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Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated, and Philipp Scheidemann declared the creation of a new Republic. -
The Council of the People's Deputies took over the former German Empire, with Ebert as chairman of the council. -
Ebert and some other members of the SPD (Social Democratic Party) signed the armistice.
They became known as the "November Criminals" by many Germans who believed that the German Army had been betrayed, not defeated, in WW1/ -
Strengths:
• All men and women over 20 could vote (universal sufferage).
• Democratic
• Bill of rights; free speech and freedom of religion. Weaknesses:
• Proportional Representation led to many small parties unable to form a majority, so (unstable) coalition governments had to be formed.
• Article 48 gave the President a lot of power that could be abused. -
Hitler is given the powers of a dictator. -
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