3. Political and Economic Crisis, 1919-1923 Flashcards
What was the first major leftist revolt in Germany after the war?
The Spartacist revolt
What was the lasting effects of the Spartacists revolt?
A division in the left-wing parties
What occurred in the Spring of 1919 organised by workers?
various strikes and protests
Why did the protests of Spring 1919 occur?
They were angry at the lack of progress achieved by the German revolution, demanding shorter days
Why did the protest of Spring 1919 fail?
Lack of leadership and the intervention of the army and Freikorps
Where did the left-wing protest of November 1918 occur?
Bavaria
Who led the protest in November 1918?
Jewish - Kurt Eisner -
What was the result of the protest in November 1918?
They took control of the state
Why did the protest in November 1918 fail?
In the February 1919 election the party out the support and shortly afterword Eisner was assassinated
Who were the Red Guard?
A private army set up by the communists to capture elite hostages
Which side of the political spectrum tried to take control in March 1920?
The right (Kapp Putsch)
When did the Communists and the USPD merge?
December 1920
When was a Bolshevik step government set up in Saxony ?
Summer 1923
Why did many different groups revolt in 1923?
Hyperinflation crisis
Ultimately, why did the government survive the attacks from the left?
The army and Freikorps
Why was the Kapp Putsch semi-successful?
The army refused to stop them from marching to Berlin under Seeckt
What is the Organisation Council?
A group set up by disbanded Freikorps who aimed to overthrow the government
What did the OC mainly achieve ?
They managed to kill 354 people including Rathenau
What happened to the OC?
They changed their name to Viking Bund and eventually went on to become a part of the Nazi SA group
How did the Nazis MP trial help win them support?
The publicity widened the support and they became the third-biggest part in Bavaria in 1924
What does the armies lack of resolve to fight right-wing groups tell us about Weimar?
The political elite did not fully support the government which would cause trouble down the road
What was the cause of Hyperinflation?
a growing budget deficit that was partly linked to social welfare costs
In November 1923 what was one American dollar worth in German Marks?
200 billion Marks
Which type of economy developed thanks to Hyperinflation?
a barter economy
What was the main result of Hyperinflation?
A rise in extreme poverty and food shortages, meaning more ill and malnourished people
Why was there a rise in extremism in 1923?
Hyperinflation caused many people to loose faith in democracy
When was Gustav Stresemann appointed Chancellor
August 1923
What was the new currency introduced in 1923?
Rentenmark
Why were Rentenmarks successful?
There was only a limited amount that could be printed, which made it hard to lose its worth and was backed up by real assets
What was the permanent currency brought in in August 1924 called?
The Reichsmark
What is the common belief about how Hyperinflation effected the government?
That hyperinflation undermine democracy and allowed the rise in extremist parties.
Why did some Germans support Weimar after the crisis?
For the war they dealt with it quickly
