The Weimar Republic Flashcards
Establishment of the Republic (1918)
On November 9, 1918, Philip Scheidemann proclaimed the German republic, marking the end of the German empire and the beginning of the Weimar era.
This would happen in the wake of losing World War 1 by a national assembly who drafted the democratic constitution. This was a new and unfamiliar form of government for Germans.
The Treaty of Versailles (1919)
On June 28, 1919, the treaty imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including territorial losses, military restrictions and reparations payments for the damages they have caused.
Germans were shocked and angered over the terms of the treaty and their representatives who agreed to the terms. The agreed terms deprived Germany of any significant military power and having lost World War 1 they were faced with accepting the responsibility for causing the war, pay heavy reparations and forfeit 13% of its territory gained from the war or based on the agreed terms.
Political Policies & Treaties
Dawes Plan (1924) - Lowered reparations, tied it to the German economic growth, resulting in allies to control over Germany economy.
Young Plan (1929) - Furthered reduced payments, limited time and removed outside control over Germany.
Locarno Pact (1925) - It was a set of treaties that outlined the following terms and agreements - Germany’s acceptance of its western borders as defined by the Treaty of Versailles. Mutual guarantees of the borders between Germany, Belgium, and France. Arbitration agreements between Germany and its neighbors.
Friedrich Ebert
Friedrich Ebert was a German political of the social Democratic Party of Germany and the first president of Germany from 1919 until his death in office in 1925. In his career he would be the elected leader of the SPD in 1913.
During the German revolution of 1918 - 1919 Ebert was a pivotal figure as Germany had become a Republic at the end of the First World War, with him as its first Chancellor. His policies as Chancellor focused on restoring order in Germany and suppressing the left-wing by taking on conservative and nationalistic political stances.
He would be aided by the support of the military under General Wilhelm Groener leadership along with the right-wing political force ‘Freikorps’. As a result Ebert crushed a number of communist and Anarchist uprisings as well as those from the right-wing such as the Kapp-Putsch.
Gustav Stresemann
Served as Chancellor and foreign minister and was instrumental in improving Germany’s international standing.
Stresemann was known for his diplomatic acumen and efforts to improve Germany’s international relations following World War I. He also played a crucial role in stabilizing Germany’s economy during the hyperinflation crisis of the early 1920s. Stresemann was instrumental in negotiating the Locarno Treaties of 1925, which aimed to normalize relations between Germany and other European nations.
The Freikorps
The Freikorps was a term meaning “Free Corps” which would comprise of military units in 1918 and were mainly right-wing ex-soldiers after the First World War. They opposed the extremist of the left and were the ones to crush the Spartacist uprising in 1919.
The Spartacist League
The Spartacists were an extreme left-wing group that sought to overthrow the German government and establish a soviet or communist regime. They followed a strict belief of world revolution and the ideals of Bolshevism.
The Munich (Beer Hall) Putsch - (1923)
In September, 1923, the Chancellor, Gustav Stresemann, realized that Germany would soon have to give in to France, as a result he ended the policy of Passive Resistance to the Ruhr (A large industrial area situated between Belgium and Prussia). This course of action would be seen as betrayal to right-wing extremists and those who hated the Republic.
Encouraged by the Bavarian government a putsch was plotted against the Reich government and by November 8, Adolf Hitlers party launched an attempted revolution on the capital city of Bavaria, Munich. However, the revolution was easily crushed by the Army and police and would be made an example of violent political extremism.
The Kapp-Putsch - (1920)
The Kapp-Putsch also known as the Kapp-Luttwitz Putsch was an attempted coup against the German National government in Berlin on March 13, 1920. Under the leader Wolfgang Kapp who was a radical right-wing conspirator and politician and Walter von Luttwitz.
The goal of the putsch was to undo the German revolution of 1918 - 1919 by overthrowing the Weimar republic and establish an autocratic government instead. They had the support of parts of the Reichswehr as well as nationalist and monarchist factions. They were heavily influenced by the agreement to the treaty of Versailles and the disbandment of the Freikorps.
As a result, they coup managed to drive out the Government officials out of Berlin including the current President Friedrich Ebert to Stuttgart. However, they’re attempt to take control of the government shortly fell apart due to their lack of support from the military and general population along with the civil service refusing to cooperate.
Article 48 (Weimar Constitution)
The article gave the Chancellor absolute power in times of emergency, Moreover, election of proportional representation made the passage of laws by small parties difficult. This article would be used frequently by Reich Chancellor, Friedrich Ebert, of the SPD (Social Democratic Party) to deal with political unrest and economic emergencies during his time in office.
Occupation of the Ruhr (1923 - 1925)
The occupation of the Ruhr was a period from January 11, 1923 to 25 August, 1925 where French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr region of the Weimar Republic. It would part of France’s plan of ensuring Germany would pay by seizing materials such as coal for themselves.
During this time, Germany with Chancellor Gustav Stresemann would enact a “passive resistance” meaning they would not work for French affairs. Though this only led to Germany becoming even poorer as the Ruhr was one of Germany’s most industrial territories.
Article 231 (War Guilt Clause) - (1918)
The Armistice of November 11, 1918, ended the conflict between the allies and Germany and would be prolonged three times until the Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28 June, 1919 and took effect on January 20, 1920.
The Armistice covered the 14 points addressed by President Woodrow Wilson some of the most important addressed being - Termination of the conflict on the Western front, returned territories of France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Alsace-Lorraine, returned territories of the Rhineland and the demilitarization of Germany..
Proportional Representation
A system that ensured that political parties were allocated seats in proportion to the number of votes they got which seemed fair. However, with many smaller parties each with their own MP no one could win the majority therefore coalitions were formed becoming even more divided.
Stab-In-The-Back Myth
An antisemitic conspiracy theory that believed throughout Germany after 1918 believed that the Imperial German army did not lose the war, but was instead betrayed by certain citizens (particularly Jews), revolutionary socialists and Republican politicians. The myth advocated German government leaders as ‘November criminals’ for signing the Armistice of November 11, 1918.
