2 - Threats to the Weimar Republic Flashcards
Why did the people of Germany resent the new Weimar Republic? (2 points)
the stab in the back myth
the Treaty of Versailles
What was the stab in the back myth? (3 points)
1 - Germany was losing the war, so on 11 November 1918, Erzeberger signed the surrender and armistice
2 - The German Army were right wing and so supported the Kaiser, so hated Ebert’s government and wanted to keep fighting. Many in the army saw the Weimar Republic as weak and cowardly.
3 - People began to believe the ‘stab-in-the-back’ myth, which suggested that the Weimar government had deliberately betrayed the German army.
Why did the German people hate the Treaty of Versailles? (not a list of the stuff it said, that’s a different card)
They felt that the allies had forced the unfair terms of the Treaty on Germany without any negotiation. They referred to it as a ‘diktat’ - meaning that it was imposed on them without their agreement.
What were the unfair terms of the Treaty of Versailles? (4 points)
1 - Germany was forced to give up significant territories eg West Prussia
2 - forced to reduce their military: Army to 100,000 men, 6 battleships, zero military aircrafts, submarines, or armoured vehicles
3 - reparations - £6.6 billion and give France coal for 15 years
4 - Article 231 (the war guilt clause) made Germany take sole responsibility for the Fist World War
Why was there political instability in the Weimar Republic from 1919 - 1923? (4 points)
- left wing political extremism
- right wing political extremism
- extremist political parties
- political violence
Why did left wing political extremism lead to political instability in the Weimar Republic between 1919 - 23? (5 points) (HINT: there’s a revolt involved) (i am so sorry for how long this card is) (think about what leads to what and the impacts of everything)
- the Spartacist League revolted in January 1919 and called for an uprising of all workers. On the 6th, over 100,000 workers took control of Berlin
- the German armed forces were in no shape to put down the revolt so Ebert turned to the Freikorps. Many members were right-wing and didn’t like the Weimar government but hated the communists even more. By January 1919, there were around 200 Freikorps units in Germany
- by 13th the Freikorps were in control of the streets. They attacked the Spartacists with brutality, and on 16th January, Luxemburg and Leibknecht were killed without trial
- March 1919, another communist uprising was put down by 30,000 Freikorps, over 1,000 rebels were killed, along with 800 suspected communists. This happened again in April
- Throughout 1919-21, Ebert’s government relied on the Freikorps to help them defeat the communists. Ebert was forced to turn a blind eye to the violence committed by the Freikorps
Who were the Spartacist League?
A communist organisation with a radical vision for Germany, led by Karl Leibknecht and Rosa Luxemburg.
Who were the Freikorps?
A semi-organised group of ex-soldiers who had lost their jobs because of the Treaty of Versailles.
Why did right wing political extremism lead to political instability in the Weimar Republic from 1919 - 23? (3 points)
1 - Leader of the Freikorps created plan to seize Berlin and make Kapp Chancellor because Ebert’s gov. announced plans to reduce size of the army and disband the Freikorps
2 - General of the army refused to help, saying ‘troops do not fire upon troops’. Weimar gov. fled.
3 - called on people of Berlin to go on strike. After 4 days, Kapp realised he didn’t have the support of the people and so could not govern. Rebellion collapsed and gov. returned.
How did extremist political parties lead to political instability in the Weimar Republic between 1919 - 23? (3 points)
1 - First coalition government, SPD had 77% of seats: coalition was relatively stable
2 - After 1920 election, extremist parties had 20% of votes between them (e.g. KPD and DNVP)
3 - Moderate parties struggled to form coalitions (9 in 1919-23) while extremists gained support
How did political violence cause instability in the Weimar Republic from 1919-23? (4 points)
- Hugo Haase, member of Ebert’s gov. was murdered in 1919
- Politician who signed the surrender in 1918 was killed in 1921
- Foreign Minister was murdered in 1922
- Most murders done by right-wing, however no right-wing assassins were convicted & 10 left-wing assassins were executed - many judges still loyal to the Kaiser
