Establishment of the Weimar Republic Flashcards
Why were German people shocked at the armistice in WW1?
They had defeated Russia and were convinced they were winning
Name two reasons why Germany were struggling in WW1?
Ammunition shortages
Food shortages
How did the Navy respond to the armistice in 1918?
They disagreed with it and sent a fleet out leading to the Keel mutiny
What was the impact of the Keel mutiny?
Soviets were set up across Germany
When Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated what was the biggest fear to German officials?
Revolution similar to Russia in 1917
Who was Friedrich Ebert?
Leader of the SPD and temporary government following the Kaisers abdication
How was German industry effected by WW1?
Industry had shrunk by two thirds
What promises did Ebert make about the Republic?
Freedom of speech
Freedom of worship
better working conditions
What is the “stab in the back” myth?
People blamed the shift from autocracy to democracy for the defeat in the war pinning this on politicians such as Ebert
Name three German losses caused by the Treaty of Versailles?
Lost all it’s colonies
Army reduced to 100,000 men
48% loss in iron industry
When and how much where the war reparations decided?
1921 it was settled that Germany would have to pay £6,600 million
Which clause was the war guilt clause?
clause 231
What two features essentially forced Germany into signing the Treaty of Versailles?
The Naval blockade was still in effect
Allies where ready to invade the Rhineland
How was the Weimar constitution an issue?
It promised proportional representation which allowed for many parties to have a say in government
What was the left wing challenge in 1919?
Spartacist uprising by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxembourg in which the KPD tried to seize political power. The two leaders where murdered by the Freikorps
What was right wing challenge in 1920?
Kapp Putsch lead by Wolfgang Kapp. It was defeated by the trade unions calling a strike which paralysed public services
What were the three crises that occurred in 1923?
French occupation of the Ruhr
Hyperinflation
Munich putsch
Why did France occupy the Ruhr?
Germany fell behind on reparation payments and so France seized the industrial part of Germany in order to compensate
How did Germany’s response to the French occupation cause Hyperinflation?
They issued the Ruhr workers to strike resulting in the excessive printing of money to compensate for lack of work
Outline the events of the Munich Putsch?
The plan was aucostrated by Hitler and saw initial success by seizing Munich but was defeated by police before he could reach Berlin. Sixteen Nazis were killed
When did Stresemann come to power?
1923 through the “great coalition”
What economic action did Stresemann take that improved Germany to pre WW1 levels?
Dawes Plan which secured 800 million marks for Germany from America
What were issues with the Dawes plan?
Made Germany more dependent on loans which could be damaging should they be removed
Who was made president in 1925?
Hindenburg
What was Hindenburg’s view of the Republic?
He favoured a DNVP and wanted to ban the SPD
Name two successes of Stresemann
Wages rose
Standard of living rose
What was an issue Stresemann was unable to solve?
The vast gap between rich and poor
Name two foreign policy successes under Stresemann in 1929 and 1930
Young plan 1929 reduced reparation payments
Britain and France agreed to leave the Ruhr in 1930
When did the US stock market collapse?
1929
Why did the US market crash effect Germany so badly?
The Dawes plan created financial dependency on the US
Name two effects that the financial crash in 1929?
German loans where removed
Unemployment rose over 2.5 million
How many seats did the Nazis win in the 1933 election?
288
Name two reasons why the Nazis won support in 1933
Nazi policy appealed to the unemployed who were promised jobs
Hitler was perceived as a competent leader
When did Hindenburg appoint Hitler as chancellor?
30 January 1933
Why did Hindenburg appoint Hitler as Chancellor despite it being a risky move?
It was perceived that the Nazis were in decline and would be easy to control
What were the features of the 1920 Kapp Putsch?
Right wing army officers and Freikorps attempt to overthrow the SPD government but was thwarted by public opposition through a strike which brought Berlin to a complete standstill
When and what was the Dawes plan?
1924 a foreign aid from America which entrusted $800 million to Germany
