Opposition to the government: political extremism, 1918-1923 Flashcards
What did the extreme left seek?
Germany to become a communist state akin to the Soviet Union - destruction of Weimar Germany
What occurred in January 1919?
The Spartacist Uprising - large political protest in Berlin to launch an attempted communist revolution
Were combatted with the Freikorps, to crush the attempted rebellion - leaders of Spartacists were killed
What did widespread strike action and communist street violence contribute to?
The atmosphere of instability in Germany in the early 1920s
What did the activities of left-wing revolutionaries and the success of communist takeover in Russia do to the people of Germany?
Fear of a communist revolution - fear of communism led some to overlook the threat posed by the extreme right -
What occurred during the Kapp Putsch, 1920?
Group of right-wing politicians and soldiers seized control of government in Berlin
Failed as Putsch lacked support both from the general public and many in the elite - collapsed
Why did White terror: cause such disturb in Germany
. Political assassinations between 1919 and 1922 - created a destabilising atmosphere on the streets of Germany
. In total, 354 political assassinations were carried out by right-wing death squads
Why were the assassinations such a threat to the Weimar government?
Supported by judges on both left and right wing groups - 326 murders went unpunished - legal influence
How did the nationalist right undermine Weimar?
Through direct ideas such as the ‘stab in the back myth’ - created a negative effect by making democracy appear weak and un-German
Democratic politicians depicted as traitors
