Germany 1918-45 Flashcards
What were the causes of the German Revolution?
Failure of WW1
Public hardship caused by the war
Russia had overthrown their emperor and replaced with a Dictatorship
When was the German Revolution?
1918
What happened during the German Revolution?
German sailors refused to set sail and took over the dockyard
In Bavaria workers marched on Munich - ruler fled, was now a people state
Kaiser got sacked by ministers and the SPD became the new government
Ebert became Chancellor
What were the effects of the German Revolution?
They were able to agree to an armistice
New rules for running the country were made in Weimar - the state became known as the Weimar Republic
What were the terms of the armistice?
Germany had to withdraw from all land won the war
Pull troops 30 miles from the border
Surrender munitions
Put the Navy under allied control
What were the strengths of the new constitution?
Germany was more democratic
More people voted due to elections every 4 years
Power was shared between Chancellor and President
Two houses in new parliament - Reichstag and Reichsrat
What were the weaknesses of the new constitution?
Parties with few votes got seats in the Reichstag
Making decisions was hard due to so many parties in the Reichstag
Chancellor often had to rule by decree (Article 48)
Extreme parties and moderate Germans didn’t support it
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
1919
What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?
Reparations of £6.6 million to be paid Lost colonies Military forces were cut German troops removed from the Rhineland Land was taken away
What were the reactions to the Treaty of Versailles?
They called it a “diktat” as they weren’t invited to negotiations just told what to do
They didn’t think they deserved such harsh treatment
They felt stabbed in the back as the army were ready to go out and fight when the “November criminals” signed the treaty
What were the effects of the Treaty of Versailles?
Harmed Germany’s economy
Weakened popularity of the new constitution
Stirred up political protest
When was the Spartacist League?
1919
Who ran the Spartacist League?
Communists
What did Luxemburg and Liebknecht do ? (The Spartacist League)
Demonstrates in Berlin taking over key buildings
Eg. News shops
Who did Ebert use to put down the Spartacist Uprisings?
The Freikorps
