Chapter 1 as evidence, list the ways in which conditions in Germany worsened during the war.
-protests were not posted to newspapers- news and media were controlled by government
-antiwar demonstrations were illegal
-resources were scarce (firewood, coal, gas)
-British blockades prevented food from coming into Germany
-Winter of 1916-17 was a harsh one and destroyed potato harvest- turnip alternative. 
-Soldiers were in need of food as well. 
-Mutiny on naval vessels because food rations were cut.

2. Give two reasons why the war caused such bad conditions for German civilians.
The war caused such bad conditions for the German civilians because the British blockade prevented food ships from docking at German ports, so therefore they were starving and there was also power shortages.  Also, the government made it so that the civilians could not protest the war, by making anti-war demonstrations illegal.

3. After reading Chapter 2, give two reasons why Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated on November 10, 1918.
One reason why Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated was because he had no control of Germany anymore because all his military generals went against his word and committed mutiny, which spread from the coast, inland and people started to form their own governmental systems in their towns. Another reason was because the allied countries of France, Britain and USA were waiting for Germany to collapse, but instead Wilhelm could make an agreement whilst he had moderate control of the people, which did not end in his favor.

4. Using the information you have read in this chapter, give evidence to support the statement that there was "revolution all over Germany."
The revolution began with sailors on naval vessels to refuse to go to battle with the enemy, then they were arrested and others protested against (held a meeting) the sentences they were to face for mutiny, and soon workers and sailors began to take over the coastal towns by mutiny and then it started to spread inland to towns and cities where they had started to make mini governments, hence the "revolution all over Germany."

5. Study the information about the German Socialists in Chapter 2, page 5. What did the three Socialist groups have in common? 
All three Socialist groups had the exact same aim: to improve workers' conditions, and to give democratic rights to all Germans (ie right to vote), their methods were all very different.

6. In what ways were the Socialist groups different.
The Socialist groups were separated by their methods of obtaining their goals or aims for the country. For example: The Social Democratic Party's method was to get parliament to pass reforms, while the Independent  Socialists' method was to organize strikes in order to force parliament to make reforms. Finally, the Spartacists' method was to completely overthrow the government.

7. After reading Chapter 3 make a time chart of the events of the German Revolution from Nov. 10, 1918 to Jan. 15, 1919. You should be able to find six events.
1. Kaiser Wilhelm had abdicated on Nov. 10, 1918, leaving Germany without a leader. 
2. New Years Eve, 1918; The Spartacist Party changed their name to The German Communist Party
3. January 6, 1919 The German Communist Party started it's revolution. 
4. January 10, 1919 the Free Corps and The German Communist Party fought in the streets for three days.
5. January 15, 1919 the Free Corps arrested Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht and murdered them. 
6. February 11, 1919 Ebert was elected President of the Weimar Republic. 


8. At what time would you say the Communists had their best chance of seizing power? Explain your answer.
I think the Communists had their best chance of seizing power when the sailors were angry and frustrated with Ebert because he didn't give them high enough pay in order to survive, so therefore, the Communists should of made deals with the angered sailors while they could and that way, they would of made allies with the potential enemy.