4 - Political Instability and Extremism 1919-24 Flashcards
What did the wide array of political parties represent?
Different classes, religions and regions in Germany.
Why did this cause coalition governments?
Because there was never a majority due to the vast number, parties had to work together to form a government.
What aims did all political parties have towards the Republic?
They wanted to overthrow the government.
Which parties were trying to stabilise the government?
- SPD
- DDP
- centre party
Why did they need to have tough decisions?
The country was facing unprecedented problems.
What caused the Scheidemann’s cabinet to resign?
They couldn’t agree on signing the treaty.
How did the SPD’s fortune changed during the first 4 years of the Weimar?
1918-19 = SPD took the lead in establishing the republic
1920 = ceased to take a leading role
Who gained the most from coalition governments?
Anti-democracy parties that wanted to overthrow Weimar.
Who lead the Sparticist Uprising?
Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht
When, where, aims - Sparticist Uprising
When: 5th January 1919
Where: Berlin
Aims: overthrow Ebert’s government
What were the events of the Spartacist Uprising?
- took over newspaper offices and public buildings
- poorly supported, claimed to be acting for Belin’s working class but weren’t
- irregular armed forces, so used freikorps
- crushed by January 13th
- Liebknecht and Luxemburg executed
Why did it fail to overthrow the government?
It was poorly supported by those they claimed to be acting for.
How come the defeat of the rebellion did not end left-wing opposition to the government?
- workers who helped overthrow the Kaiser felt frustrated
- felt Weimar was comprising with the right
- demobilised soldiers found it hard to adjust
- it went on to inspire future uprisings
How come the government was never ‘seriously’ challenged by the revolts?
A lot of revolts lacked support, resources and determination to pose a true threat.
Why were the right-wing groups more of a threat to the Republic?
The right had been hostile to the republic from the start and didn’t believe in democracy.
Was there much agreement between the right- wing groups?
No, they were competing with different objectives
- restoration of monarchy
- dictatorship
- Bavaria wanted to be separate from Germany
Why were right wing groups not able to overthrow the government?
Their divisions weakened their strength
What were the Freikorps?
- 200 paramilitary groups of ex soldiers
- saw themselves as ‘defenders of Germany’
- helped suppress left wing threats
Who lead the Kapp Putsch?
Wolfgang Kapp - organised the Putsch
von Luttwitz - general who refused to disband one of the units
When, where, aims - Kapp Putch
When - February 1920, units were ordered to disband. March 12th, 12,000 Freikorps marched into Berlin
Where - Berlin
Aims - protesting the disbandment of the 2 Freikorps units
How did the government react to the Kapp Putsch?
They asked Hans von Seeckt for the army to fight, but he refused as ‘troops do not fire on troops’.
how supported was the Kapp Putsch?
It failed to gain widespread support, even from the right wing.