History - Weimar Germany Flashcards
In 1918 what happened to the Kaiser
He knew Germany was in a bad situation so he abdicated
Kaiser
The King of Germany
What was Germany like after the WW1
Germany was in a poor state, People were staving, Riots were breaking out
Who won the election in January 1919
The Social Democrats
What was the Social Democrats nicknamed
SDP
Constitution
Set of rules to keep the country in order
What is a Chancellor
Head of the Reichstag and was voted every 4 years
What was the Job President
He would choose the Chancellor and keep control of the army, He would be voted out every 7 years
What was Proportional Representation
Political parties would get a fair share in the seat of the Reichstag
What were the problems with Proportional Representation
Too many parties in the Reichstag, and you needed 50% of seats. So they couldn’t pass laws themselves.
What did smaller parties have to do in Proportional Representation
They had to make deals with other parties which slowed the whole process down and Later helped Hitler get into power
Strength of the Weimar Constitution
Very fair, Allowed people to have their say, Poor Chancellor would be there for a limited time
Weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution
Too many small parties, so it was hard to agree, Article 48 could be abused, State government could pass laws that went against the Reichstag
What is the Reichstag
imperial parliament
What is the Article 48
Allowed the President, under certain circumstances, to take emergency measures without the prior consent of the Reichstag
Who were the Spartacists
Germany communist party
Who led the Spartacists
Rosa Luxembrug and Karl Liebnecht
Who led the Spartacists
Rosa Luxembrug and Karl Liebnecht
Was the Spartacists Successful
No
When was the Spartacists Revolution
In January 1919
What was the Kapp putsch
It was an attempt to overthrow and replace the Social Democratic Party (SPD) government
Why did the Kapp putsch fail
President Ebert called for a general strike in Berlin. This general strike paralyzed the transport system inside Berlin, and routes to and from Berlin. This ensured that Kapp’s supporters could not move around within the city, or bring reinforcements and/or military equipment to the city
why did the Spartacists Revolution fail
They lacked military training and equipment, were a coalition of groups with differing visions for the future of Germany and had no clear chain of command
What happened in June 1919
The signing of the Treaty of Versailles
What was the War Guilt clause
Germany had to accept responsibility for starting the war and causing so much damage
How much Reparations did Germany have to pay
£6.6 Billion
What was Germany Army reduced to
100,000 Men
and were not allowed Tank, Submarines and Planes. Also Rhineland was demilitarized
How much Territory did Germany lose
13% of their land and 12.5% of their Population. They also lost the Ruhr
How much Territory did Germany lose
13% of their land and 12.5% of their Population.
Who founded the Nazi Party
Anton Drexler
When did Hitler join the Nazi party
1920
When Hitler became leader of the Nazi party he renamed the party to
National Socialist German Workers Party
NSDAP
Hitler had an army called the
SA/Brownshirts
When did Germany pay have reparations
1921 but couldn’t afford it in 1922
Why was 1923 a bad year for Germany
The invasion of the Ruhr, Hyperinflation and Munich Putsch Happened
What happened to the Ruhr
France and Belgium Invaded it and stole their goods
Why did German workers go on strike
Because France and Belgium Invaded the Ruhr
What caused Hyperinflation
The Wiemar Government supported the strikers and printed to much money to pay them
How much did bread cost in November 1923
200,000,000,000 Marks
Who suffered from HyperInflantion
The middle class and the Elderly
Who Benefited from Hyperinflation
The people with debts
When was the Munich Putsch
8th November 1923
What happened in the Munich Putsch
Hitler captured Von Kahr, Bon Seisser and Von Laasow, And made them swear an oath of loyalty
Why did the Munich Putsch fail
The three political leaders escaped and called the police
Why did Hitler going to jail benefit him
He got big publicity from his Trial
Where was Munich Putsch
Beer Hall
What did Hitler change his strategy to
From violence to Politics
What did Hitler write in prison
Mein Kampf which explained all his ideas for Germany
When and why did Hyperinflation end
December 1923 because Stresemann introduced the Rentennmark
What was the Dawes plan
Arrangement for Germany’s payment of reparations after World War
What was the Dawes plan
Arrangement for Germany’s payment of reparations after World War (800,00,000 Mark loan from USA)
Who was Chancellor in 1924
Gustav Stresemann
What was the Young Plan
Reduced Reparations by 67%
What was the Wall Street Crash
USA’s economy collapsed and Germany money stopped and spiraled into depression
What was Unemployment like in Germany
It peaked at 6,000,000
How did the Weimar Government deal with the Wall Street Crash
They handled it poorly and refused to print money and raised taxes.
What happened in February 1924
The ban on the Nazi party was lifted
Who was Hitler private bodyguards
SS (Black shirts)
What was the Hitler Youth
Youth organisation of the Nazi Party in Germany.
What happened in 1928 election
The Nazis only won 12 seats in the 1928 election so he appointed Goebbels as Party Propaganda Leader
What happened in 1928 election
The Nazis only won 12 seats in the 1928 election so he appointed Josef Goebbels as Party Propaganda Leader
What did the Nazi Promise affecting the Unemployment
Arbiet und Brot
Work and Bread
How did Germany use Propaganda
Nazis Owned 120 daily newspapers and spread only positive messages
They also used radios and mass rallies
Why did people not like President Hindenburg
He was using Article 48 which was very unpopular
What was the SA role
They would beat up the opposition
Why was the SA popular
They were organised and wore smart uniforms
What did Hitler promise about the Treaty of Versailles
He promised he would get rid of it and solve Germany problems and provide Jobs
What happened during the Election in 1923
They had 230 seats and was the largest political party but did not have the majority
How did Hitler become Chancellor in January 1933
By political scheming ( Von Papen and Hindenburg thought they could control Hitler )
Why couldn’t Von Papen be Chancellor
He found it difficult to run the country and was not the Leader of the largest party
Why couldn’t Von Schleider be Chancellor
He couldn’t get a majority in the Reichstag either
When did Hitler become Chancellor
1933
Fuhrer
Supreme Leader
When and What was the Reichstag Fire
It was on the February 27 1933 And it was a fire that happened in the Reichstag building
What happened to the communist after the Reichstag Fire
Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to sign the Decree of Protection Which allowed Hitler to imprison communist leaders
Who did Hitler form a coalition with
The Nationalist Party so he had a majority in March 1933
When Hitler passed the Enabling Bill he was able to
Make communist not allowed to vote
Let the SA intimidate members entering the Reichstag
What was the Enabling Act
He was able to make laws without consulting the Reichstag
With power of the Enabling Act Hitler was able to
Ban Trade Unions
Ban opposing parties and put Leaders in concentration camps
Put Nazis in charge of State Governments
