Weimar Republic

Characteristics of the Weimar Republic

1. Over 20 - All German men and woman over the age of 20 could vote on the President and the Reichstag (Parliament).

2. Reichstag Control - The Reichstag made the laws and appointed the Government.

3. Proportional Representation - Voting system which lead to no majorities so coalition Governments were formed.

4. Equality - All Germans were to be equal.

5. Freedom of speech and religion - All Germans had the right to freedom of speech and religion.

6. Article 48 - Introduced a state of emergency where the President could take control and pass laws without approval from the Reichstag, creating danger of a Dictatorship forming.

Dislike of Weimar

1. November Criminals - Known as the November criminals, Weimar were hated for signing the surrender of Germany from WW1.

2. Missing Kaiser - Germany preferred one strong leader and preferred the Kaiser system to new Government.

3. Mistrust - There was mistrust of suited and booted Politicians in place of military men like Kaiser. 

4. Coalitions - Due to coalitions the Government was unstable and could not reach decisions.

5. Blame Weimar - Weimar was blamed for the unstable economic situations such as the Great Depression. 

6. Weak Weimar - Lack of strength saw many Germans turn to more extreme parties such as the Nazis.

Spartacist Revolt

1. Revolution Now - Spartacists were extreme left-wing who wanted ‘revolutionary fast change’ not the ‘slow change’ ideas of Ebert’s government.

2. Dodgy Deal - Ebert knew Spartacists were getting ready for an uprising, so he made a deal with the army leader for support.

3. Freikorps - Ex-soldiers formed to fight the Spartacists who were well armed and experienced troops.

4. Boring - 100,000 people would demonstrate in Berlin, with the Spartacists taking control but lack of planning meant many workers grew bored and went home.

5. Rosa and Karl - Freikorps defeated the Spartacists and leaders Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht were executed without trial.

6. Class Traitors - Communists felt Ebert and the socialists had betrayed the working class and would never work together making it easier for Nazis.

Munich Putsch 

1. Overthrow - In 1923 with hyperinflation at its worst, Hitler  planned to march to Berlin but had to take over Bavaria first.

2. Surround - Hitler burst into large beer hall where members of the Bavarian government were with Nazi Troops surrounded the building and declared a revolution.

3. Fake support - Hitler forced Bavarian government leaders to come out and publicly support the revolution.

4. Ludendorff support - Hitler felt famous WW1 General Ludendorff support gave him credibility with the army.

5. Munich Mistake - Hitler left hall to help other Nazi  Troops take over parts of Munich. Leaving Ludendorff in charge of beer hall he let key members of government leave.

6. Shutdown - Government members ordered Bavarian police and army to put down the rebellion. Hitler was eventually arrested and taken to prison, the revolution had failed. 

Hitler Trial

1. No bad press - Although Putsch failed Hitler used trial to build up his national profile.

2. Soap box - Hitler made several long speeches during the trial which appealed to much of the public, unhappy with Hyperinflation crisis.

3. Light sentence - Hitler and the other putsch leaders were given short sentences with the chance of early release.

4. Day camp - Nazis were allowed to socialise with each other in a relaxed prison.

5. Mein Kampf - Hitler wrote Mein Kampf in prison.

6. Change of plan - Hitler realised that achieving power was not through revolution but success in elections, reorganising Nazi Party to achieve new goal.