Problems that the Weimar Constitution faced

Question 1

When did Germany admit defeat in the first World War?

Answer 1

On 29th September 1918

Question 2

To whom was the power passed to after Wilhelm II abdicated in November 9 1918?

Answer 2

The leader of the SDP, Ebert

Question 3

When was the armistice signed by Ebert?

Answer 3

11th November 1918

Question 4

Who were the main political parties in the Weimar Constitution and what were each of there political stances?

Answer 4

KPD-Communist party
Social Democrats (SD)- Centre left
Centre party (Z)
Germany people’sparty (DVP)-Centre right
National Socialist Party (NSDAP) -Far right

Question 5

What were the strengths of the newly established Weimar Constitution?

Answer 5

Before, Germany was not used to the people having the power, now under the new government, the public now had a voice in who ran their country.
The Weimar also gave its people fundamental powers which gave them basic human rights.
In addition, the re election of government every four years allows possible change in the country if something is not right
Aricle 48, could also be used to restore order if used correctly

Question 6

What were the weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?

Answer 6

Although Article 4, could be used for good, it also gives the President alot of power which could be abused.
As the President appoints the Chancellor, courts and officers, this means that the president has a massive influence over the courts and police. This could lead to corruption and unfair treatment of the people.
Proportional Representation allows too many different political parties with opposing views into the government. Becomes difficult for parties to agree on ways of dealing with the country’s problems.

Question 7

What were the terms of the Treaty of Versaille?

Answer 7

Land- Germany lost 13% of its land, including Alsace-Lorraine being returned back to France
Upper Silesia coal and steel works given to Poland-
Army- reduced to 100,000 soldiers for a population of 50-60 million
Not allowed an air force, submarines or tanks
Only allowed 6 battleships
Money- reparation bill set at £6.6 billion
Blame- Article 231- Germany and her allies were responsible for starting the war

Question 8

What were the impacts of the terms of the T of V?

Answer 8

Land- Germany lost land which supplied to country with industry and boosted their economy. People who were once part of Germany, were now part of another nation. Many people felt like they had lost their citizenship and identity.
Army- makes Germany defenceless if another country were to attack them. Surrounding countries like France and Belgium had strong armies and could attack/invade at any time. The lack of battleships and tanks meant that Germany had lost part of its trade, which again would decline their economy.
Money- high reparation bill would cripple the country as it is now in a vast amount of debt. Lead to unemployment and poverty
Blame- many Germans felt betrayed by the government as they were seen to readily take to the blame for the war, The public were outraged by Germany being solely responsible for the war as they believed they were not the only ones to blame. The Treaty of Versaille and the Weimar Constitution for many were representatives of the betrayal and anger that they felt.

Question 9

What were the economic consequences of the war?

Answer 9

Government were 250.7 billion marks in debt by November 1918.
Inflation increases and prices rose to 250%
War expenditure was financed by loans and printing money rather than taxation

Question 10

What were the political consequences of the war?

Answer 10

Weimar Republic was blamed for the signing of the T of V, became known as the ‘November Criminals’.

Question 11

What were the social consequences of the war?

Answer 11

Middle class and those on fixed incomes (pensioners) lost out on interest on the savings.
Owners of war industries made huge profits
People looked towards extremist groups for solutions

Question 12

When was the Spartacist Uprising?

Answer 12

January 1919

Question 13

Who were the main political group involved in the Spartacist uprising?

Answer 13

KPD or Communists

Question 14

What were the communists able to do during their uprisings?

Answer 14

They were able to capture the publishing and radio tower. This meant that the Communists know had a huge control of the media outlet and also proved to the government that they were a force to be reckoned with

Question 15

Was the Spartacist Uprising a success?

Answer 15

Although it was able to capture the publishing and media tower, the uprising was easily defeated by the government’s army. This led to 100 workers being killed. Both leaders of the Spartacist Uprising (Luxemburg and Liebknecht) were executed. This then meant that the group itself would disband without the strong leadership, preventing any further revolts. In addition, the uprising did not gain much support from the public as hoped. The communists did not gain anything by the uprising.

Question 16

What were the main factors which meant that left-wing uprisings failed in general in their aims?

Answer 16

Poor organisations
Internal divisions
Lack of support
Government repression

Question 17

When was the Kapp Putsch?

Answer 17

March 1920

Question 18

Who were the main members of the Kapp Putsch?

Answer 18

Freikorps and right winged supporters

Question 19

Why did the Freikorps revolt in the Kapp Putsch?

Answer 19

They were disbanded as the government needed to reduce the size of the army due to the terms in the T of V, leaving 12,000 people unemployed.

Question 20

What happened in the Kapp Putsch?

Answer 20

12,000 men marched into Berlin, leaving the government no alternative but to flee. The Freikorps then entered Berlin. Army refused to fire back at the Freikorps as they did not want to fight other troops. The Kapp then formed a new government, however after four days the Kapp Putsch fled Berlin.

Question 21

Why did the Kapp Putsch flee after only four days of seizing Berlin?

Answer 21

The failed to gain support from the people. This meant that the government that they had formed was not working as the public were not co-operating

Question 22

When was the Munich Putsch?

Answer 22

8 November 1923

Question 23

Who was the leader of the Munich Putsch?

Answer 23

Adolf Hitler and other members of the National Socialist Party

Question 24

What happened during the Munich Putsch?

Answer 24

Lossow and Kahr were holding a meeting infront of 2,000 right-wing supportets in a Munich Beer-hall. Hitler and his men marched into the beer-hall, gun in hand, demanding the signed agreement from Lossow and Kahr in which they supported the march in Munich. The two men signed the agreement, however then later retracted their forced support. This then meant that when Hitler and his 3,000 men marched into Munich, they did not have the support that they had planned. The march was met with resistance of 100 policemen. This resulted in the death of 19 men, 16 being Nazi and 3 police officers. In result of the violence, Hitler dislocated his shoulder and lfed from the scene

Question 25

Was the Munich Putsch a failure?

Answer 25

Although in the short term, the Munich Putsch could be deemed as a failure due to its lack of support and geogrpahical limitations, in the long term it was also beneficial for the publicity of Hitler and the National Socialist Party. This is because from the trial of Hitler, it became national news of the right-winged attempt of revolt. Many people became captuvated into the trial and gave Hitler a public platfrorm to share his views.

Question 26

Why did Germany default on the first instalment of the reparations in May 1921?

Answer 26

The German government did not want to increase tension between them and the public by increasing taxes or cutting expenditure to pay off the debt. This meant that the German government had no way of paying the money and had to default on the payments.

Question 27

What happened in January 1923?

Answer 27

French and Belgium troops marched into the industrial capital of Germany, the Ruhr. They took control of the industry in the Ruhr. However, the German governement told the workers to passively resistance the troops and they will be payed by the government instead. As they did not have the money to pay these workers, this led to them printing out more money than they had in the bank. Thus, causing the problem of inflation.

Question 28

What were the positive impacts of hyperinflation?

Answer 28

Those who were in debt could easily pay them off.
The unemployment rate did not drop due to hyperinflation as reparations were now being payed off via good so required labour work.
The initial inflation stimulated growth in the economy

Question 29

What were the negative impacts of the hyperinflation?

Answer 29

Middle class were the worst impacted as they lost all their savings.
The Weimar Republic was now politcally unstable as people turned against them.
Poverty increased as the cost of living increased
Provokes politcal unrest as people turned to extremist groups which offered answers and solutions unlike the government who caused the problems in the first place
Those who were on fixed incomes also suffered
Blame was passed onto the Jews as they were seen as the loan sharks. Increase in anti-Semitic attitudes

Question 30

When did passive resistance to the French and Belgian troops end in the Ruhr?

Answer 30

26th September