National Constituent Assembly, Weimar Constitution And Treaty Of Versailles Flashcards
What happened on November 18 1918
Kaiser Wilhelmina abdication and collapse of imperial Germany
What happened January 1919
National Constituent Assembly Elections
January 1919 election results
- high voter turnout of 83%.
- 76.1% voted for democratic parties
- solid vote for SDP, DDP (German demo party) and ZP so easier to form coalition
- DNVP (antireoub, monarchist, etc) 10.3% and supported by imp conservative forces (army officers, land owners, industrialists, etc.)
- Radical left USPD 7.6%
- ## SPD 38% but need 50% for majority
Where did the NCA meet and why
Weimar in Saxony due to Spartacist disturbances in Berlin showing weakness
Head of NCA and his aims
Freidrich Ebert. Wanted to show G to Allies as a democratic, civilized nation deserving a fair peace treaty
What did the national constituent assembly do
- elect Ebert as president
- accepted Treaty of Versailles June 1919
- drew up Weimar constitution Aug 1919
When was the Treaty of Versailles accepted
June 1919
When was the Weimar constitution finished
August 1919
WHO did Ebert choose as Chancellor
Scheidemann
When was the Paris Peace Conference and who attended?
12 January 1919. Big 4 attended i.e. Wilson, Clemenceau, PM George and PM Vittoria Orlando
US President Wilson’s 14 points
Right of self-determination, etc. Not adhered to, exacerbating sense of indignity and humiliation as had expected better.
Briefly state the 5 terms of the Treaty of Versailles
- Territory
- Reparations
- Armed Forces Restrictions
- War Guilt
(- League of Nations)
Which 2 places were returned to France via the Treaty of Versailles?
- Alsace-Lorraine, which was rich in Iron ore deposits
- Saar Coalfield, German speaking, v industrially rich and then used as a fail safe in rep instalments (if not pay, some taken)
Significance of G losing West Prussia and Upper Silesia
Lost the polish corridor, given to Poland. No Anschluss with Austria. Polish state get access to sea and deep resentment as 2million Germans under Polish Rule (against Wilson’s 14pts self determination)
Why was Britain given Tanganyika and Australia New Guinea?
German colonies made ‘mandates’ of League of Nations
Reparations agreed on in ToV
132 billion marks as agreed by International Allied Reparation Committee (IARC)in instalments. Payment plan take until 1984 to pay off
Armed Forces Restrictions from ToV
- 100 000 unconscripted men in army only
- no submarines or airforce. Only 6 battleships (signif as naval rivalry w Britain)
- demilitarized Rhineland
G now a third rate military power
War Guilt
Germany took sole responsibility for outbreak of WW1 under Clause 231, this was also justification for high reparations
League of Nations
Germany lost diplomatic standing and not invited, but had to sign up to its covenant. Not included in international community so felt like an isolated pariah
The Treaty of Versailles perpetuated the ‘Stab in the Back’ myth, what was that?
Claimed that Weimar politicians had stabbed German soldiers in the back by surrending the war.
WHO were the ‘November criminals’
The politicians who signed the armistice
Why was the TOV called a diktat?
It was a dictated peace, German delegation led by Muller unable to negotiate
Layton on the signing of the TOV
‘TOV signing fuelled the propaganda of the republic’s enemies for years to come’
How did the TOV make political moderates look naive?
They had argued that the Allies would treat Germany more leniently if she was democratic
Long term impacts of the TOV (3)
- partly responsible for Kapp Putsch 1920
- reparations exacerbated 1923 hyperinflation as not able to pay
- Hitler revive hatred of TOV during Great Depression to gain popularity
Political significance of the TOV
No other political issue produced such unanimity in Weimar Germany Than the rejection and condemnation of the Treaty of Versailles
Economic impact of the TOV
- Loans secured from USA to pay reps eventually contributed to 1930s Great Depression as loans recalled
- contribution to Hyperinflation 1923
Why did Germans feel vulnerable after TOV
Reduced to third rate military power esp West as Rhineland demilitarized and security undermined
Except self-determination, what else did the Germans feel was against Wilson’s 14 points
Germany was forced to disarm to dangerously low levels, threatening domestic security. Had expected unilateral disarmament
Why was clause 231 War Guilt so devastating
Traditionally militaristic and imperialistic regime. Germans dismissed it and therefore viewed reparations as illegitimate. Huge psychological impact
Which countrie given to France by TOV would have voted to return to France anyways and why?
Alsace Lorraine because it was French before 1871
How was the TOV not economically devastating
G still had a string economy, stronger than France and Russia’s, and still had extensive industry and resources
Germany not physically occupied WW1, unlike
real damage done in France and Belgium
Germany had imposed much harsher terms than TOV on ——— in the ———
Russia in the treaty of Brest-Litovsk
What was the Bill of Rights on the Weimar Constitution? (5)
- freedom of speech, assembly and religion
- if 10% electorate sign a petition, a referendum held
- equality of all Germans before the law
- protection of labour (allow TUs to be formed)
- limited welfare provisions (eg housing, disabilities, etc.)
Describe the Reichsrat from the Weimar Constitution
- not have much power
- could only initiate/delay proposals
- chosen from representatives from all 17 states
Describe the Lander from the WC
- federal state system
- each state has power over police, education system and taxing
Describe the Reichstag in the WC (4)
- 423 deputies
- Pass laws
- elected by PR every four years
- main representative and legislative body of parliament
Function of Supreme Court in the WC
To clarify articles
Describe proportional representation in the WC
- Per 60 000 votes in each district, party gain 1 deputy
- fair electoral boundaries
- Germany divided into 35 equal electoral districts, parties drew up list of candidates and voters vote for party as whole
Pros of PR
- even minor parties could have a say
- equal representation
Describe Article 48
Presidential emergency powers to rule by decree to pass laws without approval from the Reichstag
Describe Article 25
President can dissolve Reichstag once with elections held in 6 weeks
Article 53
President appoints the Chancellor
Describe the powers of the Chancellor in WC
- has to sign Bills before the Oresident can pass laws
Answerable to the Reichstag and the Oresident ( can be dismissed by either)
Article 43
The president is elected every 7 years
Article 47
President is the supreme commander of armed forces
Voting rights WC
Universal suffrage for everyone 20 and under
Pros and Cons of Article 48
- President could defend constitution against its enemies. Eg successfully used by Ebert 1923 to help put down the Munich Putsch
- president ‘ersatzkaiser’ as art 48 could suspend civil liberties in an emergency and restore law and order by presidential decree. Undermined democracy and open to abuse… excessive use Hindenburg 1930s
There were checks and balances on the WC to lessen fear of…
RW and liberal circles that an unrestricted Reichstag would be too powerful
Strength of Weimar Constitution
In spirit was democratic and progressive, based on firmly established principles eg billl of rights
What about the WC disgruntled elites
Many socialist provisions like welfare provisions
What were the Continuation of Traditional Institutions
- judiciary continued to enjoy trad independence under constitution but hearts of many judges not w WR
- army enjoyed great status and many socially linked to Prussian landowners. Sought to maintain influence post 1928 but generally unsympathetic to republic
- universities proud of trad, old status & sympathetic to old ideas and rules
Civil service in the WC
Well educated and professional but tended to conform w conservative values of imperial Germany
Impact of conservative forces on WC
Allowed to exert great influence and was at odds w LWs wishes to extend civil rights and be democratic
Germany had — chancellors, —- cabinets in its ———yr history
11 chancellors and 21 cabinets in its 14 year history
Longest govt of Weimar Republic
2 years
Cons of PR
- encouraged formation of splinter parties
- first past the post May have been better
- difficult for govt to be decisive in weak coalitions
- difficult to get a majority
