Imperial Germany to Weimar Republic: Key Terms (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering major concepts and terms from Imperial Germany through the Weimar Republic, including political structures, key wars and battles, treaties, and social changes.

Kaiserreich (Imperial Germany)

An authoritarian state (1871–1918) with some democratic elements (universal male suffrage and a parliament) where conservatives used social welfare and top-down reform to curb revolutionary socialism.

Reichstag

The empire’s parliament, elected by universal male suffrage, with powers limited relative to the Kaiser and chancellor.

Bismarck’s social legislation

Conservative-initiated welfare programs (unemployment, health care, pensions) meant to reduce socialist appeal and stabilize the state.

Social welfare state (Germany, late 19th c.)

State-sponsored programs to protect workers, intended to prevent revolution and integrate labor into the capitalist system.

Anti-revolutionary policy

Conservative strategy to prevent social unrest by suppressing radical movements and steering demands toward reform.

Battle of Tannenberg

1914 battle on the Eastern Front where German forces encircled a Russian army; boosted Hindenburg and Ludendorff and marked an early war victory.

Paul von Hindenburg

German general who led the army and, later, became President of the Weimar Republic; a symbol of military strength and later rightward politics.

Erich Ludendorff

Senior German general, key partner of Hindenburg; instrumental in WWI strategy and later connected with far-right movements.

Verdun

Prolonged 1916 Western Front battle; symbol of attritional warfare and massive casualties on both sides.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918)

Agreement in which Bolshevik Russia ceded large territories (including Ukraine) to Germany, allowing Germany to redeploy troops to the Western Front.

Kaiser Offensive (Spring Offensive 1918)

Germany’s Spring Offensive intended to break Allied lines and win the war; costly and ultimately unsustainable due to exhausted reserves.

Armistice (11 November 1918)

Ceasefire ending active fighting in World War I; led to domestic upheaval and the push for a new political order in Germany.

Stab-in-the-back myth (Dolchstoßlegende)

Idea that Germany was betrayed by civilians at home (e.g., Jews, socialists) leading to military defeat and the empire’s collapse.

Weimar Constitution (1919)

Liberal, democratic framework for the Weimar Republic; popular sovereignty, extensive civil rights, equality before law, and public freedoms.

Article 48 (Weimar Constitution)

Presidential emergency powers to suspend civil liberties and rule by decree in crisis; intended as a safeguard but later undermined democracy through abuse.

Four Ks (Küche, Kirche, Kinder, Kleider)

Traditional view of women’s role: Kitchen, Church, Children, and Clothes; postwar changes challenged these gender norms.

SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany)

Labor-leaning party that grew to prominence in the Weimar Republic, advocating social welfare and reform while aligning with democratic institutions.

KPD (Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands)

Communist Party formed in 1919 by left-wing dissidents; sought revolution, opposed cooperation with the SPD, and attempted uprisings in Berlin.

Gender equality before the law (Weimar)

Legal equality of men and women, including equal rights and duties, expanded suffrage for women, and greater participation in public life.