Weimar and Nazi Germany

When did World War One end?

11th November 1918.

By the end of WWI, how many German soldiers/troops were dead?

2 million.

By the end of WWI, how many German soldiers/troops were wounded?

4 million.

By the end of WWI, how many Germans died due to food shortages? Why?

750,000 - British navy had blockaded German naval ports so no food could enter from overseas.

Between 1914 - 1918, how much did Germanys debt increase by?

100 billion marks - from 50 billion in 1914 and 100 billion to 1918.

Who ruled Germany before the Weimar Constitution?

Kaiser Wilhelm.

Under Kaiser Wilhelm, was Germany an autocracy or democracy?

Autocracy.

What happened in Germany during October 1918?

• Germany navy mutinied (refused to obey orders).

• Civil unrest began to spread with mass protests, worker strikes and riots from workers/soldiers.

When did Kaiser Wilhelm abdicate?

9th November 1918.

Who established themselves as the new leaders of Germany after the Kaisers abdication?

Social Democratic Party, SDP (Largest political party).

Who led the SDP in 1918?

Fredrich Ebert.

Explain how the SDP became Germany’s new leaders from November 1918 - January 1919.

• 9th Nov - Philipp Scheidemann hears armed rioters wanted to establish communist government in Berlin and shouts from a window for the people to remain calm.

• 10th Nov - Friedrich Ebert dismisses old Reichstag and creates council of people’s representatives (6 people to govern Germany until elections held).

• 11th Nov - Friedrich Ebert declares that Germany is a democratic republic with elections.

• 19th Jan - Germany elect new government with SPD winning 40% of votes and Ebert declared as first president.

Who was the first president of Germany?

Friedrich Ebert.

Did the Weimar Constitution create a democratic or autocratic government?

Democratic.

How often was the President elected in the Weimar Constitution?

Every 7 years.

Who chose the chancellor in the Weimar Constitution?

The President.

Who is in charge of the government and chooses all the government ministries?

The Chancellor.

Who could vote in the Weimar Constitution?

Anyone over the age of 21.

Which two houses made up Parliament in the Weimar Constitution?

Reichstag and Reichstrat.

Was the Reichstag or Reichstrat more powerful?

Reichstag.

How often was Parliament elected in the Weimar Constitution?

Every 4 years.

What did the Reichstag control in Weimar Constitution?

Taxation.

What is proportional representation?

Where the distribution of seats corresponds closely with the proportion of the total votes cast for each party. For example, if a party gained 40% of the total votes, they would gain 40% of the seats.

In the Weimar Constitution, who did laws have to pass through in order to be passed?

Parliament.

What did Article 48 state?

Stated that the President can pass laws in an emergency without Reichstag’s approval This was often abused and it gave no definition of an emergency.

How many times did Ebert use Article 48 between 1923-24?

63 times.

Explain the strengths of the Weimar Constitution. 

• Women and men had equal votes.

• Autocracy was over so no one had total power and people were elected so their roles were not permanent.

• Reichstag and Reichstrat worked together and 2/3 of the Reichstag had to agree in order to pass laws.

• Proportional Representation allowed small parties to have seats in the Parliament.

• Local governments had power in schools and police.

Explain the weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution. 

• More elections meant less enthusiasm for voting.

• Proportional Representation gave extremist groups power in Parliament, creating a hostile environment.

• It also increased coalition parties as no single party had the majority. This lead to weak, unclear leadership and it took long time for laws to pass due to disagreements. People lost faith in democracy.

• Article 48 - Stated President can pass laws in an emergency without Reichstag’s approval This was often abused and it gave no definition of an emergency.

Which document was signed, bringing an end to WW1?

Armistice.

What did the Weimar Republic do in November 1918 which made them resented forever?

The Armistice.

When was the armistice signed?

11th November 1918.

What were the government nicknamed after the signing of the armistice?

November Criminals.

Why did Germans not like the signing of the Armistice?

It was seen as surrender to the allies and it stated that Germany had lost the war whereas many Germans felt that if they had continue to fight, they had the potential to win.

What feeling did the signing of the armistice create?

Dolchstoss - Stab in the back.

What does dolchstoss mean?

Stab in the back.

What does diktat mean?

Dictated Peace.

Explain why Treaty of Versailles is seen as diktat.

Meaning - Dictated Peace. Germany had no role in negotiating its terms as no German representatives were allowed to attend peace talks and the allies declined all requested changes.

What was included in the Treaty of Versailles?

• Blame - Article 231 stated that Germany was the cause of WW1 and had to accept responsibility. Also, cannot join league of nations.

• Reparations - Allies believed that they were owed compensation in £6.6 billion yearly installments.

• Army - Army limited to 100,000 men, 6 battleships, no submarines, no air force allowed and navy reduced. Rhineland demilitarised so no German troops were allowed but allied troops were stationed here until 1930.

• Territory - Lost all colonies and these were given to Britain/France. They lost 13% of European overseas territory. France was also given the Saar for 15 years and Alsace Lorraine. Anschluss forbidden.

Under the Treaty of Versailles, what could Germany not join?

League of Nations.

Under the Treaty of Versailles, how much did Germany have to pay in reparations?

£6.6 billion.

Under the Treaty of Versailles, how many men was the German army limited to?

100,000 men.

Under the Treaty of Versailles, how many battleships and submarines was Germany allowed?

6 Battleships + No submarines.

Under the Treaty of Versailles, how much of their European territory did German lose?

13%.

Under the Treaty of Versailles, which piece of land was demilitarised?

The Rhineland (German land bordering France).

Under the Treaty of Versailles, which union was forbidden?

Anschluss - Union between Austria and Germany.

Under the Treaty of Versailles, which pieces of land did Germany lose to France?

Alsace - Lorraine + Saar.

Why was the Saar important to Germany?

Abundant coal and iron deposits, making it economically important.

Which group uprose in January 1919?

Spartacists - Left wing, communist group.

Who were the Spartacists?

Left wing, communist group in Berlin led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht.

Who led the Spartacists?

Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht.

Explain the events of the Spartacist Uprising.

• 4th Jan - Ebert triggers uprising when he sacks Berlin’s police chief who was popular amongst workers.

• 6th Jan - Berlin in chaos; leaders encourage general strike, over 100,000 workers protest on streets, Spartacists took over government newspapers and telegraph offices across Berlin.

• Ebert send Freikorps to fight uprising. It ends on 13th Jan with leaders arrested and killed brutally on 16th Jan.

Who triggered the Spartacist Uprising and how?

On the 4th January, Ebert sacked Berlin’s police chief who was popular amongst the workers.

During the Spartacist Uprising, the communists took over government newspapers and telegraph offices in Berlin. What is the significance of this?

They could not control what was said in the media and could not stop the uprising without control of newspapers.

How did Ebert crush the Spartacist Uprising?

Freikorps.

When was the Spartacist Uprising crushed?

13th January.

Who were the Freikorps?

Extreme right wing, ex soldiers.

Were the Freikorps left or right wing?

Extreme right wing.

How many Freikorps were there in March 1919?

250,000.

When was the Kapp Putsch?

March 1920.

Explain the events of the Kapp Putsch.

• By 1920, Ebert was struggling to control the Freikorps and feared the so he hoped to disband the units.

• Fearing unemployment, 5,000 units marched into to Berlin to overthrow the government.

• Ebert ordered the head of the army to resist the rebellions but her refused. “Soldiers don’t attack fellow soldier.”

• Freikorps successfully capture Berlin, Wolfgang Kapp is put in charge of rebels and Weimar government flee to Weimar. Kapp and Freikorps invite Kaiser from exile.

• After the Freikorps take over, the government encouraged a general strike where workers stopped essential services (gas, electricity, water, transport) and chaos ensues. 

• After 4 days, Wolfgang Kapp realises he cannot govern so he flees and the Weimar Government return.

When did Ebert plan to disband the Freikorps?

March 1920.

Why did the Freikorps attempt to overthrow the government?

They feared unemployment.

How many Freikorps units marched into Berlin during the Kapp Putsch?

5,000.

Who did Ebert ask to resist the rebels during the Kapp Putsch?

Head of the army.

Why did the head of the army refuse to resist the Freikorps?

Soldiers don’t attack fellow soldiers.

Who was put in charge of the Freikorps during the Kapp Putsch?

Wolfgang Kapp.

What lead to the end of the Kapp Putsch?

• After the Freikorps took over, the government encouraged a general strike where workers stopped essential services (gas, electricity, water, transport) and chaos ensues. 

• After 4 days, Wolfgang Kapp realises he cannot govern so he flees and the Weimar Government return.

What happened to Wolfgang Kapp after the Kapp Putsch?

He was imprisoned and killed before trial.

Who did the Freikorps invite back from exile to govern Germany?

Kaiser Wilhelm.

Why did the workers agree to strike against the Freikorps and Wolfgang Kapp?

Many had communist leanings and did not want the Kaiser as they had more freedom/rights without him.

Between 1919 and 1922, how many political assassinations took place?

376.

Who was killed by the Friekorps in August 1921?

Matthias Erzberger.

In 1920, were judges more sympathetic to right or left wing murderers?

Right wing.

When did France occupy the Ruhr?

January 1923.

Why did France occupy the Ruhr?

Germany’s government was bankrupt due to reparations and loss of land containing natural resources like coal so they failed to send the right amount of coal required by TOV.

Why was Germany bankrupt by 1922?

Due to reparations and loss of land containing natural resources like coal.

Why was the Ruhr important to Germany?

It was Germany’s most valuable industrial area as it had many factories and around 80% of German coal, iron and steel reserves.

How did the German government respond to the occupation of the Ruhr?

They urged coal workers to use passive resistance like strikes.

How did the French respond to the strikes after they occupied the Ruhr?

They brought their own workers to the Ruhr.

Why could the Weimar government not force the French out of the Ruhr?

Germany was restricted to 100,000 soldiers whilst the French had 750,000 soldiers.

How did the strikes after the occupation of the Ruhr affect Germany?

• Increased debt due to unemployment, meaning less taxes were given to the government.

• Government also had to pay workers who were doing no work.

• Shortage of goods as less goods were being produced in factories. This is because there were less workers and not enough coal to meet demand and fuel factories.

• Had to import coal from other countries which is expensive.

What is hyperinflation?

The sudden, uncontrollable increase in prices.

How did the occupation of the Ruhr lead to hyperinflation?

Shortage of goods lead to a significant increase in prices.

In 1923, how many paper mills and printers dedicated to printing bank notes were created?

300 paper mills + 2000 printers.

When did the German mark become worthless?

November 1923.

How did hyperinflation positively impact the working class?

Farmers were paid more due to high demand for food.

How did hyperinflation negatively impact the working class?

Unemployment rose and some workers died of starvation whilst others stole to survive.

How did employers attempt to help the working class during hyperinflation?

Some workers were paid twice a day so they could purchase goods before their wages became worthless. Others were paid on essential items rather than marks.

How did hyperinflation positively impact the middle class?

People with mortgages, rents and loans could pay off the money they owed as debt became worthless.

How did hyperinflation negatively impact the middle class?

Savings and fixed pensions became worthless so the elderly suffered with no monthly income.

How did hyperinflation negatively impact the businesses?

Employers couldn’t pay workers, leading to closures, redundancies and unemployment.

As a result of hyperinflation, which groups gained popularity?

Extremist Groups.

Who became chancellor in 1923?

Gustav Stresemann.

Explain how Stresemann helped end hyperinflation.

• November 1923 - Stresemann sets up state owned bank, Rentenbank, and new currency, Rentenmark.

• The new currency was tied to the price of gold, meaning European countries like the Allies trusted the gold standard currency.

• August 1924 - Stresemann introduces the Reichsbank and Reichsmark, which allowed German businesses to trade with foreign countries.

What did Stresemann introduce in November 1923?

Rentenbank (State owned bank) + Rentenmark (New currency).

When did Stresemann introduce the Rentenbank and Rentenmark?

November 1923.

What did Stresemann introduce in August 1924?

Reichsbank + Reichsmark.

When did Stresemann introduce the Reichsbank and Reichsmark?

August 1924.

How many marks was one Rentenmark equal to?

1 trillion marks.

Which 2 plans did Stresemann introduce to reduce reparations?

Dawes Plan (1924) + Young Plan (1929).