source question-Assess the value of the source for revealing the political goals of Ebert and the problems facing the new Weimar Republic Flashcards
Assess the value of the source for revealing the political goals of Ebert and the problems facing the new Weimar Republic
Assess the value of the source for revealing the political goals of Ebert and the problems facing the new Weimar Republic
political goals of Ebert
Widespread democracy- everyone over 20 can vote for the President; elected every 7 years, had emergency article 48 powers to overrule reichstag in times of crisis. Reichstag; proportional representation would provide all parties with political influence if they had 60,000 votes in a state or 30,000 votes across the country. Encourages all political ideas.
Shifted political power- Reichsrat (formerly bundesrat) now accountable to the elected reichstag to reduce power of the right wing, many of whom were loyal to the kaiserreich still. Reichstag could initiate legislation, and the party with the most seats chose the chancellor and his ministers who proposed laws to the reichstag. The lower classes seemingly had more political power, but in no way was it completely fair democracy
Bill of rights- provide more rights for working class people- unemployment benefits, sick pay, free speech/ religion. Trade unions allowed to increase rights of workers at work
Problems facing new Weimar Republic
The legacy of the kaiserreich- The DVP and DNVP represented the middle and upper class junkers in the reichstag and saw the new weimar republic as too democratic. Thought the new Germany had to be based on a strong economy and free trade. The judiciary was predominantly made up of right wing junkers who were biased against the left. Hitler was given a sentence of 5 years in 1924 for leading the Munich Putsch, which was punishable by death but only served nine months, whilst Fechenbach (eisners secretary) was given 11 years for violating press laws. The elitist classes still undermined democracy as they had done under Bismarck because it didn’t suit them.
The treaty of Versailles- Weimar was undermined from the outset following ww1 because of the harsh terms of the treaty of Versailles, in which they accepted total war guilt. The upper class and the army officers were angry that the terms were accepted, and opposed Weimar for other reasons as well, which further worsened the situation. Saar land was lost (Germanys main coal fields) and the Rhineland was demilitarised. They had to pay £6.6mn worth in gold/ raw materials but weren’t told this until 1921. Clause 231 saw them accept total guilt for the war and they were excluded from the league of nations until they could prove that they were peace loving.
