G - Ch 1 Exam Q's Flashcards
Explain two effects of the armistice on Germany in 1918.
One effect of armistice on Germany was it led to the creation of a new republic.
- Kaiser fled
-Armistice signed
-Monarchy to Democratic
-Political rights
Another effect of armistice on Germany was the social unrest and instability it created.
-False belief that Germany could win war - Stab in the back.
-November Criminals = executed
-resentment towards republic
Explain two strengths of the Weimar Constitution.
One strength of the Weimar Constitution was it was very democratic.
-Bill of rights = freedom of speech, religion and everyone over 20 could vote.
-More freedom
-Equality
Another strength of the Weimar Constitution was the separation of powers.
-PR
-Fair and all parties that received votes had representation in the Reichstag
Explain two weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution.
One weakness of the Weimar Constitution was the system of PR.
-Instability
-Between 1919 - 33, there was not one election where one party won more than half of the votes. = coalitions.
-Coalitions often did not last e.g. Muller serving only 86 days in office.
-Great squabbling between parties.
Another weakness of the Weimar Constitution was that Article 48 could lead to abuse of power.
-Dangerous if extremist was president.
e.g. Article 48 was used for the Enabling Act which allowed Hitler to enact new laws without interference from the President on Reichstag. - basically eliminating the German govt.
Explain two consequences of PR.
One consequence of PR was the long-term political instability that it created.
-1919-33 there was not one single election where one party gained half of the votes.
-Chancellors found their time short-lived due to coalitions breaking e.g. Muller was only in office for 86 days.
-Squabbling within coalitions.
Another consequence was that it made decision-making difficult.
-Squabbling within coalitions.
-Coalitions unstable.
-When faced with Germany’s problems, the coalitions broke apart because of different views.
-Majority was never reached.
Explain two military consequences of the TOV.
One consequence of the TOV on the German military was it greatly weakened its military power.
-Treaty focused on the disarmament of Germany.
-To reduce military size and weapons to a minimum to prevent future attacks.
-No tanks, airforce
-Army was limited to 100,000 men to be used internally.
-Led to implication for Republic when they needed an army - Spartacist Uprising.
Another consequence of the TOV on German military was it greatly reduced its strategic defences.
-Treaty established demilitarised zone along Rhine river
-Vulnerable for future aggression
-Germany had less access to resources and the strategic location of the Rhine
Explain two economic impacts of the TOV.
One economic impact of TOV was it led to inflation.
-Treaty meant reparations of £6,600m to Allies = Germany printed money for this
-Germany lost 13% of its European territory such as Alsace and Lorraine to France.
-Germany lost income generating places - 50% of iron reserves and 15% of coal reserves.
Another economic impact of the TOV was the damage to international trade.
-Lost 11 colonies in Far East and Africa
-Treaty imposed tariffs and quotas on Germany
-Reduced ability to trade
-Hindered economic growth
Explain two effects of the Spartacist Uprising.
One effect of the Spartacist Uprising was the emergence of the Communist Party in Germany.
-Hard to put down
-Inspired by RR
Another effect of the Spartacist Uprising was the rise of the Freikorps.
-Demobilised soldiers due to TOV that volunteered
-Hated communism
-Led to Kapp Putsch
Explain two effects of the Kapp Putsch.
One effect of the Kapp Putsch was short-term social and civil unrest.
-General strike
-City couldn’t function
-Lots of different opinions on Republic
-Ebert had to appeal to public
Another effect of the Kapp Putsch was the political damage to Germany.
-Weimar Republic could not control its own capital
-German army had refused to fight = lack of pledge/respect
-Ebert had to appeal to German civilians
Explain two effects of the French invasion of the Ruhr.
One effect of the French invasion of the Ruhr was short-term social and civil unrest.
-Passive resistance - The French arrested, imprison and deported the resistance leaders.
-Strike
-100 French civilians killed
-Arson, sabotage
-fighting
Another fact of the French invasion of the Ruhr was long-term economic damage to Germany.
-Hyperinflation
-Govt had to print money for strike pay
-200 printing mills and 300 printing shops purely for money
-Industrial products had been seized
Explain two effects of hyperinflation.
One effect of hyperinflation in Germany in 1932 was short-term social and civil unrest.
-French invasion of Ruhr response was passive resistance
-Quantitative easing led to terrible spiralling prices
-Financial hardships = middle class suddenly in poverty
-People with fixed incomes’ real income decreased, less purchasing power, money almost worthless
-Peoples’ saving accounts wiped overnight
A second effect of the hyperinflation was long-term political damage.
-Weimar Republic was blamed for hyperinflation
-People saw the reparations as the main reason of hyperinflation
-At risk of being overthrown
-Support for extremist parties rose
