Germany Chapter 3- Weimar democracy Flashcards
Germany 1890-1945
When was the the Kapp Putsch?
March 1920
What was the Kapp Putsch?
-Right-wing politician Wolfgang Kapp led around 5000 Free Corps men to seize Berlin.
-Kapp aimed to take over Germany & reverse land losses from the TofV
-President Ebert & government fled; workers’ strike paralyzed utilities.
-Kapp’s leadership lasted only 100 hours; he fled, allowing Ebert’s return.
When did a significant number of political assassinations occur in Germany, and who were mainly responsible for them?
-Between 1919 & 1922, over 350 political murders occurred in Germany, primarily by right-wing extremists.
Why were these political assassinations carried out?
-The assassins aimed to eliminate individuals perceived responsible for the TofV
Who was Matthias Erzberger?
-signed the armistice in 1918
-was assassinated by a right-wing group in August 1921.
Who was Walter Rathenau?
-the Foreign Minister & was assassinated by a right-wing group in 1922.
Who was Philipp Scheidemann?
-important Weimar politician
-was attacked with acid by the same right-wing group as Foreign Minister Walter Rathenau.
When was the Red Rising in the Ruhr?
March 1920. after the Kapp Putsch
What was the Red Rising in the Ruhr, and who participated in it?
-The Red Rising was a rebellion by left-wing workers in the industrial Ruhr region.
-They took over several towns as part of the uprising.
How did the government respond to the Red Rising?
-The government dispatched soldiers & Free Corps units to suppress the rebellion.
What were the casualties of the Red Rising?
-Over 1000 workers were killed during the conflict.
When was the Munich Putsch?
November 1923
What was the Munich Putsch?
-Hitler & the Nazis attempted to seize control of the Bavarian government in southern Germany.
Why did Hitler initiate the Munich Putsch?
Hitler aimed to:
-overturn the Treaty of Versailles
-eliminate communism
-restore Germany’s national glory.
How did Hitler plan to execute the Munich Putsch?
Hitler planned to:
-capture Munich & then march on Berlin
-intending to seize control of the government.
What were the consequences of the Munich Putsch?
-Hitler & Ludendorff, a former First World War general & Nazi supporter, were arrested.
What occurred during the Munich Putsch?
-Hitler & around 2000 supporters marched through Munich & were met by armed police.
-A short gun battle ensued, resulting in the deaths of three policemen & 16 Nazis.
What were some of the conditions in Germany following World War I?
-Millions of ordinary Germans were impoverished & malnourished due to the war’s impact.
What were some criticisms directed towards the Weimar government?
- GER criticized Weimar politicians, calling them ‘November Criminals’, for agreeing to the armistice & harsh Treaty of Versailles terms. T
-saw the Weimar government as ineffective & unable to solve Germany’s issues.
What years were The Stresemann era?
1924-1929
Who was Gustav Stresemann?
-Gustav Stresemann was a prominent figure credited with Germany’s recovery during the Stresemann era.
-He served as Germany’s Foreign Minister from 1924 until his death in 1929.
How did Gustav Stresemann address the hyperinflation crisis in Germany?
- Stopped printing bank notes
- Introduced a temporary currency called the Rentenmark, replaced by the stable Reichsmark in 1924
- Hyperinflation ended, but those who lost savings never recovered their money, leading to blame on Stresemann.
How did Gustav Stresemann address French and Belgian troops in the Ruhr in Germany?
-He arranged for the USA to lend Germany money.
-This restarted reparation payments under the Dawes Plan.
-As a result, French & Belgian troops left the Ruhr.
-Some Germans criticized Stresemann for not demanding an end to reparations.
-Stresemann later negotiated reduced payments through the Young Plan in 1929.
What was the Dawes Plan?
- It was a plan where the USA lent Germany 800 million gold marks.
- This facilitated the restart of reparation payments.
What was the Young Plan?
-negotiation led by Gustav Stresemann in 1929 that aimed to reduce Germany’s total reparation payments
What measures did Stresemann undertake for economic recovery in Germany?
-Used borrowed money from US to build new factories, houses, schools & roads
-Resulted in increased employment opportunities & higher earnings for Germans
-Raised concerns about overreliance on American loans, even acknowledged by Stresemann
What were some key foreign policy initiatives undertaken by Germany in the 1920s?
-Signed the Locarno Pact in 1925 with Britain, France, Belgium, and Italy, pledging mutual non-aggression.
-Joined the League of Nations in 1926, from which Germany had been previously banned.
-Signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact in 1928, committing to renounce war except in self-defense.
-Despite criticism, Stresemann’s policies restored Germany’s international standing without reclaiming lost territory.
What year was the Locarno Pact signed?
1925
When did Germany join the League of Nations?
1926
What year did Germany sign the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
1928
What was the Locarno Pact?
-Signed in 1925.
-Involved Germany, Britain, France, Belgium, & Italy.
-Committed parties to refrain from invading each other.
-Symbolized Germany’s reintegration into European diplomacy after World War I.
What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
-an international agreement signed in 1928 by Germany & other nations
-renouncing war as a means of resolving disputes except in cases of self-defense.
When did Stresemann die?
1929
What were some ongoing problems faced by the Weimar Republic after Stresemann’s death?
-Numerous political parties caused governmental inefficiency due to disagreements.
-Extreme political factions like the Nazis and Communists opposed the Weimar system.
-Many Germans, including farmers and the middle class, suffered from poverty, exacerbated by the hyperinflation of 1923.
-German prosperity relied heavily on American loans, raising concerns about repayment.
Describe Weimar culture in the 1920s.
- Flourishing creativity and experimentation among German artists, writers, and performers after the removal of strict entertainment controls under the Kaiser.
Weimar cinema in the 1920s
- Cinema saw a surge in popularity.
- “Netropolis,” directed by Fritz Lang, emerged as the most technologically advanced film of the era.
- Marlene Dietrich, a German-born actress, achieved global stardom portraying glamorous and strong-willed female characters.
Weimar nightlife in the 1920s
-Germany thrived as a cultural hotspot with new plays, operas & shows.
-Musicians performed politically charged songs previously banned.
-Berlin adopted American jazz, shaping its lively nightlife.
Weimar literature in 1920s
-All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Remarque
-Bestseller during the period with 120 newspapers and magazines available
Weimar art and design in the 1920s
-Avant-garde artists like Otto Dix and George Grosz emphasized portraying everyday life & social class differences in art.
-Bauhaus group advocated for modern & practical designs in design and architecture.
Avant-garde
New and experimental ideas & methods in art, music & literature.
How did different groups react to cultural changes in Germany?
-Some embraced them, while others opposed them, desiring a celebration of traditional values.
-Critics believed the new cultural scene, including nightclubs and art, was leading to moral decline.
-The Nazis, particularly under Hitler’s rule from 1933, harshly suppressed these changes
