Friedrich Ebert Biography

Birth of Friedrich Ebert

Appointed Party Secretary of the Social Democratic Party

Participates in the SPD congress as a national executive member.

Supports the party's organizational work before the coming Reichstag election.

Elected Member of Reichstag

Appointed Chairman of the SDP

Persuades the SDP to vote for war credits to defend Germany from the Tsarist autocracy

Ebert leads the SDP party to vote almost unanimously in favour of war appropriations, accepting that a war was a necessary patriotic, defensive measure

Ebert leads the SDP party to vote almost unanimously in favour of war appropriations, accepting that a war was a necessary patriotic, defensive measure

The Party is split by Eberts opposition to the minority anti-war caucus of the SDP. Supports defending German territory, including Alsace & Lorraine, non-annexationist

Appointed Party Leader in the Reichstag

The party's stance, under the leadership of Ebert and other revisionists like Scheidemann, in favour of the war eventually led to a split, with the more left wing elements in the party leaving in early 1917 to form the USPD

Helps draft the Reichstag Peace Resolution

Calls for the dismissal of the Chancellor, Georg Michaelis

Groener agrees to support Ebert against the Bolsheviks

Groener agrees to support Ebert against the Bolsheviks

Appointed Member of Council of Peoples Representatives

Appointed Party Leader of the Social Democratic Party

At the conclusion of World War I, Germany reluctantly agrees to pay unspecified reparations in the armistice agreement of November 1918

The new model Reichswehr armed forces, limited by the Treaty of Versailles to 100,000 army soldiers and 15,000 seamen, remains fully under the control of the German officer class despite its nominal re-organisation

The Weimar Republic is adopted. The plan to transform Germany into a constitutional monarchy similar to Britain quickly becomes obsolete as the country slid into a state of near-total chaos. The 1871 constitution is amended to make the Reich a Parliamentary democracy, which the Government had refused for half a century, the Chancellor is henceforth responsible to Parliament, the Reichstag, and no longer to the Kaiser

The Weimar Republic is adopted. The 1871 constitution is amended to make the Reich a Parliamentary democracy, which the Government had refused for half a century, the Chancellor is henceforth responsible to Parliament, the Reichstag, and no longer to the Kaiser

When it became clear that the war was lost, a new Government was formed by Prince Maximilian of Baden which included Ebert and other members of the SPD in October 1918

Rebellion breaks out when the military command, without consultation with the Government, orders the German High Seas Fleet to sortie

The crews of two ships in Wilhelmshaven mutiny, when the military arrest about 1,000 seamen and have them transported to Kiel, the Wilhelmshaven mutiny turns into a general rebellion that quickly swept over most of Germany

Ebert leads the new Government for the next several months, notably using the army under support of Minister of Defence Gustav Noske to suppress the Spartacist uprising, commonly identified with Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht

supporter of the monarchy until the abdication of the Kaiser ("If the Kaiser abdicates, the social revolution is inevitable. But I do not want it, I hate it like sin", he says to Max von Baden

supporter of the monarchy until the abdication of the Kaiser ("If the Kaiser abdicates, the social revolution is inevitable. But I do not want it, I hate it like sin", he says to Max von Baden

The revolution had reaches Munich, causing King Ludwig III of Bavaria to flee

The revolution had reaches Munich, causing King Ludwig III of Bavaria to flee

Ebert makes a pact over the phone with General Wilhelm Groener

Begins preparations for drawing up an armistice with the Allies

The Allies demand evacuation of all occupied territories including Alsace Lorraine

The Allies demand the demilitarization of the Rhineland & annulment Brest Litovsk

Appointed Head of the Provisional Government. Appointed Chancellor of Germany, accepts Max von Badens offer

From November 1918 through January 1919, Germany is governed dictatorially by the Council of Peoples Commissioners.

The Ebert-Groener pact stipulates that the Government would not attempt to reform the Army so long as the army swore to protect the state.

To ensure that his fledgling Government is able to maintain control over the country, Ebert makes an uneasy pact with the OHL, now led by Ludendorffs successor General Wilhelm Groener.

Begins preparations for elections to the new National Constitutional Assembly

In a legally questionable act, Reichskanzler Prince Max of Baden transfers his powers to Friedrich Ebert, leader of the MSPD, who, shattered by the monarchys fall, reluctantly accepts. Ebert continues to serve as Head of Government during the three months between the end of the German Empire in November 1918 and the first gathering of the National Assembly in February 1919, but did not use the title of Chancellor

Opposes Scheidemanns declaration of a republic, wants a constitutional monarchy

From November 1918 through January 1919, Germany is governed dictatorially by the Council of Peoples Commissioners

Begins preparations for elections to the new National Constitutional Assembly

Ebert continues to serve as Head of Government during the three months between the end of the German Empire in November 1918 and the first gathering of the National Assembly in February 1919, but did not use the title of Chancellor

The Ebert-Groener pact stipulates that the Government would not attempt to reform the Army so long as the army swore to protect the state

Appointed Head of the Provisional Government

In a legally questionable act, Reichskanzler Prince Max of Baden transfers his powers to Friedrich Ebert, leader of the MSPD, who, shattered by the monarchys fall, reluctantly accepts

In a legally questionable act, Reichskanzler Prince Max of Baden transfers his powers to Friedrich Ebert, leader of the MSPD, who, shattered by the monarchys fall, reluctantly accepts

Liebknechts proclamation ends the German Monarchy and an entirely Socialist provisional Government took power under Eberts leadership. Ebert favoured retaining the monarchy under a different ruler but Scheidemann proclaimes the German Republic, in response to the unrest in Berlin and in order to counter a declaration of the "Free Socialist Republic" by Karl Liebknecht. Calls for a National Constitutional Assembly

A coalition Government called "Council of Peoples Commissioners" (Rat der Volksbeauftragten) was established, consisting of three MSPD and three USPD members, led by Ebert for the MSPD and Hugo Haase for the USPD

A coalition Government called "Council of Peoples Commissioners" (Rat der Volksbeauftragten) was established, consisting of three MSPD and three USPD members, led by Ebert for the MSPD and Hugo Haase for the USPD

Forms a provisional executive of mainstream SDP & Independent Socialists

Liebknechts proclamation ends the German Monarchy and an entirely Socialist provisional Government took power under Eberts leadership

The armistice is signed in a railway carriage at 5:00 AM. Germany agrees to the armistice & firing stops on the western front at 11 am

German troops begin their withdrawal to the Rhine

Germany agrees to the armistice & firing stops on the western front at 11 am

Proclaims the aims of the new German regime

Ebert manages to enforce quick elections for a National Assembly to produce a constitution for a Parliamentary system, marginalizing the movement that called for a socialist republic

Ebert manages to enforce quick elections for a National Assembly to produce a constitution for a Parliamentary system, marginalizing the movement that called for a socialist republic

Ebert manages to enforce quick elections for a National Assembly to produce a constitution for a Parliamentary system, marginalizing the movement that called for a socialist republic

Ebert manages to enforce quick elections for a National Assembly to produce a constitution for a Parliamentary system, marginalizing the movement that called for a socialist republic. Ebert calls for a National Congress of Councils, which take place from December 16 to December 20, 1918, and in which the MSPD had the majority

Armed attempts at establishing communism, known as the Spartacist uprising, by the Spartacist League and others in the streets of Berlin were put down by paramilitary Freikorps units consisting of volunteer soldiers

The Weimar Constitution creates a republic under a semi-presidential system with the Reichstag elected by proportional representation

The Weimar Constitution creates a republic under a semi-presidential system with the Reichstag elected by proportional representation

Bloody street fights culminated in the beating and shooting deaths of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht after their arrests

Elections are held for the National Constitutional Assembly

To avoid the ongoing fights in Berlin, the National Assembly convenes in the city of Weimar, giving the future Republic its unofficial name

The Socialist and (Non-Socialist) Democratic parties obtained a solid 80 per cent of the vote. The National Assembly elections took place, the radical left-wing parties, including the USPD and KPD, are barely able to get themselves organized, leading to a solid majority of seats for the MSPD moderate forces. Elections are held for the National Constitutional Assembly

The National Assembly elections took place, the radical left-wing parties, including the USPD and KPD, are barely able to get themselves organized, leading to a solid majority of seats for the MSPD moderate forces

To avoid the ongoing fights in Berlin, the National Assembly convenes in the city of Weimar, giving the future Republic its unofficial name

To avoid the ongoing fights in Berlin, the National Assembly convenes in the city of Weimar, giving the future Republic its unofficial name

When the Constituent Assembly met in Weimar in February, 1919, Ebert was chosen to be the first president of the German Republic

Appointed Commander in Chief

Appointed Provisional Reich President by the National Constitutional Assembly

Appointed Provisional Reich President by the National Constitutional Assembly

The Chancellor is appointed by the President and is responsible to the Reichstag, serves as little more than a chairman, Cabinet decisions are made by majority vote

The Republics first Reichspresident ("Reich President"), Friedrich Ebert of the SPD, signs the new German constitution into law.

The first article of the constitution states that "The power of the state emanates from the people".

The fundamental tenet of the Weimar Constitution is that Germany will be a republic on the Parliamentary model with a Parliament elected using proportional representation, universal suffrage is established, with a minimum voting age of 20.

The fundamental tenet of the Weimar Constitution is that Germany will be a republic on the Parliamentary model with a Parliament elected using proportional representation, universal suffrage is established, with a minimum voting age of 20

The fundamental tenet of the Weimar Constitution is that Germany will be a republic on the Parliamentary model with a Parliament elected using proportional representation, universal suffrage is established, with a minimum voting age of 20

The fundamental tenet of the Weimar Constitution is that Germany will be a republic on the Parliamentary model with a Parliament elected using proportional representation, universal suffrage is established, with a minimum voting age of 20

The fundamental tenet of the Weimar Constitution is that Germany will be a republic on the Parliamentary model with a Parliament elected using proportional representation, universal suffrage is established, with a minimum voting age of 20

Uses Article 48 powers to prohibit a planned strike by the national union representing railway civil servants and trainees.

Meets Wirth and senior ministers to review Germany's agenda and negotiating position for the forthcoming Genoa Conference.

Issues emergency measures under Article 48 against anti-republican organizations, propaganda and political violence following Rathenau's assassination.

Promulgates the Law for the Protection of the Republic, strengthening penalties and powers against anti-republican organizations.

Declares the Deutschlandlied Germany's national anthem during Constitution Day celebrations.

His presidential term is extended until June 1925, postponing a direct presidential election during a period of political tension.

Conducts consultations during the coalition crisis that follows the SPD refusal to join a broader government with the DVP.

The Republic claimed it could no longer afford the reparations payments required by the Versailles Treaty, and the Government defaulted on some payments, in response, French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr. Occupation of the Ruhr leads to hyper-inflation

Occupation of the Ruhr leads to hyper-inflation

The Ruhr is occupied by the French & Belgians after non-payment of reparations

A new currency, the Rentenmark, is introduced at the rate of 1 trillion (1,000,000,000,000) Papiermark for 1 Rentenmark. At that time, 1 U.S. dollar was equal to 4.2 Rentenmark

Convicted of complicity in a Jan 1918 strike at a munitions factory

Death of Friedrich Ebert, from the effects of an appendicitis operation

Appointed Head of State for the GDR