Theme 2- Opposition, Control and Consent 1918-1933 Flashcards
What was the stab in the back myth?
The idea that the war was lost by a betrayal of disloyal socialists, communists, Jews and weak politicians, not the army or its leaders. The army promoted this idea to avoid the blame for defeat in war.
Why was it hard for German people to accept that Germany lost the war?
The media were still confident of victory, even in the autumn of 1918 and it was common knowledge that the German army was still occupying French territory. Popular militarism also meant that the Germans viewed their army as invincible.
What did Germany hope for in the peace treaty?
They hoped for fair treatment as they had set up a democracy in Germany and they thought that a peace treaty would reflect Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen points.
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed and whose delegation signed it?
28th June 1919 led by Hermann Muller.
What were the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles?
- The Rhineland was demilitarised and the German army was reduced to 100,000 men.
- Loss of lands like Alsace-Lorraine and the Polish corridor.
- Loss of empire in Africa and Asia which were transferred to the control of the League of Nations.
- Reparations of £6.6 billion over 30 years.
- Article 231 (war guilt clause where Germany took full responsibility for damages done in the war.
What were the main reasons why the Treaty of Versailles was resented by Germans?
- The War Guilt Clause forced them to accept responsibility for the war and they believed that others were equally to blame.
- Didn’t feel like a defeated state, they had signed an armistice not a surrender and yet the treaty was treating them as if they had been defeated.
- Hated that their once proud military nation was being forced to disarm- jeopardising their safety.
- Thought reparations would cause economic ruin.
What were the most significant effects of the Treaty of Versailles?
- The Treaty was signed at the same time as the constitution was drafted and the two were strongly linked. The ‘November criminals’ who signed the armistice were the same people who set up the republic and the stab in the back myth was constantly repeated by the right.
- Demobilisation was so resented that it didn’t fully take place. The tight restrictions on the army were unpopular.
- Reparations were blamed for the problems in the German economy (not entirely true) which made them very unpopular.
What percentage of Germany’s income would reparations have been if they had been fully paid?
10-12%
What is the important thing about the Treaty of Versailles?
It doesn’t matter if it was objectively fair or not, the Germans viewed it as deeply unfair and it poisoned the political atmosphere in Germany which meant political leaders struggled to create a stable peace.
When was the Spartacist Uprising and who were the leaders of it?
January 1919 led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg (communists).
How serious was the Spartacist Uprising?
Berlin was effectively controlled by communists and Ebert and his government had to flee to Weimar. It also sparked the start of the left wing movement. However, it was put down quickly by the army and Freikorps and the 2 leaders were executed. The KPD then got 0 seats in the 1919 election.
When was the Kapp Putsch?
1920
How serious was the Kapp Putsch?
Members of the Freikorps took over the Reichstag and other important buildings in Berlin and the army refused to put down the uprising. It showed that the government couldn’t rely on the support of the army against right wing opposition. However, Ebert called a strike to end the Kapp Putsch and the alternative government collapsed after 4 days and many of its leaders fled to Sweden. Only around 5000 men took part.
When was the Munich Putsch and who organised it?
1923, organised by Hitler and Ludendorff.
How serious was the Munich Putsch?
The SA were able to take control of the army headquarters in Munich and had a force of 3000 men, mostly ex-soldiers. However, it lasted less than 24 hours after the army crushed it. Hitler was sentenced to 5 years in prison for treason (although he only served 9 months).
