why did the german revolution of 1917 fail, and how?

Question

sorry - typo, I meant 1918.

Answer 1

This might be a bit complicated. First, although the seeds of the 'German Revolution' are found in the last years of the 1st WW the revolution itself did not take place until 1918.

And even then it depends what you mean by Revolution.

Late in 1917 Germany was ruled effectively by the military in the shape of Ludendorf; he thought the the Russian Revolution, which released large numbers of German troops occupied in fighting the Czarist armies would change the course of the war in Germany's favour.

The was not to be and by October he told the Kaiser that war was effectively over.

There had already been a series of strikes by the unions who were complaining about the desperate straits to which the civilian population had been reduced by the war.

(I guess you might call this the revolution)

In 1918 towards the end Ludendorf suddenly announced 'Democracy' in Germany and at the same time sued for peace. However he put the responsibility for the capitulation on the new democratic government, helping the 'Stab in the Back' theory eagerly propagated by militarists a few years later.

Then in October 1918 the German Navy mutinied against the palns of Admiral Hipper to seek one last enagagement with the British Navy, This mutiny was successful and afterwards sailors sent delegations all over Germany.

Some cities proclaimed themselves as Soviet Republics and committees were formed that eventually had some kind of power granted to them.

But the governement prevailed although some fighting occurred between troops loyal to the government and troops loyal to the revolution.

Meanwhile, in the undergrowth, the extreme right wing were forming up and eventually became a power in the land, killing opponents and frightening off the opposition.

Amongst these of course was Adolf Hitler.

Sorry if it a bit long and tedious but mid 20th century German history is like that.

Answer 2

There are many reasons why the German revolution of 1918 to 1923 failed. Not least was the assassination of the two most important and charismatic far left leaders - Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht. A key reason was the far left's failure to win the hearts and minds of a majority of the returning defeated soldiers who became the right wing Freikorps - private armies organised by German army officers with the tacit blessing of the Social Democratic government. The situation in Germany in 1918 to 1923 was more akin to what happened in the French Revolution. Many on the Left modelled their tactics on the Bolshevik Revolution, which was bound to fail as the German situation was so different.

Answer 3

Yeah, I'm sure kilroy was right, I don't think there was a revolution in germany in 1917, towards the end of the first world war germany as a whole was in a terrible state, the allied naval blockade stopped supplies reaching germany and soldiers was mutining, after the russian revolution Lenin signed an armistice which ended russian involvement on the eastern front

Answer 4

Up date yourself dear.The revolution took place in Russia under leadership of Lenin and Trotsky.The Germans were at war from 1914 to 1917.I would therefore advise you to make sure yourself before asking such question and do some Home Work.

Answer 5

To all those, Americans doubtless, slating the question, saying it was Russia in 1917, shut and listen at school, you foul mouthed McDonald faced fat dummies.

Rosa Lux, bless her name, a true heroine of the people.

Answer 6

In 1917 Germany was at War. The 1917 revolution happen in Russia and it did not fail...........................

Answer 7

Because the instigators ate too much sour kraut and the gestapo became suspicious of a lethal gas plot.

Answer 8

i wasn't born then