The Weimar Constitution Flashcards
Where did the Weimar Republic get its name from? Give 3 details.
- The assembly met in the city of Weimar as Berlin was very dangerous in 1919 due to unrest and the various political groups
- They stayed there until early 1920
- Hitler later nicknamed the republic the Weimar Republic
When were the first elections held after the war?
- 19 January 1919
List 3 important facts about these elections.
- The voting age was lowered from 25 to 20
- This was the first election that women were allowed to vote in
- 82.7% of people allowed to vote did vote, showing that regular Germans were eager to have a say in the running of the country and to take part in democracy
What were the results of the 1919 elections?
- The SPD won 38% of votes
- The ZP won 20%
- The DDP won 19%
- The DNVP won 10%
- The USPD won 8%
- The DVP won 4%
- The KPD won 0%
Why were the elections disappointing for the SPD, and what did they do as a result?
- They did not get the majority they were expecting, so they had to form a coalition
- They formed one with the ZP and the DDP
Which parties were right-wing?
- The German National People’s Party (DNVP) was the most right-wing
- It was followed by the German People’s Party (DVP)
Which party was the most liberal?
- The Centre Party (ZP)
Which parties were left-wing?
- The KPD was the most left-wing
- It was followed by the USPD
- Then the SPD
- Then the German Democrats (DDP)
What 2 groups did the DNVP mainly consist of?
- Wealthy landowners
- Many of its members were antisemitic
What were the main attitudes of the DNVP? List 3 things they wanted.
- Conservative, nationalist and monarchist
- It did not want social reform
- It didn’t want a republic
- It supported the army
Who did the DVP consist of, and who was their leader?
- Gustav Stresemann was their leader
- Wealthy industrial middle class that mostly wanted the economy to be fixed quickly
List 4 of the main attitudes of the DVP.
- Moderately conservative
- It reluctantly accepted the republic
- It was nationalist
- It supported the army
List 3 of the ZP’s main attitudes.
- Catholic, and therefore defended the Church
- Conservative, but did advocate for social reform
- It was firmly against left-wing policies and communism
Who voted for the ZP?
- Many of the different social groups
List 3 of the DDP’s main aims.
- They supported the republic
- Social reforms
- Reforming the army
How popular was the SPD?
- It was the largest party in the Reichstag from 1919 to 1929
List 2 of the SPD’s main beliefs.
- They had a republican stance
- Moderate social reform (against revolution)
Which 2 social groups tended to support the SPD?
- Workers
- Middle-class liberals who wanted moderate reform
What 2 things did the USPD want?
- A more radical system than a republic
- A more equal society
What 2 things did the KPD want?
- A workers’ revolution
- The establishment of a communist state and therefore the abolition of private ownership