History Module 4 - The Weimar Republic

Question 1

Describe the reactions of France and Belgium when Germany failed to pay reparations in 1922.

Answer 1

1. Imposed economic sanctions.
2. Occupied the Ruhr region in January 1923.
3. Seized control of industries, railways, and resources.
4. Encountered passive resistance from the German population.

Question 1

What were the main features of the Weimar Constitution?

Answer 1

1. Established democratic federal republic.
2. A comprehensive bill of rights guaranteeing civil liberties.
3. Significant powers for the President, including appointing the Chancellor.
4. Included Article 48, allowing presidential emergency powers.

Question 2

What was the Dawes Plan?

Answer 2

1. A plan to restructure Germany’s World War I reparations.
2. Involved American loans to stabilize the German economy.
3. Increased foreign oversight of key German industries.
4. Contributed to economic stabilization in Germany and Europe.

Question 3

Who was Rosa Luxemburg?

Answer 3

1. A Marxist theorist and socialist philosopher.
2. An active participant in socialist and communist movements in Germany and Poland.
3. A co-founder of the Spartacist League, which later evolved into the Communist Party of Germany.
4. Assassinated in 1919 following her involvement in the Spartacist Uprising.

Question 4

Describe the Spartacist uprising.

Answer 4

1. A communist revolt led by the Spartacist League in Germany.
2. Key leadership by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht.
3. Violent suppression by the Weimar government and the Freikorps.
4. Resulting in the failure of the uprising and the execution of its leaders.

Question 5

What was the Ruhr crisis of 1923?

Answer 5

1. Occupation of the Ruhr region by French and Belgian forces due to Germany’s failure to pay reparations.
2. German government’s encouragement of passive resistance among Ruhr workers.
3. Economic disruption in Germany, contributing to hyperinflation.
4. Heightened international tensions and economic instability in Germany.

Question 6

What were the aims of Kapp and the Freikorps in the putsch of 1920?

Answer 6

1. To overthrow the Weimar Republic and replace it with a right-wing, nationalist government.
2. To reverse the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
3. To restore the German monarchy or establish a more authoritarian regime.
4. To suppress the growing communist and socialist movements in Germany.

Question 7

Describe how the Weimar Republic was established

Answer 7

• German revolution of 1918, Kiel Mutiny, Novemebr Kaiser abdicates
• Scheidermann (leading member of Social Democrat Party (SPD)) proclaims republic from Reichstagg to prevent communist revolution
• Council of People’s Representatives formed to prevent further uprisings, led by Friedrich Ebert
• Armistice signed to end war (November criminals), Jan 1919 elections held
• Republic formally established in August 1919

Question 8

What were the strengths of the Weimar Republic?

Answer 8

• States, local governing for local needs
• All citizens had equal rights
• Proportional representation, democratic
• Article 48, swift action during crisis

Question 9

What were the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic?

Answer 9

• Too democratic, small extreme parties get seats
• Coalitions, parties have conflicting interests, agreeing takes forever
• Chancellor elected by president, not people
• Article 48, president may abuse power

Question 10

Describe the Spartacists

Answer 10

• Leaders: Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg
• Aims: Have Germany ruled by workers’ council or soviets
• Support: Rebel soliders and sailors
• Methods: January 1919 set up Soviets in military towns to attempt uprising
• Defeat: Freikorps employed by Ebert

Question 11

Describe the Freikorps

Answer 11

• Leader: Dr Wolfgang Kapp
• Aims: Reinstate the Kaiser
• Support: Anti-communist ex-soldiers
• Methods: March 1919 Kapp Putsch, 5000 soldiers marched into Berlin
• Defeat: General strike

Question 12

Describe the Dolchstoss Theory

Answer 12

• Stab in the back myth, November criminals
• ‘Germany military didn’t lose, they were betrayed by Jews/socialists/politicians’
• Shifted blame from military/Kaiser to scapegoat, contributed to instability of Republic

Question 13

How was the hyperinflation crisis resolved?

Answer 13

• August 1923 new government under Gustav Stresemann took over
• Called off resistance in the Ruhr
• Introduced new currency (Rentenmark)
• Negotiated American loans under Dawes Plan, renegotiated reparations

Question 14

Describe the Republic’s international relations from 1923 to 1929

Answer 14

• The Locarno Pact: Germany, France, GB & Italy, Germany accepts new border with France, France promises peace with Germany
• September 1926 Germany allowed to join LoN
• Kellogg - Briand pact: August 1928 Germany & 61 other countries agree not to use war to achieve foreign policy aims

Question 15

Describe problems Stresemann faced from 1923 to 1929

Answer 15

• Economy: US loans could be called in at short notice, increased inequality
• Politics: Unstable coalition, Hidenburg opposed to democracy, 30% of votes to parties opposed to democracy, extremist parties growing
• International relations: extremist parties against Locarno pact

Question 16

Describe the activities of the Freikorps, 1919-20.

Answer 16

1. Suppressed communist uprisings, including Spartacist Revolt.
2. Acted as paramilitary units, former soldiers.
3. Engaged in political assassinations, violence.
4. Helped overthrow leftist governments, like Munich Soviet Republic.

Question 17

Describe the activities of Rosa Luxemburg in the early months of the Republic.

Answer 17

1. Co-founded the Spartacist League, advocating for socialist revolution.
2. Led the Spartacist uprising in Berlin, January 1919.
3. Criticized Ebert’s government and moderate socialists.
4. Captured and murdered by Freikorps in January 1919.

Question 18

What was the impact of hyperinflation in 1923 on the German people?

Answer 18

1. Savings wiped out, devastating middle class financially.
2. Daily necessities became unaffordable, widespread poverty.
3. Barter economy emerged as currency lost value.
4. Social unrest increased, eroding confidence in government.

Question 19

What were the roles of (i) the Chancellor and (ii) the President under the Weimar Constitution?

Answer 19

(i) Chancellor:
1. Head of government.
2. Chosen by President.
3. Responsible for day-to-day administration.
4. Needed Reichstag’s confidence to govern.

(ii) President:
1. Head of state.
2. Elected by public vote.
3. Appointed Chancellor.
4. Could invoke Article 48, ruling by decree.

Question 20

What impact did the Spartacists have on the German Republic?

Answer 20

1. Sparked fear of communism, influencing political climate.
2. Led to violent suppression by government, Freikorps.
3. Increased political polarization, weakening democracy.
4. Justified crackdown on leftist movements, affecting civil liberties.

Question 21

What did the Spartacists want to achieve?

Answer 21

1. Overthrow Weimar Republic, establish socialist state.
2. Abolish private property, nationalize key industries.
3. Promote workers’ councils, direct democracy.
4. End involvement in World War I, achieve peace.

Question 22

What actions had Stresemann taken by the end of 1923 to save the Weimar Republic from collapsing?

Answer 22

1. Introduced Rentenmark to stabilize currency, end hyperinflation.
2. Called off passive resistance in the Ruhr.
3. Negotiated the Dawes Plan, restructured reparations.
4. Fostered reconciliation with Western powers, improving international relations.

Question 23

Describe how Germany reacted to the French occupation of the Ruhr.

Answer 23

1. Implemented policy of passive resistance.
2. Government paid workers’ salaries who refused to cooperate.
3. Led to economic strain, contributing to hyperinflation.
4. Eventually called off by Stresemann for stabilization.

Question 24

Describe what happened in the Kapp Putsch.

Answer 24

1. Wolfgang Kapp led right-wing coup in Berlin, 1920.
2. Aimed to overthrow Weimar government, restore monarchy.
3. Government fled Berlin, called for general strike.
4. Putsch collapsed within days due to strike, lack of support.

Question 25

Describe the problems facing German civilians at the end of the First World War.

Answer 25

1. Severe food shortages, leading to starvation.
2. Inflation eroding savings, economic instability.
3. High unemployment, loss of wartime industries.
4. Spanish Flu epidemic worsening health crisis.

Question 26

What were the ‘November Criminals’?

Answer 26

1. Term used by German right-wing to denounce armistice signatories.
2. Accused of betraying Germany by signing Treaty of Versailles.
3. Included politicians, notably Social Democrats.
4. Blamed for Germany’s defeat and post-war hardships.

Question 27

Describe revolutionary events in Germany in 1918-19.

Answer 27

1. Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated, ending monarchy.
2. Republic declared in Berlin, November 1918.
3. Spartacist uprising attempted socialist revolution, January 1919.
4. Freikorps crushed leftist revolts, stabilizing Weimar government.

Question 28

Describe the cultural achievements of the Weimar period.

Answer 28

1. Flourishing of avant-garde art, Bauhaus movement.
2. Breakthroughs in cinema, like “Metropolis” and “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.”
3. Innovative developments in theatre and literature.
4. Growth of jazz and modernist music.

Question 29

What was Ebert’s role in Germany, 1918-1919?

Answer 29

1. Became Chancellor after Kaiser’s abdication.
2. Led SPD during November Revolution.
3. Signed armistice ending World War I.
4. First President of Weimar Republic.