German Empire, WWI's impact, Weimar Democracy Flashcards
When did Germany unify?
1871
Who became the Kaiser of Germany when it unified?
The King of Prussia
Who was the Chancellor?
Chief minister of Germany
What was the Bundesrat in the German Empire?
Representatives from each German state who supported the Kaiser
What was the Reichstag?
The elected German Parliament
Who elected the Reichstag in the German Empire?
Men over 25
What did the Bundesrat and Reichstag both do in the German Empire?
Debate and vote on laws drawn up by the Kaiser and ministers
Who was the Kaiser?
The emperor of the German Empire
When did Germany begin to industrialise?
Late 1800s
By 1913, how much coal, iron and steel was Germany producing compared to Britain?
As much coal, more iron and more steel than Britain
By 1914, what proportion of Europe’s steel did Germany produce?
2/3
In what industries did companies of the German Empire dominate Europe?
Electrical goods, chemicals
What was the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the German Empire?
A political party
By 1914, how many German workers had joined trade unions?
Over 3 million
What did the Social Democratic party (SPD) believe in the German Empire?
Socialism, Reichstag making social and workers’ reforms, disliked privilege of land, factory owners
How many Germans voted for the Social Democratic Party in the German Empire?
Around 1/3
When were a series of German Empire Navy Laws introduced?
1898 - 1912
What powers did the Kaiser have?
He could ignore government advice, made all military and foreign policy decisions
How did Germany pay for the Navy Laws it passed?
Taxes were increased, money was borrowed
What were the results of the German Empire’s Navy Laws?
The navy increased in size, army expanded
When did Wilhelm become Kaiser?
1888
How old was Wilhelm when he became Kaiser?
29
Who was Kaiser Wilhelm II grandson of?
Brtain’s Queen Victoria
Who was Kaiser Wilhelm II cousin of?
Britain’s King George V
What did many workers do in Imperial Germany to achieve better conditions? (2 things)
Join trade unions and organise strikes
What group of influential individuals wanted to preserve their positions of influence in Imperial Germany?
Land, business and factory owners and noble army officers
What does Weltpolitik mean?
“World policy”
What was Weltpolitik?
The foreign policy of the German Empire under Kaiser Wilhelm II, aimed at turning Germany into a world power
Who fought against who in World War I initially?
Germany and Austria-Hungary went to war against France, Britain, Russia, Belgium and Serbia
How many women demanded they wanted their men back in 1915 in front of the German parliament buildings?
500
How many workers demonstrated in Berlin in 1916?
10,000
When did German Army General Ludendorff state Germany could not win the war and advise the Kaiser to make the country more democratic?
October
When did the German navy in Kiel mutiny?
28th October 1918
When did Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicate?
9th November 1918
When did Germany surrender in World War I?
11th November 1918
Who took over Germany temporarily after Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated?
Friedrich Ebert, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD)
What was the largest political party when Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated?
The Social Democratic Party (SPD)
What were the major effects of World War I on Germany?
Germany was virtually bankrupt, politically unstable, and society was divided further
Why had World War I made Germany virtually bankrupt?
Owed lots of money borrowed to pay for war, lent some money to its allies, factories were exhausted not producing goods to make money, war pensions would cost fortune
Why had World War I divided German society further?
Some factory owners made fortune during war while workers’ wages restricted; women worked in factories, some thought damaging to tradition
Why had World War I made Germany more politically unstable?
Mutiny and revolution all over Germany, many ex-soldiers and civilians felt politicians betrayed Germany by ending war
What was the Spartacus League?
A political group of communists who wanted Germany to be run by small councils of soldiers and workers
When did the Spartacus League revolt occur?
6th January 1919
What was the Free Corps?
A group of ex-soldiers who came home from World War I and hated the Spartacists and communists in general
How many Free Corps individuals were sent to suppress the Spartacus League revolt by Friedrich Ebert?
2000
How did Friedrich Ebert respond to the Spartacus League revolt in Berlin?
He sent in the Free Corps to suppress it
Who were the Sparticist leaders?
Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht
What did the Free Corps do with the 2 Sparticist leaders?
They beat them and murdered them
When did Friedrich Ebert hold the election he had promised?
Late January 1919
Which party won the German election in late January 1919, and who became President?
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) won and Friedrich Ebert became German President
For how many days did the Free Corps fight the Spartacists in Berlin?
3 days
Where did Friedrich Ebert, as German President, and the newly elected politicians in the late-January 1919 election meet up?
Weimar
When did Friedrich Ebert, after being elected German President, meet with the newly-elected politicians?
11th February 1919
What were the main beliefs of Communists?
Everyone (men and women) are equal with no classes and great wealth differences, no private property, little need for money, laws, and eventually governments at all
When and where did communist uprisings occur in Germany other than the Spartacus League revolt which the Free Corps ended?
Bavaria in May 1919, in the Ruhr in March 1920
What did Friedrich Ebert and other politicians who met up in Weimar discuss?
How to run Germany
What were some things communists did in Russia after taking control?
Took land from landlords, gave to peasants; put banks and factories under government control; murdered Russian royal family
When was the Weimar Constitution created?
1919
Women over which age could vote in the Weimar Republic?
20
Between which two dates did no political party ever win a majority of votes?
1919 - 1933
How many parties sometimes argued over a single issue in the Weimar Republic?
Over 20
Why was proportional representation a weakness (in a way) of the Weimar Republic?
Many different parties could win seats, meaning decision-making often required cooperation between multiple parties, slowing it down
What was a weakness of the Weimar Republic relating to its support from the people?
Some older army generals, judges, upper-class families, rich factory owners, university professors wished for the days when Kaiser ruled Germany
What was a weakness of the Weimar Republic relating to Germany’s surrender in World War I?
The system was linked to surrender at end of WWI and politicians who lost war changed way country was ruled
What did some Germans call the politicians who had lost the war (and created the Weimar Republic)?
“November Criminals”
How often was the President of the Weimar Republic elected?
Every 7 years
What powers did the President of the Weimar Republic have over the military?
They controlled the army, navy and airforce
Did the President of the Weimar Republic run the country day-to-day?
No
What did Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution allow the Weimar President to do?
Issue emergency decrees (laws) in crisis without support of Reichstag
How was the Chancellor of the Weimar Republic chosen?
Chosen by President (usually from party with most votes in election)
What did the Chancellor of the Weimar Republic do?
Ran the country day-to-day
What were some things the Chancellor of the Weimar Republic was responsible for?
Law and order, taxation, schooling, healthcare
What did the Chancellor of the Weimar Republic require to introduce new laws?
Support of at least half the politicians / MPs in the Reichstag
What was the role of the Reichstag of the Weimar Republic?
It discussed and introduced laws
How often were members of the Reichstag elected?
Every 4 years
What was the voting system used to determine the number of MPs each political party had in the Reichstag in the Weimar Republic?
Proportional representation
How did proportional representation work in the Reichstag of the Weimar Republic?
The number of MPs each political party had in the Reichstag was based on the number of votes they had (10% votes = 10% seats)
Who could vote in the Weimar Republic?
All men and women over 20
Who did the German people elect in the Weimar Republic?
The President and politicians in the Reichstag
What freedoms did the constitution guarantee the German people in the Weimar Republic?
Basic freedoms, like free speech
What were the main German political parties in the Weimar Republic?
Communist Party (KPD); Social Democratic Party (SPD); Germany Democratic Party (DDP); Centre Party (Zentrum); People’s Party (DVP); National People’s Party (DNVP); National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP or Nazis)
Who were the supporters of the Communist Party (KPD) in the Weimar Republic?
Working class
Who were the supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the Weimar Republic?
Mostly working class
Who were the supporters of the German Democratic Party (DDP) in the Weimar Republic?
Middle class (lawyers, writers, etc.)
Who were the supporters of the Centre Party (Zentrum) in the Weimar Republic?
Catholics from all classes (Southern Germany mainly Catholic)
Who were the supporters of the People’s Party (DVP) in the Weimar Republic?
Middle class, mainly businessmen
Who were the supporters of the National People’s Party (DNVP) in the Weimar Republic?
Middle and upper classes, some ex-soldiers
Who were the supporters of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP, Nazis)?
Unemployed, mainly ex-soldiers, some support from middle and upper classes who feared communists
Which of the main German political parties in the Weimar Republic were anti-republic?
Communist Party (KPD), National People’s Party (DNVP), National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP, Nazis)
Which of the main German political parties in the Weimar Republic were pro-republic?
Social Democratic Party (SPD), German Democratic Party (DDP), Centre Party (Zentrum), People’s Party (DVP)
What was the specific attitude of the People’s Party (DVP) to the republic in the Weimar Republic?
Pro-republic, but would like a return to having a Kaiser in future
What were the policies of the Communist Party (KPD)?
Thought Germany should be communist country run by workers’ councils, no parliament
What were the policies of the Social Democratic Party (SPD)?
Believed everyone was equal, wanted democracy and reforms to help workers
What were the policies of the German Democratic Party (DDP)?
Believed in individual freedom (eg: right to hold peaceful meetings, freedom of speech)
What were the policies of the Centre Party (Zentrum)?
Supported interests and beliefs of Catholic Church
What were the policies of the People’s Party (DVP)?
Supported any policy that promoted trade and industry (to make money)
What were the policies of the National People’s Party (DNVP)?
Wanted strong government, perhaps led by one strong politician or Kaiser again
What were the policies of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP, Nazis)?
Wanted Germany to be powerful nation, having strong military again; hated communism as it stated all people equal, believed some races and nations better than others
Who were the main winning Allies in WWI?
France, Great Britain, the USA
When did the winning Allies announce what would happen to Germany after WWI?
March 1919
What did the Treaty of Versailles state about Germany’s fault in the war and its reparations?
The war was Germany’s fault, so Germany must pay for its cost (set later at £6.6 billion)
What did the Treaty of Versailles state about how the reparations were to be paid?
Paid to the winners in installments, lasting until 1988
What did the Treaty of Versailles state about the German military?
Germany should have a small army (100,000 soldiers), small navy (6 battleships); no submarines, tanks or airforce
What did the Treaty of Versailles state about colonies?
Germany must hand over its colonies abroad to the winning countries
What did the Treaty of Versailles make the Rhineland?
A demilitarised zone
What did it mean for the Treaty of Versailles to make the Rhineland a demilitarised zone?
No German soldiers should enter the Rhineland
What did the Treaty of Versailles state about Germany and Austria?
Germany must never unite with Austria
What were European territories Germany lost due to the Treaty of Versailles?
Alsace and Lorraine, Eupen and Malmedy, North Schleswig, Eastern Upper Silesia, the Polish Corridor, Danzig
What happened to Danzig after World War I?
It was put under League of Nations control
What happened to Western Upper Silesia after World War I?
It was a plebiscite area which voted to remain part of Germany
What were new countries created which Germany lost territory to due to the Treaty of Versailles?
Poland, Czechoslovakia
Which nation did the Treaty of Versailles give Alsace and Lorraine to?
France
Which nation did the Treaty of Versailles give Eupen and Malmedy to?
Belgium
Which nation did the Treaty of Versailles give North Schleswig to?
Denmark
Which nation did the Treaty of Versailles give the Polish Corridor and Eastern Upper Silesia to?
Poland
Why did the Germans hate the Treaty of Versailles?
Felt it was too harsh; forced to sign it; believed Germany could have continued fighting, betrayed by politicians ending war
What did Germans call the Treaty of Versailles because they were forced to sign it and what did this mean?
Diktat, dictated peace
When did the German government sign the Treaty of Versailles?
28th June 1919
in 1921, how much money was it specified that Germany had to pay in reparations to the winning countries of WWI?
£6.6 billion (132 billion gold marks)
For how long was Germany told to pay reparations to the winners of WWI in 1921?
66 years
In 1921, how many gold marks did Germany give to France and Belgium?
2 billion gold marks
In what form did Germany pay reparations to France and Belgium in 1921?
Some payment in gold, most in goods like coal, iron, wood
When did Germany announce it couldn’t afford pay the next reparation payment for WWI?
1922
How did France and Belgium react to Germany failing to pay reparations in 1922?
They marched soldiers into the Ruhr in 1923
When did French and Belgian soldiers march into the Ruhr?
January 1923
How many French and Belgian soldiers marched into the Ruhr?
60,000
What did French and Belgian soldiers do in the Ruhr?
Took control of all factories, mines and railways in region; took food and goods from shops; arrested any German who stood up
How did the German government respond to the French and Belgian Occupation of the Ruhr (what did it tell them not to do)?
Ordered workers to not fight back, but go on strike and not help soldiers remove goods from country (passive resistance)
How did French and Belgian soldiers respond to the strikers in the Ruhr during their occupation?
Over 100 strikers were killed, 15,000 people thrown out of homes as punishment
What did the German government do to help the workers striking in the Ruhr during the French and Belgian occupation of it?
Printed large amounts of money to pay striking workers
What cycle did the German government printing money to pay its striking workers in the Ruhr during the French and Belgian occupation begin?
Workers spent money quickly, shopkeepers put up prices, government printed more money for people to buy things, cycle repeated
What was the rapid increasing of prices in Germany in 1923 called?
Hyperinflation
What was the price of a loaf of bread in Germany in 1918, 1921, 1922, 1923 January, 1923 July, 1923 September, 1923 November? (in marks)
1918 - 0.6; 1921 - 4; 1922 - 163; 1923 January - 250; 1923 July - 3456; 1923 September - 1,512,000; 1923 November - 201,000,000,000
What was the price of one egg in Germany in 1914, 1921, 1922, 1923 July, 1923 September, 1923 November? (in marks)
1914 - 0.9; 1921 - 0.6; 1922 - 7; 1923 July - 5000; 1923 September - 4,000,000; 1923 November - 320,000,000,000
Who suffered and benefited from hyperinflation in Germany?
Suffered: people with savings, elderly people on fixed pensions, many small businesses Benefited: People who borrowed money
What were the consequences of hyperinflation in Germany?
Germans suffered greatly, government lost lots of support, German money became worthless
What were left-wing beliefs?
Workers rule country, equality with no different classes and wealth differences, change is welcome, left-wing views spread worldwide, anti-right-wing
What were right-wing beliefs?
Strong leader rules; should be major differences between people, classes, races; own country should be strong with empire, change not welcome, anti-left-wing
Who led the Kapp Putsch?
Right-wing politician and journalist Wolfgang Kapp
When did the Kapp Putsch occur?
13th - 17th March 1920
What forces were involved in the Kapp Putsch?
Around 5,000 men (Free Corps), mainly police and ex-soldiers
What occurred during the Kapp Putsch?
Kapp took over Berlin, President Ebert and government fled from Berlin, workers went on strike, after 100 hours Kapp fled abroad and government returned
What did the strike during the Kapp Putsch cause (services denied)?
No gas, water, electricity, trains
When did the Red Rising in the Ruhr occur?
March - April 1920
How did the government respond to the Red Rising in the Ruhr?
Sent soldiers and some Free Corps to deal with rebellion
How many workers were killed in the Red Rising in the Ruhr and the government’s response?
Over 1,000
How many political murders were there between 1919 and 1922?
Over 350
When was Matthias Erzberger killed?
August 1921
How was Matthias Erzberger killed?
He was shot dead
Who was Matthias Erzberger?
The German politician who signed the armistice in 1918
Who was Walter Rathenau?
The German Foreign Minister
When was Walter Rathenau killed?
June 1922
Who was Philipp Scheidemann?
An important politician in the Weimar government
When was the “Rhineland Republic” set up?
October 1923
When was “Free Palatinate” set up?
November 1923
When did the Putsch of the Black Reichswehr occur?
1st October 1923
When was there a worker’s rising in Plauen?
April 1920
When was there a worker’s rising in Halle?
March 1921
Which state governments were taken over by Communists / Socialists?
Thuringia and Saxony
When was Adolf Hitler born?
1889
When did Adolf Hitler die?
1945
By what year had both of Hitler’s parents died?
1907
When was Hitler injured in WWI?
October 1918
What did Hitler do in WWI?
Worked mainly as a messenger, fought in many battles
When did Hitler first discover the German Workers’ Party?
May 1919
What newspaper did Hitler persuade his party to buy?
Munich Observer
What were key changes Hitler made to the German Workers’ Party?
Designed new flag with swastika; established Stormtroopers (SA), party’s private army; changed party name to National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP)
How many members did the Nazi Party have in 1920 and 1921?
1920 - 3000, 1921 - 5000
What was the Munich Putsch, who perpetrated it, when did it occur?
Attempted putsch; Hitler, Nazis and SA perpetrated it; 8th - 9th November 1923
Who died during the gun battle of the Munich Putsch?
3 policemen, 16 Nazis
How long did Hitler stay in prison for the Munich Putsch and when was he released?
Served 9 months, released in December 1924
How long did Hitler’s trial last after the Munich Putsch?
24 days
When did Hitler live in Vienna?
Between 1907 and 1913
What were the punishments for Ludendorff and Hitler after the Munich Putsch?
Ludendorff set free, Hitler sent to prison for 5 years
What was Mein Kampf (My Struggle)?
A book written by Hitler in prison describing his life, political and racial views
What is the timeline of Stresemann’s political career and death?
Member of German parliament since 1907; Chancellor in 1923; German Foreign Minister from 1924 - 1929, died in 1929
What 4 major issues did Stresemann solve?
Hyperinflation crisis; Ruhr Occupation and reparations; Declined global status; Economic and industrial issues
How did Stresemann solve the hyperinflation crisis?
Stopped printing old currency, replaced with Rentenmark, in 1924 Rentenmark replaced with Reichsmark which remained for 25 years
How did Stresemann solve the issue of the Ruhr Occupation and reparations?
Dawes Plan: organised for US to lend 800 million gold marks to Germany to re-start payments; troops left Ruhr, Young Plan: Stresemann negotiated reparations down from £6.6 billion to £1.8 billion
How did Stresemann improve Germany’s international status?
1925 Germany signed Locarno Pact with Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, never to invade each other, joined League of Nations in 1926, signed Kellogg-Briand Pact in 1928 where countries agreed never to go to war unless in self-defence
How did Stresemann improve the German economy?
Used borrowed US money to build factories, houses, schools, roads, giving more jobs, more money earned, some American companies (like Ford, Gillette) built factories in Germany
How did the sale of radios change in Germany?
1 million in 1926 to 4 million in 1932
How did the vote share of the Nazis change from 1924 to 1928?
5% of Germans’ vote in 1924, around 2% in 1928
When was Germany’s Golden Age?
1924 - 1929
What happened in Cinema during Germany’s Golden Age?
Cinema popularity, Metropolis by Fritz Lang most technically advanced film of decade, German-born actress Marlene Dietrich played strong women
What happened to nightlife during Germany’s Golden Age?
Kurt Weill’s The Threepenny Opera adapted by Bertolt Brecht popular, Berlin famous for nightclubs, “transvestite evenings”
What happened to literature during Germany’s Golden Age?
120 newspapers and magazines to choose from, All Quiet on the Western Front sold 0.5 million copies in 3 months
What happened to art and design in Germany’s Golden Age?
Avant-garde artists like Otto Dix and George Grosz believed art should show reality, Bauhaus designers believed in practical designs over elaborate ones
How did some Germans negatively reacts to the cultural changes and what happened when the Nazis took power?
Some wanted culture to celebrate older values, Berlin viewed by some as corrupt and sex-obsessed, many Weimar artists and performers fled when Hitler took power
