Weimar republic - Chapter 1

What was germanys debt after WW1

from 50 billion marks to 150 billion marks

when did the Kaiser abdicate

9 november 1918

Give 1 strength of the Weimar constitution

• Democratic

• Men and Women could vote over the age of 21

• proportional representation

Give another strength of the Weimar constitution

• Proportional representation

Give one weakness of the Weimar constitution

• Coalition government

  Often no party had a single majority so parties would have to form coalitions, resulting in a lack of clear, strong policies

• coalitions often argued and fell apart

Give another weakness of the Weimar constitution

• Weakness in a crisis

  difficult when a swift clear decision is needed,

• Article 48 - chancellor could ask the president to pass a necessary law without the Reichstag

When and Why was the treaty of Versailles unpopular

• Treaty of Versailles 1919

• War guilt

  Germany blamed for war so they had to pay reparations and reduce their military and territory

What were economic and political terms of the treaty of Versailles

• Germany had to pay 6.6 Billion pounds in reparations

• Germany lost its 11 colonies

What were the military terms of the Treaty of Versailles

• limited to 100,000 men and no heavy artillery

• No air force allowed

• Rhineland was demilitarised

• no submarines and only 6 battleships 6 cruisers and 12 destroyers.

What Land did Germany loose in the Treaty of Versailles

• Alsace and Lorraine were lost to france

• Eupen and Malmedy were lost to belgium

• Posen and west prussia to Poland

Overall lost

• 10% of its populations and 13% of its European territory

• All overseas property and investments

• Almost 50% of its iron and 15% of its coal reserves

What was the term the Leaders became known as

Leaders became known as the November Criminals

What happened during the Spartacist Uprising

KPD funded by the Soviet Union had 400,000 members

Spartacists supported the communists and were led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht.

When Ebert sacked Emil Eichhorn 100,000 workers protested and started an uprising

What were the Freikorps

Ebert ordered ex soldiers from the war to put down the uprising

by march 1919 there were 250,000 men in the freikorps

What happened during the Kapp Putsch

Freikorps units were due to be disbanded. fearing unemployment, 5,000 marched on berlin. Wolfgang Kapp invited the Kaiser to return. the government fled to stutgart. many workers went on strike

What were the consequences of French occupation of the Ruhr

Crippled German economy as it contained many factories and around 80% of coal iron and steel reserves. This causes increased unemployment debt and food shortages.

What were the consequences of hyperinflation

• People money could become instantly worthless as soon as they were paid.

• Food shortages as importers would not accept marks when importing

• People with saving were hit hardest such as the middle class