Impact of WW1 Flashcards
What was the Weimar Constitution?
New system of government for Germany that was a democracy following their defeat in WW1
Strengths of the Weimar
A democracy where women and men could vote
The Reichstag made all laws rather than the Kaiser and the military
A Bill of Rights guaranteeing freedom of speech and religion, and equality under the law.
What were the problems of the Weimar?
Germans not used to a democracy, didn’t trust politicians
Proportional representation in Reichstag = too many different political parties
Article 48 = gave President 100% power in vague case of emergency
Economic problems from TOV
Terms of the Treaty of Versailles for the army
Could only have 100,000 troops
Navy reduced to 15,000
Only allowed 6 battleships
No submarines
No tanks
Banned conscription
Demilitarisation of Rhineland
Terms of TOV for the territory
Had to give up parts of Germany to Belgium, France, Czechoslovakia and Poland (13% of land)
6 million Germans now part of diff countries
Lost all oversea colonies
Couldn’t form alliance (Anschluss) with Austria
Terms of TOV for economy
Germany had to pay £6.6 billion in reparations
Lost 48% of its iron
Terms of TOV for blame
Article 231 of the TOV forced Germany to accept blame for the war, known as the ‘war guilt cause’ therefore had to pay reparations
What was the Ruhr valley and why was it important?
An area near the west boarder of Germany in Rhineland
Was the main industrial place in Germany
Why did France and Belgium invade the Ruhr?
In 1922 Germany missed a payment in reparations saying they couldn’t afford it
France and Belgium believe they could but were refusing to pay, invaded the Valley and extracted industrial goods to suffice as reparation payments
What were the events of the invasion of the Ruhr?
Germany’s army was too weak for defence so government ordered passive resistance
The workers should refuse to work or co-operate with the foreign troops, even sabotage machinery, and in return the government continued to pay their wages
This resulted in a few arrests
What were the consequences of the Ruhr?
Production of goods fell drastically, hurting the economy
Government started printing more money to pay the workers wages they promised to pay if they resisted, as they didn’t have any before
Hyperinflation
Massive decrease in production of goods + printing more money = massive decrease in value of German currency but rising value of goods
This spiralled out of control, as prices rose and rose and the value of the currency became so worthless it cost more to print a note than the note was actually worth
Examples of hyperinflation
Cost of bread in Jan 1923 = 250 marks
Cost of bread in Nov 1923 = 200,000 million marks
The cost of a cup of coffee could double whilst waiting in the queue
Effects of hyperinflation (negative)
Food shortages as marks useless to foreign suppliers
Took a lot of notes to buy stuff
People on fixed incomes found their incomes did not keep up with prices.
Bankrupt
Worthless life savings
Money lenders made a loss
Effects of hyperinflation (somewhat positive)
Borrowers found they were able to pay back their loans easily with worthless money.
People on wages were relatively safe, because they renegotiated their wages every day. However, even their wages eventually failed to keep up with prices.
Farmers since their products remained in demand and they received more money for them as prices spiralled.
