Figure 1.--The Kaiser had been deposed without bloodshed. The birth of the Republic resulted, however, in intense fighting throughout Berlin. Themost serious threat to the new republicam goivernment was th Sparticist rebellion. This was essentially a Communist effort to create a soviet-style revolutioinary gvernment. Notice all the children in the photograph. These are priovably the voys of trade union members.

The Kaiser had been deposed without bloodshed. The birth of the Republic resulted, however, in intense fighting throughout Berlin. A batalion of sailors had occupied the Kaiser's palace in a show of force to protect the Government formed when the Kaiser was forced out (November 9). They proceeded to loot the palace of its valuables. The Government eventually ordred them out of the palace. They demanded back pay and proceeded to seize the Chancellery, arresting SD officials, including Berlin's Military Commnder Otto Wels. Prsident Ebert appealed to the Supreme Military Headquaters. Ludendorff's successor General Gröner responded. A minor military scirmish dislodged the sailors (December 25). The radical Socialists (indeendents and Spartacists) were apauled that the Government would use the old Imeprial Army to attack the rebolutionary sailors who had helped overthrow the Kaiser. They called Ebert and the SD 'murderers'. The action thus shatered the frayed unity of the Socialists. The Government began to replace Independents in the cabinent and lesser offices. This came to a boil when they fired Berlin Chief of Police Emil Eichhorn. The Independents and Communists (Spartcists) went into the streets to drive Ebert and the SD from power (January 5). The Soviet Emnassy supported them with srms and money. The Soviet Ambassador was a friend of Leon Trotsky and committed to world revolution. The Communists demanded a Soviet-styled dictatorship of the proletariat. Ebert agan had to ask the Army for support. SD leader Gustav Noske organized the Government's resonse. He approved the formation of Freikorps. These were units outside the military command composed of veterans and firner officers. Fighting waged for 7 days (January 6-12). It became kniwn as "bloody Spartacus week". Eventually the Government gained the upper hand. Both rmy units ad the Freikorps took savge rvenge, executing many Spasracits who atte,pted to surrender. And a few days after the fighting ended, soldiers clubbed Rosa Luxemburg to death. Liebknecht was also murdered. Both were Spartacists, but had opposed the uprising and had wanted to contest the upcoming elections.ighting was not confined to Berlin. Violence occurred in Ruhr cities, Leipzig, Hamburg, and Bremen and fkred gain in Berlin. Noske again ordered the Freikorps to move against the Comminists and they acted with considerable brutality. Thi poisoned the relationship betwee the SD and Communists and is one reason why the Left was unable to unite in the future to successfully resist the NAZIs.

Created: 9:40 PM 8/3/2025
Last updated: 9:40 PM 8/3/2025