Early Weimar Republic Flashcards
Before WWII, How was Germany ruled?
By the kaiser (Absolute Monarchy)
What happened in 1918 that changed the way Germany was governed?
Germany lost the war - they were thrown into economic and social disorder - Forced the kaiser to abdicate after losing support of his military
Government of 1971 - 1918 republic
Second Reich
The two houses of the second reich
Reichstag and bundesrat
Features of the second reich
-manhood suffrage
-secret ballot
-Governed by kaiser or chancellor
Political Problems of Second Reich
Constituencies never changed after population shift so rural areas thus retained a vastly disproportionate share of power as urbanization progressed.
government ministers were generally selected from the civil service or the military. They often had little experience
Germany had no natural borders so they were suspicious of other countries
Religions in Germany
Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism
National identities
Germany’s borders had moved a lot so there were many different national identities within germany.
Political ideas
Absolutism, militarism, liberal democracy, revolutionary socialism, communism, anti-semitism
Socio-economic developments
Primacy of rural influence, rapid industrialisation, rapid urbanisation and migration
Industries in germany
Agriculture, manufactured goods. Synthetic dies, iron, potash
Power rivalries
Agriculture, manufactured goods, colonies, navy,
Population
German society rapidly grew in the twenty years prior to the First World War.
Summary of social problems
Rapid urbanisation led to overcrowding in towns and poor sanitary conditions and lack of water.
Homelessness rose
Rise in white collar jobs
What is a junker
Wealthy conservative land owners and aristocrats
Growing fears of junkers?
Their dominance was being threatened by catholics and socialists. Saw economic interests threatened by us competition in agriculture and demands of middle-class for involvement in political system.
Social impact of economic change for upper middle classes
Growth of powerful entrepreneurial UM-class
They threatened to sustain rather than threaten the political landscape
Saw any sign of division as a threat
Wanted unification
Social impact of economic change for lower middle class
Declining and increasingly threatened by industrialisation
Support extreme nationalist anti-Semitic groups
Other name for Lower Middle class
Mittlestand
Social impact of economic change: working classes
Rapid growth as population of industrial towns grew, 37.9% employed in industry.
Unhealthy working and living conditions,
Rise in support for socialism
What did Ludendorff realise in September 1918
That germany were going to lose the war. He secretly asked for an armistice to avoid the humiliation of a surrender but Wilson made the 14 points
What were Wilson’s 14 points?
Ways to make germany more democratic involved removing the kaiser
What were the October reforms?
A list of reforms that ended the kaisers autocratic rule on recommendation from Ludendorff. Chancellor was responsible for Reichstag and established government based on major political parties.
Chancellor was responsible for Reichstag and established
