1. Emergence of the Democratic Republic and the impact of Treaty of Versailles Flashcards
why did it emerge?
Emerged in Germany as imperial army was facing defeat and navy on brink of mutiny
Many German people were at point of ?
starvation and revolution
Although Germany had no tradition of democracy, why was democratic Germany set?
was a precondition set by the Allies for the Armistice and Peace Treaty
where was it founded?
in town of Weimer, not Berlin, as sign of new direction for Germany
why were conditions for an experiment in democracy hostile?
strikes, along with political and economic tension, crippling the country
Political events after the war: how was Germany run during war?
During war, Field Marshall Hindenburg and General Ludendorff ran Germany as military dictatorship. Kaiser Wilhelm became national figurehead with no real power
Political events after the war: what was German High Command desperate to do?
to hand over responsibility for war to civilian government and shift blame of failure
Political events after the war:What happened July 1917?
Reichstag passed the Peace Resolution seeking peace without territorial gains
Political events after the war: What did many nationalist feel about event of July 1917?
nationalist felt betrayed and wanted to continue war. They believed that politicians had ‘stabbed them in the back’
Political events after the war: Why did they feel betrayed?
No Allied soldiers had yet set foot on German soil, and at one point, the Germany army looked like taking Paris – so how was defeat possible? known as ‘November Criminals’
Political events after the war: who was appointed new Chancellor?
Prince Max Von Baden
Political events after the war: What happened with Ludendorff dismissal from High Command?
Germany became a constitutional monarchy
Political events after the war: What happened at Port of Kiel?
mutiny broke out among sailors and refused to engage the British Royal Navy. Workers set themselves up in ‘soviets’, based on Russian model, and this revolutionary action spread across Germany
Political events after the war: What happened in bavaria?
the socialist Kurt Eisner established revolutionary gov
Political events after the war: What was Kaiser forced to do?
forced to abdicate and live in exile
Political events after the war: What was abdication of Kaiser followed by?
resignation of Prince Von Baden
Political events after the war: what did Fredrick Ebert do?
became new Chancellor and, to stop Germany leading into chaos and revolutionary anarchy, negotiated with General Groner (Head of High Command) to form new democratic gov. The Ebert-Groner Pact was created
Political events after the war: what happened with Ebert becoming Chancellor?
Germany declared republic and signed armistice
what did new Weimer gov face?
faced many immediate and dangerous problems
what happened with Left Wing Putsch? WHen?
Jan 1919, a putsch brought on by Spartacists – communists led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg
Left Wing Putsch how was it suppressed?
Gov used Freikorps (ex-soldiers) who hated communists/socialists to break up uprising. Luxemburg and Liebknecht arrested/assassinated
what was most controversial feature of Weimer period ?
constitution, adopted July 1919
what did Weimer Constitution offer?
o It offered German people many new freedoms, e.g. equality before law, freedom of speech/assembly/religious practice, equality of sexes, and social welfare system
o Importantly, involved right to vote for all citizens over age 20.
Election of president every 7 years
Who held true democratic powers in Weimer gv?
in hands of people via Reichstag (parliament), but old ruling elite, judiciary and bureaucracy unchanged and remained hostiles towards Weimer Republic
What problems existed with constitution?
provided legal and constitutional loopholes that could be manipulated by politicians, such as Hitler. In end, Weimer Republican gov was constrained by the democratic scope of new constitution
What did the constitution provide president with legal right to rule by?
rule by emergency decree and to dismiss the Reichstag (Article 48).
what was the Emergency decree?
President could override any aspect of new constitution and use military to keep order.
How was Emergency Decree used by Hitler?
Once Hitler became Chancellor in 1933, would use this loophole to destroy Weimer Republic
Elections were conducted on basis of?
proportional representation (1 seat/60 000 votes) – no. of seats gained for each party determined by proportion of votes.
what did proportional rep. lead to?
-> force parties to form coalition gov – can cause political instability
Impact of TOV?
Under terms of TOV, Germany lost her empire (inc. overseas colonies), military power was severely restricted and Germany was forced to pay for damage caused to Allied nations during war (reparations). Most importantly, had to accept responsibility for causing war (Article 231, the ‘war guilt clause’).
what did Germany have to accept with TOV?
- Pay132 million marks in reparations
- Demilitarisation of Rhineland
- Occupation pf coal-producing Saar region
- Union between Austria and Germany was forbidden
- Total disarmament of military, inc. end of conscription, and total ban on tanks and heavy artillery
what did German delegation think of Treaty?
objected to Treaty by forced to sign or else further military invasion beyond demilitarised zones and possible military occupation of Germany
where/when forced to sign TOV?
at Hall of Mirrors, Versailles, 28 June 1919 embarrassment
What did First chancellor of Weimer Republic, Chancellor Scheidemannn do in protest?
resigned
What were German response to TOV?
Germans angrily denounced terms of Treaty and considered Germany have become a “nation in chains”
Ultimate impact of TOV?
was ultimately to fuel fire of right wing Nationalist to seek revenge in future Hitler described it as “this instrument of boundless repression”
