History - Germany: Establishment of the Weimar Republic and its early problems (copy)

This includes: - The abdication of the Kaiser + and the German revolution - The strengths and weaknesses of the new republic and its constitution. - The challenges to the Weimar republic including reactions to the treaty of Versailles. - The French invasion and occupation of the Ruhr and hyperinflation.

The Abdication of the Kaiser (1918-19)

• November 1918, the war lasted over 4 years and 1.8 million German soldiers died.

• A allied naval blockade prevented the import of food leading to starvation.

• The blame was placed of the Kaiser.

• The kaiser had lost control, in some cities councils were made as an alternative.

• They allies refused to make peace unless he abdicated.

• On 9 November, the kaiser was forced to abdicate and flee to Holland. A new republic was set by President Elbert.

• 11 November, Germany signed and armistice with the allies.

The New Republic and the Wiemar consititution

• In January 1919, a new DEMOCRATIC constitution was made.

• Democracy was new and welcomed.

• However, the unpopularity of the new government increased as they were linked with difficulties in WW1, undermining the republic from the start.

• The constitution also included weakness, which created instability which could be exploited later.

Strengths of The Wiemar Constitution

• Everybody over the age of 20 could vote.

• The president was elected every 7 years and had the power to appoint the Chancellor.

• Proportional Representation meant that the number of votes equated to the number of seats in The Reichstag. A very democratic system.

• The Reichstag was elected every 4 years and served a fixed term. It passed or rejected laws.

• All Germans enjoyed freedom of expression and religions. Their civil rights were protected.

Weaknesses of The Wiemar Constitution

• Article 48 stated that in an emergency the president could take action without consulting the Reichstag, however they never defined what an emergency was. Giving the president too much power and leaving it open for exploitation.

• Proportional representation meant that it was difficult for a single party to win, so coalitions were formed. These were unstable and there were many disagreements.

• Proportional representation allowed extremists parties to infiltrate The Reichstag, which were often anti-democratic.

Treaty of Versailles (June 1919)

The allies created a treaty, in which the German people hoped to be fair as the Kaiser has abdicated, however the Germans were not invited to the Paris Peace Conference and could not negotiate.

Reactions of Germans this term of the treaty of Versailles:
Germany was forced to accept full blame for starting the war.

This was a national humiliation for Germany. The public resented it and felt responsibility was shared by all nations involved.

Reactions of Germans this term of the treaty of Versailles:

As Germany accepted full blame they must pay reparations, mostly to France and Belgium. £6.6 billion was set in 1921, to be paid in annual instalments.

Many Germans felt that the reparations were too high and the payments would further weaken the economy which was already damaged by war.

Reactions of Germans this term of the treaty of Versailles:

Germany was not allowed tanks, submarines or aircraft. Army limited to 100,000 men. Navy to 6 battleships and 15,000 men. The Rhineland was demilitarised. Conscription was banned.

Made Germans feel insecure. Germany had been a strong and proud nation and that the allies were deliberately trying to weaken them.

Reactions of Germans this term of the treaty of Versailles:

Germany lost 10% of its land, including all overseas colonies. This land contained 13% of its population as well as important raw materials and industry.

These terms robbed Germany of its key industrial areas including the Alsace-Lorraine (iron) and the Saar (coal). Critics argued this further undermined the economy.

Stab In the back myth

• German general produced the idea that the reason they lost World War 1 was because they were betrayed by weak politicians, communists and Jewish people.

• The government were labelled as traitors for signing the armistice and were called the “November criminals”.

• The myth became popular with people who opposed the new democratic republic.

Against the Wiemar republic (LEFT) (Jan 1919)

• The Spartacists League - led by Rosa Luxembourg.

• They believed that the president would not improve the lives of the working class people and wanted a full revolution.

• Jan 1919 - uprising began in berlin. They took over government telegraphs and newspapers. They hoped other protesters would sieze building but this failed.

• The uprising was poorly planned and did not attract support from other left-wing support. The government ordered the friedkorps to stop them and restore order. Rosa was eventually killed.

Against the Wiemar republic (RIGHT) (March 1920)

• The freikorps were furious about the Treaty of Versailles and the reduction of the army.

• They refused to disbain or give their weapons in after defeating the spartacists.

• In 1920 they attempted a take over of the government and form a right-wing government led by Wolfgang Kapp.

• 12,000 Friekorps marched on Berlin and the army refused to fire, so the government were forced to flee Weimar.

• The government appealed for a general strike. Everyone stopped working making them unable to communicate, making them unable to take over.

French occupation of the Ruhr (Jan 1923)

• Due to the treaty of Versailles, Germany had to pay reparations to France. In 1922, the Weimar government announced bankruptcy, which the French did not believe and invaded.

• In January 1923, 60,0000 French and belguim troops marched into the Ruhr, a valuable industrial area.

• The weimar ordered the workers to begin passive resistance.

• The French occupation of the Ruhr meant Germany lost a stream of income and striking workers still needed to be pained, further adding to the economic problems.

Hyperinflation Causes (1923)

• The government had printed more banknotes to help pay for the cost of the war.

• In 1923, the government were forced to print more money to pay striking workers.

Short-term effects of hyperinflation

• Workers wages did not keep up with rising prices, so they could not longer afford daily necessities. In 1918 bread cost 0.63 marks however in November 1923 it was 201,000,000,000 marks.

• Those on fixed incomes like pensioners suffered as their monthly income became worthless and were forced to get jobs.

• Peoples savings were worthless, forcing many into poverty.

Long-term effects of hyperinflation

• Many Germans blamed the government for the crisis.

• People who lost their savings were never compensated.

• The Weimar republic was weakened and there was widespread poverty.

• Later, people still felt the effects of hyperinflation and never fully trusted democracy.

Benefits of hyperinflation

• People with mortgages could pay back the money easier, which especially helped business owners.

• People who owned land or buildings were protected as they rose with inflation.

• Some businesses benefited from the higher prices and increased wages.