Make a list of the challenges facing Friedrich Ebert when he became the leader of Germany following the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II on Nov. 9, 1918.
Political Challenges
- Political system was completely altered - monarchy has been destroyed
- Became a democratic-republic (Weimar Republic)
- Many ex-soldiers hated the democratic leaders – “Field Marshall Hindenburg was betrayed by weak politicians”
- Thought of the democrats as evil and that they were ruining the role that Hindenburg played in Germany
- Bavaria declared themselves an independent Socialist Republic
Social Challenges
- War had divided Germany even more - people with different ideas and living in different classes of society
- Large gaps between rich and poor living standards
- The poor lived to the extremes because they were being payed less while the rich lavished in the money they were making from the war
- Women being called to work in factories during the war – damaging to family values
- Families were torn apart when women had to work in factories and the men were busy fighting in the war
Economic Challenges
- National income was about 1/3 of what it used to be in 1913
- Germany was virtually bankrupt
- Had to start over if they were dependent on old currency
- Currency was basically worthless - people had lost life savings
- Industrial productions was 2/3 of what it used to be in 1913
- Workers had to earn less which was making them bitter while factory owners gained vast profit
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