RESENTMENT OF WEIMAR REPUBLIC Flashcards
Explain why the people of Germany resented the new Weimar Republic. (12) Paragraph 1
P1: DOLCHSTOSS THEORY (STAB-IN-THE-BACK-MYTH)
E1: By November 1918, Germany was on the verge of defeat and the whole German Army was in retreat from the allies. With little other choice, Matthias Erzeberger, on behalf of the government, signed the surrender and armistice on 11 November 1918. The war was over. The German Army were mainly right wing - which meant that they were loyal to the Kaiser - and so did not truly support the new democratic government. The Army were furious that Ebert’s government had signed the Armistice and surrendered to the allies - the army generals had wanted to continue fighting. For this reason, many in the Army saw the new Weimar Republic as weak and cowardly. Many people started to believe the ‘dolchstoss’ theory which suggested that the Weimar Government had deliberately betrayed the German Army.
A1: Consequently, this was significant as it explains that the people resented the new Weimar Republic because they felt that they had been betrayed by weak and cowardly leaders who signed the Armistice making Germany look weak and vulnerable.
Explain why the people of Germany resented the new Weimar Republic. (12)
P2: THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES - DIKTAT, ARTICLE 213
E2: The TOV quickly became unpopular with the German people as they felt that the allies had forced the unfair terms of the treaty on Germany without any negotiation. The people of Germany began to refer to the treaty as ‘diktat’ - meaning the treaty had been imposed on the German people without their agreement. Additionally, Germany had to accept all the blame for the war, with Article 231 stating that Germany had caused the war and were responsible for the devastation caused. This because known as the ‘war guilt’ clause and was hated by the German people.
A2: Consequently, this was significant as it represents that the resentment of the new Weimar Republic stemmed from the shame that the treaty of Versailles placed upon Germany, with the people angered at the unfair terms of the treaty.
Explain why the people of Germany resented the new Weimar Republic. (12)
P3: THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES - ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE
E3: Germany was forced to give up significant territory as a result of the TOV: Alscace-Lorraine to France, West Prussia and Upper Silesia to Poland, and all overseas colonies to the Allies. Germany was forced to reduce its military: the Army was reduced to 100,000 men, the Navy was reduced to only six battleships, and Germany were no longer allowed to have military aircraft, submarines, or armoured vehicles. Finally, Germany was forced to pay reparations: Germany was ordered to pay £6.6 billion to the Allies to pay for the damage caused by the war and Germany was to provide France with coal for 15years.
A3: Consequently, this was significant as these heavy reparations and significant territorial loss significantly weakened the economy of the Weimar Republic from the very beginning, resulting in significant resentment from the German people and a hatred for the TOV.
