The Impact of WW1 Flashcards
By 1918 are Germany in a good or bad situation and why
Bad
Huge food shortages
German citizens are unhappy and having to ration food and start to revolt
Compare Britain and Germany by 1918
1918 Britain in very good situation- British Empire is the largest Empire in the world and has blocked off access to Germany via the North Sea
No food shortages so lots of food to feed army
1918 Germany in very bad situation- food shortages as can’t get food supplies in from ships so no food to feed army, citizens are unhappy and having to ration food and start to revolt
When does the Kaiser of Germany abdicate
9th November 1918
What happens after the Kaiser abdicates on 9th November 1918
Ebert declares a new Republic
On 11th November Ebert and the new government agree to the armistice (ceasefire) which ends combat (the war)
Why is the Weimar Republic called the ‘Weimar’ republic
They met in the town of Weimar (Berlin is dangerous as not all Germans welcomed the new republic)
2 key weaknesses of the Weimar Republic
Article 48
Proportional representation
What does Article 48 mean
During an ‘emergency’ the President can rule by Presidential Decree so can make his own rules and laws without approval from the Reichstag
What does proportional representation mean
Seats in Reichstag rewarded as proportion of votes so hard to form democracy and pass laws
Name for German Parliament
The Reichstag
True or false, the Weimar Republic is democratic
True
Formal agreement that ends WW1
Treaty of Versailles
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed
June 1919
Which 3 countries (and people) is the Big Three made up of
France (Clemenceau)
USA (Wilson)
Britain (Lloyd- George)
What do each of the Big Three want out of the Treaty of Versailles for Germany
France (Clemenceau) want revenge
USA (Wilson) want peace
Britain (Lloyd- George) want compromise
4 umbrella Terms of the Treaty of Versailles
Blame
Reparations
Armed forces
Territory