Challenges To The Weimar Government Flashcards
What were the three key elements to the constitution?
The president- directly elected, he chose the chancellor and could declare a state of emergency.
The Reichsrat- was the upper house, where individual states were represented.
The Reichstag- the lower house, elected on the basis of proportional representation. It formed the coalition as the system allowed for many small parties to gain representation.
When and what was the Spartacist revolt?
In January 1919, the KPD tried to seize power in Berlin as they wanted a communist revolution like in Russia in 1917. Two of the leaders, Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg were murdered and the revolt was put down by the Freikorps.
What happened in the Ruhr in March 1920?
There was another KPD uprising in the Ruhr but it was defeated by the Freikorps
When and what was the Kapp Putsch?
Dr Wolfgang Kapp, led a group of Freikorps into Berlin. The army refused to attack him and the Weimar government looked doomed. However they were defeated when the trade unions went on a general strike, which paralysed public services.
What three things happened during the crisis of 1923?
The occupation of the Ruhr, hyperinflation, Munich Putsch.
What happened during the occupation of the Ruhr?
In January 1923, Germany fell behind in its reparations payments and France and Belgium troops occupied the Ruhr taking anything they could get. It united Germany, the reparation payments were haltered and the workers in the Ruhr went on strike. This put pressure on the economy and added to inflation, made worse by the government printing money to pay the strikers. The French decided to bring in their own workers and this increased tensions further.
What was hyperinflation?
The war had caused inflation for Germany, but by printing more money it pay the strikers and compensate for lost tax revenue, the value of the mark became worthless.
What were the impacts of hyperinflation?
It destroyed savings and ruined those on fixed incomes. Prices rose so fast that that black market and barter flourished. Some, such as industrialists did gain from this situation.
What was the Munich Putsch?
Hitler tried to seize power in Munich and then dot march on Berlin. He seized the Bavarian state governor. It was defeated by police, 16 nazis and three police were killed; Hitler was arrested and sentenced to imprisonment for five years, but was released after just 9 months.
Why did Weimar survive?
The government took effective action, many in Germany were willing to give Weimar a chance and political opposition was weaker than it appeared.
Why was their political instability in the coalitions?
The largest parties, the SPD and the Liberals, disagreed over economic and social policies. Parties that supported the democracy did well during the ‘golden age’, however, support for the liberal parties declined and special interest parties gained support.
What was the problem when Hindenburg was elected president in 1925?
He wanted to excluded the SPD from government and bring in the right-wing DNVP.
What was the political impact of the Great Depression on young people?
Many were unemployed and so they joined paramilitary groups such as the Nazi SA or the communist Rotfront. This gave them a sense of belonging and something to do.
What was the political impact of the Great Depression on the Great Coalition?
The depression weakened the coalition, and divisions over the unemployment insurance system created a crisis.
What was the political impact of the Great Depression on political parties?
The SPD did not want cuts, whilst the German people’s party (DVP) argued for cuts. Industrialists argues that the Welfare state should be abolished because of costs.
