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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.
