The Weimar Republic 1918-1929 Flashcards
When did Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicate?
9 November 1918.
The Kiel Mutiny
- 3 November.
German naval base in Kiel.Frustrated German sailors
rebelled.
-Rebellions increased all over Germany-led to the collapse of the German government.
Who became the leader after Kaiser Wilhelm?
Friedrich Ebert, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) became Chancellor.
took power over Germany.
When did World War One end?
11 November 1918
(an armistice was agreed with the Allies).
What was the Spartacist uprising?
An attempt by Communists to seize power in Germany in January 1919.
When was the new constitution approved?
approved and signed in August 1919. This government eventually became known as the ‘Weimar Republic’.
When was the downfall of the Weimar Republic?
1933-34.
Strengths of the new Weimar constitution
A genuine democracy - Elections for parliament/president took place every four years. Germans over 20 could vote.
The power of the Reichstag- The Reichstag appointed the government and made all laws.
A Bill of Rights - This guaranteed every German citizen freedom of speech and religion, and equality under the law.
Weaknesses of the new Weimar constitution
Proportional representation - Each party-lots of small parties in Parliament-difficult to pass laws short-lived governments.
Article 48- President had power to act without parliament’s approval in an emergency.
No clear definition of ‘emergency’ -power was overused.
-weakened Germans’ confidence in democracy.
How did the treaty punish Germany?
militarily, territorially and financially. Many Germans resented the government for agreeing to its conditions. the German government given ultimatum – sign within five days or risk invasion.
The main terms of the treaty were: (brat)
Blame - Germany was forced to accept the blam-Article 231 of the treaty.
Reparations - In 1922-amount to be paid £6.6 billion.
Armed Forces-100,000 troops were allowed in the army/ conscription. tanks were banned. navy was reduced to 15,000 personnel, allowed only 6 battleships and no submarines.
Territory - Germany lost land on all sides of its borders as well as its overseas colonies.
The Spartacist Uprising
5 – 12 January 1919, 50,000 members of the post-World War One Communist Party, (Spartacists) rebelled in Berlin,
Led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht.
-Freikorps defeated the Spartacist rebels.
-communist workers’ councils seized power all over Germany.
-Liebknecht and Luxemburg were killed by the Freikorps.
-May 1919 the Freikorps had crushed all of these uprisings.
The Kapp Putsch.
the terms of the Treaty of Versailles meant Germany’s army had to be significantly reduced and the Freikorps had to be disbanded.
-During 13 - 17 March 1920 (reaction) the right-wing
nationalist ,Dr Wolfgang Kapp led a Freikorps takeover in Berlin.
-regular army refused to attack the Freikorps; Kapp was only defeated when workers went on strike and refused to cooperate.
The Dawes Plan
-agreed September 1924.
-Stayed the same overall (50 billion Marks) but Germany only had to pay 1 billion Marks per year for the first 5 years and 2.5 billion per year after that.
Germany was loaned 800 million Marks from the USA.
The Young Plan.
-agreed January 1930.
-Reduced the total amount by 20 per cent.
-Germany was to pay 2 billion Marks per year.
US banks would continue to loan Germany money,
