history-germany

What was the Weimar Republic?

Germany’s democratic government set up after Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated in 1918.

republic

country with no king or emperor

constitution

set of rules for how a country is run

democracy

people have a say in decisions and vote for leaders

president

leader of Germany and higher than Chancellor

When was the Weimar Republic created and why?

Nov 1918 – Kaiser abdicated; Ebert became president to lead the new democratic government.

Strengths of the Weimar Republic

Equal rights, Article 48 for emergencies, Chancellor ran government, needed Reichstag support.

Weaknesses of the Weimar Republic

Many disliked democracy, blamed for defeat, Article 48 could be abused.

Article 48

Part of the Weimar Constitution that let the President make decisions and pass laws in an emergency without the Reichstag.

What is a Chancellor?

The head of the government, runs day-to-day operations, needs Reichstag support to pass laws.

What is the Reichstag?

Germany’s parliament

What is the Weimar Constitution?

Rules for Germany; set up a democratic system, defined citizens’ rights, and government powers.

What were the Freikorps?

Right-wing ex-soldiers used by the government to crush uprisings; often violent and anti-democracy.

Treaty of Versailles

June 1919 – agreed on LAMB: Land lost, Army 100,000, Money £6.6b, Blame Germany.

Spartacist Revolt

Jan 1919 – Left-wing revolt led by Rosa Luxemburg; crushed by Freikorps.

Kapp Putsch

Mar 1920 – Right-wing revolt led by Wolfgang Kapp.

What was Hyperinflation?

When prices rise very quickly and money loses value; in Germany 1923 caused by Ruhr Crisis and government printing money.

Ruhr Crisis

Jan 1923 – France occupied Germany’s industrial Ruhr after Germany failed to pay reparations; workers went on strike, economy crippled → led to hyperinflation.

Gustav Stresemann

Chancellor 1923, Foreign Minister 1924–1929; stabilised economy and improved Germany’s international reputation.

Rentenmark (Stresemann)

1923 – New currency stopped hyperinflation.

Dawes Plan (Stresemann)

1924 – US loans helped rebuild Germany’s economy.

Young Plan (Stresemann)

1929 – Reduced reparations, extended payment to 59 years.

Locarno Pact (Stresemann)

1925 – Germany accepted western borders; improved international relations.

League of Nations (Stresemann)

1926 – Germany joined; gained equal status with other countries.

Kellogg–Briand Pact (Stresemann)

1928 – Germany agreed not to use war to solve disputes.

Timeline of Weimar Republic events

1918 – Republic formed; 1919 – Spartacist Revolt & Treaty of Versailles; 1920 – Kapp Putsch; 1923 – Ruhr Crisis & Hyperinflation; 1923 – Stresemann Chancellor; 1924 – Dawes Plan; 1925 – Locarno Pact; 1926 – League of Nations; 1928 – Kellogg–Briand Pact; 1929 – Young Plan.

What is Capitalism?

Economic system where businesses are privately owned and people can make profits.

What is Communism?

Left-wing system where the government owns everything and wealth is shared equally.

What is Fascism?

Right-wing system with a strong dictator, extreme nationalism, and no opposition.

What is Left-wing?

Beliefs in equality, workers’ rights, often support government control of wealth.

What is Right-wing?

Beliefs in tradition, nationalism, strong leader, often support private ownership and order.