Democracy In Crisis 1919-1923 Flashcards
What was the DNVP’s ideology ?
Monarchist & anti-democratic
What was the main extreme-right political party ?
DNVP
What was an added bonus to the DNVP ?
It had great financial support
What was the name of the paramilitary that supported the DNVP ?
Stahlhelm
What % did the DNVP usually win in elections ?
10%
Why did the extreme-right hate Weimar ?
- Because the right had just lost power
- Blamed Weimar for creation of Catholics and Jews
- Blamed Weimar for loss in WW1 and TOV ( ludicrous )
What was the main extreme-left party ?
KPD
What was the KPD’s ideology ?
A “workers state”
Why did the extreme-left hate Weimar ?
TOV & They were treated unfairly compared to extreme-right
When was the Kapp Putsch ?
1920
Why was there a Kapp Putsch ?
Because Ehrhardt’s brigade were ordered to dissolve under TOV. He was angry and wanted to make a point
What were the events in the actual putsch ?
- Freikorps and Ehrhardt invade Berlin and issue an overthrow
- Army refused to fight troops with troops
Why was the Kapp Putsch a failure ?
Because Ebert issued a general strike where all workers wages would be repaid in the future. This made economic life impossible so the extreme-right had to abandon and flee
What was the result of the Kapp Putsch ?
The extreme-right showed their physical force and how weak Weimar was it also represented how the army wasn’t loyal to Weimar
What were the 3 main territorial conditions under the TOV ?
- Saar coalfields given to France for 15 years
- Polish Corridor given to Poland
- Stripped of colonies
What were the 3 main military conditions under TOV ?
- Army restricted to 100,000
- No air-force
- No tanks or artillery
How much did Germany have to pay in reparations in the TOV ?
£6,600 million
Why did the French invade the Ruhr ?
Because Germany failed to pay a monthly amount of reparations so the French took extreme legitimacy of the treaty which allowed them to invade
When did the French invade the Ruhr ?
1923
What was the German reaction to the French invasion of Ruhr ?
To call a general strike promising payed wages ( went on for longer )
What events caused inflation ?
- Ruhr invasion ( couldn’t pay everybody’s promised wages )
- TOV reparations
- Debt to people who had helped to provide money during WW1
What lead to Hyperinflation ?
The government printing loads of money to combat the debt
What was the price of a loaf of bread in 1918 compared to 1923 ?
1918 = 1/4 Mark 1923 = 80 billion
Who were the winners of hyperinflation ?
People in debt
Currency speculators
Wealthy
Who were the losers of hyperinflation ?
Middle-class because they had saved money Working class as they couldn't afford the cost of living to survive
What was the threat from the extreme-left ?
They planed to take control of Saxony and use it as a springboard to take over Germany
What was the threat from the extreme-right ?
The planned a revolt
