Early challenges to the Republic, 1919-23 Flashcards
Unpopularity of the Republic
The politicians who set up the Republic were the ones who surrendered at the end of the War (signed the peace treaty). So, the Republic had always been linked to this.
The armistice
Matthias Erzberger signed it on 11 Nov 1918, an agreement to stop fighting.
No choice - social and political unrest, low on money and troops, etc.
Starting a new Republic with surrender was not a strong start.
The Treaty of Versailles, 1919 - The diktat
Unpopular because it was assumed that Germany would have a say in the terms of the Treaty, but it was a ‘diktat’, meaning the terms were imposed, not agreed
The Treaty of Versailles, 1919 - War guilt
Stated that Germany had caused the War, but Germany did not agree.
Germany had to pay reparations to the victorious nations.
IMPACT - This made Germany’s economy weak from the beginning.
The Treaty of Versailles, 1919 - The terms
£6.6 billion reparations to the Allies
Colonies in Africa, etc. given to the Allies
Limited army, limited navy, no airforce and demilitarisation of the Rhineland
Parts of Germany given to neighbouring countries, e.g. Poland, France, etc.
The Treaty of Versailles, 1919 - Dolchstoss
Germans thought that the army had not been defeated, but had instead been betrayed (stabbed in the back) by the politicians who had signed the Treaty
IMPACT - They became known as the ‘November Criminals’ and were hated by the country.
Challenges from the Left Wing and Right Wing
Extreme right (nationalist) - wanted a strong government and army, headed by a powerful leader like the Kaiser. Extreme left (communist) - wanted Germany to be controlled by the people.
Challenges in the Riechstag
Although moderate parties had more seats than the extremist parties, they struggled to form coalitions and were attacked by extremist politicians from the left and right.
Challenges outside the Reichstag - The Spartacist Revolt
Left-wing uprising - 4 Jan 1919. Ebert sacked Emil Eichhorn (police chief of Berlin, so was popular with workers). This led to workers revolting, and the Spartacists used this opportunity to seize Berlin.
The Freikorps ended the revolt by killing the leaders (Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Leibknecht).
Challenges outside the Reichstag - The Kapp Putsch
Ebert was unable to control the Freikorps, so decided to disband them. Fearing unemployment, they marched to Berlin (stopped transport, water, electricity, etc.) and took over the Reichstag building. They made Wolfgang Kapp the leader and invited the Kaiser back.
After Kapp realised he could not govern, he fled. He was captured and killed.
French occupation of the Ruhr
Germany had gone bankrupt due to the War, and could not pay reparations at all by 1923. So when Germany failed to send coal to France in Dec 1922, French troops occupied the Ruhr coalfields.
This crippled Germany - the Ruhr had 80% of Germany’s wealth, so debts, unemployment and goods shortages increased.
Inflation and hyperinflation
Due to shortages of goods, prices rose. Due to unemployment, taxes fell. Since Germany could not pay reparations, they printed more money. This again increased prices, leading to the printing of more money (a vicious cycle).
Effects of hyperinflation
Normal living - people had to be paid twice a day in wheelbarrows, shops asked for trade of goods.
Shortages - countries did not accept payments, so imports reduced, leading to food shortages, etc.
Savings - people with bank savings lost all their money.
Loans - since value of money went down, could easily repay.
Government - lost support since they were blamed for hyperinflation, extremist parties gained power.
