Political Extremism under Weimar Republic (2) Flashcards
How did the voting system of proportional representation lead to political extremism?
- Resulted in a fragmented political spectrum, allowing various parties to gain seats in the Reichstag - especially easier for extremist parties to gain power.
- Faced opposition from powerful left and right wings parties.
What did left wings in the political spectrum demand?
- Believed the establishment of a new democratic system of the Govt wasn’t enough.
- Wished a one-party communist state, following Marxism, by a revolution and an upheaval of Germany society (inspired by the Russian revolution).
What did the right wings in the political spectrum demand?
- Rejected the new democratic republic, favouring a return to a more autocratic and powerful government.
- Anti-communist and feared revolution.
- Aimed to restore Germany’s ‘severely wounded’ national pride - betrayal of the Republic by the November Criminals and their acceptance of the Treaty of Versailles.
The Treaty of Versailles’s terms
(LAMB)
Territory: All German and Turkist colonies taken away and put under Allied control. Includes land gained at the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, Alsace Lorraine.
Arms/Military: Forced demilitarisation of Germany and the Rhineland. Banned conscription, airforce and submarines. Limited army to 100k troops that can’t leave Germany.
Reparations: Must pay 6.6 million marks in reparations.
Blame: Forced to accept the war guilt clause and were obstructed from joining the League of Nations which was established to prevent conflict.
Why did the Treaty of Versailles have such a negative response
- Shocked Germany - imperial war propaganda kept the majority of the public oblivious to Germany’s struggle towards the end of the war.
- Gave further credence to the ‘stab-in-the-back theory’, creating outrage at the Allies = first elected government resigned out of shame upon its announcement.
What is the stab-in-the-back-theory
- The ‘formidable’ German army was betrayed by unpatriotic, weak politicians (Nov criminals).
- Believed the anti-war agitators fomented unrest among civilians and the new government failed to support their military, weakening troop morale.
- Unrest culminated in the November revolution; the formation of the Republic, unnecessary armistice and acceptance of the Versailles peace terms.
What was the significance of the stab in the back theory
Distorted the public’s view for the reason of Germany’s defeat - used to criticise the democratic Republic due to its association of the defeat and their humiliating acceptance of the peace treaty.
Left Wing groups = the KPD
- Communist Party, supported by 10-15% of the electorate.
- They wished to replicate Russia’s communist revolution in Germany, changing the nature of society and economics.
Left Wing groups = the Spartacists
- Group which broke away from the more moderate SPD in 1915 = instrumental in the German revolution.
- Influenced by Communist theories of Lenin and Bolshevism - sought to create a Soviet republic in Germany run by workers and soldier’s councils.
Right Wing groups = DNVP
- Composed mostly of old Imperial Conservatives - the largest right-wing party.
- Made up of various right-wing groups, such as the Fatherland Party and the Pan-German League.
Right Wing = Freikorps
- Demilitarisation of Germany forced unemployed Imperial soldiers formed their own parliamentary groups led by their old regimental officers.
- Officers were staunch advocates of the conservative, right-wing and believed in the ‘stab in the back’ myth.
- Carried out numerous political assassinations and acts of violence on behalf of the extreme right and they aided the govt to bolster its limited military to crush left-wing uprisings - enjoyed brutal and violent tactics.
How were the Freikorps a problem to the government?
Despite obliging the requests to deal with left-wing activity, they continued to dislike the Republic, having no allegiance, as they desired a return to an authoritarian government - potential threat.
Between 1919-23, how many political assassinations was the Freikorps responsible for?
354 - many were high-ranking members of the Government.
Give an example of a political assassination under the Freikorps
- Walter Rathenau (foreign minister). He drew up the Rapallo Treaty to try improve relations between Germany (despised in global politics) and the USSR (treated with increasing suspicion by other Allies).
- Murdered shortly after agreeing upon the treaty on June 24th 1922 for the crime of being Jewish, his committment to democracy and helping Germany ally with a Communist power.
Crises caused by Political extremism: Spartacists’s Revolt in January 1919
- Local union officials united to overthrow the Government.
- Jan 6: thousands of armed workers overtook key buildings, such as the newspaper offices (similar to Soviet Rev).
- RESOLUTION = Freikorps crushed the rebellion, executing its leaders. Left-wing’s tactic to take over individual states, establishing communist governments failed - no popular support.
Crises caused by political extremism: Communists/Anarchists in March 1919
- Berlin March Battles - final decisive phase of the German Revolution.
- General strike by the working-class to enforce the widely anticipated socialisation of key industries, introduction of the Council system and democratisation of the military.
Resolution of Communists/Anarchists March 1919
- Violence between Freikorps and strikers = Govt forces raided, destroyed publishing offices and there was looting of shops and storming of police stations for weaponry.
- Govt victory on March 8 upon orders of the strike leadership (Richard Mullet). Offered some concessions following negotiations with the worker’s Councils.
- Clashes ended on 16th March: lifting of the shooting order by Noske.
- Estimated 2000-3000 death count (no official recording) with 75 on the Govt side.
Crises caused by Political extremism: March 1920 (Kapp Putsch)
- Leaders: Wolfgang Kapp and Freikorps Luttwitz + Ehrhardt with support from Ludenhoff (a WW1 general).
- 12 March: overtook Berlin and the Govt fled. They proclaimed themselves the new govt, dissolving the National Assembly - stated the Constitution was no longer enforce. It appeared permanent.
Resolution of March 1920 (Kapps Putsch)
- Trade unions called a strike - demanded an end to the putsch and the new SPD-led Government. Four days after the strikes began, the Govt fell and the Weimar govt returned.
- Kapp died in prison, awaiting trial; other ringleaders given short prison sentences.
Crises caused by political extremism: March 1920 (Communists response to the Kapp Putsch)
- In response, the SPD Govt, unions and other parties called for a general strike.
- Some worker’s organisations attempted to seize state power regionally.
- Local ‘Executice Council’s were formed over the Ruhr area by the USPD/KPD.
- The Red Ruhr Army (50,000 rebels) prevailed over Govt forces in that area.
- Attacked the Freikorps = killed 600,000 troops.
- By the end of March, the whole Ruhr area was taken.
Resolution of March 1920 (Communists)
- Failed negotiation attempts to stop the Putsch.
- After the collapse of the Kapp Putsch, the German government sent the Reichswehr and the Freikorps to suppress the Red Ruhr Army.
- Fierce battle = death sentences and mass executions - estimated 1000 workers killed.
Crises caused by political extremism: KPD’s worker uprising in March 1921
- Called for a strike on March 21, but happened on March 22 in the mining industry of Mansfield-Eisleben.
- Arrival of Max Hoelz (KAPD) escalated the strike violently: spoke at assemblies, calling for violence resistance to the police.
- Armed striking workers and unemployed miners lost control - organised raiding parties, performed arson, looting and damaging trains and railways.
- Bloody police-worker clashes - uprising threatened to spread to Saxony.
Resolution of the KPD’s worker uprising in March 1921
- 24th March = Pres. Ebert declared a non-military state of emergency for Hamburg and Saxony.
- Near the end of March - Govt troops managed to gain the upper hand and suppress the battles, where the KPD withdrew its call for strike action on 1st April.
- 100 people died in the fighting + 3000+ insurgents were arrested.
Crises caused by political extremism: KPD + SPD’s revolt in October 1923
- Stormed 26 police precincts (weapons stolen from 17).
- Train tracks and streets were blockaded.
- Arrested local govt leaders.
- In Schiffbek, KPD posted placards (‘Long Live Soviet Germany’) to urge support and calm residents.
- Only supported in Bermbek by some residents building barricades and bringing them food.
- 1,300 actively participated and 5,000 near the end.
Resolution of KPD + SPD in October 1923
- Despite some rebels maintaining their position during the day, the low morale forced them to sneak away at night.
- Police launched a major offence against empty barricades the next day. Killed: 17 police officers, 21 rebels and 61 innocent bystanders.
- Arrested 1400 rebels and tried 443.
Crises caused by political extremism: November 1923 (Munich Putsch)
- Hitler wanted to mount a Nazi takeover of Germany, inspired by Mussolini, hoping to gain the support of local politicians and citizens.
- SA surrounded a beer cellar, where Gustav von Kahr and important officials were in an meeting.
- Crashed into the hall, announcing the disposal of the National and the Bevaria Govt = Hitler and Ludenhoff to form a new Govt, locking officials in and tried to convince them.
Resolution of November 1923 (Munich Putsch)
- Prisoners managed to escape - organised resistance to the Putsch. Once the Nazis attempted to expand their marches into Berlin, there was a short battle with police.
- Killed 14 Nazis and four police officers.
- Arrested nine authorities, including Hitler.
- Ended the coup.
