The Weimar Republic Flashcards
November 1918 revolution in Germany
- the emperor had to abdicate and fled to the Netherlands
- the republic was proclaimed
- a new government was formed under social democrat Friedrich Ebert
liberalism definition
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.
weimar constitution
-universal sufferage
-fundamental right
e.g.: religious freedom, ritght to privacy, freedom of speech, legal equality
~~ bill of rights
separation of power in 3 branches of government
legislative
executive
judiciary
~goal is to avoid a dictatorship
~each branch is controls the other two
~parliamentary government (people represented by parliament)
legislative
-Reichstag (parliament)
-vote the laws
-control the government
-represent the people
executive
president + the cabinet = governement
minister = servant of the poeple
implement (execute) the laws
the president has extensive powers
he can:
- 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
article 48
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”
march 1920: Kapp Putsch
-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)
reason for assassination of Walter Rathenau
because he supported the treaty of versailes
reason for the failure of take over of bavarian government
lacked support from army, police, population.
end of 1921
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
Jan 1923
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.
hyperinflation
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