Part one, Topic two: Impact of WW1 on Germany Flashcards
What was the ECONOMIC impact of the war on Germany?
- Factories produced weapons instead of the goods they had been producing during the war (many workers had signed up to fight)
- National income was at 1/3 of what it was in 1913
- Industrial production was at 2/3 of what it had been in 1913
- By 1925, the state had spent 1/3 of its budget on war pensions, and was struggling to do so
What was the SOCIAL impact of the war on Germany? (war weariness)
- British navy had cut off German ports causing food and fuel shortages (German people only ate turnips and bread)
- In 1917, an anti-war group formed an independent political party (USPD)
- Rich, poor gap grew, strikes organised by workers in January 1918, demanding a democratic government and peace negotiations to end the war
- Women were called up to work in the factories during the war (many people viewed this as damaging to traditional family values and social society as a whole)
What was the POLITICAL impact of the war on Germany? (end of the monarchy)
- Germany became a democratic republic, the WEIMAR REPUBLIC
What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles? (post-war problems)
- Military restrictions (army limited to 100,000; Conscription banned)
- Territorial changes (Forbode Germany from joining with its former ally, Austria)
- War guilt (Germany had to accept the blame for starting the war - they found this extremely harsh)
- Reparations (expected to pay for all the damage caused by the war, which damaged the economy - little food)
- League of Nations (not invited)
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What happened during the Occupation of the Ruhr?
- 1923, 60,000 French and Belgian soldiers occupied an industrial area of Germany called the Ruhr, seizing control of mines, factories and railways.
- Workers protested using PASSIVE RESISTANCE e.g. flooding mines, setting fire to factories, refusing to work
- 140 German workers were killed in clashes with French and Belgian soldiers
Why did defeat in the First World War surprise and anger the German people?
- The German army commanders and the German people expected a quick and decisive victory.
Explain hyperinflation and its effects on the German people
- Government printed more money to keep up with reparations, which worked initially
- Shops rose their prices to keep up with the increase in bank notes
- Government would then print more money (vicious cycle)
- One loaf of break costed 200 billion marks in 1923
- Middle class was effected the most because their savings became worthless
- Workers would carry their money in wheel barrows
- People would use banknotes instead of firewood because it was cheaper and the money was worthless
- Children would play with worthless bank notes
- Some people would sell their goods for a large profit
What happened in the stages leading up to the end of the first world war?
–> In 1918, peace was offered when the allies had clearly won
the war under many conditions including how Germany
should become more democratic
–> The Kaiser refused, so sailors in northern Germany took
over the town of Kiel, triggering other revolts
–> The socialists then led uprisings of workers and soldiers, other cities followed
–> 9th of November, 1918, Kaiser abdicated and leaves
Germany for the Netherlands.
–> Leader of the SPD, FREIDRICH EBERT, was elected leader
of Germany
–> He signed an Armistice with the Allies which angered a lot
of the German people who felt betrayed because Germany
was not fighting on
–> NOVEMBER CRIMINALS
What did the Germans do as a last resort in WW1?
- In March 1918, Germany launched one last major attack (because it became clear that they would be defeated) - known as the Spring Offensive, or Kaiser’s Offensive. It was effective and in some places the German army advanced 40 miles and the British and the French suffered heavy casualties. However, the Germans could not keep it up.
What happened in the west of Europe during WW1?
- In the WEST of Europe, the Schlieffen plan failed and the German army suffered 3 million casualties from 1915-1917
What happened in the east of Europe during WW1?
- In the EAST, the war went well for Germany with major victories against the Russian army. E.g. Battle of Tannenberg, Battle of Bolimov. In 1917, a ceasefire was signed between the new Bolshevik Russia and Germany.
Why did the occupation of the Ruhr happen?
- 1922, Germany announced it could no longer afford the reparations (but France was determined to make them pay)
How did the occupation of the Ruhr impact Germany’s economy?
- The occupation on the Ruhr worsened economic problems and led to HYPERINFLATION
