Establishment of the Wiemar Republic Flashcards
What was apparent by 1918 ?
It was apparent that Germany was losing the war. Both military and civilians were exhausted.
What are some stats on the impact of war on the living standards in Germany ?
- Real earnings fell by 20-30%
- Major fuel and food shortages
- Deaths by diease, starvation and deaths from hyperthermia common.
How many deaths occurred in 1918 from hypothermia ?
293,000 deaths
When was the turnip winter and what was it ?
1917 - Wartime food shortages in Germany in the winter of 1916–1917 were terrible. The civilian population called it the “turnip winter,” a bitter nickname, given the indignity of having to eat turnips, normally considered to be food fit only for cattle.
How much value did the mark lose between 1913 and 1919 ?
75% of its original value.
What were major financial impacts on the German economy ?
Agricultural production fell
The mark lost it value
Printing of money for finance brought inflation problems of the 1920s.
What quote sums up the high inflation of Germany during the 1920s ?
‘ Germany floated through a sea of paper money’
What was a major source of social discontent in 1918
profiteers and black marketeers grew wealthy, and the rich did not suffer like the majority. This worsened social divisions.
How many children died from starvation in 1916 ?
80,000
What was the treaty of Brest-Litovsk ?
A treaty imposed on Russia in the spring of 1918 when the Russian government admitted defeat against Germany.
What was the impact of the Bolshevik revolution in 1917 on civilians in Germany ?
It showed them that it was possible to overthrow an autocratic monarchy and the army could not prevent revolution.
what was the unrest in Germany between 1918 - 1918 called ?
The ‘German revolution’ - a revolution from below.
What did the ‘revolution from below’ consist of ?
- Mutinities spread from kiel to across Germany.
- demonstrations of anger towards Germany’s leaders - military and political.
- Revolutionary committees were formed.
What did the military want at the end of the war ?
A new civilian government to be formed, preferable moderate and left wing parties - to admit Germany’s defeat and take the blame. Additionally this new civilian government would get better peace terms.
What does Ludendorff achieve in 1918 ?
To persuade the Kaiser to make Prince Max the chancellor in October.
Why was Prince Max of Baden a good choice for chancellor in 1918 ?
Prince Max had credibility with the military and civilians.
More importantly, Prince Max could bring the SPD into government. So a moderate to left-wing, civilian government would take the blame for defeat.
What are key political developments in 1918 ?
The Kaiser abdicates and flees to Netherlands.
Max hands chancellorship to SPD leader Ebert.
Ebert makes secret deal with the army
New government signs the armistice.
What was the Ebert-Groener pact ?
A secret deal Ebert makes with the army where Groener made certain demands : he offered Ebert the loyalty and cooperation of the armed forces in return for some demands: a fight against Bolshevism, a speedy end to the soldiers’ councils.
What is Ludendorff most know for ?
His manoeuvre - the myth of the ‘stab-in-the-back’.
Ludendorff orchestrated the idea that the German army had been stabbed in back due to disloyalty by certain groups.
What were the origins of the ‘ November criminals’ title ?
The new German government signed The Treaty of Versailles. German opinion called it a Diktat and branded those who signed it as ‘November criminals’.
Why was France so adamant on permanently weakening Germany ?
France had been attacked by Germany twice (1871 and 1914) and wanted it permanently weakened to ensure French national security.
What were Germany’s expectations of the Paris peace conference ?
Germany had expected to negotiate a peace based on Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points. This happened to not be the case.
What terms regarded the demilitarisation of Germany in the treaty of Versailles ?
- Germany’s army was cut to 100,000 troops and conscription was banned.
- There were to be no tanks, military aircraft, submarines or vessels.
- The Rhineland was demilitarised.
How long did allied troops occupy the Rhinelands ?
Allied troops stayed there for 15 years.
What territorial issues came with the territorial issues that came with the treaty of Versailles ?
-Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France.
- Coal rich Saarland was given to France for 15 years.
- Unification with Austria was forbidden. ( Anschluss)
- Czechoslovakia was given the Sudetenland.
- Control of Germany’s overseas colonies was given mainly to Britain and France.
What article was the war guilt clause ?
Article 231
What did article 231 mean for Germany ?
Germany was to accept responsibility for starting the war and so all the losses that resulted.
Meaning Germany had to pay reparation set at £6.6.
What were the main aspects that the treaty of Versailles targeted ( for Germany ) ?
- Territorial issues
- Demilitarisation
- War guilt
What was the impact of the Treaty of Versailles ?
- Versailles damaged national pride and reduced the size of Germany and its army.
- New German republic became associated with signing it and the ‘stab in back’ myth.
What were Germanys left wing parties in the new constitution ? ( 3 )
SPD ( moderate )
USPD ( radical )
KPD ( communist )
What did the left wing parties want in ?
The left wing believed in greater economic and social equality, wealth redistribution, more taxation to spend on public services, and greater workers’ rights.
