History - Germany post-WW1/Treaty of Versailles

What military consequences did Germany face after WWI?

Over 2 million German troops died

Over 4 million German troops wounded

55% of all men were casualties of war

What social consequences did Germany face after WWI?

Lack of food due to British ships blocking food ships - resulted in 750,000 people dying due to a lack of food

Led to huge unrest

How much debt was Germany in after WWI?

150 billion marks

What are some examples of unrest in Germany?

Workers went on strike, led by a Jewish Communist in Munich

Some of German Navy refused to follow orders in Hamburg

Soldiers refused to control demonstrations/strikes

What happened as a result of the German revolution?

Kaiser abdicated - 9th November 1918. Tried to gain support of army generals but they refused to support him. Was in exile in Holland by 10th November

Who was Frederick Ebert?

Leader of the Weimar Republic and the SDP, Chancellor of Germany

What did Ebert first do?

Called an armistice - 11th November 1918

What were the problems linked to the creation of the Weimar Republic?

Ebert was willing to admit defeat to the allies

The Germans wanted change

What was the German Revolution?

Kaiser Wilhelm lost control of the country, resulting in workers/soldiers creating their own councils to replace those of the Kaiser.

What was the Reichstag?

German Parliament

What did Ebert agree to do?

Keep communists out of power

Who did Ebert remove from the Reichstag?

Old, radical members. Replaced them with ministers who would bring calm

What did Ebert demand?

A new constitution and democracy

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

Agreement to stop fighting WWI - Germany was blamed

What was part of the new Weimar constitution?

President to be elected every 7 years

Chancellor chosen by President

Reichstag voted every 4 years by public

What was Article 48?

Allowed the president to make a law without going through the Reichstag in times of crisis

When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?

28th June 1919

Why did Germany sign the armistice?

Money and troops were running out

Major protests

They were going to lose

Who made the Treaty of Versailles?

UK, USA, France

What was the War Guilt Clause?

Germany had to accept full responsibility for starting the war

Why was the War Guilt Clause unpopular?

The people of Germany would be forced to accept any given punishment

How much reparations did Germany have to pay?

£6.6 billion

Why were reparations unpopular?

It damaged the economy

How was Germany's army limited?

Limited to 100,000 men, no heavy guns allowed

How was Germany's navy limited?

Only allowed 6 battleships, no submarines, all remaining boats destroyed

How was Germany's air force limited?

Not allowed - planes destroyed

What was the Rhineland?

demilitarized zone between Germany and France

Why were the Armed Forces terms unpopular?

Many WW1 soldiers were unemployed, Germany not able to defend itself

What happened to Germany's coal and iron industry?

Lost 50% of iron reserves to other countries

Coalfields in the Saar given to France for 15 years

Why were the Industry terms unpopular?

Germany's economy would struggle to recover, jobs would be lost

What was the Plebiscite in Germany?

Germans voted to leave Germany

What happened to Germany's population due to the TOV?

10% loss

What countries were given land by Germany in the TOV?

France, Belgium, Poland

How many people did Poland gain from the TOV?

2 million

What country was Germany not allowed to have a link with?

Austria

What happened to East Prussia?

Cut off by Poland

Why were the Land terms unpopular in Germany?

Weakened Germany

What happened to Germany's overseas empire?

11 colonies in Africa and the Far East taken off them by allies

What was Diktat?

Dictated peace - Germany was forced to accept it. Only had 15 days to challenge rules, all issues ignored.

Why was Diktat unpopular?

Caused German public to hate Weimar politicians more

What was Dolchstoss?

Stab in the back theory - Germans believed the soldiers weren't defeated, only the politicians admitted defeat. Made Germans feel betrayed by government/Ebert

Who were the November Criminals?

The politicians who signed the Treaty of Versailles/armistice

Why did the Treaty of Versailles make Germans angry?

Made Germans feel defeated, humiliated, bitter and weak. Many Germans were nationalists as a result of the Kaiser, therefore this sudden change in power/worth caused great fury.