Political and government change 1918-33 Flashcards
What happened between 1871 and 1918?
Imperial Germany.
Germany had a authoritarian political system with the Kaiser and elites controlling the state.
There was an elected parliament but its powers were very limited.
What happened during September 1918?
The Revolution from Above
The kaiser was persuaded to make Germany into a constitutional monarchy.
It was felt that a civilian government would be able to extract more favourable peace terms.
The new government would be blamed for failure during the war.
What happened during November 1918?
There was a provisional coalition government led by the SPD leader, Ebert.
What happened during February 1919?
There was national constituent assembly formed at Weimar. Ebert was selected president
What happened during August 1919?
The Weimar constitution was agreed. First elections were June 1920
What happened during 1923?
Ebert used emergency powers over 100 times to manage the hyperinflationary times.
What happened during 1925?
Hindenburg was elected president of the republic m(re-elected 1932)
What happened during 1928?
Muller’s Grand Coalition moderate parties dominated after this election.
What happened from 1930-32?
Brüning acted as chancellor but then depression worsened.
Extremist parties increased there share of votes.
What happened from 1932-33?
Von Papen replaced Brüning as chancellor and formed his ‘cabinet of Barons’.
He used emergency powers to pass laws and suspend the state government in Prussia.
He resigned in November 1932 to be replaced by Von Schleicher until the appointment of Hitler in March 1933.
What is a constitution?
A constitution may be defined as a set of principles, which may be written or unwritten, that set out the distribution of power within a political system, the relationships between political institutions, the limits of the jurisdiction, the rights of citizens and the method of amending the constitution itself.
What are some characteristics of the right?
Value tradition, authority and personal freedom.
Believe that freedom is more important than equality.
Low taxation
Private enterprise and free market economy.
Less welfare because it creates dependency.
Generally seen to support the middle and upper class.
What are some characteristics of the left?
Progressive in nature.
Belief in promoting equality.
High taxation.
State ownership and control of the economy.
Strong emphasis on welfare-to support those who cannot look after themselves.
Generally seen to represent the working class.
What were the SPD?
Social Democratic Party
Friedrich Ebert
Represents the working class Strongly supports Parliamentary democracy, opposed extreme left wing ideas.
Supports social reform.
Supported the policy of fulfilment with the ToV.
Who were the USPD?
Rosa Luxemburg
Karl Liebknecht
Broke away from the SPD in 1917
Industrial workers disillusioned SPD.
Rejected parliamentary democracy; wanted workers soviets.
Opposed ToV, influenced by USSR.
Who were the German communist party?
KPD
Ernst
Thalman
Mainly working class, including many ex-members of the USPD.
Hostile to the republic.
Committed to overthrow the republic by revolution and the destruction of capitalism.
Who were the centre party?
Matthias Erzbegerger Heinrich Bruning Franz Von papen
Represent Germany’s catholic’s
supports the republic
Supports social reform but is socially conservative (against aborting, contraception)
Supported the fulfilment with the ToV