The Birth of the Weimar Republic

1. Why was it called the Weimar Republic and not the Berlin Republic? The government meetings took place in the town of Weimar instead of Berlin because it was to be safer and more stable. 2. What new rights did Friedrich Ebert promise the German people? Ebert promised the Freikorps and commanders of the army to put down the rebellion, and then did so again during the fight between the Communists and Bavaria, as to take down the Communists. 3. Hey, a democracy. Sounds great! Why was this a shock to the Germany peoples' systems? Most people were not used to the system of freedom of speech, worship, and better conditions of the working class. Most were happy with the system they had always known. 4. What positions did the opposition on the right hold that restricted Friedrich Ebert's new government? They had high positions that allowed them to weasel themselves through the political system and keep themselves out of severe trouble, yet cause trouble for people that didn't agree with their ideas, such as Ebert. 5. What was the name of "powerful myth" that developed and what "evidence" was there to support the myth? DolchstoBlegende; there was supposedly evidence in the strikes during 1917 and 1918 that had partially distrupted the Imperial German Army. 6. Study Source 3: What position was Ebert elected to in Jan. 1919? Who elected him? President; the German people 7. Study Source 3: How would a Chancellor gain power in the Weimar Republic? They would have to be appointed Chancellor by the President, then elected President by the German people.