the weimar government 1919-1923

1. use the ABCDE acronym of events

2. A → ABDICATION of the Kiser willham ii leaving the government without any real authority

3. B → BLOCKADE by the British navy meant that many germans were starving

4. C → COMMUNISM many communist groups were plotting the overthrow of the government. there was an attempt to overthrow Ebert’s government in 1919 and replace it with a communist inspired one { the Spartacus uprising}

5. D → DEFEAT had left the germans demoralised and bitter declaring the treaty a Diktat or a dictated agreement

6. E → EBERT was elected as the head of the new government however realistically he had very little experience and support especially since he had lead the government who had signed the treaty of Versailles.

the weimar was very unpopular during Ebert’s rule. and there were a series of attempted revolutions from both parts of the political spectrum the Spartacus and the Friekorps. many also blamed the November criminals; the political and higher classes who had signed the Armistice in November. many had also believed in the stab-in-the-back myth where people believed that it was the politicians and civilians at home who had undermined Germany in 1918-1919 and so they were responsible for the loss.

the Spartacus uprising in 1919

• Who: The Spartacus League, a radical socialist organization in Germany, was spearheaded by prominent figures Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht.

• What: The revolutionary uprising, often referred to as the Spartacist Uprising, was a bold attempt to overthrow the existing government and establish a socialist regime in Germany. The uprising was marked by strikes, demonstrations, and armed confrontations, as the League attempted to rally workers and soldiers to their cause in a bid to reshape the political landscape.

• Where: The uprising took place in Berlin, the capital of Germany, which was a hotbed of political activity and unrest following the end of World War I.

• When: The uprising erupted in January 1919, a pivotal moment in German history. This period was characterized by political fragmentation and social upheaval, as the newly established Weimar Republic struggled to maintain order amidst widespread discontent. The timing of the uprising was critical, as it coincided with the political vacuum left by the abdication of the Kaiser and the subsequent power struggles among various political factions.

• Why: The uprising ultimately failed due to a combination of factors, including a lack of widespread support from the working class, poor coordination among revolutionary factions, and the formidable opposition posed by the Freikorps, a paramilitary group composed of former soldiers. The government forces, backed by conservative elements within society, were determined to crush the uprising to maintain their grip on power. The failure of the Spartacus Uprising not only led to increased instability in the Weimar Republic but also resulted in a severe crackdown on leftist movements. This however magnified the Weimars reliance on the Freikorps

the Kapp putch of 1920

Who: Wolfgang Kapp, a prominent German nationalist and military leader, played a crucial role in the Kapp Putsch. He was supported by various factions, including former military officers and members of the Freikorps, a paramilitary organization composed of World War I veterans who were fiercely opposed to the Weimar Republic.

What: The Kapp Putsch was a failed coup attempt that occurred in March 1920, aiming to overthrow the Weimar Republic and establish a more authoritarian regime. The coup was characterized by the occupation of Berlin by the putschists, who sought to install Kapp as the new leader of Germany. The event was marked by significant military actions, including the mobilization of troops and armed confrontations with government forces, reflecting the deep divisions within German society at the time.

Where: The coup primarily took place in Berlin

When: The Kapp Putsch unfolded over several days in March 1920, with the most intense confrontations occurring from March 13 to March 17. This period was marked by chaos and uncertainty as the government struggled to respond to the coup.

Why: The coup was a direct reaction against the policies of the Weimar Republic, particularly its decision to disband the Freikorps, which many nationalists viewed as a betrayal of the military and the sacrifices made during World War I.

The Weimar government's attempts to stabilize the country through democratic reforms were met with increasing resistance from nationalist and right-wing factions, leading to a climate of political tension and violence.

The coup ultimately failed due to a widespread general strike called by trade unions and workers' organizations, which paralyzed the city and disrupted the putschists' plans.

The failure of the Kapp Putsch not only highlighted the fragility and instability of the Weimar government but also exacerbated political polarization within Germany, resulting in further challenges for the republic as it struggled to maintain legitimacy.

this period of instability was also highlighted by the occupation of the Ruhr by french and belgian soldiers.

1. this happened because Germany wasn’t able to repay its second implement of reparations that were due

2. the french and Belgians became suspicious as they believed that it was an act of rebellion against the treaty and that Germany was with holding all the resources in order to avoid paying the reparations

3. so they had invaded the Ruhr a mineral rich mining area of Germany. so they had established the inter-allied for controll over factories and mines to ensure that all the goods and payments were being made.

4. however the germans opposed this and so they went through a passive resistance by just refusing to work at all. this lead the france and belgium to just bring in their own workers into the factory

5. in order to still pay these protesting german workers the weimar continued to print more and more money. however this made the currency loss significant value and this caused mass hyperinflation.

6. it was so bad that they resolved to using food cards, shop keepers closed down, and some people had even began to use barter trade systems in order to get by.