Pre Weimar Germany/ End of WW1 Flashcards
What was Germany’s government like before the end of the war?
Kaiser Wilhelm II appointed the government (chancellor, ministers), called on elected reichstag, controlled the army. Men over 25 could vote
What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?
Germany had to accept blame (Article 231), their armed forces were reduced to 100,000, they had to pay £6.6 billion in reparations, 10% of German land was lost, and all overseas colonies, Germany was not allowed to join the League of Nations, 16% of coal industry was lost and 48% of iron.
What were the German people’s reactions to the Treaty of Versailles?
They thought other countries should share the blame. There was outrage at disarmament and reduction of German land as these were seen as symbols of pride. They were insulted that they couldn’t join the League of Nations.
Why was the German people’s reaction hypocritical?
They put Russia in a very similar situation at the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
When was the armistice, ending WW1, signed?
11am on 11/11/18
Who were the Allies during WW1?
Britain, France, USA, Italy and Russia
Economic problems at the end of WW1 in Germany
National income was about 1/3 and industrial production was about 2/3s of what it was in 1913; by 1925 about 1/3 of the state’s budget was being spent in war pensions
Social problems at the end of WW1 in Germany
WW1 left 600,000 widows and 2 million children without fathers, a flu epidemic killed 1000s of people who were already weak from food rations, a huge gap was created between the living standards of the rich and poor
- Political problems at the end of WW1 in Germany
People believed that leaders like Ebert had stabbed Germany in the back and caused the defeat; stresses caused by the war led to a revolution from October to November 1918
