Weimar Germany, 1919-1929

When the Kaiser abdicated, who took over?

Friedrich Ebert

After Germany lost WW1, what happened?

* rebellions began
* 'The German Resolution'
* revolts happened in big cities like Berlin
* power vacuum

Why was Weimar chosen to be where the new constitution was created?

because there was unrest in Berlin at the time

When was the Weimar Constitution established?

31st July 1919

How did Ebert try to preserve the economy?

he made sure that the new republic would not confiscate land or factories and there would be no state control of private industries

What else did Ebert do when setting up the New Constitution?

* won the support of trade unions
* preservation of power; allowed officers and soldiers to keep their ranks

How successfully did Ebert achieve control?

he achieved fragile control which lasted long enough to agree new rules for the republic

What did Article 48 state?

if public safety and order in the Reich is materially disturbed or endangered, the Reich president may take the necessary measures to restore public safety and order.

What did Article 25 state?

* the president of the Federation may dissolve the Reichstag only once for any reason
* the general election may take place no less than 60 days after the dissolution

What did Article 53 state?

the National Chancellor and Ministers are appointed and dismissed by the president

What was the result of Article 53 in relation to the president?

it gave the president more governmental power

What is proportional representation?

for every 60,000 votes cast for a party, they gained one representative in the Reichstag

Define coalition

political parties (two or more) joining together to create a majority (one big party containing political views from both individual parties)

Give 3 strengths of the new constitiution

* re-elections of the president every 7 years
* the electorate, for the first time in Germany, consisted of both men and women (over 21yo)
* parliamentary houses re-elected every 4 years
* the Reichstag and Reichsrat were elected by the public (democracy)

Give 3 weaknesses of the new constitution

* Article 48; president has the armed forced entirely at his disposal
* the voting system was manipulated to seem democratic (ultimately giving power to the electorate)
* parties were polarised in the Weimar Rep.
* president at risk of exploiting power (eg. dismissing the Reichstag)

Due to the Treaty of Versailles, what land did Germany loose?

Poland (the 'Polish Corridor'), Rhineland (demilitarised), Saar coalfields

How did the Treaty of Versailles affect Germany's military?

Germany was to reduce its army to 100,000 men from over 2 million; reduce its navy; no air force allowed; no heavy artillery

How much did Germany have to pay in war reparations?

136,000 million marks (6.6 billion pounds)

How did the Treaty of Versailles isolate Germany from the rest of the world?

Germany lost all of its colonies; Germany was no longer in the loop concerning trade routes; Germany lost all of its overseas investments and properties

What was Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles?

war guilt; meaning Germany had to take the blame for the war

Define the significance of the term 'dolchtoss (stab in the back)'

Germany didn't perceive themselves to have lost the war; they felt backstabbed by the rest of the world for having to be punished by enduring the terms of the Treaty of Versailles

What came first, the Spartacist Uprising, or the Kapp Putsch?

Spartacist Uprising

When was the Spartacist Uprising?

5-9th January 1919

When was the Kapp Putsch?

13th March 1920

Who was the Kaiser and when did he abdicate?

Wilhelm II - abdicated on 9 November 1918