oct 8, 1919 - Left vs Right

Description:

From the start, Ebert's government received opposition from the left and the right. (don't forget: Left-wing = Communists, right-wing = Nationalists, Republicans, etc.)

- Threats from the Left:
One left-wing opponent was known as the Spartacists, they were communists led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, and they wanted Germany to be ruled by workers or soviets. Early in 1919, the Spartacists (made up of rebel soldiers and sailors) set up soviets in many towns. However, there were still some soldiers left that were anti-communists, these soldiers made up the Freikorps. Ebert made an agreement with the army and the Freikorps to shut down the Spartacist's rebellion, and eventually, the Freikorps won. Although the communists lost, their party was still quite big in Germany.

- Threats from the Right:
At the same time, Ebert's government received threats from the right, which was made up of those who had grown up with the Kaiser, resented the new Germany, and hated the signing of the TOV by Ebert. In 1920, Dr Wolfgang Kapp led 5000 Freikorps into Berlin in a rebellion called the Kapp Putsch. The army refused to fight back the Freikorps, as they were seen as brothers who had fought in combat in WW1, it seemed Ebert's government was doomed. However, it was saved by the German people, especially the German workers in Berlin. They declared a general strike and closed off roads, water, and power. After a few days, Kapp realized he was losing and fled, but was later hunted down and killed. However, the rebels went unpunished, as Ebert was having trouble with the politics of Germany since so many rebellions were constantly happening.

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