Weimar Republic Flashcards

Impact of War on Germany by 1918

  • Economic Impact:

    • National income decreased to about one-third of the 1913 level.
      • This indicates a severe contraction of the German economy due to the war.
    • Industrial production was approximately two-thirds of the 1913 level.
      • Reflects the disruption of manufacturing and supply chains.
    • Food shortages were acute, with Germany producing:
      • Approximately 50% of the milk it produced before the war.
      • Approximately 60% of the butter and meat it produced before the war.
    • Fuel was scarce, causing widespread cold.
      • Highlighting the inability to provide basic necessities to the population.
    • Nearly 300,000 people died from starvation and hypothermia in 1918.
      • Signifies a humanitarian crisis resulting from resource scarcity.
    • Germany was virtually bankrupt.
      • Implying the financial devastation caused by the war effort and its consequences.

  • Social Impact:

    • The war deepened divisions within German society.
      • Indicates increased social unrest and fragmentation.
    • Huge gaps existed between the living standards of the rich and the poor.
      • Exacerbated social tensions due to unequal distribution of wealth and resources.
    • The war resulted in 600,000 widows and 2 million children without fathers.
    • By 1925, the state allocated about one-third of its budget to war pensions.
      • 13 of Budget\frac{1}{3} \text{ of Budget}
      • Illustrates the immense social welfare burden caused by the war.
    • Approximately 1.5 million demobilized soldiers returned to society, many disillusioned.
      • Signifies a large population of veterans struggling to reintegrate into civilian life.

  • Political Impact:

    • Germany underwent a revolution and became an unstable democratic republic.
      • Indicates a radical shift in the political structure.
    • Extremist political groups attempted to seize power.
      • Highlights the fragility of the new democratic order.
    • Stresses of war led to a revolution in October-November 1918.
      • Highlighting the culmination of wartime pressures and discontent.
    • Fighting occurred between right-wing and left-wing groups.
      • Demonstrates the polarization and internal conflict within Germany.
    • Many German workers were bitter about earnings restrictions during the war, while factory owners accumulated vast fortunes.
      • Illustrates the resentment and inequality between different social classes.
    • Many Germans were angry about losing the war.
      • Indicating widespread disillusionment and resentment.
    • A wave of unrest swept the country, particularly in cities like Berlin.
      • Reflects the breakdown of public order and stability.
    • Law and order deteriorated in a country accustomed to order and discipline.
      • Signifies a significant disruption of social norms and expectations.
    • Many ex-soldiers and civilians despised the new democratic leaders and embraced the 'stab in the back' myth.
      • Highlighting the rejection of the Weimar Republic and its leaders.

The Political Spectrum in Germany (Weimar Era)

The political landscape is characterized by a spectrum ranging from the far-left to the far-right, with various parties holding different ideologies and policy agendas.

  • Far-Left:

    • Communist Party of Germany (KPD):
      • Political Position: Revolutionary, Marxist, and anti-Weimar.
      • Main Policies: Workers' revolution to establish a Soviet-style communist system.
      • Support Base: Workers, some ex-soldiers, and sailors.
      • Significance: Gained support during economic crises after 1923 but distrusted the Social Democratic Party (SPD) due to their suppression of the Spartacist Uprising in 1919.

  • Left-Wing:

    • Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD):
      • Political Position: Moderate socialist and pro-Weimar.
      • Main Policies: Democratic socialist policies to improve workers' rights and welfare.
      • Support Base: Industrial workers and the middle class.
      • Significance: The most popular party in the early 1920s, but never achieved a majority, requiring coalitions. They were also anti-communist.

  • Centre:

    • German Democratic Party (DDP):
      • Political Position: Liberal and pro-Weimar.
      • Main Policies: Liberal policies to protect individual rights and improve welfare.
      • Support Base: Middle class.
      • Significance: Declined in popularity in the early 1920s and was seen as increasingly out of touch with ordinary Germans' problems.
    • Centre Party:
      • Political Position: Pro-Liberal and pro-Weimar.
      • Main Policies: policies of equality in rights and improve workers and welfare system
      • Support Base: Catholics; Industrialists;
      • Significance: Third largest party for much of the Weimar period and formed part of many coalitions,

  • Right-Wing:

    • German People's Party (DVP):
      • Political Position: Conservative-liberal and pro-Weimar.
      • Main Policies: Pro-business policies to protect business and improve the economy.
      • Support Base: Wealthy industrialists.
      • Significance: Led by Gustav Stresemann, who served as Chancellor and Foreign Minister, and was popular in the mid-1920s.
    • German National People's Party (DNVP):
      • Political Position: Nationalist and anti-Weimar.
      • Main Policies: Nationalist policies to restore the monarchy and oppose the Weimar Republic and the Treaty of Versailles.
      • Support Base: Industrialists, some wealthy middle class, ex-soldiers, and landowners.
      • Significance: The main nationalist party before 1930, when it lost votes to the Nazis. It supported Hindenburg's election as President in 1925 and made a temporary alliance with the Nazis in 1931 (Harzburg Front).

  • Far-Right:

    • National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) or Nazi Party:
      • Political Position: Extreme nationalist, racist, and anti-Semitic; anti-Weimar.
      • Main Policies: Racist and anti-Semitic policies to abolish the Treaty of Versailles, reclaim lost German territory, and oppose the Weimar Republic.
      • Support Base: Mainly lower-middle class, middle class especially officer class; members included workers, unemployed, ex-soldiers, and peasant farmers.
      • Significance: A fringe party for most of the 1920s but rapidly increased its popularity after the 1929 Wall Street Crash and Depression. It became the largest party in the Reichstag by 1932, and Hitler was appointed Chancellor in 1933.

German Federal Election Results (1919-1928)

The distribution of votes in German federal elections reflects the changing political landscape and the varying levels of support for different parties during the Weimar Republic era.

  • January 1919:

    • Social Democratic Party: 38%
    • Centre Party: 20%
    • German Democratic Party: 19%
    • German National People's Party: 10%
    • Independent Social Democratic Party: 8%
    • Other: 5%

  • June 1920:

    • Social Democratic Party: 22%
    • Independent Social Democratic Party: 18%
    • German National People's Party: 15%
    • German People's Party: 14%
    • Centre Party: 14%
    • German Democratic Party: 8%
    • German Communist Party: 2%
    • Other: 7%

  • May 1924:
    Results missing from the provided source

  • December 1924:
    Results missing from the provided source

The tables above detail the percentages of votes won by various political parties in German federal elections during the specified periods. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Centre Party consistently garnered significant portions of the vote, while other parties experienced fluctuations in their levels of support.

Threats to the Weimar Republic (1919-1924)

The Weimar Republic faced significant threats from both left-wing and right-wing opponents during its early years.

  • Threat from the Left:

    • Spartacist Uprising (January 1919):

      • The Spartacists, led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, were communists seeking to establish a worker-controlled government like Lenin's Bolsheviks in Russia.
      • They launched a bid for power by setting up soviets in various towns.
      • The government, led by Ebert of the Social Democratic Party, collaborated with the army and the Freikorps (anti-communist ex-soldiers) to suppress the rebellion.
      • Bitter street fighting ensued, leading to heavy casualties. The Freikorps ultimately prevailed, and Liebknecht and Luxemburg were murdered.

    • Bavarian Rebellion (May 1919):

      • Following the Spartacist rising, another communist rebellion occurred in Bavaria.
      • Ebert employed the same tactics, utilizing the Freikorps to crush the revolt.
      • Approximately 600 communists were killed.

    • Communist Agitation in the Ruhr (1920):

      • Renewed communist agitation took place in the Ruhr industrial area.
      • Police, army, and Freikorps clashed with communists, resulting in approximately 2000 casualties.

    • Consequences:

      • Ebert's measures against the communists fostered lasting animosity between them and his Socialist Party.
      • However, his actions gained approval from many in Germany, who feared a fate similar to Russia's bloody civil war.
      • Despite these defeats, the communists remained a potent anti-government force throughout the 1920s.

  • Threat from the Right:

    • Kapp Putsch (March 1920):
      • Right-wing opponents, primarily those who idealized the Kaiser's Germany, resented the new republic and the Treaty of Versailles.
      • Dr. Wolfgang Kapp led approximately 5000 Freikorps into Berlin in a rebellion known as the Kapp Putsch.
      • The army refused to fire on the Freikorps, suggesting the government's vulnerability.
      • The government was saved by the German people, notably the industrial workers of Berlin, who initiated a general strike, paralyzing the capital.
      • Kapp was ousted and fled the country, later dying while awaiting trial.
    • Political Assassinations:
      • Political violence persisted in Germany, with frequent assassinations.
      • In the summer of 1922, Walther Rathenau, Ebert's Jewish foreign minister, was murdered by extremists.
      • In November 1923, Adolf Hitler led the Munich Putsch, an attempted rebellion in Munich.
      • Hitler and the murderers of Rathenau received lenient prison sentences, indicating potential support among those in positions of authority.

Treaty of Versailles and Its Impact on Germany

The Treaty of Versailles, imposed on Germany in May 1919, triggered significant crises for the new republic. Most Germans were deeply resentful, particularly right-wing opponents of Ebert's government, who accused him of betraying Germany.

  • Territorial Losses

    • Germany lost 10% of its land, including:
      • All of its overseas colonies.
      • 12.5%12.5\% of its population.
      • 16%16\% of its coal reserves and 48%48\% of its iron industry.

  • Military Restrictions

    • The German army was limited to 100,000 personnel.
    • Germany was prohibited from having an air force.
    • The navy was significantly reduced.

  • Acceptance of Blame and Reparations

    • Germany had to accept full responsibility for causing the war.
    • Germany was compelled to pay substantial reparations.

  • German Attitudes and National Pride

    • Most Germans felt betrayed, even those who supported the Weimar government.
    • The injustice of the Treaty became a unifying cause for Ebert's adversaries.
    • The 'stab in the back' myth gained traction, asserting that the German army had been betrayed by Socialist and Liberal politicians who agreed to an armistice in November 1918.
    • The Treaty remained a source of resentment in Germany when Hitler rose to power in 1933.

Economic Disaster and the Occupation of the Ruhr

The Treaty of Versailles destabilized Germany economically, leading to widespread economic chaos. One of the key issues was the reparations imposed on Germany.

  • Reparations

    • In April 1921, the reparations bill was set at £6.6 billion (£66006600 million), payable in annual installments equivalent to 2% of Germany's annual output.
    • Germany struggled to meet these payments due to the strain on its economy.

  • Occupation of the Ruhr

    • In 1922, Germany failed to make its reparations payment.
    • In January 1923, French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr region to seize owed resources.
    • The German government responded by ordering workers to strike, halting industrial production.
    • The French reacted harshly, killing over 100 workers and expelling over 100,000 protesters.
    • The halt in industrial production led to the collapse of the German currency.

Hyperinflation in Weimar Germany

Hyperinflation was a significant economic crisis during the Weimar Republic, primarily occurring in 1922 and 1923.

  • Causes of Hyperinflation

    • The German government printed money to pay striking workers in the Ruhr and to cover its debts.
    • This excessive printing of money led to a rapid increase in the money supply, without a corresponding increase in goods and services.

  • Effects of Hyperinflation

    • Prices and wages skyrocketed.
    • The value of money plummeted, rendering it worthless.
    • Workers needed wheelbarrows to carry their wages home.
    • Wages were paid daily instead of weekly.
    • The price of goods could increase significantly within a short period.
    • Poor and middle-class Germans suffered the most as their savings became worthless.
    • Pensioners struggled to afford basic necessities.
    • The government lost the support of the middle class.

  • Stresemann's Measures to Tackle the Crisis

    • In August 1923, a new government under Gustav Stresemann took over.
    • Stresemann called off passive resistance in the Ruhr.
    • introduced the Rentenmark, a new currency, to replace the worthless marks.
    • He negotiated American loans under the Dawes Plan.
    • He renegotiated reparations payments.

  • Political Damage

    • Hyperinflation caused significant political damage to the Weimar Government.
    • Right-wing opponents blamed the government for the crisis and linked it to the Treaty of Versailles and reparations.

Weimar Republic Under Stresemann (1923-1929)

Gustav Stresemann, although Chancellor for only a brief period, played a crucial role in every government from 1923 to 1929. His leadership and the gradual recovery of Europe from post-war depression contributed to the stabilization of Germany.

  • Achievement 1: The Economy

    • Stresemann implemented policies to rebuild Germany's prosperity.
    • The Dawes Plan spread reparations payments and facilitated loans from the USA into German industry.
    • German businesses modernized their equipment, and public works projects created jobs.
    • By 1927, German industry had recovered significantly, reaching pre-war production levels by 1928.
    • Wages for industrial workers increased, leading to a higher standard of living.
    • Reparations were being paid, exports increased, and the government expanded welfare benefits.

  • Achievement 2: Politics

    • Politics became more stable, with no attempted revolutions after 1923.
    • Parties supporting Weimar democracy gained prominence.

  • Achievement 3: Culture

    • A cultural revival occurred in Germany, particularly in Berlin.
    • The Weimar Constitution allowed for free expression of ideas, fostering creativity among writers, poets, and artists.
    • Artists expressed the realities of everyday life, often portraying harsh and shocking aspects of society.
    • The Bauhaus style of design and architecture emerged, emphasizing innovation and functionality.
    • The 1920s marked a golden age for German cinema, with influential stars and directors gaining recognition.
    • Berlin's nightlife was daring and liberated, with cabaret artists criticizing political leaders.

  • Achievement 4: Foreign Policy

    • Stresemann achieved significant foreign policy triumphs.
    • In 1925, he signed the Locarno Treaties, ensuring Germany's western borders with France and Belgium.
    • In 1926, Germany was admitted into the League of Nations.
    • Stresemann negotiated the Young Plan, which reduced the reparations burden on Germany and led to the withdrawal of troops from the Rhineland.

Problems During the Stresemann Era

Despite the apparent economic and political recovery under Stresemann, several underlying problems persisted in Weimar Germany.

  • Problem 1: The Economy

    • The economic boom was fragile and dependent on US loans that could be withdrawn quickly.
    • The boom increased inequality, with big businesses and landowners benefiting the most.
    • Unemployment began to rise, reaching 6% of the working population by 1928.
    • Peasant farmers and sections of the middle classes struggled economically, leading to disillusionment.

  • Problem 2: Politics

    • The Nazis and Communists continued to organize and build their parties, despite the relative stability.
    • Around 30% of the vote regularly went to parties opposed to the Republic.
    • Right-wing organizations, like the Nationalist Party (DNVP) and the Nazis, collaborated more closely and presented themselves as more respectable.
    • The election of Hindenburg as president in 1925, who was opposed to democracy, further undermined the Republic.

  • Problem 3: Culture

    • Weimar culture, while vibrant in cities, was viewed as morally corrupt by many in rural areas.
    • Organizations like the Wandervogel movement called for a return to traditional values.
    • The Bauhaus design college faced hostility and was forced out of Weimar.

  • Problem 4: Foreign Policy

    • Nationalists criticized Stresemann for joining the League of Nations and signing the Locarno Pact, because it implied accepting the Treaty of Versailles.
    • Communists also opposed Locarno, viewing it as a plot against the communist government in the USSR.

Rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (1919-1934)

The Nazi Party, initially known as the German Workers' Party, rose to prominence under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, exploiting the prevailing socio-political conditions in Germany.

  • Early Years of Adolf Hitler:

    • Born in Austria in 1889 and had conflicts with his father.
    • Failed to succeed as a painter in Vienna and experienced poverty.
    • Developed hatred towards foreigners and Jewish people during this period.
    • Joined the German army in 1914 and served with distinction.
    • Found it difficult to accept the armistice and the Treaty of Versailles.
    • Despised Weimar democracy and yearned for the 'glorious days' of the Kaiser.
    • Joined the German Workers' Party in 1919 after working for the army spying on extremist groups.

  • The Nazi Party and its Ideology:

    • In 1920, the party announced its Twenty-Five Point Programme and renamed itself the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazis).
    • Hitler removed Anton Drexler as leader in 1921, assuming control of the party.
    • Hitler's speeches and charisma attracted attention and stirred nationalist passions.
    • He used scapegoats such as the Allies, the Treaty of Versailles, 'November Criminals,' Communists, and Jewish people to blame for Germany's problems.
    • The SA (Stormtroopers or Brownshirts) was created in 1921 to protect Hitler's meetings and disrupt those of other parties.

  • The Munich Putsch (1923):

    • In November 1923, Hitler attempted to overthrow the Weimar Government in the Munich Putsch.
    • Hitler hijacked a local government meeting and announced he was taking over the government of Bavaria.
    • The Weimar Government forces retaliated, and the rebellion was suppressed.
    • Hitler was arrested and charged with treason.

  • Mein Kampf and Nazi Ideology:

    • National Socialism: Loyalty to Germany, racial purity, equality, and state control of the economy.
    • Racism: The belief that Aryans (white Europeans) were the Master Race and that Jewish people and other races were inferior.
    • Armed Force: The conviction that war and struggle were necessary for the development of a healthy Aryan race.
    • Living Space ('Lebensraum'): The idea that Germany needed to expand its territory, mainly at the expense of Russia and Poland.
    • The Führer: The principle that total loyalty to the leader (the Führer) was essential.

  • The Nazis in the Wilderness (1924-1929):

    • After being released from prison, Hitler focused on rebuilding the Nazi Party to gain power through democratic means.
    • The Nazis participated in Reichstag elections for the first time in May 1924 and won 32 seats.