Political and Economic Crisis Knowledge Flashcards
Challenges from the left
What was the Soviet Republic in March 1919?
In March 1919, a Soviet Republic was declared in Bavaria. This removed the Bavarian monarchy. In the confusion, the revolutionaries gained control. This was suppressed by the Friekorps with over 700 killed.
Challenges from the left
What was the Spartacist Revolt?
In January 1919, the Spartacists led a revolt in Berlin which lasted 5 days. This was crushed by the Friekorps under the direction of Friedrich Ebert.
Challenges from the left
What happened in the Ruhr?
In April 1919, a wave of strikes hit the Ruhr region.
Challenges from the left
What happened in the autumn and summer of 1923?
In the autumn and summer of 1923, a major wave of strikes happened all over Germany.
Challenges from the left
What happened at the uprising in Merseburg?
The KPD and Comintern both support an uprising in Merseburg. 145 communists were killed as the poorly planned rising fails.
Challenges from the left
How did the Ebert-Groener pact help stabilise Germany?
The Ebert-Groener Pact had established a secure relationship between the army and the democratic government.
Challenges from the left
How did the ZAG agreement help stabilise Germany?
The ZAG agreement delivered unprecedented triumphs for German workers such as arbitration and eight hour days and established a basis for more stable industrial relations in the future.
Challenges from the right
What did the Ebert do to the Friekorps?
In March 1920, Ebert had ordered two of the biggest friekorps units to disband, however General von Luttwiz had refused and launched a revolution instead. As part of their revolution, they had taken over Berlin which forced Ebert and many other Weimar politicians to flee from the capital. Many members of the army were supportive of the ongoing revolution, helping the revolution gain support from the public.
Challenges from the right
What happened during the Kapp Putsch?
During the Kapp Putsch, Wolfgang Kapp was elected to be the political face of the putsch. However, the army was divided as some members had supported the putsch whereas others did not. In the end, the army didn’t react at all to either sides calls for help.
Challenges from the right
What happened when Ebert called on the public?
The people of Germany chose democracy when they answered Ebert’s call to put down the Kapp Putsch through their actions of going on a general strike
Challenges from the right
What happened during the Munic Beer Hall Putsch?
Despite the support of Ludendorff, the Munich Putsch failed as the army rose to the defence of the Republic during the Munich Putsch in 1923.
Challenges from the right
What happened after the assissination fo Walter Rathenau?
Over 700,000 people demonstrated after Walter Rathenau’s assassination in Berlin and the Organisation Consul was forced to disband. After 1923, assassinations declined.
Hyperinflation - positives
What happened to mortage owners?
Many people in debt, including mortgage owners, paid off their debts easily with devalued money
Hyperinfaltion - positives
What happened to industrialists?
Industrialists like Hugo Stinnes were able to amass huge personal fortunes. Stinnes built an industrial empire in the Ruhr of over 1500 businesses
Hyperinflation - positives
What happened to entrepreneurs?
Many entrepreneurs with access to easy credit could use loans to extend and expand their businesses then pay the loans back easily with inflation rising.
Hyperinflation - negatives
What happened with pensioners?
Pensioners savings were utterly ruined. With no way to gain this money back, pensioners were devastated economically.
Hyperinflation - negatives
What happened to workers?
Workers intially received compensatory wage rises, but these failed to keep pace with hyperinflation. It is estimated an unskilled workers lost about 30% of their spending power at this time.
Hyperinflation - negatives
What happened with the middle class?
Middle classes with savings in banks found that overnight, their savings had been made worthless.
Hyperinflation - negatives
What happened to small businesses?
Small business owners could not keep up with rising prices and many were forced to close or sell
Hyperinflation - negatives
What happened to civil servants?
Civil servants found that their real income had been declining again.
Hyperinflation - negatives
What happened to trade union workers?
By the end of 1923, only 29.3% of trade union members worked full time.
Hyperinflation - negatives
What happened to farmers?
There was major food shortages, since farmers were reluctant to sell food for worthless money.
Hyperinflation - negatives
What happened to landlords?
Landlords who have been receiving fixed rent had found that the value of their incomes was falling. For example, by 1923 the cost for a landlord to replace one window was greater than all the rents received in the last ten years.
Hyperinflation
What was the effect of continuing economic problems?
Continuing economic problems in Germany led many Allies to believe that more lenient economic demands in the Treaty of Versailles were needed.
