GCSE History - Weimar Germany, 1918–1929

A comprehensive 50-card set covering the establishment, crises, stabilization, and culture of Weimar Germany from 1918 to 1929.

Why and when was the Weimar Republic established?

Germany lost WWI, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated on 9 November 1918, and Germany became a republic. A democratic constitution was established in 1919, with Friedrich Ebert as the first President.

How did the Weimar Constitution make Germany more democratic?

Men and women over 20 could vote; elections used proportional representation; the Reichstag made laws; and the President was elected every 7 years.

What powers did the President have?

The President appointed the Chancellor, commanded the armed forces and could use Article 48 to rule by decree during an emergency.

What was proportional representation and what were its strengths and weaknesses?

Parties received roughly the same percentage of Reichstag seats as votes. This fairly represented smaller parties but produced many parties and unstable coalition governments.

Why was Article 48 a weakness of the Constitution?

It allowed the President to bypass the elected Reichstag and rule by decree during emergencies, potentially undermining democracy.

Which political groups supported and opposed Weimar democracy?

Moderate parties such as the SPD, Centre Party and DDP generally supported democracy. Extremists such as the communist KPD and later the Nazi NSDAP wanted major political change and opposed the Republic.

What were the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles (1919)?

Germany accepted war guilt, reparations of £6.6 billion, an army limited to 100,000, no conscription, tanks, air force or submarines, a demilitarised Rhineland, territorial losses and loss of its colonies.

What territorial restrictions did Versailles impose?

Germany lost about 13% of its European territory, including Alsace-Lorraine to France, lost all overseas colonies and was forbidden from uniting with Austria (Anschluss).

Why did Germans hate the Treaty of Versailles?

Many considered the war-guilt clause humiliating, reparations unfair and the military/territorial restrictions too harsh. They called it a Diktat ("dictated peace") because Germany had little say in its terms.

How did Versailles damage the Weimar Republic?

Weimar politicians were blamed for signing the unpopular treaty, damaging trust in the new democracy and providing extremists with an issue they could exploit.

What was the Spartacist Uprising of January 1919?

Communists led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht attempted a revolution in Berlin. Ebert used the right-wing Freikorps to crush it, and Luxemburg and Liebknecht were killed.

What did the Spartacist Uprising reveal about Weimar?

The Republic faced violent opposition from the extreme left and depended partly on anti-communist military groups such as the Freikorps for survival.

What was the Kapp Putsch of March 1920?

Wolfgang Kapp and right-wing Freikorps attempted to overthrow the government. The army refused to intervene, but a massive workers' general strike caused the putsch to collapse.

What did the Kapp Putsch reveal about Weimar?

The Republic faced serious right-wing opposition and could not always rely on the army, although support from ordinary workers helped democracy survive.

What was the Munich Putsch of 8-9 November 1923?

Hitler and the Nazis, supported by Ludendorff, attempted to seize control in Bavaria and eventually overthrow Weimar. Police stopped the march and Hitler was arrested.

What were the consequences of the Munich Putsch for Hitler?

Hitler was convicted of treason and imprisoned. He wrote much of Mein Kampf and increasingly decided the Nazis should seek power through legal/electoral methods rather than another immediate armed takeover.

Why did France and Belgium occupy the Ruhr in January 1923?

Germany fell behind with reparations, so French and Belgian troops occupied the industrial Ruhr to take resources such as coal as payment.

How did Germany respond to the occupation of the Ruhr?

The government encouraged passive resistance, telling workers not to cooperate with the occupiers while continuing to financially support them.

How did the Ruhr crisis cause hyperinflation?

Industrial production fell during passive resistance while the government printed huge amounts of money to pay workers and its debts, causing the mark's value to collapse.

How severe was hyperinflation in 1923?

Prices rose extraordinarily quickly. A loaf of bread that cost 0.54 marks in 1918 cost around 201 billion marks by November 1923.

Who suffered most from hyperinflation?

People with savings, pensions or fixed incomes, especially many middle-class Germans, saw their money become virtually worthless.

Did anyone benefit from hyperinflation?

Some people with large debts benefited because they could repay them with money worth far less than when they originally borrowed it.

What were the political consequences of hyperinflation?

It damaged confidence in the Weimar government, caused anger among people who lost savings and contributed to the instability that extremists tried to exploit.

Who was Gustav Stresemann?

A leading Weimar politician who became Chancellor briefly in 1923 and then Foreign Minister from 1923-29, playing a major role in Germany's recovery.

How did Stresemann tackle the 1923 crisis?

He ended passive resistance in the Ruhr and introduced a new currency, the Rentenmark, helping end hyperinflation and restore confidence.

What was the Dawes Plan of 1924?

Reparations payments were reorganised and Germany received substantial American loans, helping industry and the economy recover.

How did Germany's economy improve from 1924-29?

Industrial production and trade recovered, employment conditions improved for many people and US loans funded German businesses and development.

What weaknesses remained in Germany's economic recovery?

Germany relied heavily on US loans, unemployment did not disappear and groups including farmers and some small businesses continued to struggle.

What were the Locarno Treaties of 1925?

Germany agreed to respect its western borders with France and Belgium, improving relations with its European neighbours.

Why was Germany joining the League of Nations in 1926 important?

It showed Germany was becoming accepted again as a major European power and was no longer as internationally isolated.

What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928?

Germany and many other countries agreed to renounce war as an instrument of national policy, demonstrating improving international relations.

What evidence shows Stresemann improved Germany's international reputation?

The Locarno Treaties (1925), joining the League of Nations (1926), the Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) and Stresemann sharing the Nobel Peace Prize in 1926.

How did German politics become more stable after 1923?

Violent uprisings decreased, the economy improved and support for moderate democratic parties became more secure for much of the period.

What happened to Nazi support during the period of recovery?

Nazi support remained low; in the 1928 Reichstag election the Nazis won only 2.6% of the vote.

Why was Weimar's political recovery still fragile?

Coalition governments remained common and sometimes unstable, while anti-democratic groups on both the left and right continued to exist.

Why are the years 1924-29 sometimes called the Weimar "Golden Age"?

Greater stability was accompanied by major developments in art, architecture, cinema, literature, theatre, music and nightlife.

How did German cinema develop during the Weimar period?

Germany developed an internationally influential film industry, producing innovative films such as Metropolis (1927).

What was the Bauhaus?

An influential German school of art, architecture and design that promoted modern, simple and functional designs.

How did literature and art change during the Weimar period?

Writers and artists increasingly explored modern life and criticised society. Examples include Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front and artists such as George Grosz.

How did entertainment and nightlife change?

Cities, especially Berlin, developed lively theatre, cabaret, jazz, cinema and nightclub scenes.

Why did some Germans dislike Weimar culture?

Conservatives believed modern art, nightlife, changing gender roles and more liberal social attitudes threatened traditional German values.

How did women's political position improve under Weimar?

Women gained the right to vote, could stand for election and became increasingly involved in political life.

How did life change for some women during the 1920s?

More women entered professional and office work, and urban culture encouraged greater social independence, although traditional expectations remained strong.

Why were 1919–23 known as Weimar's "years of crisis"?

Germany faced Versailles, political violence from left and right, weak governments, the Ruhr occupation and devastating hyperinflation.

Why did the Weimar Republic survive the political uprisings of 1919–23?

Its opponents lacked enough widespread support, while the government could rely at different times on the Freikorps, police, workers and other supporters of the Republic.

What were the main achievements of Weimar Germany from 1924–29?

Currency and economic stability improved, extremist support declined, international relations improved and German culture flourished.

What problems remained by 1929?

Dependence on US loans, difficulties for farmers and some businesses, coalition instability and continued opposition from extremist parties.

How important was Stresemann to Weimar's recovery?

He helped stabilise the currency and economy and greatly improved Germany's international relations, although important economic and political weaknesses remained.

How did Germany change between 1919 and 1929?

It moved from severe political and economic crisis towards greater stability and international acceptance, while developing a vibrant modern culture.

Why was Weimar's recovery by 1929 not completely secure?

Much of the economy depended on American loans, political divisions remained and some Germans never accepted the democratic system.

Why and when was the Weimar Republic established?

Germany lost WWI, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated on 9 November 1918, and Germany became a republic. A democratic constitution was established in 1919, with Friedrich Ebert as the first President.

How did the Weimar Constitution make Germany more democratic?

Men and women over 20 could vote; elections used proportional representation; the Reichstag made laws; and the President was elected every 7 years.

What powers did the President have?

The President appointed the Chancellor, commanded the armed forces and could use Article 48 to rule by decree during an emergency.

What was proportional representation and what were its strengths and weaknesses?

Parties received roughly the same percentage of Reichstag seats as votes. This fairly represented smaller parties but produced many parties and unstable coalition governments.

Why was Article 48 a weakness of the Constitution?

It allowed the President to bypass the elected Reichstag and rule by decree during emergencies, potentially undermining democracy.

Which political groups supported and opposed Weimar democracy?

Moderate parties such as the SPD, Centre Party and DDP generally supported democracy. Extremists such as the communist KPD and later the Nazi NSDAP wanted major political change and opposed the Republic.

What were the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles (1919)?

Germany accepted war guilt, reparations of £6.6 billion, an army limited to 100,000, no conscription, tanks, air force or submarines, a demilitarised Rhineland, territorial losses and loss of its colonies.

What territorial restrictions did Versailles impose?

Germany lost about 13% of its European territory, including Alsace-Lorraine to France, lost all overseas colonies and was forbidden from uniting with Austria (Anschluss).

Why did Germans hate the Treaty of Versailles?

Many considered the war-guilt clause humiliating, reparations unfair and the military/territorial restrictions too harsh. They called it a Diktat ("dictated peace") because Germany had little say in its terms.

How did Versailles damage the Weimar Republic?

Weimar politicians were blamed for signing the unpopular treaty, damaging trust in the new democracy and providing extremists with an issue they could exploit.

What was the Spartacist Uprising of January 1919?

Communists led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht attempted a revolution in Berlin. Ebert used the right-wing Freikorps to crush it, and Luxemburg and Liebknecht were killed.

What did the Spartacist Uprising reveal about Weimar?

The Republic faced violent opposition from the extreme left and depended partly on anti-communist military groups such as the Freikorps for survival.

What was the Kapp Putsch of March 1920?

Wolfgang Kapp and right-wing Freikorps attempted to overthrow the government. The army refused to intervene, but a massive workers" general strike caused the putsch to collapse.

What did the Kapp Putsch reveal about Weimar?

The Republic faced serious right-wing opposition and could not always rely on the army, although support from ordinary workers helped democracy survive.

What was the Munich Putsch of 8-9 November 1923?

Hitler and the Nazis, supported by Ludendorff, attempted to seize control in Bavaria and eventually overthrow Weimar. Police stopped the march and Hitler was arrested.

What were the consequences of the Munich Putsch for Hitler?

Hitler was convicted of treason and imprisoned. He wrote much of Mein Kampf and increasingly decided the Nazis should seek power through legal/electoral methods rather than another immediate armed takeover.

Why did France and Belgium occupy the Ruhr in January 1923?

Germany fell behind with reparations, so French and Belgian troops occupied the industrial Ruhr to take resources such as coal as payment.

How did Germany respond to the occupation of the Ruhr?

The government encouraged passive resistance, telling workers not to cooperate with the occupiers while continuing to financially support them.

How did the Ruhr crisis cause hyperinflation?

Industrial production fell during passive resistance while the government printed huge amounts of money to pay workers and its debts, causing the mark's value to collapse.

How severe was hyperinflation in 1923?

Prices rose extraordinarily quickly. A loaf of bread that cost 0.54 marks in 1918 cost around 201 billion marks by November 1923.

Who suffered most from hyperinflation?

People with savings, pensions or fixed incomes, especially many middle-class Germans, saw their money become virtually worthless.

Did anyone benefit from hyperinflation?

Some people with large debts benefited because they could repay them with money worth far less than when they originally borrowed it.

What were the political consequences of hyperinflation?

It damaged confidence in the Weimar government, caused anger among people who lost savings and contributed to the instability that extremists tried to exploit.

Who was Gustav Stresemann?

A leading Weimar politician who became Chancellor briefly in 1923 and then Foreign Minister from 1923-29, playing a major role in Germany's recovery.

How did Stresemann tackle the 1923 crisis?

He ended passive resistance in the Ruhr and introduced a new currency, the Rentenmark, helping end hyperinflation and restore confidence.

What was the Dawes Plan of 1924?

Reparations payments were reorganised and Germany received substantial American loans, helping industry and the economy recover.

How did Germany's economy improve from 1924-29?

Industrial production and trade recovered, employment conditions improved for many people and US loans funded German businesses and development.

What weaknesses remained in Germany's economic recovery?

Germany relied heavily on US loans unemployment did not disappear and groups including farmers and some small businesses continued to struggle.

What were the Locarno Treaties of 1925?

Germany agreed to respect its western borders with France and Belgium, improving relations with its European neighbours.

Why was Germany joining the League of Nations in 1926 important?

It showed Germany was becoming accepted again as a major European power and was no longer as internationally isolated.

What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928?

Germany and many other countries agreed to renounce war as an instrument of national policy, demonstrating improving international relations.

What evidence shows Stresemann improved Germany's international reputation?

The Locarno Treaties (1925), joining the League of Nations (1926), the Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) and Stresemann sharing the Nobel Peace Prize in 1926.

How did German politics become more stable after 1923?

Violent uprisings decreased, the economy improved and support for moderate democratic parties became more secure for much of the period.

What happened to Nazi support during the period of recovery?

Nazi support remained low; in the 1928 Reichstag election the Nazis won only 2.6% of the vote.

Why was Weimar's political recovery still fragile?

Coalition governments remained common and sometimes unstable, while anti-democratic groups on both the left and right continued to exist.

Why are the years 1924-29 sometimes called the Weimar "Golden Age"?

Greater stability was accompanied by major developments in art, architecture, cinema, literature, theatre, music and nightlife.

How did German cinema develop during the Weimar period?

Germany developed an internationally influential film industry, producing innovative films such as Metropolis (1927).

What was the Bauhaus?

An influential German school of art, architecture and design that promoted modern, simple and functional designs.

How did literature and art change during the Weimar period?

Writers and artists increasingly explored modern life and criticised society. Examples include Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front and artists such as George Grosz.

How did entertainment and nightlife change?

Cities, especially Berlin, developed lively theatre, cabaret, jazz, cinema and nightclub scenes.

Why did some Germans dislike Weimar culture?

Conservatives believed modern art, nightlife, changing gender roles and more liberal social attitudes threatened traditional German values.

How did women's political position improve under Weimar?

Women gained the right to vote, could stand for election and became increasingly involved in political life.

How did life change for some women during the 1920s?

More women entered professional and office work, and urban culture encouraged greater social independence, although traditional expectations remained strong.

Why were 1919-23 known as Weimar's "years of crisis"?

Germany faced Versailles, political violence from left and right, weak governments, the Ruhr occupation and devastating hyperinflation.

Why did the Weimar Republic survive the political uprisings of 1919-23?

Its opponents lacked enough widespread support, while the government could rely at different times on the Freikorps, police, workers and other supporters of the Republic.

What were the main achievements of Weimar Germany from 1924-29?

Currency and economic stability improved, extremist support declined, international relations improved and German culture flourished.

What problems remained by 1929?

Dependence on US loans, difficulties for farmers and some businesses, coalition instability and continued opposition from extremist parties.

How important was Stresemann to Weimar's recovery?

He helped stabilise the currency and economy and greatly improved Germany's international relations, although important economic and political weaknesses remained.

How did Germany change between 1919 and 1929?

It moved from severe political and economic crisis towards greater stability and international acceptance, while developing a vibrant modern culture.

Why was Weimar's recovery by 1929 not completely secure?

Much of the economy depended on American loans, political divisions remained and some Germans never accepted the democratic system.