Weimar Republic 1918-29

Kaiser Wilhelm

WW1 Germany – Kaiser ruled, in charge of government and army chose chancellors, people powerless, obsessed with military, Kaiser fled 2 days before war ended

Germans liked this government - military tradition - felt that being told to do was a sign that the government was strong - WR no support because they were us to being told what to do

Effects of WW1 on Germany

• Farming disrupted – By 1918, Germany produced only half its milk and 60% of its meat. British naval blockade stopped food imports. 750,000 died.

• Stab-in-the-back myth – Army signed surrender, but people blamed new Weimar Republic. Many believed politicians betrayed the army, which claimed it could have won.

• Pride lost – Germany was proud; sacrifices and defeat devastated pride, leading to blame.

• Weimar Republic weak.

TOV

Weimar Republic

1919 – Council of People’s Representatives held elections. Ebert became first president, created a constitution, and organised how government would run.

The Weimar Constitution

President elected every 7 years, chose chancellor, head of army, could dissolve Reichstag and suspend constitution. Reichstag elected every 4 years by proportional representation.

Proportional Representations

Parties got seats in proportion to votes. Many small parties, no majority, frequent coalitions, constant disagreements, weak government.

Strengths and weakness of the constitution

• All Germans 20+ could vote (rare at the time)

• PR was fairer

• President had strong powers to protect the republic in crisis

• Free speech and trade unions allowed

• PR made government weak, coalitions unstable, decisions slow

• Article 48 let president rule by decree

• Many saw voting as weakness, used to following orders

Why the Weimar Republic was unpopular

• Blamed for Treaty of Versailles: war guilt, reparations, land loss, military limits

• Economic problems and hardship

• Weak, unstable government

• “Stab-in-the-back” myth fueled resentment

Diktat the terms were forced on Germany an blamed Ebert for accepting

Treaty of Versialles

• Peace agreement Germany forced to sign – risk of future conflict

• Army limited to 100,000

• No air force, all planes destroyed

• No military in Rhineland – humiliation, loss of pride

• War guilt clause – Germany blamed, people resentful

• Reparations: £6,600 million annually – economic crisis

• Land loss: 13% – territory and agriculture lost, Germans living in other countries

Winning powers - what they wanted?

• France: Wanted to crush Germany – no army, massive reparations, never a major power

• Britain: Punish Germany financially but allow recovery

• USA: Treaty too harsh; feared it would make Germany seek revenge

Spartacist Revolt

• January 1919

• Liebknecht and Luxemburg

• Extreme left (communists) tried to take over Berlin, seized important buildings / newspaper

• 50,000 on strike in support

• Ebert called Freikorps (ex-soldiers) to stop them

• 100 killed

• Violence deepened split between left and right

• support from working class

Kapp Putsch

March 1920

Ignore the terms of TOV and adopt a military style dictatorship

Freikorps, fearing unemployment, marched on Berlin

• Ebert asked the army to resist, but they refused

• Kapp led the putsch

• Government called trade unions to strike

• Chaos forced Kapp to flee; putsch failed

The French invasion of the Ruhr

• January 1923

• Germany defaulted on reparations payments

• France invaded the Ruhr, Germany’s industrial heart (over 80% of steel production)

• Germans went on strike

• Government ordered passive resistance

Hyperinflaiton

• Government printed more money to support Ruhr workers on strike

• Money lost value rapidly; prices soared

• Wages rose but not as quickly as prices

• February: 7,000 marks = $1; November: 130 billion marks = $1

• Billion-mark notes printed

Effects of Hyperinflation

• Bank savings worthless – middle class lost wealth, some turned to Nazis

• Jews resented – seen as unaffected due to foreign bank accounts

• Munich Putsch – blamed Weimar Republic

• Rich protected wealth through property

• Farmers benefited – received higher prices

• Fixed-rent rooms became cheap

Gustav Stresemann

Chancellor of Germany in 1923

Rentenmark

• Stopped printing old money

• People were able to be paid

• Introduced Rentenmark, tied to gold

• Restored confidence and real value in money

• Hyperinflation ended

damage was done - middle class has lost their life

How was the problem of Ruhr solved

• German workers sent to work for the French were paid, helping the economy

• Seen as a national defeat – Germany lost a huge amount of steel production

Dawes Plan

• USA loaned £40 million, reduced reparations to 50 million a year

• Germany invested industry, recovery began

• Unemployment remained a problem

• Loans had to be repaid

USA - German - reparations - Britain France - War loans - USA

Young Plan 1929

• Reduced reparations from £6.6 billion to £2 billion

• Payments spread until 1988

• Lower reparations meant lower taxes for Germans

• Opposed by extreme Nazis – argued it burdened future generations

How did the economy improve from the 1923

Industrial output doubled

• Employment and trade increased

• Extreme parties opposed reparations

• Recovery depended on American loans

Locarno Pact

• Germany, France, and Belgium respected borders

• Improved international relations

• German membership in League of Nations discussed

• Increased Weimar Republic’s status and popularity

Impact of Stresemann

However …

• Restored confidence in Germany

• Reduced support for extremists

• Eased economic hardships

TOV terms were still in place

Border with France was not liked

League of Nations

• International body to discuss world problems and prevent war

• Germany invited to join in 1926

• Boosted German confidence in the Weimar Republic and national status

Kellogg - Briand Pact

• Agreement between 62 nations to avoid war and resolve disputes peacefully

• Boosted public confidence in the Weimar Republic

Changes under the Weimar

• Unemployment reduced; cash benefits from insurance

• Wages increased

• Mass housing projects built

• Women gained freedom: voting (90% turnout), work, sports, easier divorce

• Creativity and freedom of expression flourished – Bauhaus School  promoted modern art, design, and architecture

• Universities promoted new ideas and equality

• Cinema grew in popularity

Freedom