The End of World War One

This section explains the creation of the Weimer republic at the end of World War one (1918-1919). By the autumn of 1918, it had become apparent that Germany was on the brink of losing World War One. The country was in a state of turmoil, with its people suffering severely and the economy buckling under immense pressure.

Economic Strain and Social Unrest

Germany’s economy was being suffocated by the British naval blockade, which had been in place since 1914. This blockade severely restricted the flow of goods and supplies into the country, causing food shortages and widespread suffering. In 1918 alone, nearly 293,000 Germans died from starvation and exposure to the cold during the harsh winter months.

The blockade, combined with the strains of fighting a war on two fronts—against France and Britain in the west, and against Russia in the east—crippled Germany’s ability to trade, which had been a cornerstone of its pre-war economic prosperity. The country’s chemical industry, which had been a key sector, was virtually destroyed, leading to massive unemployment and economic instability.

Workers, who were already facing difficult working conditions, found themselves earning significantly less despite being expected to work longer hours. By 1918, miners in Germany were only receiving about 60 per cent of their pre-war wages, which fuelled resentment across the working class. Meanwhile, the currency, the German Mark, was plummeting in value, leading to rampant inflation. The government, already heavily in debt, could not raise taxes on the wealthy to alleviate the crisis, as many of the country’s elite had close ties to the military and the monarchy.

The Request for an Armistice

By September 1918, Germany's military leaders, including Generals Erich von Hindenburg and Paul von Ludendorff, realised that victory was no longer achievable. They advised Kaiser Wilhelm II to seek an armistice, which would effectively end the fighting and prevent further devastation to the country.

The German Revolution and the Collapse of the Monarchy

Following this advice, a series of dramatic events unfolded in Germany, which would come to be known as the German Revolution. On 3 November 1918, sailors at the Kiel naval base, frustrated by poor conditions and orders to launch a final, futile attack on the British Royal Navy, staged a mutiny. This act of defiance quickly spread across Germany, and in the days that followed, workers, soldiers, and civilians began to rise up in protest.

The revolutionaries’ actions led to the rapid collapse of the German government. By 9 November, Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced to abdicate the throne, ending over 400 years of the Hohenzollern monarchy. Friedrich Ebert, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), took charge and became Chancellor (the equivalent of Prime Minister in the UK), assuming control of the country during this turbulent period.

Germany Surrenders

On 11 November 1918, Germany officially surrendered to the Allies, marking the end of World War One. An armistice was signed, and the fighting ceased on the Western Front. The terms of the armistice, however, were harsh and would later contribute to the social and political turmoil in Germany.

The Weimar Republic

After the war, Germany needed to find a new political system to replace the monarchy and stabilise the country. In January 1919, Friedrich Ebert and members of the newly elected National Assembly convened in the town of Weimar, as the capital, Berlin, was considered too dangerous following the violent Spartacist Uprising earlier that month. The task of the assembly was to draw up a new constitution for Germany.

The Weimar Constitution was finalised in August 1919, establishing the Weimar Republic—a democratic government. In June 1920, the first national elections of the Weimar Republic took place, and Ebert was elected President. This marked the beginning of a new era in Germany, but one that would be fraught with instability and challenges in the years to come.

Summary of Key Events

• September 1918: German military leaders call for an armistice.
• 3 November 1918: The Kiel Mutiny breaks out among sailors.
• 9 November 1918: Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates, and Friedrich Ebert becomes Chancellor.
• 11 November 1918: World War One ends with the signing of an armistice.
• January 1919: The Weimar National Assembly meets to draft a new constitution.
• August 1919: The Weimar Constitution is adopted.
• June 1920: The first democratic elections of the Weimar Republic take place, with Ebert elected as President.

This period in German history was marked by dramatic changes, the collapse of an empire, and the rise of a democratic republic. However, the Weimar Republic would face numerous challenges, including political extremism, economic crises, and the bitter consequences of the Treaty of Versailles.