Establishment of Weimar (1918-24) Flashcards
What was German like before 1871?
Separate states each ruled by a prince
Why was their instability before 1914?
Working class grew meaning they wanted a voice but majority supported the Kaiser through fear of Allies encircling
Why were their reforms in October 1918?
To limit the Kaisers autocratic power
What happened on 3rd October 1918?
Baden sent a peace note
What effect did the peace note have?
Lower moral and people were no longer willing to suffer hardships of war
When was the strike in Friedrichshafen and why did it happen?
22nd October and because of discontent
What happened on 28th October?
Sailors mutiny about attacking ships
What happened on 3rd November?
Kiel sailors mutiny which spread
When did Kaiser have to abdicate?
9th November
What happened during the Kaiser’s abdication?
Baden released PR statement saying he had abdicated before he had agreed
Who replaced Baden?
Ebert
What did Ebert do?
Agreed armistice and wanted elections for assembly
What did the Sparticist League want?
Government controlled by soldiers and workers councils
What did the USPD want?
Reichstag working with soldiers and workers councils
What did the SPD want?
Left leaning elected Reichstag
What was the Ebert-Groener Pact?
Ebert wouldn’t democratise army in return for the armies support
What happened on 6th December?
Sparticist revolt in Belin
When was the solider’s revolt against government?
23rd - 24th December
What happended on 6th January?
Revoloution launched by sparticists
What happened in the assembly election?
SPD won large amount, soliders and workers handed power back
What were the strengths of the Weimar constituion?
PR as voting system, elections ever 4 (Reichstag) and 7 (President) and Recihrat
What were the weaknesses of the Weimar constituion?
Coallitons, article 48 and anti-democratic dections (Civil Services and Army)
What role did the President play?
Head of State, appointed and dismisses ministers and dissolve Reichstag
What did the Chancellor do?
Proposed new laws to Reichstag
What was the Reichstat?
Second chamber had representatives from all states
What was the Reichstag?
Voted on budget, new laws originated
What happaned in June 1919?
Sheidmann was chancellor at time and believed treaty was incompatible with German and would accept it so resigned. Hindenburg discusse another waging campagin but was impossible for Groener believed. Baurer’s coallition signed treaty to do policy fulfilment to make conditions easier on Germany.
What was pro-republican view on the 1919 political situation?
Started to dislike new constitution and signing led to political demoralisation, republic was weak and unstable
What was right wing view on the 1919 political situation?
Wanted autocratic stat, many groups committed to overthrowing republic, politicians labelled as ‘November Criminals’ and soldiers felt insulted
Support for which parties grew in 1919?
SPD and communist