Developments After Kaiser's Abdication in 1918 - Source Analysis

With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying developments after the abdication of the Kaiser in 1918 [30 Marks.]

Source A

From the memoirs of General Groener, Deputy Chief of the Army General Staff, published in 1957. Here he recalls his telephone conversation with Ebert, 10 November 1918.

In the evening I telephoned Ebert and told him that the army would support the government and in return, the officer corps expected the support of the government in the maintenance of order and discipline in the army. I expected the government to fight against Bolshevism and to be ready for the struggle. Ebert accepted my offer of an alliance. From then on, we discussed necessary measures every evening on a secret telephone; the alliance proved successful.

We hoped to gain a share of power in the new state for the army and the officer corps. If we succeeded, then we would have rescued, for the new Germany, the best and strongest elements of old Prussia, despite the revolution. At first, of course, we had to make concessions, for developments in the army and in the homeland had taken such a turn as to make the vigorous issuing of commands by the High Command is impossible for the time being. The task was to contain and make the revolutionary movement harmless.

Source B

From a speech by Karl Liebknecht, a Communist leader, at a SPD/USPD meeting in Berlin, 10 November 1918.

I am afraid that I must pour cold water on your enthusiasm. The counter-revolution is already on the march; it is already in action. It is already among us. Dangers to the revolution threaten us from many sides. Danger threatens not only from those circles that up to now have held the reins of power – big landowners, Junkers, capitalists, imperialists, monarchists and generals – but also from those who today support the revolution but were still opposing it the day before yesterday.

Be careful whom you choose for the government and whom you trustingly elect to the soldiers' councils. In some places, several higher ranked officers have been elected chairmen of soldiers' councils. I tell you: enemies surround us! The triumph of the revolution will only be possible if it becomes a social revolution. Only then will it have the strength to ensure the socialisation of the economy, happiness and peace for all eternity.

Source C

From a speech by Gustav Noske, the SPD Minister of Defence, 7 January 1919.

Worker, Soldier, Citizen!

Today, three thousand men with heavy artillery and machine guns marched through Berlin, showing that the government has the power to carry out your demands to end the bloodshed. The government still hopes that the Spartacists will not launch a fight to keep their captured buildings but will instead surrender. Should they not come to their senses, then the government's and your patience will be exhausted. Spartacist gangs roam from house to house plundering with revolvers ready. The charade that this is a political movement has been exposed. Robbery and plunder are revealed as their single goal.

Workers! The government has entrusted me with the leadership of the republic's soldiers, meaning that a worker stands at the peak of power in the socialist republic. I promise that no unnecessary blood will be spilled. With the new republican army, I want to bring you freedom and peace. The working class must stand united against the Spartacists, if democracy and socialism are not to be lost.

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