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History - Weimar Germany > Political and Governmental Change > Flashcards

Political and Governmental Change Flashcards

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1
Q

What was the title given to pre-Weimar Germany?

A

Imperial Germany / The Second Reich (1871-1918) under the rule of Kaiser Wilhelm II until he abdicated.

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2
Q

Who were the growing w/c unhappy with during WW1?

A

The conservative political system of the Second Reich and the power of the Kaiser.

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3
Q

Who did the Generals of WW1 work to shift the blame onto?

A

A new liberal left-wing government which would become the Weimar government.

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4
Q

What was happening to the German army towards the end of WW1?

A

The army became exhausted and outstretched - defeat was likely.

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5
Q

What did German sailors do towards the end of WW1? What was the result back home?

A

They mutinied, aware of Germany’s impending defeat. This led to further riots and disturbances across Germany. The government had lost control.

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6
Q

How had WW1 effected Germany - politically, socially and economically?

A
  1. Increased political polarization
  2. Standards of living had declined
  3. Had caused inflation
    -> the nation had become more divided by the end of the war and revolution seemed likely.
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7
Q

Why did Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicate in 1918?

A

He feared a violent revolution and the political parties were calling for the creation of a democratic republic.

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8
Q

Who was the first President of the Weimar Republic?

A

Friedrich Ebert, leader of the SPD (1918-25).

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9
Q

How did Ebert’s first action end WW1?

A

He signed the armistice agreement, bringing an end to the war.

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10
Q

Which position was head of state in the Weimar Republic?

A

President

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11
Q

What was the role of the President in the WR?

A

Head of state and armed forces, who runs foreign affairs. Does not take part in day-to-day government.

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12
Q

What power did the President have over the rest of the political system?

A

He could choose and appoint a chancellor (given the rest of the Reichstag agreed) and had the power to dismiss the Reichstag and call new elections.

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13
Q

How often was a new president elected in WR?

A

Every 7 years

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14
Q

What did Article 48 do?

A

It allowed the president to have the power to rule by presidential decree in the event of an emergency. This meant the president could pass laws without consulting the Chancellor or Reichstag.

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15
Q

Which article allowed the president to rule by presidential decree?

A

Article 48

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16
Q

What was the role of the Reichstag?

A

Passed the laws of the country.

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17
Q

How did votes for parties work in WR?

A

Proportional representation - parties got one seat for every 60,000 votes cast on them.

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18
Q

What was the role of the Chancellor in WR?

A

Head of government who chooses the ministers (the cabinet) which run the country. Puts laws to the Reichstag with his ministers but needs a majority in the Reichstag in order to pass these laws.

19
Q

What was the local government in the WR called?

A

The Lander

20
Q

What was the role of the Lander?

A

Ran their own education policy and judiciary. Federal rules would overrule the laws of the Lander if they conflicted.

21
Q

Who had the right to vote in the WR?

A

All men and women over 20 years of age.

22
Q

What protected individual rights?

A

The Bill of Rights - allowed personal liberty, the right to free speech, forbidden censorship, equality before the law, religious freedom, social rights.

23
Q

How many states was Germany divided into?

A

18 - under control of Lander

24
Q

How often was the Reichstag elected?

A

Every 4 years.

25
Q

What problems arose from proportional representation?

A
  1. Smaller parties with extremist views were allowed into the Reichstag and thereby given a platform to influence electors.
  2. Large parties had to form coalitions which did not always work well due to disagreements, making it slow to respond to national crises.
  3. Made it difficult for parties to form a stable and lasting majority coalition government.
26
Q

How many coalition governments were there between 1919-23?

A

9

27
Q

Why was Article 48 a problem?

A

It gave the president too much power and could rule as an autocrat.

28
Q

What did the WR fail to reform after coming into power?

A

Right wing institutions:
1. Judiciary continued to enjoy traditional independence and favoured the extreme right over the left.
2. The army enjoyed great status and generally did not favour the republic.
3. Universities were more sympathetic to old political ideas an rules.

29
Q

What was the Centre Party like?

A

It was a long established party and largely Catholic. It had conservative values but did advocate for reform. It was firmly against left wing policy and communism.

30
Q

What were the Social Democrats (SPD) like?

A

It was the the largest party in the Reichstag from 1919-29. Moderately socialist / left-leaning. Wanted democracy and moderate reform.

31
Q

What were the other political parties in the WR?

A

DNVP, DVP, DDP and independent social democrats.

32
Q

What was the Communist Party (KPD) like?

A

It was set up in 1919 and wanted a social revolution. Appealed to the w/c. Extreme left.

33
Q

What was the Nazi Party (NSDAP) like?

A

It was formed in 1919 and led by Adolf Hitler. It was anti-democracy, anti-Semitic and nationalist. Extreme right.

34
Q

How did the Treaty of Versailles exacerbate political problems?

A
  1. The new democratic government was blamed for signing the diktat which undermined support for the Weimar democracy.
  2. It added fuel to the “stab in the back” myth.
  3. It shifted the blame for the loss of WW1 from the army to the government who signed the treaty.
35
Q

How did Stresemann’s economic reforms positively impact domestic politics (1924-28)?

A
  1. Increased political stability
  2. Increased acceptance of democracy
  3. The creation of the Grand Coalition in 1928
36
Q

What evidence is there of increased political stability (1924-28)?

A

There were no putsch or political assassination attempts during this period.

37
Q

What evidence is there of increased acceptance of democracy (1924-28)?

A

The support for extremist and anti-constitution parties declined - the NSDAP only gained 2.6% of the votes in 1928. Public support for pro-constitution parties increased - 57.7% of people voted for these parties in 1928.

38
Q

What was the Grand Coalition?

A

Formed in 1928 and consisted of the left, right and centre and commanded a secure majority (over 60%) of the Reichstag.

39
Q

How did Stresemann’s economic reforms negatively impact domestic politics (1924-28)?

A
  1. Unstable coalition governments - there were 7 governments between 1923-29.
  2. Support for political extremism persisted - 27.4% of people voted for anti-democratic parties in 1928.
  3. Growing contempt and cynicism towards democracy - turnout to elections declined during the 1920s.
40
Q

Who became chancellor in 1930?

A

Brüning

41
Q

Who became chancellor in May 1932?

A

Von Papen

42
Q

Who was chancellor 1928-30?

A

Hermann Müller

43
Q

What fell apart as parties disagreed over how to manage the economic crisis?

A

The Grand Coalition - subsequent governments were minority administrations which lacked Reichstag support.

44
Q

When did von Schleicher become chancellor?

A

December 1932

History - Weimar Germany (9 decks)

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