History-Weimar and Nazi Germany Flashcards
Challenges the Weimar government faced from the extreme left outside the Reichstag
Spartacist revolt. The Spartacists, led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, demonstrated against the government in December 1918. 16 people died in clashes with the army. They formed the German Communist Party who on 5th January 1919 staged an uprising in berlin to overthrow the government and create a communist state. The rising was crushed and Rosa Luxembourg and Karl Liebknecht were killed.
Impact of the treaty of Versailles
Damaged Germany’s economy - made the economy of the Weimar week from the outset. Treaty caused German citizens to despise the leaders of the Weimar government for signing it. The leaders became known as the “November Criminals” because they surrendered.
terms of the Treaty of Versailles
Reparations - £6.6 billion to be paid of 60 years
Loss of colonies - 11 colonies in Africa and the far east were given to victorious countries
Military restrictions - military was cut, army to 100,000 men , navy to 6battle ships, 6 cruises,12 destroyers and 12 boats, no submarines.
Weaknesses of the Weimar Government
Coalition government - Proportional representation allowed for smaller parties to get into the Reichstag more easily
Coalition partners had to compromise, often resulting in a lack of clear strong policies
Article 48 - allowed for the president to bypass democratic rules
Strengths of the Weimar Government
Democracy - both women and men were allowed to vote over the age of 20
The constitution was carefully constructed so that not one person or group of people could gain too much power
Why was the Reichstag elected under a system of proportional representation
To make sure that even the smaller parties had a fair share of seats in the Reichstag. Every party was allocated 1 seat for every 60,00 votes.
How many Germans fought in the war. Out of that how many were injured and how many were wounded?
11 million Germans fought in the war. Almost two million German troops died and over 4 million were wounded
How many Germans died of food shortages during the first world war
over 750,000
What took place in the German revolution 1918-1919
Kaiser Wilhelm’s government had lost control of the country to strikers and rioters. In many towns and cities workers and soldiers had created there own unofficial council to replace the Kaiser’s officials
When did the Kaiser abdicated and why was it better for him to do so
Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated on the 9th November 1918 as he had lost support from the Germany army and the officials at army headquarters refused to support him.
What could the president do under the Weimar Constitution
-Article 48 gave the president power to act with out the Reichstag’s approval
-Appoint new chancellors
-Call new elections
-assume control of the Army
Challenges the Weimar Government faced from the extreme right in 1920
The Kapp Putsch- The Freikorps were furious about the Treaty of Versailles. In march 1920, they attempted to overthrow the government in Berlin, through a putsch led by Dr Wolfgang Kapp.
Kapp set up a new right wing government in Berlin. Berlin workers supported Weimar and went on strike; the Putsch collapsed.
French occupation of the Ruhr
After the war Germany’s economy was in ruin and with no gold reserves and failing income , by 1923 Germany was unable to pay its reparations. In December 1922, they failed to send coal to France from the Ruhr coalfields. In retaliation France sent troops into the German industrial area of the Ruhr. They confiscated raw materials, manufactured goods and industrial machinery.
Reasons for economic recovery
-the role of Stresemann
-the Rentenmark
-the Dawes Plan
-American loans
-the Young Plan
The role of Stresemann
In August 1923, Gustav Stresemann was appointed chancellor to deal with the problems of hyperinflation.
