Germany-1899-1923 Flashcards
What were the Naval Laws?
A collection of laws set in place by Kaiser Wilhelm to rebuild and strengthen the Navy started in 1898 and running onwards to 1912.
Why did the Kaiser want a larger Navy?
- To beat Britain and be on their level
- Wanted to protect the Prussian empire
- Wanted to expand his empire
What were the problems of the Naval Laws?
- Made people start seeing Germany as more of a threat (WW1)
- Needed more money so taxes needed to be raised
What was Weltpolitik?
‘World Policy’- Wanting an empire of their own
Who was the Kaiser?
- Wilhelm II
- Not popular
- Had complete control of the government
What was the impact of WW1?
- Fuel/food shortages
- Inequality
- Flu epidemic
- Bankruptcy due to all the industrial growth required initially.
When did the Kaiser abdicate?
November 9th 1918
What was the Weimar Republic?
-A more democratic government with levels of control
What were the four tiers of people in the Weimar Republic?
- President (elected every 7 years)
- Chancellor (Chosen by president but must have Reichstag support)
- Reichstag (elected through proportional representation)
- The people (anyone over 20 could vote)
What was Article 48?
The ability that the president could make emergency laws and rule directly in times of crisis
Name one political uprising?
-Spartacist uprising- Wanted to copy the communist uprising in Russia both leaders got executed.
Who were the leaders of the Spartacist?
-Rosa Luxembourg/Karl Leibkneckt
What did Germany lose in the Treaty of Versailles?
- Stripped of any strength
- Lost 70,000 km of land
- Army was restricted to 100,000
- Had to accept blame for War
- Had to pay £6.6 billion to the allies
What did America want out of the Treaty?
- Wanted Democracy
- Wanted to set up league of nations
What did France want out of the Treaty?
- Wanted Alsace Lorraine
- Wanted money
- Army reduced/Rhineland demilitarized
What did the UK want in the Treaty?
- Wanted someone to blame
- Money/resume trade
- Cut Navy down and take away colonies
Why did people hate the Treaty?
- Loss of German pride
- People couldn’t afford to pay
- It made the war feel even more like a waste
What was the Ruhr invasion?
When Germany couldn’t make reparations so French and Belgium stormed their industrial area. Ended by workers striking so no more materials could be made.
What is Hyperinflation?
When prices and wages go up at a rate that money becomes worthless
What caused Hyperinflation?
Not being able to make reparations caused the government to print more money to try and pay it back and pay workers. Money starts to lose its value.
Negative Consequences of Hyperinflation?
- Savings became worthless
- Unemployment
- Food shortages
- Small businesses bankrupt
- Weimar government blamed
What was the Munich Putsch?
Hitler trying to overtake and seize power by starting in a Beer Hall and announcing their power.
Why did Hitler think they would succeed?
- German was in chaos
- Weimar Government was weak
- Thought the Nazis were strong enough
How did Hitler succeed
-Gave him publicity
Positive Consequences of Hyperinflation?
- Debts gone
- Big business thrived (if you’re a capitalist)
What was the Munich Putsch?
Hitler/Nazis stormed a beer hall in Munich and announced they were going to seize power in 1923.
Why did Hitler think he would succeed?
- Germany was in chaos
- Government weak
- Thought the Nazis were strong enough (they were not)
How was the Putsch a success for Hitler?
- Publicity
- Wrote his book in prison
- Became a good public speaker
How was the putsch a failure for Hitler?
- He went to prison and was put on trial
- It was poorly organised
- Several injuries
