Weimar Republic and rise of Nazi's 1919-33

What was the 'turnip winter'?

A period during the exceptionally cold winter of 1916-17 when food shortages forced people to eat turnips, which were usually animal feed.

What was the increase in starvation mortality from 1916 to 1918?

Starvation mortality increased from 121,000 in 1916 to 293,000 in 1918.

By how much did infant mortality rise during the war years?

Infant mortality rose by 50% during the war years.

What did the 1918 influenza pandemic result in Germany?

The Spanish flu killed 20-40 million people in Germany, exacerbated by poor war conditions.

What were the three motives behind Ludendorff's push for political change in Germany?

Securing better peace terms, preventing revolutionary outbreaks, and shifting responsibility away from military leadership.

What is the 'stab in the back' myth?

The belief that Germany had not lost WW1 and that unpatriotic groups like socialists and Jewish people undermined the war effort.

What led to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II?

A political vacuum created by the German revolution and the announcement of a provisional coalition government.

What was the Ebert-Groener agreement?

An agreement where Ebert's government received support from the military in exchange for not reforming the army.

What were the consequences of the Stinnes-Legien agreement?

Trade unions agreed not to interfere with private ownership in exchange for workers' rights, including an 8-hour workday.

What did the Spartacists aim to achieve in January 1919?

They aimed to overthrow the provisional government and establish a Soviet republic in Germany.

What major event occurred on January 5, 1919?

The Spartacist uprising began in Berlin, leading to armed conflict against the provisional government.

What was the result of the Spartacist uprising?

Ebert and Gustav Noske used army and Freikorps forces to defeat the uprising, resulting in the deaths of its leaders.

What was the significance of the Weimar Constitution?

It established Germany as a democratic republic but included complicated relationships between the president, Reichstag, and chancellor.

What were the key features of the Weimar Constitution regarding the President?

The President was elected every 7 years, could dissolve the Reichstag, appoint the chancellor, and rule by decree in emergencies.

What was the impact of proportional representation in the Weimar Constitution?

It led to the emergence of splinter parties, making it difficult to form and maintain stable governments.

What was Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution?

It allowed the president to rule by decree, suspending civil rights in times of emergency.

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

The peace treaty that ended WW1, imposing significant territorial and financial penalties on Germany.

Why was the Treaty of Versailles controversial?

It was seen as unfair by Germans, especially the war guilt clause and reparations which were viewed as humiliating.

What territorial losses did Germany face from the Treaty of Versailles?

Loss of Alsace-Lorraine to France and the demilitarization of the Rhineland.

What was 'diktat' in regard to the Treaty of Versailles?

The term used by Germans to denote that the treaty was dictated to them without negotiation.

What economic challenges did Germany face post WW1 and the Treaty of Versailles?

The economy faced hyperinflation, unemployment, and reliance on foreign loans that compounded economic instability.

What major political changes occurred in Germany during the early years of the Weimar Republic?

The abdication of the Kaiser, the establishment of a provisional government, and subsequent political unrest and uprisings.

What did the Dawes Plan entail?

It restructured German reparation payments according to its economic capacity, which helped stabilize the economy temporarily.

What role did Gustav Stresemann play in the Weimar Republic?

As Chancellor and Foreign Minister, he aimed to stabilize Germany through pragmatic policies and international diplomacy.

What was the significance of the Locarno Pact?

It marked Germany's return to international diplomacy, ensuring security and recognition of borders with France and Belgium.

How did the economic conditions contribute to the rise of the Nazi party?

The Great Depression increased unemployment and discontent, allowing the Nazis to gain support by exploiting public fears.

What were main characteristics of Nazi ideology?

Fervent nationalism, racial superiority, anti-Semitism, anti-democracy, and the belief in a strong authoritarian state.

What tactics did the Nazi party use effectively in their campaigns?

Sophisticated propaganda, mass rallies, political violence, and appealing to discontent among various social classes.

How did the Weimar Republic's governance lead to its decline?

Frequent changes in coalitions, inability to address economic crises, and the failure of democratic institutions weakened its stability.