Politics in Weimar Germany Learning Objectives To explain

Politics in Weimar Germany Learning Objectives: • To explain the political spectrum in Germany Starter: Can you remember the two main problems with the Weimar Constitution? Wei mar Rep u Con blic stitu tion

LO: To explain the political spectrum in Germany Politics in Weimar Germany When the Weimar Republic was set up, the largest political party was the Social Democratic Party (the SDP). Their leader, Friedrich Ebert, was therefore chosen to be the first president. What was the difference between the president and the chancellor?

The first thing he does is sign the armistice on 11 th November – this brings an end to WW 1.

LO: To explain the political spectrum in Germany Politics in Weimar Germany • Allies prepared to make peace on conditions: • Kaiser and Generals must give up powers • Power given to the Reichstag • Germany went from a country of autocracy and became a parliamentary democracy

LO: To explain the political spectrum in Germany Politics in Weimar Germany • • • The Armistice was an agreement signed by representatives of France, Great Britain and Germany. It was an agreement to end fighting as a prelude to peace negotiations. The Treaty of Versailles The Armistice began at on 11 th November 1918 at 11 am (French time) the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The Armistice took place in Ferdinand Foch's railway carriage in the Forest of Compiègne, about 37 miles (60 km) north of Paris.

What does this source suggest about German reaction to the armistice?

LO: To explain the political spectrum in Germany Dolchstoss (the stab-inthe-back theory) was the idea among some in Germany (particularly the right wing and the army) that Germany was not going to lose the war and the armistice should not have been signed. They called the Weimar Republic’s leaders the ‘November Criminals’

LO: To explain the political spectrum in Germany Dictatorship and appeals to lower classes (workers) Far Left The Political Spectrum Democratic and appeals to lower classes (workers) Centre Left • Equality • Social change • Distribution of wealth Democratic and appeals to everyone Centre Democratic and appeals to rich or nationalistic Centre Right Dictatorship and appeals to rich or nationalistic Far Right • Personal liberty • Capitalism • Private property

LO: To explain the political spectrum in Germany The Political Spectrum Read the descriptions of the different political parties and try to place them in the correct place on the political spectrum.

LO: To explain the political spectrum in Germany Communism LEFT WING The Political Spectrum Socialism Liberalism CENTRE Conservatism Nationalism/ Fascism RIGHT WING

Fact or Fiction? The Kaiser abdicated on 11 th November 1918 Dictatorship means a state with a strong leader, one-party rule One characteristic of fascism is often nationalism The president of the Weimar republic ruled for 8 years Fascism is extreme left wing and gains support from workers Under the new constitution anyone under 20 yrs. can vote Friedrich Ebert became the first elected president of Germany The new republic was named after the town it was established The Armistice was signed between Germany, France, Britain and Russia Article 54 have the president power to pass laws without voting in the Reichstag first