Spartacists/Communists 1918-1919
Causes
The establishment of a democratic government.
Germany being ruled under the moderate social
democratic party.
A power struggle between the social democratic
party and the radical communist party.
A power vacuum created by the abdication of
the Kaiser.
Russian revolution that overthrew the Tsars and
became full communist government, the
spartacists rising was inspired by this.
Events
In January 1919, over 100,000 workers went on a
protest in the centre of Berlin. The protest was
taken by the Spartacist. Government newspaper
and communication buildings were seized by the
protesters. Armed street fighting against
opponents and the erection of barricades took
place during the protest. These left many
protesters injured. Many protesters blamed the
communist party due to their bad plans. The
government, which is the Weimar republic,
wanted to avoid the violence created. Hence,
they employed Freikorps who were soldiers
during the WW1. These soldiers hated the
communists. Over 150 workers were killed which
included people who were surrendered due to
minor problems.
Results
The communists lost the revolution and their
leaders.
Revolts in Berlin and Bavaria
Berlin: In January 1919, over 100,000 workers
went on a protest in the centre of Berlin. The
protest was taken by the Spartacist. Government
newspaper and communication buildings were
seized by the protesters. Armed street fighting
against opponents and the erection of barricades
Kapp Putsch 1920
Causes
One of the TOV obligations was to limit the army
to 100,000. In this many soldiers who left joined
the Freikorps as way of continuing their military
life, however the allies said that the Freikorps
were also part of the limitation. The Weimar
agreed to this and said to the allies that the
Freikorps were disbanded, stimulating a revolt-
Kapp Putsch.
Events
Due to the TOV obligations, the militia that saved
the Weimar was to be reduced at a large amount
and to be disbanded. During March 13-17 1920,
a right-wing nationalist Dr Wolfgang Kapp
reacted to this and felt betrayed by the Weimar.
Hence the Freikorps led an invasion of Berlin and
overthrow the Weimar to establish a Nationalist
government. The national army didn’t assist the
Government and had to rely on the workers in
Berlin. A general strike was organised by the
workers to paralyse transport, coal supplies and
civil service. With no significant opposition the
Kapp ruled the country however, the chaos
created by the strike abandoned his plans and
leadership and flee to Sweden.
Results
Freikorps lost due to the chaos created in Berlin.
Wolfgang Kapp couldn’t rule and had to abandon
his leadership and fled to Sweden.
took place during the protest. These left many
protesters injured. Many protesters blamed the
communist party due to their bad plans. The
government, which is the Weimar republic,
wanted to avoid the violence created. Hence,
they employed Freikorps who were soldiers
during the WW1. These soldiers hated the
communists. Over 150 workers were killed which
included people who were surrendered due to
minor problems.
Bavaria: After the failure of the Sparctist
uprising, a subtle and short-lived state was
created, known as the Bavarian Soviet Republic.
It was a unrecognised socialist state in Bavaria
during the German Revolution in 1918-19. The
revolution involved the worker council, known as
the Bavarian Council Republic. Workers and
middle-class member were involved in armed
revolts. The Weimar responded by sending more
Freikorps units to invade the new emerged
communist city. Approximately 400 people were
killed during the fight, the same violent methods
used in Berlin was also used in Bavaria.

Aims of the Communists Aims of the Freikorps

Overthrowing Ebert’s moderate government Overthrow the Weimar and replace it with a
based on democracy/Weimar republic. nationalist government.
Establishing a communist government on
soldiers and workers council or soviets across
Germany. There is no national parliament.

Who took part in the revolts? Who took part in the revolt?

The German Communist party/Spartacist league The Freikorps led by Dr Wolfgang Kapp.
(under the leadership of Karl Liebknecht and
Rosa Luxemborg)
Middle class workers

Reasons for failure Reasons for failure

No proper communication and agreement The general strike by the Berlin workers created
between the Spartacists as there were
disagreements on which tactic to be used.
Death of its leaders.
Violent and ruthless methods of the Freikorps.
Additionally, the intention and loyalty of the
troops as they hated communists.
How much of a threat were the Communist
revolts to the Weimar Republic?
 Showed the weakness of the Weimar
republic to the public as they relayed
heavily upon the services of a private
militia, Freikorps. Showing the fact that
the national Army were not interested or
were not following their officials, which
makes Germany in military wise.
 Despite the fact that the communist
uprisings were ended, Communism was
still a influential and significant ideology
in German politics. Additionally, it led to
further communist rebellions, such as
the one in Bavaria and Ruhr.
 The Weimar republic’s popularity fell,
despite them being moderate and
democratic stating that there is political
freedom, the Weimar was pretty harsh
towards the communists and had no
control of the freikorps as they used
violent methods to stop the uprisings.
a chaos in Berlin. The strikes halted industry
production, coal supplies, public utilities,
transportation, and civil service. Pretty much it
was like ruling nation for nothing.
How much of a threat was the Free Corps’ revolt
to the Weimar Republic?
 The Weimar fled to Dresden as the army
didn’t assist the government and instead
did join but supported the Freikorps. This
is because, the Freikorps were ex-army
soldiers, and many of the national and
Freikorps had a brotherly relationship.
Additionally, the Weimar was still seen
weak and were not able to control even
with its own law-enforcing agencies.
 The Weimar had to rely on the people to
oppose the Kapp Putsch.