History Module 4 - The Weimar Republic

Question 1

Why did the Weimar Republic face threats to its existence in 1919–20?

Answer 1

1. The Weimar Republic faced immense opposition from both the political left and right, who rejected the new democratic government for various reasons. The left saw it as too conservative and blamed it for betraying the socialist revolution, while the right viewed it as a betrayal of German nationalism, particularly for signing the Treaty of Versailles, which they perceived as humiliating.
2. The economic situation in Germany, exacerbated by the Treaty of Versailles’ reparations demands, led to widespread hardship and discontent among the population. This economic instability made the new Republic appear weak and incapable of addressing Germany’s post-war challenges, undermining its legitimacy and support.

Question 2

Why were Stresemann’s policies important for Germany?

Answer 2

1. Stresemann’s policies were crucial in stabilising the German economy, notably through the introduction of the Rentenmark, which helped end the hyperinflation crisis of 1923. This economic stabilisation restored confidence in Germany’s financial system and laid the groundwork for the country’s subsequent period of relative prosperity and recovery during the late 1920s.
2. Stresemann’s diplomatic efforts, including the negotiation of the Dawes Plan and the Locarno Treaties, significantly improved Germany’s international standing. These agreements led to the gradual easing of post-WWI reparations, the withdrawal of Allied troops from the Rhineland, and Germany’s admission to the League of Nations, marking Germany’s return to the international community as a respected nation.

Question 3

Why did Germany introduce a new currency in 1923?

Answer 3

1. Germany introduced a new currency, the Rentenmark, in 1923 to halt the hyperinflation that had devastated the economy. The hyperinflation made the German Mark virtually worthless, severely impacting savings, wages, and the ability to conduct everyday transactions.
2. The introduction of the Rentenmark was also a measure to restore public confidence in the German economy. By stabilizing the currency, the government aimed to encourage investment, stabilize prices, and lay the foundation for economic recovery, which was critical for political stability and regaining trust in the financial system.

Question 4

Why did Germans in the Ruhr begin passive resistance in 1923?

Answer 4

1. Germans in the Ruhr began passive resistance in 1923 in response to the French and Belgian occupation of the region. This occupation was an attempt to enforce reparations payments after Germany failed to meet its obligations under the Treaty of Versailles. The residents saw the occupation as a violation of their national sovereignty and an unjust imposition on their lives and livelihoods.
2. The passive resistance was also a form of national solidarity and protest against the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, particularly the reparations that many Germans viewed as excessively punitive and responsible for the country’s economic difficulties. By refusing to work or cooperate with the occupying forces, the people of the Ruhr aimed to make the occupation economically unfeasible and demonstrate Germany’s opposition to the enforced reparations and territorial concessions.

Question 5

Why was there a crisis in the Ruhr in 1923?

Answer 5

1. The crisis in the Ruhr in 1923 was triggered by Germany’s failure to meet the reparations payments stipulated by the Treaty of Versailles. France and Belgium, seeking to enforce these payments, occupied the Ruhr region, Germany’s industrial heartland, to directly extract the resources as compensation.
2. The German government’s response to the occupation was to encourage the local workforce to engage in passive resistance by not cooperating with the occupying forces. This led to a halt in industrial production, exacerbating the economic crisis in Germany and contributing to the hyperinflation that devastated the German economy that year.

Question 6

Why did the Spartacist uprising fail?

Answer 6

1. The Spartacist uprising failed partly due to a lack of widespread support across Germany. The movement, led by the Spartacist League, aimed to establish a communist government, but it did not gain sufficient backing from the broader population or even the entire German left, including other socialist and communist factions.
2. The Weimar government, supported by the Freikorps, a paramilitary group composed of World War I veterans, swiftly and violently suppressed the uprising. The Freikorps’ decisive action against the Spartacists, including the execution of leaders like Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, quickly quelled the revolt, demonstrating the government’s willingness to use force to maintain order.

Question 7

Why did Germany experience hyperinflation in the early 1920s?

Answer 7

1. Germany experienced hyperinflation in the early 1920s largely due to its government’s decision to print money to pay for the costs of World War I and subsequently to cover reparations demands imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. This excessive printing of money increased the money supply rapidly, devaluing the German Mark.
2. The economic strain was exacerbated by the loss of productive territories due to the Treaty of Versailles and the occupation of the Ruhr by French and Belgian forces in 1923, which further diminished Germany’s industrial output. The combination of reduced production and increased money supply led to the hyperinflation crisis.