The Weimar Republic, 1918-1929

What is proportional representation?

Where the percentage number of votes is equal to the percentage number of seats in the Reichstag.

What is the ‘stab in the back theory’ or dolchstoss?

The myth itself detailed the German army had been betrayed by the officials of Weimar in signing the armistice. Hitler and the Nazis erroneously (mistakenly) claimed victory as still possible.

What are reparations?

Money payed for damages

What is ‘diktat’?

Means ‘dictated peace’ - the German government was forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles.

What does November Criminals means?

Refers to how the armistice ending WW1 was signed in November.

Prior to 1918, who had supreme power in Germany?

The Kaiser - at the time it was Kaiser Wilhelm.

What happened in Germany in 1918?

German soldiers were being pushed back, the citizens were suffering food shortages and loss was inevitable.

A new government was formed by Prince Max of Baden.

What did the new government led by Prince Max of Baden do in 1918? How did this end?

They approached President Wilson of the USA to ask about ending the war. President Wilson refused to accept the terms while Kaiser Wilhelm still controlled the army and navy.

What happened at the end of 1918?

The German navy refused to fight the British (mutinied)

Kaiser Wilhelm was forced to abdicate and fled to the Netherlands

10t Nov - a new Republic was established for the first time in Germany, led by Friedrich Elbert.

What happened on the 11th of November 1918?

Friedrich Elbert, the chancellor of the newly declared republic accepted the armistice.

Why was Weimar chosen as the meeting place for the members of the new government?

It was decided Berlin was too dangerous a place for the members of the new government to meet after elections. The quiet town of Weimar was chosen as a meeting place instead.

What is a coalition government?

When more than one party shares power. A majority is where one party have over 50% of seats in the governemnt.

Why was there a coalition during the January elections in 1919?

There was no majority

What are the Reichstag?

The German parliament - equivalent to house of commons.

What are the Reichstag?

German equivalent of house of lords.

Who was the head of the Weimar republic? How often are they elected? What are they in charge of?

The President - the head of state, chosen from the biggest party.

Elected every 7 years, in charge of the army.

What does article 48 of the Weimar constitution say?

The President has power over anything in emergencies, so in times of crisis the president can trigger this.

How many coalition governments were formed between 1919 and 1923?

9 - they all collapsed.

How many times did President Friedrich Elbert trigger Article 48 between 1919-1925?

136 times.

What are some arguments that support the statement the Weimar constitution was strong?

The President is elected.

All men and women over 20 can vote.

The head of the government (chancellor) had to have the support of the Reichstag to stay in power.

What are some arguments that oppose the statement the Weimar constitution was strong?

Article 48 - could be abused by the president

Proportional representation leading to many coalitions and disagreements

The army felit their status was undermined by the new constitution and wanted the kaiser back

What did article 1 of the constitution say?

The German Reich is a republic

Political authority derives from the people

What did article 135 of the new constitution say?

All German people have right to freedom of speech and religion

What percent of land did Germany lose to the treaty of Versailles? Why was this so bad?

13%

Some of the land lost was the most productive land. Germany needed the revenue from these areas to rebuild the country and pay the 6.6 billion reservations.

What is the war guilt clause? Why was this so hated?

Article 231, or the war guilt clause which stated Germany had caused the war and needed to pay reservations to the winning allies.

Most Germans saw this as an attack on the honour of the German nation. They felt this was especially unfair.

It also stated Germany's army had to be reduced.

Where did Germany suffer territorial losses?

Provinces, Alsace and Lorraine, were returned to France and parts of Schleswig were given to Denmark.

All of its oversees colonies were annexed by the allies either to become colonies or areas that were managed until independence could be maintained autonimously.

What percent of population was lost to the treaty of versailles?

12.5%

What was the cost of total reservations Germany had to pay?

6.6 billion

How many men did Germany lose in the war?

1.7 million

How many men were injured in Germany in WW1?

4.2 million

What was the German army restricted to asper the terms of the treaty? What other terms were there as well as this?

100,000 people.

The military was not allowed tanks, aircrafts, submarines etc

The Rhineland was demilitarised

When was the Kapp Putsch?

1920

Who carried out the Kapp Putsch?

Dr. Wolfgang Kapp and the Friekorps brigade

Why did Dr. Wolfgang Kapp and the Friekorps brigade attempt a revolt?

They felt they were betrayed and had a deep hatred for the trraty of Versailles.

Was the Kapp Putsch a success?

It was successful for a couple of weeks and the managed to seize Berlin with the support of the regular army who refused to oppose the Putsch.

Civil servants, trade unionists etc. supported the government so the Putsch eventually failed.

When was the spartacist rising?

1919, Germany

WHo carried out the spartacist uprising?

Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg (and the spartacist league.)

Why did the spartacists attempt a revolt?

To overthrow Ebert and the Weimar government

Was the spartacist rising a success?

No, ended in their defeat, both leaders were captured and killed.

Who helped put down the spartacist uprising?

The Berlin Friekorps - paramilitary groups formed from demobilised soldiers.

How many politicians were killed between 1919-22

376

WHy did Phillip Scheidemann resign?

He didn't want to be held accountable by the German citizens for the harsh conditions of the treaty.

What were the main reasons Germany was bankrupt, leading to hyperinflation?

Its reserves of gold had been spent in the war.

The treaty meant wealth-earning areas such as the coalfields in Silesia were taken away, limiting their income.

The treaty also meant Germany had to pay 6.6 billion in reperations.

What happened when Germany asked for reductions of the reperations?

Some allied countries, especially France, needed money to pay reperation debts to the USA

What happened when Germany failed to to send coal to France in December 1922?

On 11 January 1923, 60,000 French and Belgian troops marched in the Ruhr and seized control of machinery and confiscated raw materials. They planned to take the resources by force and even took money from the banks.

How did Germany react when the Ruhr was seized by beligian and french troops?

The Ruhr was in the demilitarised Rhineland so they couldn't resist, especially since France had an arm of 750,000 and Germany's was 100,000. The government therefore urged passive resistance where the workers went on strike, refusing to work so the German industry halted. Some machinery was even sabotaged so the French couldn't use them.

What happened after the German workers went on strike at the Ruhr?

The government started printing money to pay the workers.

However, there was some violence and many workers were shot. The french army arrrested the entire Ruhr police force to ensure no resistance.

How did the invasion of the Ruhr make the Germans feel?

They had increased hatred of the french for invading their land.

They also hated the government for doing nothing (although they didn't really have a choice as they were outgunned).

How did the invasion of the Ruhr impact the economy and unemployment?

Germany became more crippled as it now lost 80% of its coal, iron and steel, meaning they couldn't pay the reperations.

Unemployment in Germany increased and there was an extreme shortage of food and goods.

How did the invasion of the Ruhr lead to hyperinfltion?

To support the workers, the government printed money to pay them.

However as the government had no money, this caused the value of the mark to drop heavily.

For years the prices of goods in germany had been rising, this inflation happens naturally. However, by 1923, the shortages in German society meant prices were rising out of control.

The government needed to pay its debts, but with prices rising and unemployment growing, there was less tax money. So, Friedrich ebert decided to print more money, leading to more hyperinflation.

Name the consequences of hyperinflation (5)

Food shortages, leading to an increase in stealing.

Many Germans lost everything, including pensions and savings, and even sold houses to survive.

Prices increased rapidly: in 1918 bread was worth 1 mark, in 1923 it was worth 200 trillion marks.

The German economy crumbled: many banks and buisnesses closed and international trade collapsed.

Increased anger at the government: many began supporting more extremist groups like the communists or the Nazis.

When did hyperinflation occur?

1923

When was the Munich Putsch?

1923

How were foreigners affected by hyperinflation?

Many not as directly affected

Native currency could me exchanged for more marks

How were the middle class affected by hyperinflation?

Many had savings which were now worthless, along with their wages, causing a lot of starvation.

Those with fixed wages coldnt affoord the rising pices of foods.

How were the rich affected by hyperinflation?

Many not badly affected as valuable possessions rapidly increase in price.

How were farmers affected by hyperinflation?

Most likely benefitted from the increased prices of foods.

Who was Gustav Stressemann and what did he do?

In august 1923 he took over as German chancellor and had resigned by November 1923.

However, he did stay on as foreign minister until 1929. His job was to put the country back together financially.

What were Stressemann’s 2 main aims? What did he hope to achieve from these?

Restore the German economy

Restore Germany's positions in foreign affairs

He believed if he did this, people would start supporting the Weimar republic.

When was the Locarno Pact signed? Between who?

Deceber 1, 1925, between FRance, Britain, Belgium, Italy and Germany.

What was the Kellogg-Briand pact?

1928

Germany signed this with 62 other nations.

It was agreed here that everyone should keep their armies for self defence but all international disputes should be solved by ‘peaceful means.

This improved the reputation of the Weimar Republic and showed that germany was viewed as a serious power that could be respected and trusted.

Formed by US foreign minister Kellogg and French foreign minister Briand.

What is the retenmark?

The hyperinflation of 1923 destroyed the value of the mark.

In november 1923, Stressemann introduced a temporary currency called the ‘retenmark’.

This was issued in limited amounts and was based on property values rather than gold reserves.

What is the Dawes plan?

Agreed September 1924

Stresemann realised Germany couldn't afford the reperations payments and persuaded the french, British, and Americans to change payments by the following:

USA would give loans to Germany 800 million marks - to aid recovery and help pay reperations.

Germany had to pay 1.5 million marks for the first five years and 2.5 after that. These were lower than the original rates which meant they were more affordable, allowing the German economy to recover.

The Ruhr would be evacuated by allied occupation troops.

Economic policy making in Berlin including the reichbank would be reorganized under allied supervision.

What's the young plan?

1929

Germany was able to meet the Dawes plan but still complained about the levels of payments.

The plan meant the reperations figure was reduced from 6.6 billion GBP to 1.85 GBP Billion with an extended 59 years to pay this.

This was a considerable achievement of Stresemann’s but was criticised by the right wing eg. Hitler who objected to any further payments of reperations.

What is the Locarno pact?

December 1,1925 between France, Britain, Belgium, Italy and Britain

All countries decided to renounce the use of invasionand force except in self defense. The pact secured borders between Germany and France, and ensured the permanent demilitarisation of the rhineland. This assured the French who had been previously invaded over the past century by Germany through this area. In return the French declared peace with Germany.

Was criticised by extremist parties such as the Nazis.

What is the league of nations?

1926

In order for the Locarno pact to come into operation, Germany had to become a member of the league of nations.

In September 1926, Germany was given a permanent seat on the council of the league of nations. This confirmed germanys return to great power.

It was a bold move as many Germans regarded the league of nations as the guardian of the hated TofV and helped Stresemann bring about the young plan.

When was the league of nations was origionally established? What for?

The end of WW1. Use as an arena for international disputes to be resolved peacefully.

Golden Age: How did wages change between 1924-29?

Wages had risen by 10%

However, many middle classes had been bankrupted by hyperinflation in 1923.

Unployment generally fell - good thing.

By 1928, Germany had some of the best paid workers in Europe.

Golden Age: How did housing change in the period 1924-28?

Between 1924-31 more than 2 million houses were built.

Almost 200,000 existing houses were renovated or expanded.

Homelessness was reduced by more than 60%.

Golden Age: How did the position of women change in the period 1924-28?

By 1919, women over 20 could vote.

Weimar constitution introduced equality in education, equal pay etc.

Women worked in new areas of service, eg. Civil service.

Married women were criticised for neglecting their homes.

Golden Age: How did culture change in the period 1924-28?

New art style developed called ‘new objectivity’ - shows freedom of culture and how it’s thriving.

Massive exploration of German cinema - shows how It has money to spend on leisure / culture - progressive.

Cabaret - culture is more liberal and progressive

As well as this, architecture, literature and theatre also increased in popularit showing a greater freedom of expression.

Who opposed the changes of the golden age?

The army - traditionalists, opposed acceptance of Jews, homosexuals, and liberal views

The elderly: traditional views, eg. didnt accept voting for all.

What allowed the changes of the golden era to occur?

Stresemann: vital in introducing policies , eg:

The Dawes plan: made reperations more sensible, allied forces made to leave the Ruhr.