Topic One - Weimar Germany [6] Flashcards
How did the Nazi party attempt to gain support in Germany between 1924 and 1928? [6 Marks]
Propaganda - Hitler’s trial ,etc.
Weimar System against itself - To manipulate and exploit Weakness.
Nazi policies - The points set aside in the 25 Point Programme (1920) and in ‘Mein Kampf’ (1925).
Re-organised Party 1925.
Bamberg Part Conference 1926 - remove any opposition from the party.
How did the German Governments attitude to reparations lead to the hyperinflation crisis in 1923? [6 Marks]
German government was against the idea and practice of reparation payments.
The Treaty of Versailles was forced on Germany so was considered unjust.
Reparations was set in 1921 at 20,000 Million (20 billion) Gold marks.
As early as 1922, Germany declared they could not afford to pay in 1923.
January 1933, French and Belgians invade the Ruhr.
Government orders passive resistance.
Prints money to pay workers.
How did the hyperinflation crisis of 1923 affect life in Germany? [6 Marks]
Barter economy
Worthless Currency
Workers paid twice daily
Prices rose exponentially for everyday items
Unemployment rose
Lost their homes - Homelessness rose
Fixed Incomes - Worthless
Food Shortages - Passive Resistance = Reduced production of goods
Debts - Wiped out
Profits - Those without fixed incomes could control how much profit they made e.g. Business men
How did the Treaty of Versailles cause problems for the Weimar Government between 1919 and 1923? [6 Marks]
Germany lost Territory - 13% of population, 16% coal, 15% agriculture and 48% iron production.
Germany was forced to pay reparations - expensive.
War guilt - Resentment towards Democracy.
The treaty was forced on Germany - Germany could not negotiate (This led to hatred from Germans towards New Govt).
Colonial Losses - No overseas colonies.
Military restrictions - Only 100,000 men, etc.
How did the Weimar Government deal with challenges to its authority between 1919 and 1923? [6 Marks]
General Strikes = Kapp Putsch (13th March 1920)
Friekorps = Spartacist Putsch (January 1919) and Munich, the Bavarian Communists (March 1919, ended May 1919)
Army/Police = (Army + Police - Red Rising when the workers called the ‘Red Army’ set up Soviets and began to govern the region, in the after math of the Kapp Putsch) Police - Political Assassinations, between 1919-1922. [376]
Police - Munich or Beer Hall Putsch (November 8th and 9th 1923), police opposed him.
What was the significance of the Munich putsch of 1923? [6 Marks]
Military Failure but Political Success
Changed Tactics
Overestimated Support at the time
Could now use events to gain electoral support from different groups
Turning point
Trial turned into propaganda by NSDAP
Hitler claimed it wasn’t a crime to overthrow the democratic government- Many Agreed
Hitler was favoured by Judge - Minimum sentence of Treason = 5 Years, in minimum security prison (He only served 10 months)
He wrote ‘Mein Kampf’ in prison - Outlined agendas, changes and reorganisation of the new party.
Significance - Turning point for Party’s history, laid foundations.
How did the Nazi party try to seize power in 1923? [6 Marks]
Why? - The Nazi party grew, more than 20,000 members. Economic hardship, inflation and invasion of Ruhr = Time was right for Rebellion.
November 8th 1923 - Enter a Bavarian political meeting in a beer hall, place Von Kahr, Von Seisser and Von Lossow under arrest. They then agree with Hitler’ takeover. They are let go. They inform the police.
November 9th 1923 - The Nazis weapons they ordered, 2000 rifles, came without firing pins. Weapons they did have were obsolete. They enter the Odeonplatz, City Square, police fire. Killing 16 Nazis and wounding Hitler’s arm. The putsch was a Failure.
How did the Weimar Government deal with the hyperinflation crisis between 1923 and 1924? [6 Marks]
Gustav Stresemann
Stopped the printing of money as it was a cause and exacerbation of the inflationary spiral and devalued the currency.
New currency - Rentenmark (Reichmark) carefully backed by Germany’s gold reserves to avoid inflation getting out of hand.
New Bank - Rentenbank (Reichbank)
Ordered the striking workers in the Ruhr valley back to work, and ended Passive Resistance - It hurt Germany more than anyone else.
How was the Weimar Republic affected by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles up to 1921? [6 Marks]
Affected economically and socially.
Restricted Military - Reduced jobs which increased unemployment. Unemployed received welfare provisions which was expensive for the government. Also affected Germany socially.
Rhineland demilitarised - Left Germany feeling demoralised and vulnerable = Led to resentment
Territorial Losses - 13% of land, 15% coal, 16% agriculture and 48% iron. Reduced Germany’s income and revenue, and production which damaged the economy.
Overseas colonies - Decreased revenue as overseas colonies can provide sources of raw material and income. Also lead to resentment.
War guilt = Resentment
Treaty was very severe on the economy - Reparations finally settled in 1921, 20 billion gold marks = £6.6 billion.
These terms caused immense trouble and problems for the New Democratic Government.
How had Germany recovered from the hyperinflation crisis of 1923 by 1928? [6 Marks]
Late August/ early September 1923 - Gustav Stresemann becomes chancellor of the Weimar Republic. He was right wing - DVP Stopped printing money Abolished currency New currency New bank Ordered workers back to work Ended passive resistance
Collectively, not individually, these actions created a partial economic stability but there was still a long way to go.
November 1923 - Stresemann resigned as the SPD withdrew their support from him in the Reichstag.
He became foreign minister in 1923 (he held the position for 6 years)
He soothed relations with Western powers.
The Dawes Plan 1924 - Reorganisation of Reparation payments to avoid what happened in 1923 (The payments were now easier and more affordable to pay). The Dawes Plan also allowed for the massive injection of American cash to jumpstart the economy. They also achieved the indexing of reparation payments to Germany’s ability to pay and allowed for investment in German businesses.
The Dawes plan increased German productivity and made her profitable again.
Next challenge = Germany’s image abroad
October 1924 - Locarno pact = Germany would not seek to change western borders.
1926 - League of Nations
Treaty of Berlin 1926 with USSR
Kellog-briand pact 1928 - 60+ countries signed, agreed no wars to settle arguments.
Things were looking well economically and socially.
How did the actions of Weimar politicians after 1929 help Hitler become Chancellor in 1933? [6 Marks]
Leader of Centre Party - Heinrich Brüning (1930-32)
Brüning wanted to create a wage cut on civil servants
SPD in the Reichstag blocked it.
Hindenburg used Article 48.
SPD challenged it.
Hindenburg dissolved Reichstag and held new elections. (September 1930).
Majority: SPD(1st), NSDAP(2nd)
Hindenburg still allowed Brüning to rule by decree for 2 years.
Taxes were raised, spending was cut. This led to resentment and people looking for an alternative or someone else - (e.g. Hitler).
The result of these policies - Increase in unemployment, taxation and a higher cost of living for ordinary people.
Brüning became known as the hunger chancellor
Hindenburg forced Brüning’s resignation in May 1932 as he no longer had Hindenburg’s support of Article 48 or support in the Reichstag.
He was replaced by Franz Von Papen (May-Nov 1932) 7 months
He had very little support in the Reichstag and had to use Article 48 and rule by decree.
Von Schleicher advised Hindenburg that this was no longer acceptable to keep supporting Von Papen.
Von Papen was sacked and Von Schleicher got the job.
He struggled to govern Germany and lasted only 57 days.
January 1933 - Von Papen struck a deal with Hitler. Hitler would be chancellor with himself as vice-chancellor.
January 30th 1933 - Hitler becomes Chancellor.
How did the Weimar Constitution contribute to the instability in Germany in the period 1919-1933?
The president had emergency powers through Article 48 which allowed him to pass laws without the Reichstag. These powers were used extensively in the period 1930-1933.
The president was also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces which gave him huge power.
The constitution insisted on the use of proportional representation which created a succession of coalition governments which were unstable and fell very often and regularly.
The bill of Rights provided welfare provision which was very expensive for the state and created problems for coalition governments most notably Muller’s grand coalition.
The president had the power to appoint and dismiss the chancellor which could undermine the fragile democracy in Germany.
Finally, the president could dissolve the Reichstag which also gave one individual a huge amount of power which could be abused.
