Democracies in the 1920s

These flashcards cover key terms and events related to the Weimar Republic and democracies in the 1920s.

Weimar Republic

The German government established after WWI that faced numerous challenges including economic instability, political uprisings, and issues arising from the Treaty of Versailles.

Treaty of Versailles

The 1919 peace treaty that ended World War I, imposing heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany.

Freikorps

Right-wing volunteer paramilitary groups in Germany that emerged after WWI, known for anti-communist repression.

Article 231

A clause in the Treaty of Versailles that blamed Germany for World War I and laid the groundwork for reparations.

Dawes Plan

The 1924 plan that restructured Germany's reparations payments and facilitated U.S. loans to stabilize the German economy.

Ruhr Crisis

A 1923 event where France occupied the industrial Ruhr region of Germany in response to Germany's failure to pay reparations, resulting in hyperinflation.

Beer Hall Putsch

An attempted coup in 1923 by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party that failed, leading to Hitler's imprisonment and the writing of Mein Kampf.

Kapp Putsch

A failed coup in 1920 where right-wing elements attempted to overthrow the Weimar government.

Passive Resistance

The non-violent opposition of Ruhr residents to French occupation during the Ruhr Crisis, called by the Weimar government.

John Maynard Keynes

An economist whose work criticized the Treaty of Versailles for its punitive measures against Germany, advocating for economic reform.