feb mock paper 3 part 1

Impact of the First World War

2 million Germans died and 4 million were injured.

Food shortages

The British naval blockade led to 750,000 Germans dying of food shortages.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

The leader in Germany during the First World War who was forced to abdicate after Germany's defeat.

Friedrich Ebert

Leader of the Socialist party (SPD) who took over leadership in Germany after the revolution.

January 1919 Elections

Moderate, democratic parties gained the most seats, with SPD winning 40% of seats.

Weimar Constitution

A new set of rules that explained how Germany needed to be governed.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that Germany was forced to sign, which was hated by the German people.

Diktat

The treaty was forced on Germany without any negotiation and without their agreement.

Military limitations of the Treaty of Versailles

The army was reduced to 100,000 soldiers and they were only allowed 6 battleships.

Reparations

Germany was ordered to pay £6.6 billion to Allies in compensation for the damage caused by the war.

Article 231

Germany had to accept all blame for starting the war, known as the 'war guilt clause'.

French invasion of the Ruhr

France invaded the Ruhr area in January 1923 after Germany failed to sell coal.

Hyperinflation

In 1923, prices started to rise dramatically, with a loaf of bread costing 2 billion marks.

Democratic reforms

Women were given the right to vote and voting age was lowered to 21.

Reichstag

German Parliament which created the law and was elected every 4 years.

President

Head of State; elected every 7 years; could dismiss Reichstag.

Chancellor

Appointed by the president; governs the country; had to have support from Reichstag.

Proportional representation

The voting system that allowed small parties to win seats in the Reichstag.

Coalitions

Different parties had to work together to form a government, leading to instability.

Article 48

During a national emergency, the President could rule 'by decree' without consulting the Reichstag.

Spartacist League

Communist group that called for a revolt, leading to the execution of leaders Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht.

Kapp Putsch

A revolt led by 5,000 armed Freikorps attempting to overthrow the government in 1920.

Stresemann's Rentenmark

Introduced in 1923 to replace the old currency and end hyperinflation.

The Dawes Plan

A 1924 plan that halved reparations and allowed US banks to loan $25 billion to Germany.

The Young Plan

A 1929 plan that reduced reparations to £2 billion with an extra 59 years to pay.

Locano Pact

A 1925 agreement that meant Germany would be considered to join the League of Nations.