Weimar Republic and Early Nazi Germany History

Flashcards covering the history of the Weimar Republic, from its establishment and early uprisings to the Golden Age, hyperinflation, and the rise of extremism following the Great Depression.

Kaiser

The German emperor who had overall control and the final say over appointing the government, summoning the Imperial Parliament, and commanding the army.

Bundesrat

The Upper House of the Imperial Parliament made up of States’ representatives, supported by the Kaiser, who were in charge of making the laws.

Reichstag (Imperial)

The Lower House made up of representatives elected by men over $25$; it was a debating chamber with some control over finance that could only approve laws.

Dolchstosslegenda

The “Stab in the Back” theory where the German Army shifted the blame for the war defeat onto socialists, pacifists, and war profiteers.

The Kiel Mutiny

A mutiny in the German navy during the closing days of WWI that triggered the November revolution in Germany.

Kurt Eisner

A socialist, Jew, and pacifist who led a peaceful uprising in Munich and declared Bavaria a Free Socialist Republic on November $7th$, $1918$.

Bavarian Soviet Republic

A Soviet Socialist State attempted by left-wing radicals in Bavaria between April and May $1919$ following the assassination of Kurt Eisner.

Freikorps

A volunteer paramilitary group of ex-soldiers and anti-communists who were used by the government to crush left-wing uprisings.

Social Democratic Party (SPD)

The largest political party in Germany, led by Friedrich Ebert, characterized as moderate, reformist, and democratic.

Independent Social Democratic Party (USPD)

A radical left-wing party led by Karl Kautsky that broke away from the SPD in $1917$ and prioritized social changes before democracy.

Communist Party of Germany (KPD)

Also known as the Spartacist League, led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, advocating for a Soviet state and the overthrow of the temporary government.

Ebert-Groener Pact

A secret agreement where General Groener promised army support for Friedrich Ebert in exchange for maintaining army discipline and political influence.

Stines-Legien Agreement

A $15th$ November $1918$ agreement between labor and business leaders that established the eight-hour day and recognized trade unions.

Spartacist Uprising

A January $1919$ revolt in Berlin led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht that took control of key buildings before being crushed by the Freikorps.

Gustav Noske

The defence minister appointed by Ebert who utilized the Freikorps units to restore order and crush the Spartacist Uprising.

Treaty of Versailles (Military Terms)

Provisions including the reduction of the German army to $100,000$ men and the prohibition of heavy guns, tanks, and an air force.

Treaty of Versailles (Reparations)

The financial cost of the war set at $132,000$ million gold marks ($32$ US Billion) to be paid by Germany.

Weimar Constitution

A legally binding document that guaranteed freedom of speech, religion, and equality, while giving men and women over $20$ the right to vote.

The President (Weimar)

Elected every $7$ years, acts as Commander-in-Chief, chooses the Chancellor, and can dissolve parliament or suppress revolts.

Kapp Putsch

A $1920$ right-wing attempt to seize power led by Wolfgang Kapp and General von Luttwitz after the government ordered the dissolution of a Freikorps brigade.

Hans von Seeckt

Commander of the army ($1920$-$1926$) who refused to intervene in the Kapp Putsch, stating the army was loyal to Germany but not necessarily the Republic.

The Ruhr Occupation

The January $1923$ invasion of Germany's industrial center by French and Belgian troops after Germany failed to pay reparations.

Hyperinflation

An economic state occurring when inflation exceeds $1,000\%$, causing money to lose value so rapidly it is no longer useful as a medium of exchange.

Gustav Stresemann

Served as German Chancellor for three months in $1923$ and was the Minister of Foreign Affairs until his death in $1929$.

Munich Beer Hall Putsch

A failed right-wing coup attempt on $8$-$9th$ November $1923$ involving Adolf Hitler and General Ludendorff.

Modernism

A cultural movement during the Golden Age of Weimar representing a break from the past and new forms of expression in art.

Avant-Garde

New and experimental ideas and methods in art, music, or literature that flourished during the Weimar Republic's cultural revival.

Magnus Hirschfeld

A major LGBTQ+ activist and founder of the Institute for Sexual Science ($1919$-$1933$) who advocated for sexual liberation.

Wall Street Crash

An October $1929$ event that triggered the Great Depression, leading to mass unemployment and the rise of political extremism in Germany.

Article 48

A constitutional provision for presidential decree that allowed Germany to be ruled by the President after the collapse of the coalition government in $1930$.