Describe the Stages in Which Germany Changed From an Authoritarian to a Democratic Republic 1918/19
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Introduction
Describe the Stages in Which Germany Changed From an Authoritarian to a Democratic Republic 1918/19 Before 1918 the country of Germany had been ruled by an absolute monarchy called a Kaiser. From 1888 to 1918 the country was ruled by Kaiser Wilhelm II. However on 9th November 1918 the Kaiser abdicated fleeing to Holland. This allowed the creation of a new government, who would agree to the terms of the armistice, and create a new constitution to become a Democratic Republic. There are several stages in this change which slowly developed the Democratic Republic. In the later months of 1918 is become obvious to the German Generals that Germany was going to win the war and have to face a peace treaty. This knowledge led the Generals to suggest that Germany changed, to create a democratic government because they felt that the Allies would look more favourably and grant lenient peace terms to a democratic country which showed the principles which the Western Allies live by. ...read more.
Middle
To control the situation Prince Max hands over the chancellorship to Socialist leader Ebert and the moderate SPD leader Philip Schiedemann declared a republic to a crowd in Berlin. Ebert was furious that a republic had been declared illegally, however he had to accept that the monarchy had collapsed because on the same day, the Kaiser abdicates and flees to Holland; this is the end of an absolute monarchy in Germany. This signalled that full control of the country had now been given to the civilian government. This had occurred because the pressure the Germany public had placed on the authorities through mutinies and unrest. As the civilian government was extremely new and young; although it had a great amount of power it was relatively 'weak' and was open to a great amount of fear that the radical left would force a Bolshevik style revolution. ...read more.
Conclusion
The newly elected National Assembly (Reichstag?) meet at Weimar to draw up a new constitution which was completed by August 1919. The constitution was the final piece in creating a democratic Germany. They agreed on a wider electorate by allowing men and women over the age on 20, where previously it had only been men over 25, this made the elections more legitimate. They would also vote every 7 years for the president and every 4 years for the assembly. Other points such as great civil rights and federal structure with local and national government were included. This created a complete democratic Germany and completed the change from Authoritarian to a Democratic Republic. There are many stages to the changes in Germany starting with the imminent defeat in WWI and including such stages as army deals due to communist fears and elections for a new assemble. The assemble and the constitution although democratic did not leave everybody satisfied and was only a temporary solution which in the end fell apart and led to the controlling of Germany by Hitler and the Nazi Party. ...read more.
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