The Weimar Republic

Question 1

November 1918 revolution in Germany

Answer 1

• the emperor had to abdicate and fled to the Netherlands
• the republic was proclaimed
• a new government was formed under social democrat Friedrich Ebert

Question 2

liberalism definition

Answer 2

political doctrine that takes property + promoting the freedom of the individual to be the central problem of politics. primary emphasis is placed om securing the freedom of the individual by limiting the power of the government.

Question 3

weimar constitution

Answer 3

-universal sufferage

-fundamental right
e.g.: religious freedom, ritght to privacy, freedom of speech, legal equality

~~ bill of rights

Question 4

separation of power in 3 branches of government

Answer 4

legislative
executive
judiciary

~goal is to avoid a dictatorship
~each branch is controls the other two
~parliamentary government (people represented by parliament)

Question 5

legislative

Answer 5

-Reichstag (parliament)
-vote the laws
-control the government
-represent the people

Question 6

executive

Answer 6

president + the cabinet = governement

minister = servant of the poeple
implement (execute) the laws

Question 7

the president has extensive powers
he can:

Answer 7

• suspend civil rights
• rule by decree
• supreme commander of the military forces
• sign alliances and treaties
  -dissolve the parliament
  -promulgate the law
• nominate chancellor + cabinet

Question 8

article 48

Answer 8

no limitation and no definition of crisis as long as the president condors order be threatened, he may rule by degree

it was included so that the government could function in times of crisis

~ fear pf unrestricted parliament that would become too powerful

~ aim to create a stable presidency “above party politics”

Question 9

march 1920: Kapp Putsch

Answer 9

-attempt to over throw the government

• failed because of a general strike of the Berlin workers
• Between 1919 and 1922 there were 359 assassinations of politicians (mostly left wing)

Question 10

reason for assassination of Walter Rathenau

Answer 10

because he supported the treaty of versailes

Question 11

reason for the failure of take over of bavarian government

Answer 11

lacked support from army, police, population.

Question 12

end of 1921

Answer 12

the german government announced it couldnt raise enough hard currency to meet next installments of the reparation payments

in 1922 germany required 3 year mozatorium in reparation payments

Question 13

Jan 1923

Answer 13

French and Belgian troops invaded the Ruhr. during the 9 months of occupation the french were met with passive resistance and strikes financed by the German government.

germany continued paying wages to the striking workers while the industrial output almost slowed to a halt.

Question 14

hyperinflation

Answer 14

germany continued to pay the wages to the striking workers while the industrial output slowed almost to a halt.

this denied the french the goods they intended to take but it meant that germany not making money through exports and taxes. The government continued to support its citizens by printing more money