The Impact of WW1 on Germany - Part Two of Germany 1890-1945 Flashcards
What happened to the amount of resources Germany could import during WW1?
There were terrible shortages of food, medicine and clothing, leaving the people deprived and tired.
Who was responsible for Germany’s shortages and how did this happen?
Britain, they used their large navy to blockade German sea access and prevent them from importing goods from overseas.
What did the public do in 1915 as a result of their distaste in the war and supply shortages?
In 1915, 500 women gathered outside the Reichstag and said they wanted their men back from the trenches.
What did the public do in 1916 to voice their opinion on the blockade and the war?
In 1916, 10,000 workers assembled in Berlin chanting “Down with the war, down with the government!”
What was the impact of the war on citizens by 1918? Give two examples.
1) By 1918, the German people were incredibly short on food, many starving.
2) The Spanish Flu ravaged the country, killing thousands already weak from their diet.
What was the situation on the battlefield like by 1918?
The Germans were close to defeat.
What did General Ludendorff tell German politicians and the Kaiser in October 1918?
That Germany could never win the war and that the Entente might treat Germany more fairly if they became more Democratic.
What did the Kaiser do because of General Ludendorff’s words?
He allowed the political parties to form a new government and transferred some powers to the Reichstag.
How did the people respond to the Kaiser’s reforms?
They held more demonstrations against him either abdicating or yielding all power to the Reichstag to act as a ceremonial leader.
What was the German navy ordered to do on the 28th October 1918?
They were ordered out to sea from Kiel (northern Germany) to attack British ships but they mutinied as they no longer wanted to fight, due to the terrible conditions and the situation in the war.
What happened when soldiers were sent to deal with protesters?
They joined the protests and took over towns and cities to govern themselves.
What did the Kaiser do on the 9th November, as the country was in chaos?
He abdicated and secretly left Germany for the Netherlands as he had no support from the public or the government.
Who took charge of Germany after the Kaiser’s abdication? What party was this person from?
Friedrich Ebert took control of Germany after the Kaiser’s abdication, a member of the SPD. He took control for a temporary basis.
What did Friedrich Ebert promise the people?
That elections would be held and that they could vote for him.
When did Germany surrender in WW1?
The 11th of November 1918.
What was the impact of WW1 on the economy?
Germany was nearly bankrupt: they had lent money to its allies that would never pay it back; they borrowed money from the USA which would need to be paid back; German factories were exhausted by the war and the war left 2 million children without fathers.
What was the impact of WW1 on society?
1) Whilst some factory owners had made a fortune making guns and artillery, workers were nearly broke and had limits placed on their wages. 2) Women worked in factories as men were in the trenches, some viewed this as breaking familial values.
How did the war impact the political landscape of Germany? Give two ways.
1) Before the war, Germany was stable and rich but the war caused mutiny and civil unrest. 2) Many ex-soldiers and civilians felt they could have won the war if it weren’t for the politicians who signed the armistice. They were called the “November Criminals” and refused to support them.
What did Ebert declare Germany?
A Democratic Republic.
What was the name of the communist movement in post war Germany?
The Spartacus League.
On the 6th of January, what did the Spartacists do?
They tried to overthrow the government for a communist one.
How did Ebert respond to the Spartacists?
He sent 2000 ex-soldiers called the “Free Corps” to deal with the communist threat, these were mainly right wing people who hated communism. They captured and murdered the leaders- Karl Liebnknecht and Rosa Luxemburg.
In January 1919, Ebert held the election he promised, who won this election?
The SPD won the January election and Ebert became president.
What was the name of this new German government?
The Weimar Republic, named after the city of Weimar where Ebert discussed how to run the new government.
In 1919, the Weimar Republic drew up a new constitution, this gave certain people the right to vote, who were they?
All men and women over age 20.
The Weimar Government introduced a policy of “proportional representation” what did this mean and what happened as a result?
Proportional representation meant that the percentage of votes a party got became the amount of seats that they would hold in the Reichstag.
