Germany In Transition (1919-1939) - The Impact Of The First World War Flashcards
What had Germany previously been like?
25 separate states
Prussia in the West was the dominant state
The Kaiser, Chancellor and army were from Prussia
Bavaria had not wanted to join new Germany, preferred Austria
What was the government like before World War One?
Ruled by a Kaiser from Prussia who chose a Chancellor for government
What was the German Empire like?
The Kaiser was jingoistic and wanted to expand the German Empire
Wanted to rival British navy
What was the German economy like?
Strong economy based on new industries such as coal, chemical, automotive
What were the German people like?
A lot of groups felt overlooked or underrepresented
What were social problems in 1918? (9)
Low morale
Public hidden from truth of fighting
Soldiers don’t know about chaos at home
In Munich, there was an uprising led by communist Kurt Eisner
Struggle to import or export goods
Food and resources shortages
Not enough basic supplies
Disease
Workers at Daimler plant went on strike and demonstrated
What were military problems in 1918?
Soldiers feel betrayed
In Kiel and Hamburg naval crews mutinied
Not enough soldiers
Soldiers refusing to follow orders
On brink of civil war
In Hannover, soldiers refused to control rioters
British blockading ports
War still on
What were political problems in 1918? (6)
Kaiser abdicates
Surrender
People refusing to obey government
Government not being truthful
Government can’t control anyone
Losing-need to surrender
What is a constitution?
Basic rules of how a country will be governed
Who was the President?
Supreme commander of the Army
Elected every 7 years could dismiss and call elections
Who was the Chancellor?
Chosen by President
Chief minister
Had to have support of majority of Reichstag
Leader of largest party
What was Article 48?
President could suspend the constitution in an emergency
He could make laws and keep Chancellor in office without support of Reichstag
What was the Reichstrat?
55 representatives from 18 states. Could not make laws but could approve laws proposed by the Chancellor and Reichstag.
Who could vote?
Anyone over 20
What was proportional representation?
An electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them
Who were the Allies World War 1?
Britain, France, Italy, USA, Russia
A desperate attack on which city in 1918 failed?
Paris
What was Germanys hope in 1914? (6)
Independence
Respect
Strong alliances
Strong, ambitious and proud
What were the conditions of the Armistice? (6)
Surrender all submarines and naval ships
Buffer zone 4 miles wide in the Rhineland
Promise of repayment
Neutralise ports
Hand over everything in working condition
Hand over guns, trench mortars and aeroplanes
Why was the Weimar government created?
Classless system for representation and stability
What were strengths of the Weimar?
Men and women over 20 could vote
Every vote counted
Each local area represented
Strong President needed
Chancellor had to have support from majority of Reichstag
What were weaknesses of the Weimar? (5)
Coalitions were common = instability
Hard to form majority
State governments could oppose national government
Traditional upper classes wanted Kaiser back and disliked the Weimar government
Article 48 too much power
What did the Extreme left want in 1918?
Rapid social change
Everyone is equal
Political power to workers
Oppose capitalism
Abolish private land and business
Internationalist
What did the extreme right want in 1918?
Stable society
Strong government
Powerful leaders
Private land and business
Nationalist
Fascist
Wanted Kaiser back
