8.1 Was the Weimar Republic doomed from the start?

Question 1

What problems was Germany facing by the end of 1918? [4 marker]

Answer 1

1. Germany was in economic ruins. National income was low and the war debt was $40 billion
2. There were many social problems. 600,000 widows left due to the war and 1.5 million soldiers returned to Germany with few jobs

Question 2

Describe the advantages of the Weimar Constitution [4 marker]

Answer 2

1. It was very democratic
2. Percentage of votes equaled number of seats in the Reichstag
3. Republic could be saved from threats using Article 48
4. German people enjoyed having civil rights

Question 3

Describe the disadvantages of the Weimar Constitution [4 marker]

Answer 3

1. Proportional representation allowed small, extremist parties to win seats
2. Very diffuclt for any one party to win over 50% of the vote
3. Coalitions had to be formed
4. Article 48 was unclear on what was an emergency and gave the preseidnt massive power

Question 4

What were the main features of the Weimar Constitution? [4 marker]

Answer 4

1. A president who was elected every 7 years
2. The Chancellor and government who appointed government ministers
3. The Reichstag who was elected by German people
4. All German men and woman over 20 could vote

Question 5

Describe the communist threat of 1919-20 to the Weimar Republic [4 marker]

Answer 5

1. A communist group in Berlin known as the Spartacists
2. Led by Rosa Luxemburg and Carl Liebknecht
3. In January 1919, they revolted in Berlin
4. Were crushed by the Freikorps, anti-communist ex-soldiers, after much fighting

Question 6

Why did the Spartacist Uprising fail? [6 marker]

Answer 6

1. Firstly, the uprising failed due to bad preparation. The Spartacists failed to capture many buidlings and did not gain any extra support, which they had been relying on in order for the coup to be successful
2. Secondly, it failed due to the ruthlessness of the Freikorps. Ebert orders these anti-communist, ex-soldiers to attack and crush the Spartacists. The former soldiers still had weapons from the war, which gave them an enormous advantage. They quickly re-conquered the buildings and killed around 100 Spartacsists in the process. Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht were captured by the Freikorps and murdered as well

Question 7

Describe the terms of the TOV on Germany [4 marker]

Answer 7

1. Blamed for the war - War Guilt Clause
2. Had to pay £6.6 billion in reparations
3. Armed forces reduced - 100,000 soldiers
4. Lost all of its overseas colonies

Question 8

Why did the Treaty of Versailles lead to instability in the Weimar Republic? [6 marker]

Answer 8

1. The Treaty of Versailles caused much instability in Weimar Germany. The Treaty was deeply unpopular with the German people, especially the war guilt clause and the loss of much of Germany’s armed forces. The Treaty reduced Germany’s army to 100,000 soldiers, no tanks, no air force and conscription banned. This left Germany defenceless and cause outrage amongst the German army and ex-soldiers. This resulted in many Freikorp brigades revolting, such as the Kapp Putsch in 1920, which led to much unrest
2. The Treaty also caused much economic instability in Weimar Germany. The reparation payments were set at £6.6 billion in 1921. When the German government failed to pay an instalment in late 1922, France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr (Germany’s industrial heartland). Ebert ordered workers to strike in the Ruhr and the government printed more money to pay the striking workers. This led to hyperinflation, where the price of goods rocketed and trade was made almost impossible. This damaged the German economy

Question 9

Describe how culture changed during the Weimar period [4 marker]

Answer 9

1. Weimar artists tried to show everyday life through their work
2. Golden Age for cinema - actors such as Marlene Dietrich became world famous
3. Berlin became famous for its nighlife: bars, nightclubs
4. Sex was discussed openly