Politcal And Governmental Change 1918-33 Flashcards
What was the First Reich?
Holy Roman Empire, 1800 and 400 states each with own ruler and proud of its independence.
German confederation in 1815
After the Holy Roman empires collapsed, number of German states reduced to 39 and the grouping of the states gave it this name. Germany and Austria competed for leadership
Second Reich
the name given to the unified German state that was established following Prussia’s victory in the Franco-Prussian War 1870- 1871
What is a constitution?
Structure of what to do-sets put a list of rules where everything is in one place, legal text
What were the 3 reasons why a constitution was necessary?
- Germany’s main political parties demanded a new constitution which gave them greater say in he management of the country.
- ‘Revolution from Above’ : German Kaiser resigned = government led by Prince Max of Baden (new chancellor) It was hoped tha the New Democratic government would encourage sympathy from allies so germany would be treated fairly in peace negotiations.
- Military wanted a new constitution as they thought the new government would be blamed for losing the war instead of them
SPD
Social Democratic Party
Leader=Ebert
-represents working class
-supports democracy and opposes extreme left wing ideas
-supports social reform
USPD
Independent Socialists
Luxembourg and Liebknecht
-rejected democracy
-opposed ToV, influenced by USSR
KPD
German Communist Party
Thalman
-working class with ex members of USPD
-Opposed ToV, influenced by USSR
-hostile to the Republic
Z
Centre party
Heinrich
Bruning
Frank Von Papen
-German Catholics
-supports the Republic
-supports social reform but is socially conservative (against abortion, contraception)
-supports policy of fulfilment of ToV
DDP
German Democratic Party
Pruess
-represents business interests, middle class, intellectuals
-supports republic, social reform, policy of fulfilment with ToV
DVP
German People’s Party
Stresemann
-initially suspicious of Republic but strongly supports after 1924
-represents businesses, industrialists, white collar workers
-hostile to ToV but committed to policy of fulfilment
DNVP
German National People’s Party
Hugenburg
-hostile to republic, wanted monarchy to return
-conservative, anti-socialist, anti-Semitic
-rejected ToV
NSDAP
National Socialist German Workers party
Hitler
-extreme right wing, anti republican, anti-Semitic, strongly nationalist
Old constitution- Head of State
-Kaiser = inherited position
-appointed and dismissed chancellor and other ministers
- could declare martial law and rule without Reichstag if ‘public security’ was threatened
Weimar Constitution- Head of State
-president had to be 35 or over
-elected by men and women over 20 every 7 years, could be re-elected
-could appoint and dismiss chancellor and other ministers
-could rule without Reichstag in emergency (Article 48)