Political extremism, crises and consent 1918-33

Question 1

What was the impact of the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 1

cause of political discontent and spur to opposition
–> Weimar govt seen as traitors of the country for arranging the armistice and signing the shameful treaty

Govt opponents constantly used this to criticise the Weimar government + genuine anger and resentment throughout Germany
–> was partially due to misinformation: German people did not understand how bad the war had gone and believed they could have won war if the armistice was not signed.

Question 2

4 REASONS why the Weimar was opposed by both extremist groups on the far left and right?

Answer 2

involvement in treaty of Versailles
liberalism and democratic principles
failure to produce a strong, decisive govt and strong leader
failure to unite Germany

Question 3

Largest attempt at left wing opposition?

Answer 3

Communist groups posed the largest left-wing threat
Jan 4th 1919: govt dismissed radical USPD member Emil Eichorn which led to the government being in open conflict with the workers’ councils.
–> Sparticists uprising attempt

Jan 6th: Thousands tried to attempt a communism type raid, taking over newspaper offices etc yet this was easily put down by the Freikorps.

Feb 1921: Communist uprisings in Saxony and Thuringia

Question 4

Kapp Putsch

Answer 4

1920 March:
Wolf Gang Kapp and Freikorps leaders Walther Lüttwitz and Herman Ehrhardt attempted to overthrow Weimar govenrment
-supported by Eric Luddendorf
-took over Berlin government on 12th March and leaders proclaimed themselves new government

Trade unions called a general strike, demanding an end to the putsch and a new government with SPD in charge.
- 4 days after strike, government collapsed & Weimar gov returned to Berlin

Question 5

Right wing opposition: why were they opposing?

Answer 5

angered by:
-loss of military
-loss of half of Prussia and all germans becoming Polish
-loss of colonies

Question 6

Left wing opposition: was it a challenge?

Answer 6

Did not pose a severe challenge:
1. no military support to match Freikorps from right wing
2. Judiciary system was against the left in general (more sympathetic to right)
3. Many left wing parties (communists, socialists, centre left) caused a fractured left wing (no cooperation)
4. Little to no leadership experience and lots of assassinations
5. General fear of communism in Europe

Question 7

Political assassinations

Answer 7

Murders committed: 22// 354 (326 unpunished)
death penalty: 10 // 0
severe punishment 17 // 1

LEFT // RIGHT

Question 8

Munich Putsch

Answer 8

1923: Nov 8th
Hitler attempted a Nazi takeover, similar to the one in Italy (March on Rome)
-He stormed in and declared a national revolution whilst thousands of storm troopers (Strumabteilung) seized other members of Bavarian government but failed to gain control of army barracks
-Hitler was arrested on 11th and put on trial

Question 9

Why was the Munich Putsch a general success for Hitler?

Answer 9

he was able to give a speech about his beliefs which was widely reported and increased his fame
–> being right wing, his sentence was reduced and made only 5 years.

In prison he wrote his infamous book named ‘Mein Kampf’

Question 10

What was the nature of support for the Weimar constitution?

Answer 10

Significant number of people who turned out to vote at every election suggests that they were in favour of a democratic process

e.g. 1919 turnout: 83% // 1924 Dec: 78.8% then in July 1932: 84%

Question 11

Which parties supported the Weimar constitution?

Answer 11

SPD consistently supported the Weimar constitution alongside other parties that often formed coalitions
–> however this support differed between parties e.g. DVP was the most lukewarm support. Moderate parties included Centre and DDP

For the Weimar constitution to work, parties had to be willing to work together and negotiate policies but this was something the reichstag could not do.

Question 12

Others methods of support for the Constitution

Answer 12

Many people welcomed the constitution when they were presented with less likeable alternatives e.g. 1923, people of Saxony welcomed the Reichsexekuiton and the removal of communist government
–> Weimar constitution had supporters as a template for democracy rather than the actual government

1924-29 when the government seemed to be improving the economy and Germany’s acceptance into Europe, there was a rise in support.