Attempts to Overthrow the Weimar Republic: Spartacists (SQA National 5 History): Revision Note
Exam code: X837 75
Summary
In January 1919, the Spartacists tried to overthrow the new Weimar Republic. The leaders of the Spartacists were Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht.
The government, led by Friedrich Ebert, acted fast. Defence Minister Gustav Noske brought in the Freikorps, who fought the rebels in the streets. The attempt failed and increased division between left-wing parties, leading to more mistrust.
Who were the Spartacists?
The Spartacists were a far-left group led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht
They wanted a communist revolution like Russia in 1917
They were supported by the communist party (KPD)
What was the Spartacist revolt?
The Spartacist revolt took place in Berlin in January 1919, around 5 to 12 January
It followed weeks of strikes and street tension after the war.
The trigger was the sacking of Berlin’s police chief, Emil Eichhorn, on 4 January 1919
Many workers marched in protest
The Spartacists called a general strike
They seized newspaper offices and tried to control parts of the city
They hoped workers and soldiers would join them, but many did not
The group had weak planning and poor coordination
They argued over what to do next
The army stayed loyal to the government
How did the Weimar government respond?
President Ebert and Defence Minister Gustav Noske, who were part of the Social Democratic Party (SDP,) acted quickly
They used the Freikorps (well-organised and armed ex-soldiers)
Freikorps officers led the crackdown in the city.
Waldemar Pabst played a key role in Berlin
After several days of street fighting, the Freikorps crushed the revolt
Luxemburg and Liebknecht were arrested and then killed
The fighting led to heavy casualties
Hundreds of people were killed or wounded, including civilians
A national election still went ahead on 19 January 1919
This helped the new Weimar Republic look more stable
The Spartacist revolt failed but it deepened divisions on the left
Social Democrat (SPD) leaders blamed the Communist Party (KPD), and the KPD blamed the SPD for using the Freikorps
The government relied more on the Freikorps after this
Right-wing violence grew in 1919 and 1920
Worked Example
Describe what happened during the Spartacist Revolt, 1919.
[4 marks]
Answer
In January 1919 in Berlin, the Spartacists began an uprising after the police chief Emil Eichhorn was sacked. [1] They called a general strike, seized newspaper offices, and tried to take control of parts of the city. [1] The government under Ebert ordered Defence Minister Noske to use the Freikorps to crush the revolt. [1] After days of street fighting, the Freikorps defeated the rebels; Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht were arrested and killed. [1]
Examiner Tips and Tricks
In a four-mark describe question, you can ensure that you gain all four marks by:
Writing four separate facts, one per sentence. Each clear fact = 1 mark.
Start with when and where (e.g., “In January 1919 in Berlin…”).
Give who and what happened next (e.g., “Eichhorn was sacked; workers marched”).
Include a key action and a result (e.g., “Freikorps attacked; revolt was crushed”).
Use simple past tense, no opinions, no reasons or “because”.
Keep it specific: names, dates, places, actions (avoid vague words like “things happened”).
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