The origins of the Weimar Republic 1918-19 and Early challenges to the Weimar Republic 1919- 1923 Flashcards
When was the armistice
Nov 11 1918
Who fled Germany just before end of WW1
Kaiser Wilhelm II
Why did the Kaiser abdicate
Because he lost the support of the military and the people. This meant he could potentially be in danger due to his unpopularity.
Who were the Friekorps
Soldiers that previously fought in WW1
Who was the president of Weimar Germany
Ebert
How was the Weimar Republic organised
Using proportional representation
What were the problems with proportional representation
Since there were so many parties it was difficult to win an election. This meant many parties had to collaborate making their opinions very vague.
What were the strengths of the Weimar constitution?
Everyone over the age of 20 could vote for the first time
It was democratic - the people voted the president and the constitution
Proportional representation helped prevent one large party from taking control
What were the weaknesses in the Weimar constitution?
Proportional representation meant it was hard to win a vote so many parties had to collaborate.
Article 48 stated, in the event of a crisis the president could take full control. This eventually lead to the rise of the Nazi Party
When was the Weimar Republic established
9th Nov 1918
Why did the people of Germany dislike the Weimar constitution?
Because the poletitions who were in the Weimar constitution signed the Treaty of Versailles. This gave the poletitions in the Weimar Republic the name “November Criminals’
Why was the Treaty of Versailles unpopular?
Because the German people did not believe they had lost the war so they therefore felt the as though they had been unfairly surrendered.
Who had to take full responsibility for WW1
Germany
How much land did Germany loose as a result of the Treaty of Versailles
68000 km squared
In what countries did Germany lose land to
Belgium, Czechoslovakia and Poland
Which three countries made up the big three
The US, the Uk and the USSR
How much did Germany have to pay in reparations
The equivalent of $500 billion today
How was the German military limited after the Treaty of Versailles
Only 10000 men allowed
No submarines
No aircraft outside of German teratory
What year was the Spartacus revolt
1919
Who were the leaders of the Spartacus revolt
Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg
Why were the Friekorps useful to Ebert in 1919
He used them to informer the Weimar Republic. In return, he promised job security
Why were the Friekorps a problem for Ebert in 1920?
In 1920 the Friekorps tried to overthrow the Weimar constitution in their revolution. The revolution was called the Kapp Putsch. The unprising began when the Friekorps found there was a plan for them to be disbanded. The Friekorps were extremely powerful and Ebert as well as many other poletitions had to flee.
They later plead for the population to not partake in the uprising and to instead go on strike.
When did the French invade the Ruhr
9th Jan 1923
Why did the French invade the Ruhr
to enforce German payment of reparations stemming from the First World War
How did Ebert attempt to fix the French invasion of Ruhr
Ruhr was a a very industrial area and had many workers. When the French invaded Ruhr the workers were encouraged to go on strike in return for compensation. However, Weimar Germany could not afford the compensation so they printed more money
What happened as a result of Ebert trying to pay the workers
Hyperinflation
How large was the inflation rate per day during 1923
20.9%
