Popular Support and Political Persuasion 1918-32

Question 1

descibe the initial support for the republic

Answer 1

-high level of support due to revelation that defeat of war was inevitable
-many germans believed propaganda that they would have victory and were shocked, withdrew support for war and wanted the end of it
-wanted the end of monarchy and abdication of Kaiser as they thought he was an obstacle to peace and blamed him for starting the war
-german press printed reports that USA would be sympathetic to them if they became democratic

Question 2

describe the working class support for the republic

Answer 2

-workers supported it until the great depression which caused mass unemployment
-in beginning of republic they recieved worker rights and secure position to negotiate with business leaders
-Karl Liegen and Hugo stinnes agreed on Stinnes-Legien agreement which guaranteed recognition of trade unions, 8 hr working day, establishment of workor committees which allowed their voice be heard
-trade unions supported new republic
-weimar won support from working class when they stood behind the republic during Kapp Putsch
-many strikes during hyperinflation
-during great depression more supported KPD or nazis

Question 3

describe what the stinnes legien agreement is

Answer 3

guaranteed recognition of trade unions, 8 hr working day which let more leisure time, establishment of workor committees which allowed their voice be heard

Question 4

how many strikes in 1922

Answer 4

4500 but declined in 1924-25

Question 5

how much did KPD support grow in 1928-32

Answer 5

grew from 10% in 1928 to 14% in 1932

Question 6

describe middle class support for the republic

Answer 6

-tended to support liberal/nationalists, preferred monarchy and tradition
-wanted swift end to war also, supported new constitution but felt threatened by democracy
-lacked political unity, most voted for either DDP, ZP, DVP or others, didnt have a representative like the working class
-SPD dominated the reichstag and they were worried germany would become a workers state
-their support weakened during hyperinflation after their savings and assets collapsed and during great depression
-began supporting nazis as they thought they could save them from socialism

Question 7

describe women support for the republic

Answer 7

-during the war more women employed in factories
-many women involved in strikes in bringing down the monarchy
-were enthusiastic for a republic
-after the war trade unions did little to support women
-usually voted ZP or parties with a religious message
-were less willing to vote extremist parties

Question 8

how many votes for ZP were women

Answer 8

60% in 1920s

Question 9

how many votes for SPD were women

Answer 9

40%

Question 10

what was the black horror campaign

Answer 10

-french troops occupied rhineland
-1919 ministers made propaganda that french deployment of africans on german soil was a danger to the nation
-included black soldiers raping white women and that french government was using racially inferior troops to occupy german land to humiliate german nation

Question 11

what was the purpose of the black horror campaign

Answer 11

-to put the german public against french occupation and gain international attention of USA who supported the racist policies and put pressure on the french to withdraw

Question 12

how was the black horror campaign a threat

Answer 12

-the french government defended the africans and the USA refused to be involved
-french occupation continued till 1930s
-undermined the weimar government by showing that they were unable to reverse the terms of TOV and the racist assumptions were extremely undemocratic and strengthened the extreme nationalist idea of racial purification

Question 13

what was the 1929 referendum

Answer 13

-a political campaign by nationalists against the young plan and demanded the renouncement of the war guilt clause of the TOV and proposed the ending of reparations
-led propaganda against the young plan and the democracy

Question 14

What did the SPD do in response to the 1929 referendum

Answer 14

-led their own campaign in favour of the young plan and presented it as a reasonable solution to germanys problems
-presented the nationalists as liars

Question 15

what happened to SPD support by 1929

Answer 15

-more germans supported extremism as democracy had failed them too many times
-SPD the only party wholly supporting the democracy

Question 16

when was the stinne leigien agreement made

Answer 16

november 1918

Question 17

when was the dawes plan

Answer 17

august 1924