1919 - 1933 Flashcards
1
Q
The Social impact of WW1 on the attitudes of Germany
A
- Food and fuel shortages 1916-17
- 293,000 civilians died from starvation and hypothermia in 1918
- Infant mortality increase by 50%
-Flu epidemic 1918-19 - Inflation - longer hours for less pay
2
Q
The military impact of WW1 on attitudes of Germany
A
- Germany has 1.8 million military deaths (highest out of any other country)
- The central powers have over 100 million less military
- 4.2 million wounded
3
Q
The economic impact of WW1 on the attitudes of Germany
A
- Germany spends the most on the war out of any other country (39 billion)
- 1915-1919 number of strikes increased from 141 to 3719
- Inflation - average prices doubled between 1914-18 whereas wages only rose by 50-75%
4
Q
Consequences of WW1 for Germany
A
- Spring offensive (attack on Western front) not being successful, led to armistice with the USA
- Led to abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II on 9th November 118
- Friedrich Ebert came into power under the temporary government Council of People’s representatives
5
Q
Pressures of the WW1 for Germany
A
- Germany’s failure to achieve rapid victory in 1914 - German Supreme Command’s strategy was built on the notion of a quick victory to avoid a long drawn out conflict
- Stalemate - Germany forced to fight on two fronts resulting in stalemate. Made particularly difficult by Allies limiting imported supplied
- Strengths of the allies - Britain and France major colonial powers, joined by the USA made 2 million stronger
- Limitations of German war economy - unprepared for the economic costs of a prolonged war
6
Q
When was the Revolution from Above?
A
September- October 1918
7
Q
What was the Revolution from Above?
A
- General Ludendorff pushed for political change after realising that an allied invasion of Germany would lead to internal disturbances
- Ludendorff wanted to change Germany into a constitutional monarchy (monarch shares rule with government)
- He intended to put responsibility of defeat on the new leadership of the Weimar ( Stab in the Back myth)
8
Q
What happened to Kaiser Wilhelm II
A
- He was aided by Wilhelm II to change to a more constitutional monarchy and hand over power to the civilian government
- Wilhelm II gave up his powers over the army and navy to the Reichstag
- Prince Max Von Baden was appointed chancellor 3rd Oct 1918 and was made accountable of the Reichstag instead of Kaiser
- Prince Max announced Kaisers abdication to prevent full scale revolution and handed over chancellorship to socialist leader Ebert
9
Q
Why did the Revolution from Below start?
A
- Naval mutiny starts revolt as they were unwilling to accept and retrieve their reputation and they realised that war was lost
- The sense of national shock after hearing of Germany’s military defeat delayed by propaganda and censorship
- Anger over socio-economic conditions
10
Q
What was the Revolution from Below?
A
- Naval mutiny starts revolt, disobeyed orders, hoisted the red flag and formed councils to control the ships and ports and towns on Germany’s sea board
- Prince Max’s government lost control and by 2 November 1918 sailors gained control of Kiel and Hamburg
- This caused Prince Max to announce the abdication of the Kaiser
11
Q
The Course of the War 1914-1918
A
- Breakdown of the Schlieffen Plan
- Unrestricted submarine warfare
- Failure of alternative strategies
-Attrition - Submarine Warfare and entry of USA into war
- The Final German offensive
12
Q
What was the Schlieffen plan and why did it break down?
A
- Devised as a means of dealing with the possibility of combined attack from eastern and western fronts
- Russia mobilised faster than expected, additional units to the Eastern front
- Stalemate - neither front made progess
- Germany was military and economically unstable
13
Q
-Unrestricted submarine warfare
A
- Introduced in Feb 1915
- Short lived, ended after sinking of Lusitania in Sept - 1098 killed
- Re adopted in Feb 1916
14
Q
The final German Offensive
A
- Germany’s defeat seemed apparent by the nd of 1917 - didn’t surrender until Nov 1918 due to Bolshevik regime in Russia
- Russia seeked armistice with Germany followed by negotiated peace Mar 1918 - Treaty of Brest Litovsk
15
Q
Treaty of Brest Litosvk terms
A
- previously Russian territories of Poland, Latvia, Lithuania annexed by Germany
- Russia had to pay 3 billion roubles in reparations
