4. Political Instability and Extremism, 1919-24 (S1) Flashcards
Give one reason why it was difficult to form a stable Weimar coalition.
- No party would ever have a majority due to the number of parties in the Reichstag and proportional representation
- Fragmentation of political parties became more pronounced as German society became more divided
- Burden placed on Moderate Parties, as they were blamed for problems
How many coalitions and chancellors were there February 1919 – November 1923?
10 coalition cabinets and 8 chancellors
Name 3 chancellors during this turbulent time and if possible, an issue they faced.
Scheidemann – Treaty of Versailles
Bauer – Kapp Putch
Muller – Poor election Results
Fehrenbach – Reparation payment fault
Wirth – More uprisings
Cuno – Economic Crisis
Stressemann – SPD left his coalition
When were the Spartacist Uprisings?
January-March 1919
What were the aims of the Spartacist Uprisings?
To establish a communist reigme
What risk did continued working class rebellion have for the Republic?
There was a fear of a ‘Red Revolution’ that frightened the law abiding middle class and led them to support the right wing.
When was the Kapp Putsch?
February 1920
What was the cause of the Kapp Putsch?
Under the Treaty of Versailles, the army had to be reduced and Germany was supposed to get rid of the Freikorps groups.
How did the Republic handle the Kapp Putsch?
Failed to gain civilian support as Ebert’s government called for a general strike.
ow many assassinations were there in 1919-23?
Nearly 400
How many assassinations did the left and right commit as a fraction?
Left – Just 1/17
Right – 16/17
How were left wing and right-wing assassins punished differently?
Judges lenient to the right but harsh to left.
When was the Beer Hall Putsch?
November 1923
What was the plan for the Beer Putsch Hall? Explain.
SA march into Beer Hall to hold Kahr & Lossow at gunpoint to persuade them to agree to a march into Berlin to install Ludendorff as Commander-in-Chief
Why did the Putsch fail?
Support of Kahr and Lossow lost overnight and SA unable to gain control over Munich army barracks.
