Paper 3: Weimar and Nazi Germany Flashcards
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
Explain what the Council of the people’s Representative was (2)
- Ebert suspended Reichstag as part of a deal with General Groener (army in kahoot w/govt to supress communist uprising)
- Hence, Ebert replaced it w/ 6 politicians until new constituiton was formed to prevent anarchy/communist takeover
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
State and explain Ebert’s 4 methods to control state (4)
- Ebert kept civil servants who worked for Kaiser in govt
- He gained General Groener’s support by PROMISING not to refrom the army
- He convinced leaders of indsutry that the new republic would not seize land
- He gained trade union support by promising an 8hr work day
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
Explain the weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution: (6)
- coalition govt.
- weakness in crisis
- division and violence
- Proportional representation within Reichstag meant that ther was no clear majority vote so coalitions had to form which meant that parties had to compromise (no clear policies)
- Coalitions meant that there was no strong single party in govt. so they couldnt make strong decisions in crisis - 1930s chancellor relied on president to pass laws so people thought a single leader was better for Germany
- Weimar Rep relied on army to subdue public w/violence which made people believe it was not really a choice to follow weimar const. hence, alot of nationalists and communists openly rioted
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
Explain the strengths of the Weimar Constitution: (4)
- democracy
- checks & balances
- proportional representation in Reichstag meant that even smaller parties had a voice
- Women could now vote under Weimar Republic and anyone over 21
- President had power to choose Chancellor, assume control of Army and even dismiss Reichstag
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
State the terms of the treaty of versailles (4)
- War Guilt clause: reparations of £6.6bill marks
- Colonies: 11 colonies seized by Africa + Far East
- Military: Army limited to 100,000, navy capped and all the excess suplies destoryed hence - no airforce/submarines
Rhineland was demilitarised - Land: e.g. Alsace Lorraine given to France
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
How did the Treaty of Versailles undermine the Weimar Const? (1)
Dolchstoss - Germany believed the army was undefeated - some argued that Politicians betrayed army
Hence, Weimar Republic linked to defeat, failiure
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
Describe the events of the Spartacists revolt (4)
Ebert sacked Eichorn (popular w/workers) - protests
General strike in Berlin + they seized govt. newspapers and telegraph offices
Ebert ordered freikorps to kill and arrest e.g. Luxemburg was shot and dumped into a river
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
Describe the events of the Kapp Putsch (4)
Freikorps turned against Weimar Republic since they were going to be disbanded (uncontrollable)
Rebels controlled the city since Reichshswer refused to harm them
Kapp declared new govt. and invited Kaiser to come back but he fled after feeling incapable and was imprisoned
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
Outline how the hyperinflation crisis happened (4)
- Germany failed to pay reparations to France
- French sent occupation to the Ruhr who seized raw materials, goods and industrial machinery
- Workers tried to go on strikes but it was futile - the french simply replaced workers until they had to come back
- industrial output decreased (p.a. income was only 1/4 of what it used to be)
- Govt. printed more money
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
Effects of hyperinflation on: (4)
- normal living
- shortages
- businesses
- savings
Normal living - theft, people had to carry money in wheelbarrows to do basic shopping, workers were paid multiple times a day since prices rose by the hour
Shortages - foreign suppliers refused to accpet marks, imports dried up hence, food shortages
Bussiness - business loans paid easily since its value decreased, goods were hoarded and sold for huge profit. foreigners bought alot w/ foreign currency since marks value was low
Savings - money became worthless
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
After Stressemann became president: Explain the actions he took to recover germany (6)
- Rentenmark
- Dawes Plan 1924
- Young Plan 1929
- Locarno pact 1925
- League of Nations 1926
- Kellog-Briand Pact 1928
- (Chancellor) Stressmann introduced new currency Rentenmark which supply was very restricted - it became a trusted currency abroad, employment was improved since wages were controlled and had value - HYPERINFLATION ENDED
- Ensured that reparations were reduced to $50 million p.a and Germany had loans from US - French occupation in Ruhr ended since reparations were now guaranteed, Industrial input+emplyment increased BUT fragile economy relied on US loans
- Total reparations reduced to £2 billion - lower reparations, hence, lowered tax, increase in public spending (tourism increased)
- Germany accepted new border w/France and Rhineland permanently demilitarised hence, peace between those nations - war made less likely, Germany treated equally and now known as more prestigious SO more parties supported Weimar Rep
- Germany had place in League of Nations where they could solve international conflict without war - Weimar Rep now more prestigious BUT some parties hated this as it was a symbol of ToV
- Pact of oath not to use war for foreign conflict - showed that Germany was a mainpower not dictatorship hence, respected
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
How did the following improve: (5)
- Unemployment and unemployment insurance
- Work and wages
- Housing
- Education
- Reichpension law
- Unemployment rates decreased e.g. unemployment insurance act (60 marks per wk benefits)
decreased to 1.3 mill in 1928 - work hrs decreased, real wages rose by 25%
- 15% rent tax introduced to fund govt housing e.g. 10,000 homes built by GEHAG alone in 4 yrs
- student n.o increased
- Reichpension law gave war veterans/widows a pension
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
What were the caviats of unemployement & insurance, work & wages, housing - etc (3)
- impact of war and inflation still caused hardship hence, social conditions were fragile
- middle class benefitted less compared to working class so they resented change
- businesses lost power and profit
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
Describe the changes to women in politics including the disadvantages and impacts (3)
Article 109 - women were equal to men & in workforce, marriage was an equal partnership
ineffective BUT women could now vote and stand in election
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
Describe the changes to women in work including the disadvantages and impacts (5)
- women paid less in workforce to men hence, A109 was ineffective
- theyre expected to give up work once married
- few women had high status jobs
- trade unions which were male dominated, opposed equality of women
- retail sect had increase in jobs fur das frau
Weimar Republic 1918 - 19297
Describe the changes to women in leisure including the disadvantages and impacts (3)
- going out, makeup, immodesty normalised
- liberal attitudes e.g. less interest in marriage
- ‘new woman’ threatened traditional society e.g. motherhood
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
Explain why the changes to women in society caused social tension (3)
- some women saw being liberalised as a daunting idea
- some men thought that it challenegd their role in society
- tradionalist ideals = motherhood, wife
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
How did art develop under the Weimar Republic? (3)
Bauhaus Movement
Objectivism, Expressionalism, Modernism - aka more liberty
- may influence political ideas
- more aware society
Weimar Republic 1918 - 1929
How did architecture develop under the Weimar Republic? (3)
Modernised - symbolised a new, prosperous era
- Germany was now legitimised
- Tourism boosted economy
