Establishment of Weimar Republic Flashcards
1
Q
German Revolution
A
- Large amounts of enthusiasm when the war first began.
- In the winter of 1918, a killer strain of the flu virus was sweeping Europe. In Germany, thousands were dying every week.
- By the second half of 1918, food supplies were so low that most adults were living on less than 1000 calories a day.
- By 1918, Germany had lost 1.7 million men in the fighting and 4.3 million men were wounded.
- By August 1918, the US had joined the war and Germany’s allies were on the verge of collapse.
- In October 1918, there was a mutiny of German soldiers at Kiel, they refused to attack a British blockade.
2
Q
Creation of democracy in Germany
A
- Revolution from above: General Ludendorff persuaded the Kaiser to hand power over to a civilian government. He hoped the new government would be to blame for Germany’s defeat.
- Revolution from below: The Kiel and Wilhelmshaven mutinies encouraged the creation of sailors’, soldiers’ and workers’ council throughout Germany. To stop a full revolution Prince Max of Baden announced the abdication of the Kaiser
3
Q
Abdication of Kaiser
A
- 9th November 1918, Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated
- 11th November an armistice was signed
4
Q
Stab in the back
A
- The idea spread that Germany had been stabbed in the back by weak and unpatriotic politicians soon spread. The idea was that Germany had been incredible during the war and had not been defeated by the Allies but by pacifists and socialists who undermined the war effort.
- People blamed the newly formed government for this and therefore it was a tough start
5
Q
Creation of Weimar Government
A
- Elections were held on the 19th January 1919 and 82% of the electorate voted.
- The Weimar Constitution guaranteed every German citizen freedom of speech and religion, and equality under the law.
- All men and women over 20 given the vote
- The head of the government was a chancellor, he was elected every 7 years
- The Weimar Republic was split into 22 states. Each state had its own parliament, passed its own laws and ran its own police force.
6
Q
Ebert
A
- In November 1918, Ebert became Chancellor and in February 1919, he was elected by the assembly to be the new president.
- He kept the civil servants from previous governments for continuity
- He reassured industrial leaders that the new government would not take state control over their industries
- He promised trade unions an 8 hour work day
- Many people did oppose him:
- Senior figures and judges did not like the republic
- Many Germans wanted the Kaiser to return
- Many Germans wanted a Communist revolution
7
Q
Strengths of Weimar Government Constitution
A
- Democracy: Everyone over 20 could vote. 4 years for the Reichstag and 7 years for the President
- Proportional Representation: Seats in the Reichstag were given according to the percentage of the votes gained.
- President’s Role: A strong president could protect the country in times of need and he could act as a check of power on the Reichstag
- Chancellor’s Role: The Chancellor needed a majority in the Reichstag so their appointment was democratic
- Article 48: Meant the president could pass laws in an emergency
- Federal System: 22 states who run major services so different states could prioritise their own needs
8
Q
Weaknesses of Weimar Government Constitution
A
- Democracy: Faced serious opposition from the German people. Giving everyone the right to vote meant that people could vote for more extreme parties
- Proportional representation: Led to many small parties in the Reichstag. No single party could get a majority and none did during Weimar Elections. This led to instability.
- President’s Role: In an emergency, he could issues laws by decree and override the constitutional rights of the German people.
- Article 48: It was never stated what an emergency was therefore it was open to abuse
- Federal System: Individual states could oppose the government and try to remove it.
9
Q
Treaty of Versailles: Aims of Big Three
A
- Clemenceau: Wanted the maximum amount of revenge possible
- Wilson: An idealist who wanted the Treaty to be as fair as possible to prevent Germany from seeking revenge
- Lloyd George: Acted as a balance between the two. He had won his election with the slogan ‘make the Hun pay’
- The treaty was not based on Wilson’s 14 points which they had expected
10
Q
Treaty of Versailles: Blame
A
- Clause 231 (the War Guilt Clause) fixed the blame for the outbreak of the war solely on Germany and her allies to provide a legal basis for reparations.
- They did not feel they had caused the war so did not want to sign.
11
Q
Treaty of Versailles: Reparations
A
- Germany was to pay £6,600 million (announced in 1921)
- The treaty had high reparations which Germany felt strongly against given that much of their economic land had been taken away.
12
Q
Treaty of Versailles: Army
A
- A maximum of 100,000 soldiers
- No conscription
- No tanks, military aircraft or submarines
- Only six battleships
- The Rhineland was to be demilitarised
- Hurt Germany’s strength
- Army not big enough for large, powerful, populous nation like Germany
- Small army could not deal with Sparticist Uprising and invasion of Ruhr
13
Q
Treaty of Versailles: Territory
A
- Germany lost land in Europe (Alsace-Lorraine to France, West Prussia and Posen to Poland, Eupen and Malmedy to Belgium, Northern Schleswig to Denmark, the Saar to Poland)
- Colonies (11) were lost: Britain took German East Africa, Britain and France divided up Togoland and the Cameroons, South Africa acquired German South Africa and Germany’s Pacific colonies were given to Japan
- Land taken from the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was given self-determination (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania)
14
Q
Treaty of Versailles: League of Nations
A
A League of Nations was set up but Germany was not allowed to join it. It did, however, have to accept decisions made by the League.
15
Q
Treaty of Versailles: Anschluss (Union)
A
Union with Austria was banned
