1. The early challenges to the Weimar Republic, 1919–23

Question 1

Reasons for the early unpopularity of the Republic, the key terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Answer 1

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Question 2

Challenges to the Republic from Left and Right: Spartacists, Freikorps, the Kapp Putsch.

Answer 2

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Question 3

The challenges of 1923: hyperinflation; the reasons for, and effects of, the French occupation of the Ruhr.

Answer 3

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Question 4

What was the ‘stab in the back’ theory? What did Ebert say which seemed to support this?

Answer 4

The belief amongst Germans that their army hadn’t been defeated - instead, that they’d been betrayed by politicians in Berlin

Ebert said that “no enemy defeated you!”

Question 5

What were the five main terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 5

GUILT - Germany to accept full blame for all the damage caused by the war. This was humiliating; they didn’t feel it was their fault

ARMY - infantry reduced to 100 000, no submarines or aeroplanes (or air force), 6 battleships. Rhineland to be demilitarised

REPAPATIONS - £6.6 billion, in instalments, until 1984

GERMAN LAND LOSS - Alsace-Lorranine and Saar to France, German colonies became mandates of the League of Nation. Loss of Posen and West