Germany Flashcards
How many German troops killed in WW2
2 Million
When did kaiser wilhelm abdicate
9th nov 1918
Who became the first chancellor of the weimar republic and what party did he represent
Ebert, SDP (social democratic party)
What did Ebert do as he gained power
Suspended the Reichstag and formed a council of peoples representatives
When was the Armistice signed
11th November 1918
What was the ‘stab in the back’ theory
The idea that the German government had betrayed its people by signing the treaty of versailles.
What did Ebert announce elections for after the end of ww2
The national assembly
All men and women could vote over the age of…
20
Was the national assembly vote a success? If so, why?
Yes. 83% of eligible candidates voted
SDP one majority vote
When was the Weimar constitution written
July 1919
What did the Weimar constitution say?
There would be a president, chancellor, parliament and ellectorate
Strengths of the weimar constitution
Democratic
Proportional representation
Provided balance
Army controlled by president so minor parties could not start wars
Weaknesses of the weimar constitution
Proportional representation caused parties to argue and not make decisions
Caused bigger parties to form coalitions
Article 48 was abused due to decisions not being reached
Who were the november criminals and why were they given this name?
The government officials who signed the treaty of versailles. They were seen to have betrayed (stabbed in the back) the people.
When was the treaty of versailles signed?
June 1919
Land policies in the treaty of versailles:
East Prussia given to poland
Alsace-Lorraine given to France
Poland and Czech must be given independence
Army policies in the Treaty of Versailles:
100k men
6 battleships
No airforce
No tanks
Demilitarise the Rhineland
Economic terms of the Treaty of Versailles
£6.6 billion in reparations
Blame in the Treaty of Versailles:
Article 231 states Germany accept responsibility for all loss and damage in the war
When was the Spartacist uprising?
January 1919
Who lead the Spartacist uprising?
Rosa Luxembourg
What buildings did Spartacists seize
Newspaper and communications buildings.
Who did Ebert turn to to stop the Spartacists?
The Freikorps.
How many communists were killed during the Spartacists uprising?
100
Who lead the Kapp Putsch?
Wolfgang Kapp
When was the Kapp Putsch?
March 1920
Why did the Kapp Putsch fail?
Ebert convinced workers to strike which meant that the Putsch could not continue.
When was the invasion of the Ruhr?
January 1923
Why did Hyperinflation happen?
The government were printing too much money.
How much did a loaf of bread cost during hyperinflation?
200 thousand billion marks
Who benefitted from hyperinflation?
Farmers
People with debt
Businesses with fixed rent
Who lost from hyperinflation?
Fixed income workers
People with pensions
People with savings
When was Stressemann appointed as chancellor?
August 1923
Name of the currency Stresseman implemented?
Rentenmark
What was the name of the bank that Stressemann founded?
The Reichbank
When was the Dawes plan
1924
What were the terms of the Dawes plan?
Reparations were reduced to 1 billion for the first year and 2.5 after 5 years.
When was the Young plan?
1929
What were the terms of the Young plan?
Total cost of reparations from £6.6 billion -> £2 billion, and the period to pay was elongated until 1988
When was the Locarno pact?
1925
What was the Locarno Pact?
Solidified treaty of Versailles terms and allowed Germany to apply to join League of Nations
What was promised in the Locarno pact by Germany?
They would not invade France
What award was Stressemann given for his efforts to restore Germany?
The nobel Peace prize.
When was the Kellog-Briand pact?
1928
What was agreed in the Kellog-Briand pact?
No countries would use war to achieve their aims.
How much did extremist party support reduce by from 1924-28
From 40%-28%
When did Ebert die?
1925
Who was Ebert replaced by?
Von Hindenburg; moderate and former field marshal
How many houses were built by the weimar republic to help fix the economy?
100k
Why were workers charged 3% of their wage?
As insurance for unemployment
How much did education improve during the Weimar republic?
60% more students in higher education.
Changed for women in the Weimar Republic:
Could vote
Could stand for election
10% of the Reichstag were women
Women could enter all professions
When was the Munich Putsch?
November 1923
How many SA members were killed in the Munich Putsch?
14
How long was Hitler sentenced to prison for, and how long did he actually go for?
5 year sentence; served 9 months
What did Hitler do in Prison?
Wrote Mein Kampf.
What did Mein Kampf talk about?
Antisemitism, perfect German family, supremacy of the Aryan race, ignore the Treaty of Versailles, Getrid of democracy
Who was in control of the SS?
Himmler
When was the Bamburg conference?
1926
What happened during the Bamburg conference?
The Nazis reorganised after Hitler was back. Removed all socialism from the party.
When was the Wall Street crash?
october 1929
How many were unemployed during the great depression?
6 million by 1932
Who was The hunger Chancellor and why did he get this name!
Burning. Cut unemployment benefits and raised taxes.
What article was used for emergency power to the chancellor?
Article 48.
When was Hitler made chancellor?
January 1933
When was the Reichstag fire?
February 1933
Who set the Reichstag on fire and what was he?
Van-der-Lubbe, communist
Why was the Reichstag fire an opportunity for Hitler?
He could use it as propaganda against communists and use article 48 to gain emergency power.
The enabling act:
All laws could be made by Hitler
Removed power of the Reichstag
Banned all other political parties
When was the night of the long knives?
1934
What did Hitler do on the night of the long knives?
Met with Rohm and 100 SA soldiers in a hotel, killed them all.
Why was Hindenburg’s death important?
Because he hated Hitler, and now Hitler could declare himself Fuhrer
