Gustav Bauer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gustav Bauer
Bauer in 1920
Chancellor of Germany (Weimar Republic)
In office 21 June 1919 – 26 March 1920 Minister President: 21 June 1919 – 14 August 1919
President	Friedrich Ebert
Preceded by	Philipp Scheidemann
Succeeded by	Hermann Müller
Vice-Chancellor of Germany
In office 10 May 1921 – 22 November 1922
Chancellor	Joseph Wirth
Preceded by	Rudolf Heinze
Succeeded by	Robert Schmidt
Minister of the Treasury
In office 10 May 1921 – 22 November 1922
Chancellor	Joseph Wirth
Preceded by	Gustav Bauer
Succeeded by	Heinrich Albert
In office 31 January 1920 – 21 June 1920
Chancellor	Gustav Bauer Hermann Müller
Preceded by	Wilhelm Mayer
Succeeded by	Hans von Raumer
Minister of Transport
In office 2 May 1920 – 21 June 1920
Chancellor	Hermann Müller
Preceded by	Johannes Bell
Succeeded by	Wilhelm Groener
Minister of Labour
In office 4 October 1918 – 21 June 1919 Staatssekretär: 4 October 1918 – 13 February 1919
Chancellor	Max von Baden Friedrich Ebert (de facto) Philipp Scheidemann
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Alexander Schlicke
Member of the Reichstag
In office 24 June 1920 – 13 June 1928
Constituency	Magdeburg
Member of the Weimar National Assembly
In office 6 February 1919 – 21 May 1920
Constituency	Breslau
Personal details
Born	Gustav Adolf Bauer (1870-01-06)6 January 1870 Darkehmen, Province of Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia, North German Confederation
Died	16 September 1944(1944-09-16) (aged 74) Berlin, Nazi Germany
Political party	Social Democratic Party
Spouse	Hedwig Moch

Gustav Adolf Bauer (born January 6, 1870 – died September 16, 1944) was a German politician. He was a leader in the Social Democratic Party (SPD). He served as the Chancellor of Germany from June 1919 to March 1920.

Before becoming Chancellor, Bauer was the Minister of Labour. He held this role during the final days of the German Empire. He also served during the German Revolution. This revolution led to the creation of the Weimar Republic.

In June 1919, Bauer became the head of the government. This happened after Philipp Scheidemann resigned. Scheidemann was unhappy with the Treaty of Versailles. After Germany adopted the Weimar Constitution in August 1919, Bauer's title officially changed to "Chancellor". During his time as Chancellor, important tax changes were made. Also, new social programs were started. These helped with unemployment, maternity care, and health insurance.

After his government ended in March 1920, Bauer continued to serve. He was Vice-Chancellor, Minister of the Treasury, and Minister of Transportation. He held these roles in different governments from May 1920 to November 1922.

Gustav Bauer's Early Life

Gustav Bauer was born on January 6, 1870. His birthplace was Darkehmen, near Königsberg. This area is now part of Russia. His father, Gustav Bauer, was a court bailiff.

From 1876 to 1884, he went to primary school in Königsberg. After school, he worked as an office assistant. Later, he became a head clerk for a lawyer in Königsberg.

Starting a Union Career

In 1895, Bauer helped start a union for office workers. It was called the Union of Office Employees of Germany. He became its president. He also edited a newspaper for office workers.

In 1903, he became the head of the Central Labour Secretariat of the Free Trade Unions in Berlin. This was an important role in the labor movement. From 1908 to 1918, he was the second chairman of the General Commission of Trade Unions in Berlin.

On October 2, 1911, Gustav Bauer married Hedwig Moch.

Gustav Bauer's Political Career

Serving in Imperial Germany

In 1912, Bauer was elected to the Reichstag. This was the German parliament at the time. He represented the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

In October 1918, he became a state secretary in the Ministry of Labour. This was like being a minister. He served in the government of Max von Baden. He kept this job during the Revolution of 1918/19.

After Max von Baden resigned, Bauer continued to serve. He worked under Chancellor Friedrich Ebert (SPD). Later, he served under the Council of the People's Deputies. This council replaced the old imperial government.

On November 12, 1918, the Council made promises to the German people. These included an eight-hour workday. They also promised to create and protect jobs. In the following weeks, rules were made for hiring and paying workers. This included soldiers returning from the war.

Leading the Weimar Republic

Becoming Chancellor of Germany

In January 1919, Bauer was elected to the Weimar National Assembly. This was a new parliament for Germany. In February, he became Minister of Labour in Philipp Scheidemann's government. This was Germany's first democratically elected government.

On June 20, 1919, Scheidemann resigned. He disagreed with the Treaty of Versailles. Bauer then accepted the role of Minister President. He knew it would be a difficult job. He felt it was his duty to help Germany. The National Assembly approved the Treaty on June 23. Bauer's government signed it on June 28.

On July 31, the Assembly passed the Weimar Constitution. President Ebert signed it on August 11. When it became law on August 14, Bauer's title changed. He was now officially the "Chancellor".

Important Changes as Chancellor

During Bauer's time as Chancellor, many important changes happened. Finance Minister Matthias Erzberger led major tax reforms. A new law in July 1919 gave the federal government control over taxes. Before this, the states had more power. This change made the central government much stronger.

The new tax laws also tried to make wealthier citizens pay more. They introduced "war taxes" on income and wealth. There was also an inheritance tax and a one-time wealth tax.

Bauer's government also expanded social benefits. These included:

• Help for new mothers with childbirth costs.
• Support for youth welfare.
• Increased help for the unemployed.
• Expanded health and old age insurance.

In February 1920, the Factory Council Act was passed. This law created works councils in workplaces. These councils helped workers and managers communicate better.

The Kapp Putsch and Resignation

In March 1920, a group tried to overthrow the government. This event was called the Kapp Putsch. Bauer, along with other SPD members and President Ebert, called for a general strike. This strike was against the putsch.

The putsch quickly failed because of the strike. Government employees refused to work. However, Bauer's government was forced to resign on March 27. This was partly due to negotiations with the putsch leaders. Hermann Müller of the SPD became the new Chancellor.

After Being Chancellor

Bauer joined the new government as Minister of the Treasury. He held this job until June 1920. From May to June 1920, he was also Minister of Transportation. He was re-elected to the Reichstag in June 1920.

In May 1921, Bauer rejoined the government. He became Minister of the Treasury and Vice-Chancellor under Joseph Wirth. He kept these roles until November 1922. Bauer remained a member of the Reichstag for Magdeburg.

In 1925, Bauer had to leave his seat in the Reichstag. This was due to his involvement in the Barmat scandal. He was accused of taking money, which he denied. In February 1925, his party, the SPD, made him give up his seat. He was also expelled from the party.

However, his expulsion was overturned in May 1926. He returned to the Reichstag. He kept his seat until 1928. After that, he left politics and retired from public life.

Later Life

After the Nazi Party came to power, Bauer was arrested. This happened on June 29, 1933. He was accused of misusing public money. The accusation was based on something his son supposedly said. But it was found that Bauer did not have any children. He was released after a week. The case against him was dropped in 1935.

Gustav Bauer died in Berlin on September 16, 1944.

See also

In Spanish: Gustav Bauer para niños