Weimar Republic

The Weimar Republic (German: Weimarer Republik) was the unofficial name of a short-lived German republic that existed from 1918 to 1920 within the borders of what is now the Free Socialist Republic of Germany, the Rhenish Republic, and the Kingdom of Baden-Württemberg. In the context of the German Civil War, it is sometimes referred to as the Stuttgart Government (German: Stuttgarter Regierung) due to the relocation of the governing administration to the city of Stuttgart in June 1919.
== History ==
Main article: German Revolution
The Weimar Republic was de facto established on 9 November 1918 following the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II, which came after the mutinous rebellion of workers and sailors in Kiel and Wilhelmshaven. The remaining rulers of the constituent monarchies of the German Empire soon followed, and an unconditional armistice was signed with the Entente on 11 November.
As workers' councils arose inspired by the Russian Revolution, the Council of the People's Deputies (Rat der Volksbeauftragten) was established as a provisional government jointly led by the moderate Majority Social Democratic Party (MSPD) and radical Independent Social Democratic Party (USPD). A number of social reforms were instituted by this new government, including the eight-hour workday, expanded workers' rights and unemployment benefits.
From its inception, the Weimar Republic was at odds with much of its people. Those further to the left of the MSPD, such as the Spartacist League and USPD, disagreed with the parliamentary direction of the republic, instead favoring rule by the workers' and soldiers' councils. Those on the right were against the social reforms and sought a more conservative and nationalist regime, with some favoring a return to the monarchy.
Elections to the newly established National Assembly in February 1919 marked an official transition towards a semi-presidential republic. Friedrich Ebert was elected as President through a parliament vote.
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