Creation of a Republic - Weimar (Theme 1) Flashcards
1
Q
Context of 1918
A
- After four years of catastrophic warfare, the German Empire was defeated by the Allies (UK/France and Russia).
- Allies of Austria, Turkey and Bulgaria also worn out, despite a small success forcing Russia to sign surrender.
- Forced to sign an armistice to order a ceasefire between allied leaders and General Ludenhorff - ending the First World War.
2
Q
What caused the signing of the armistice?
A
- A shift in power during the closing stages of the war (an autocratic system under Kaiser Wilhem II in WWI).
- Losing the war, as well as growing social tensions, led General Ludenhorff to press for a more democratic system of government.
3
Q
What were Ludenhorff’s main reasons for pushing towards a democratic system of government?
A
- One of the US President Wilson’s demands - potentially could gain more favourable peace terms.
- Undermine the growing revolutionary sentiment in Germany, inspired by the communist revolution in Russia.
- Changing the system just before signing could effectively save the face for the Imperial Army, providing a scapegoat to be blamed for the loss of the war (stab in the back myth).
4
Q
Creation of the new democracy
A
- Formed the Weimar Republic - divided in 17 regional states and presidental elections r 7 years.
- Reichstag is the national parliament (PR system). The president selected a chancellor to behave as a chairman for proceedings and lead govt but he requires a majority.
- Created the Reichstrat - made up of elected regional representatives that dealt with issues concerning the governance of the Reichstag.
- Edited as the most advanced example - but the constitutions continued issues like Article 48.
5
Q
Challenges posed by the Constitution 1918-1929
Proportional Representation
A
- Created many small parties, many holding extremist views, which made it difficult for parties to form coalitions to become governments. As a result, it was unlikely they would ever agree on the key issues of government, even before laws could be presented.
- The chancellor could ask the president to use Article 48 to rule by decree = only intended to be used for emergencies but made it look as though the government was in constant crisis.
6
Q
Challenges posed by the Constitution
Power of the President
A
- Supreme command of the armed forces, appoint the Chancellor, dissolve and bypass the Reichstag to pass new laws. Could overrule the democratic system of electing the Reichstag by Article 48.
- Argued that these unnecessary powers of the President, the constitution tipped the balance of power too far in his favour.
7
Q
Challenges posed by the constitution:
Traditions of the Empire
A
- Whilst implementing democratic rights and civil liberties into law, the attitudes of old imperialism was still present in govt officials - unsympathetic to the new order.
- For example, the judiciary displayed traditional support for the far-right politics of the old empire and biased in condemning left-wing activists.
- Officers of the old imperial army that maintained their positions in the new democratic army were sympathetic to right-wing groups and were less inclined to defend the democratic government.
8
Q
General positives of the constitution
A
- Able to withstand and overcome the issues until 1933.
- Done by Article 48 = president could act quickly and decisively.
- Key leaders like Gustav Stresemann were influential in keeping together the Weimar Government.
9
Q
Overcoming the challenges
Election of Hindenburg as President
A
- The Weimar govt overcoming the challenges between 1924-29. The Reichstag kept meeting + no reason to resort to govt by decree, despite the efforts of the right-wing politicans since the Hindernburg’s election as President.
- Hindenburg was in the military high command during WW1 and a strong supporter of the Kaiser and imperial rule.
- Despite swearing an oath to uphold the Constitution upon election, he favoured a more authoritarian system of govt.
10
Q
Overcoming the challenges
Stressemann’s approach to dealing with the political instability 1924-29
A
- Changed his anti-Republic stance upon the damage that party infighting was doing to Germany - convinced that Germany needed a ‘great coalition’ of parties prepared to follow moderate policies despite differences.
- Believed economic recovery and peace with other nations were important for a stable political system = main reason why he was foreign minister during most of his time in govt.
11
Q
Stresemann in government
A
- Chancellor until 1923, then foreign minister until 1929.
- Held together a DVP, Centre Party, the SPD and DDP coalition for much of that time by forming working relations based on trust with leaders of these parties (despite significant opposition from the extreme groups in all parties).
12
Q
Stresemann’s impact on the economy and social conditions
A
- 1924-29 = economy recovered and Germany reached agreements with other countries, restoring its position abroad and undo some terms of the Treaty of Versailles (govt still blamed).
- Social conditions and political violence died down - no major political figures assassinated and the govt was in power for long enough for ppl to accept it was the political system in Germany - as long as things continued to improve.
- Coalitions were still the norm but changed less (6 from 1924-29).
- Support for extremist parties reduced between May and Dec 1924, although the communists and Nazis started to gain ground again by 1928 due to the worsening economic conditions.
- Stresemann’s influence was vital to this - BUT none of the constitution’s weaknesses had been resolved and in 1929, Stresemann died.
13
Q
Collapse of democracy
Public feeling about the Weimar government
A
- Resentment - associated the government with the Treaty of Versailles.
- From 1925, one of the ways it showed this dislike was in electing Hindenburg as President - first to voice the ‘stab in the back theory’ which contributed to Weimar Govt’s unpopularity.
- Hindenburg was now part of that govt but his public popularity was due to his pre-republic position - his lukewarm commitment to the govt meant he was likely to favour a govt by decree and sidelining the Reichstag.
14
Q
Collapse of a democracy
Economic problems and the government’s failure to deal with them
A
- Reparations (6.6 billion)
- 1929 - US Wall Street Crash led to a full-blown depression as the USA recalled its’ loans.
- Dragged into the depression - rising costs and unemployment = govt failed to agree a policy to help the economy and the situation worsened and resulted in the rise of extremist party support (Communists and Nazis).
15
Q
Collapse of a democracy
Coalition failures
A
- Hindenburg wasn’t inclined to keep chancellors who couldn’t get an agreement on policy, but the constant change made govt haphazard.
- Parties increasingly struggled to collaborate and the SPD refuse to partake in any coalitions.
- Forced to rely on Article 48 - 109 laws created from July 1930 to the 1932 election by Chancellor Bruining and only 29 were passed by the Reichstag.
- Three chancellors and several elections in an attempt to find a working government.
