Political Authority

Question 1

How did political attitudes change in 1914?

Answer 1

political disputes were swept aside in a wave of patriotism

Question 2

How was there a new found unity between political party?

Answer 2

due to the spread of patriotism all parties (including the SPD) joined forces to pledge support for the German war effort

Question 3

What was the effect of the new political unity on the Reichstag?

Answer 3

a unanimous Reichstag vote to grant war credits

Question 4

What was a new term that helped raise moral?

Answer 4

siegfreide

Question 5

What does Siegfreide mean?

Answer 5

the glory that would come once war was over

Question 6

What was Siegfreide a result of?

Answer 6

the result of land annexations that would establish Germany’s supremacy in Europe

Question 7

What group of people were in favour of land annexations (and why)?

Answer 7

aristocrats & the middle class - due to promised new farming lands to the east (Poland) and new industrial sites in the west (Belgium)

Question 8

What group of people were against land annexations (and why)?

Answer 8

the SPD - they believed Germany was in a defensive war and was firmly against annexations and the prospect of war extension was in the interests of the upper class only

Question 9

What disrupted the war patriotism in 1916?

Answer 9

increased anti-war movements

Question 10

Why did anti-war movements begin to rise in 1916?

Answer 10

deaths, war-time shortages and decline in living standards

Question 11

What was a huge political turning point in 1916?

Answer 11

Kaiser appointed Hindenburg as the army chief of staff

Question 12

What are some of the causes for the political breakdown?

Answer 12

• increase in popular disturbances e.g., strikes and clamours for peace
• calls for constitution reform
• the 1916 ‘turnip winter’
• split in the SPD

Question 13

Why was the appointment of Hindenburg a political turning point?

Answer 13

the kaiser surrendered supreme command to Hindenburg - allowing him superiority over the chancellor

Question 14

Why did military leaders such as Hindenburg not want power to return to the Reichstag?

Answer 14

it would become a socialist government

Question 15

What was the big event in 1918 within Germany’s people?

Answer 15

1918 German Revolution

Question 16

What are some examples of the increased disturbances in Germany?

Answer 16

• Workers’ and Soldiers’ councils set up
• police headquarters occupied
• hundreds and thousands of demonstrators

Question 17

What was the cause for the 1918 revolution?

Answer 17

appalling living conditions caused by war - outraged German people

Question 18

What was the event that can be said kickstarted the revolution from members of the navy?

Answer 18

Kiel Mutiny (November)
- rebellious sailors & soldiers sent to dispel joined them

Question 19

What was a result of the increased disturbances?

Answer 19

Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates and replaced by SPD leader Ebert

Question 20

What did the ‘peoples revolution’ and the leadership of Ebert lead to?

Answer 20

the establishment of a socialist republic

Question 21

What is the revolution in relation to the people referred to as?

Answer 21

Revolution from below

Question 22

What is the revolution in relation to the government referred to as?

Answer 22

Revolution from above

Question 23

What was increasing amongst political parties?

Answer 23

the SPD and Zentrum and the USPD had increased calls for the Kaiser’s abdication

Question 24

What did Germany become in October 1918?

Answer 24

a parliamentary government

Question 25

What was the result of the 1918 election?

Answer 25

sweeping victory for parties who were in favour of a democratic republic - SPD, USPD & Zentrum

Question 26

What is the new era of Germany called?

Answer 26

Weimar Republic

Question 27

How were issues within Germany governed?

Answer 27

Lander governments + a central government

Question 28

What types of issues did the Lander government control?

Answer 28

police, schools, and court systems (judges)

Question 29

What types of issues did the central government control?

Answer 29

taxation and the military

Question 30

Who is at the top of the new government?

Answer 30

President

Question 31

How is a president chosen?

Answer 31

elected every 7 years by men and women over the age of 20

Question 32

What are some of the presidents key powers?

Answer 32

-supreme commander of armed forces
- article 48
- appoints / dismisses chancellor

Question 33

Who is directly under the president?

Answer 33

the chancellor

Question 34

What are some of the chancellors key powers?

Answer 34

• delegated powers / responsibility
• proposed new laws and legislation to the Reichstag

Question 35

What part of the government structure remained the same after the war and into the new Republic?

Answer 35

the Reichstag

Question 36

How were members of the Reichstag elected?

Answer 36

men and women over the age of 20

Question 37

What is the voting system in the Weimar Republic?

Answer 37

Proportional Representation

Question 38

What replaced the Bundesrat?

Answer 38

the Reichsrat

Question 39

What are key elements of the new constitution?

Answer 39

• use of proportional representation
• use of referendums
• being a federal state
• guarantee of the fundamental rights and duties of German people

Question 40

What are the weaknesses of the Weimar constitution?

Answer 40

• proportional representation forces coalitions
• article 48 as there is no definition of what is classed as an emergency
• vulnerable to dictatorships