-
Period: to
World War One
-
Weimar Republic declared
Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated, and Philipp Scheidemann declared the creation of a new Republic. -
Provisional Government set up
The Council of the People's Deputies took over the former German Empire, with Ebert as chairman of the council. -
Armistice signed
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/ -
Weimar Constitution passed
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. -
The Enabling Act is passed
Hitler is given the powers of a dictator. -
Period: to
World War Two
-
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
