Opposition, 1918-23 Flashcards
When was the Spartacist Uprising?
January 1919
Why did the Spartacist Uprising happen? (long term)
It was the result of a power struggle between the KPD and SPD. The KPD wanted a workers’ revolution and the only way to achieve this was to rise up against the new government.
What triggered the Spartacist Uprising?
The dismissal of police chief, Emil Eichorn, in Berlin, who was a radical USPD member. This brought the government into open conflict with the workers’ councils and unions, and triggered the Spartacist Uprising.
How did the government deal with the Spartacist Uprising?
They used the Freikorps to put down the rebellion. They quickly reconquered the blocked streets and buildings and many of the rebels surrendered.
What happened to the leaders of the Spartacist Uprising?
Rosa Luxembourg and Karl Liebknecht were found and executed.
When did the Kapp Putsch take place?
March 1920
Why did Wolfgang Kapp and Freikorp leaders wish to oppose the Weimar government?
They aimed to restore the empire and overturn the ToV, returning to the old imperial system.
What did Kapp and the Freikorp leaders do?
They took over Berlin causing the Weimar government to flee and proclaimed themselves the new government. They took control for 4 days.
What had Ebert signed in 1918 which granted the support of the trade unions?
The Stinnes-Legien Agreement
Why did Kapp’s opposition fail?
The trade unions called a general strike which brought Berlin to a standstill and the Kapp government fell.
Where and when were communist governments set up during Weimar rule?
Bavaria in 1919, the Ruhr in 1920, Saxony in 1921 and Thuringia in 1922.
What had Ebert signed in 1918 which granted the support of the army?
The Ebert-Groener Pact
Why did communist government fail?
They did not have enough popular support and were put down by the Reichswehr using a system of Reichsexekution.
How many political assassinations were there between 1919-22?
376
How many political assassinations were carried out by right-wing extremist organisations?
354 - including the marauder of Walter Rathenau.
What is an example of a right-wing extremist group who carried out assassinations?
The Organisation Consul - formed by members of a Freikorps unit.
How many of the 354 right wing murders went unpunished?
326
How many of the 22 left wing murders went unpunished?
Only 4
How were the punishments different depending on if the assassination was right or left wing?
A total of 90 years imprisonment was handed out to right wingers, whereas 250 years given to left wingers.
When was the Munich Putsch?
November 1923
What did the NSDAP take advantage of?
The rising unpopularity of the Weimar government
What did Hitler attempt?
To launch a takeover of Germany
Why did the Munich Putsch fail?
Hitter’s political prisoners escaped and organised resistance to the Putsch. The Nazis were defeated and captured by the police as they marched through Munich.
What was the outcome of the Munich Putsch?
Hitler was trialled for treason and received a sentence of 5 years imprisonment. The NSDAP was disbanded until 1925. Hitler was released 9 months later.
What did the people of Saxony do in 1923?
They welcomed the removal of a communist government which had not been elected but had imposed itself on the region.