Exam (elaborations)
How serious were threats to the Weimar Republic from left and right-wing extremists in the years 1919 to 1923?
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How serious were threats to the Weimar Republic from left andright-wing extremists in the years 1919 to 1923?
The Weimar Republic faced a range of problems and potential threats in
its early years. Created at a time of confusion and chaos, after Germany
had lost the First World War, extreme parties utilised the dissatisfaction
and ill-feeling of the nation towards the newly formed government. In
1919-23, extremists on both the Left (Spartacists) and the Right
attempted to challenge and overthrow the government.
Arguably, the left-wing threat seemed a significant challenge to
democracy in 1919. The newly formed German government, led by Ebert,
was committed to holding elections for a National Assembly. This would
lead to a democratic constitution. However, many extreme socialists
opposed Ebert’s plans. Fired up by the events in Russia and inspired by
the Bolshevik’s revolution, radical socialists believed Germany should
follow suit. Liebknecht and Luxemburg founded the German Communist
party and demanded government by workers’ and soldiers’ councils. On
6th January, armed Spartacists occupied newspaper offices and public
buildings in an act of rebellion. In response, Ebert had to call in the army
and Freikorps units to suppress the communists. By 15th January, the
Spartacist revolt had been stopped and Leibknecht and Luxemburg were
shot whilst in custody. Defeating the Spartacist enabled the elections to
go ahead, and a new constitution was drawn up, passed by 262 to 75. The
only opposition came from Independent Socialists and right-wing
Nationals. As a result, the Weimar Republic was created, but existing
threats remained. As a result of economy instability, created as a result of
the war and the reparations imposed by the League of Nations, the
extreme left took advantage by setting up a Soviet Republic in Bavaria.
The government used the army, supported by the Freikorps, to restore
order. In March 1920, Communists in the Ruhr attempted to seize power
and this was crushed by the military. In the following year, the army and
police had to suppress a Communist revolt in Saxony. This continued into
1923 when a revolt was stopped in October before it even began.
Therefore, based upon the events that took place in the years 1919 –
1923, it seems that in each attempt to revolt, the left-wing extremists
were defeated by the army and the Freikorps. It seems that they had little
chance of succeeding in overthrowing the government as a result of the
combined strength of the army and the Freikorps.
Right wing anger stemmed from the armistice, the fall of the Kaiser and
replacement of the Monarchy by a Republic. Furthermore, Right Wing
extremists were angered by the acceptance of the terms of the Versailles
Treaty and blamed Weimar politicians for Germany’s defeat in the First
World War. This prompted led many citizens to join groups that were
hostile to the very existence of the Republic. Many people wanted to see
the Republic overthrown and they even called the politicians who signed
the Treaty of Versailles the November criminals. Notably, Right Wing
extremists felt furious that Germany had received a harsh deal and they
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