The Years of Challenge 1920-1923 Flashcards
How did right-wing (conservative) groups view the new republic?
They did not accept the new republic, as it was associated with military defeat and humiliation.
Who were the November Criminals?
The politicians who signed the armistice in November 1918. They were blamed for Germany’s defeat.
In what year did the Kapp Putsch take place?
1920
What is a putsch?
An attempt to take power through force.
What was the cause of the Kapp Putsch?
The government tried to reduce the size of a Freikorps Brigade (group) outside Berlin. Their commander, General von Luttwitz, refused to obey and ordered the Freikorps to march on Berlin.
What did President Ebert expect the army to do when the Freikorps occupied Berlin?
He expected the army to defend the republic, but they refused to fight against the Freikorps. Both groups had fought side by side in WWI.
What happened to the government in Berlin during the Kapp Putsch?
They fled the city and were replaced by a new government, led by Wolfgang Kapp.
Why did the Kapp Putsch fail?
The workers, unions and bankers in Berlin went on strike. Kapp could not get control of the city and fled. The democratic government returned once the putsch was over.
Why was the Kapp Putsch important?
It showed that the government of the republic was quite weak, as they had to flee the capital. It also showed that the army could not always be relied upon to protect the new republic.
What was the White Terror?
Threats to the new republic from right-wing extremists.
How many political murders were there in Germany between 1919 and 1922?
- Most were carried out by right-wing groups, who were a growing threat to the new republic.
Why was Matthias Erzberger assassinated?
He was one of the ‘November Criminals’ and was blamed for German defeat in WWI.
Why was Walter Rathenau assassinated?
He believed that Germany should follow the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles (called the policy of fulfilment).
How did the government respond to Rathenau’s assassination?
Chancellor Wirth announced that ‘the enemy stands on the Right’ and used Article 48 to introduce the Law for the Protection of the Republic. This law was to crack down on right-wing extremists.
Why were many right-wing groups treated lightly by the courts?
The judicial (justice) system was also right-wing (conservative).
Was the German army left-wing or right-wing?
Right-wing. They supported the old Germany under the rule of the Kaiser.
How did the German army view the new republic?
They tolerated it. While the army wanted a return to the old German system, they wanted to stop left-wing extremists like the communists (KPD).
Who was commander of the German army from 1920 to 1926?
General von Seeckt.
How did General von Seeckt view the Treaty of Versailles?
He wanted to overcome the military restrictions and make Germany a strong nation again.
How did General von Seeckt maintain the German military structure?
He gave officers civilian (non-military) titles, he encouraged soldiers to join the police force, he made sure all members of the army could perform the job of the rank above.
How did the Treaty of Rapallo (1922) help Germany to build up its army?
General von Seeckt trained German soldiers in the Soviet Union. Air force pilots were trained near Moscow.
How did Germany secretly manufacture military equipment and supplies?
Armaments (weapons) were built at factories in the Soviet Union and Sweden. Submarines were built in Holland. The Treaty of Versailles had no power in these other countries.
When did the Allies present the reparations figure to Germany? What happened as a result?
- The government fell and a new government was formed led by Chancellor Wirth.
What policy did Chancellor Worth follow with the Allies?
The policy of fulfilment. Wirth believed that cooperating with the Allies would allow Germany to re-negotiate the Treaty of Versailles.
