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.
How was the Kapp Putsch suppressed?
Socialist members of Ebert’s government encouraged trade unions to call a general strike. This caused the city to reach a standstill and the Putsch collapsed in 4 days.
What were the repercussions of the Kapp Putsch?
The government seemed weak and like they had a lack of control.
Who were the right-wing assassins targeting?
Prominent politicians and those who had ‘betrayed’ Germany
Who were the ‘Vaterlandische Verbande’? And why were they so dangerous?
Who - political assassins often formed out of old Freikorps units
Why - some were actively supported by the German army
Hugo Haase - who?
USPD member and member of Council of People’s commissars. He had joined the November 1918 revolution.
Hugo Haase - how was he killed?
Shot in front of the Reichstag in Oct 1919 and died a month later due to wounds.
Matthias Erzberger - who?
The former finance minister who had lead the German delegation for the signing of the armistice and signed the treaty of Versailles.
Matthias Erzberger - how was he killed?
Shot in January, but killed in the Black Forest in August 1921 by Organisation Consul
Walther Rathenau - who?
The foreign minister who recommended the fulfilment of the Treaty. He was Jewish
Walther Rathenau - how was he killed?
4 Organisation Consul members threw a hand grenade and shot him. 70,000 people protested his death
How many assassinations were there between 1919 & 23?
376
How many of the assassinations were from the left?
22
How many of the assassinations were from the right?
354
What was the law passed in 1922, and what powers did it have?
‘for the protection of the republic’, imposed penalties on those who revolted and banned extremist organisations.
What were the impacts of the ‘protection of the republic’ law?
- Organisation Consul was disbanded, but not effective as some of the judges were right wing sympathisers
- Baravia’s government refused to enforce it
- Rathenau’s killers were only given an average of 4 years in prison each
How many right wing murderers were severely punished?
1
How many right wing murderers were severely punished?
10 were executed
How were the Nazi party able to form?
From Bavaria’s government refusing to implement the ‘protection of the public’ law
Why was 1919-23 period of ‘growth’ for anti-republican groups?
It showed they could get away with things as Weimar underestimated their threat.
What was the political impact of the Rhur invasion?
- anti French feel
- government blamed, middle class support lost
- communists used crises to stage uprisings
- nationalists accused government of betrayal
What were the aims of the Nazis?
- complete dictatorship
- removal of November criminals from government
- removal of traditional government
What was Hitler’s background?
- born April 1889
- non German but felt germans should be united
- wanted to be an Artist but didn’t get into art school
What was Hitler’s involvement in WW1?
- volunteered for German army
- outraged by November criminals
How did Hitler come across the Nazi party?
- working as a political agent for the army
- sent to investigate the German Worker’s party
- ended up joining and by 1921 was the undisputed leader
- changed the name to NSDAP (national socalist)
Munich Putsch - when, where?
when - began 8th November 1923
where - Munich Beer Hall
Who lead the Munich Putsch?
Hitler and Lundendorff
What was the aims of the Munich Putsch?
To win over Kahr and von Losssow
What happened at the Munich Putsch?
- Hitler marched into the beer hall with 200 stormtroopers
- held Kahr and Lossow at gunpoint
- they agreed to march into Berlin and make Lundendorff commander in chief
- stormtroopers couldn’t control the Munich barracks
- by 9th November, it was clear it had failed
- Hitler continued with the march
- Hitler and Lundendorff arrested
How would people in debt react to the Nazi’s 25 point plan?
- 17, no interest in mortgages
- 20, children supported by the state regardless of their class or job
How would small businesses react to the Nazi’s 25 point plan?
- 16, given leases at low rates
- creating a healthy middle class
How would big industrialists react to the Nazi’s 25 point plan?
- 16, their land is being reduced
- loss of profit, feel alienated
How would war profiteers react to the Nazi’s 25 point plan?
- 12, confiscation of all war profits
- builds tension
How would ex-soldiers react to the Nazi’s 25 point plan?
- 2, the abolition of the treaty of Versailles
- 22, people’s army, Freikorps get an opportunity
How would industrial workers react to the Nazi’s 25 point plan?
- attracted to point 10, fairness of money
- working for what you earn
How would army generals react to the Nazi’s 25 point plan?
- against point 22, no professional army
- jobs taken, power minimised
