Treaty of Versailles, Kapp Flashcards
What was the stab in the back theory
Germans (especially Freikorps) believed government were traitors and lost them World War l (they thought they should have won) then signed away the country in the Treaty of Versailles (November criminals 1918)
This caused anger and distrust at Weimar government spurring on Spartacist uprising and Kapp putsch
Who were the big three and what did they demand
USA- A ‘league of nations’, war to end all wars, and that countries will make their own decisions
BRITAIN- Maintain trade with Germany, Germany to pay reparations and that Germany shouldn’t be punished so much that it weakens and Europe becomes at risk of Communism from Russia
FRANCE- remove land, pay reparations and remove some of the army
What did the Treaty of Versailles entail
20% of Germany’s land removed=less people,resources, money
Only 100,000 soldiers, no air force so unprotected from attacks
Accept blame for WW1 in War Guilt Clause
£6.6 billion reparations to France and Belgium
Rhineland demilitaried, huge factory and coal industry here
Colonies lost (East Prussia was cut off from the rest of Germany)
Germany not allowed to join League on Nations (until 1926)
How did Hitler use the Treaty of Versailles to his advantage
In 1931 and 1933 he offered to change this and persuade people to vote for him
He offers to return Germany to how it was before (including reuniting East Prussia) and openly hates the Treaty
Describe Freikorps
With only 100,000 soldiers allowed in the German Army many were left unemployed
Right wing conservative organisation
Hated Weimar government and Treaty of Versailles
Many Freikorps joined Hitler’s private army the SA, were allowed to keep weapons
When was the Weimar government in place
1919-1933
Why was Weimar government weak
No money (reparations) to provide for people
Coalitions kept breaking, people wont trust polititians
Small army with no protection
Very low trust from its people
What did the Weimar government offer that allowed Hitler to stake his extreme policies that people agreed with
Freedom of speech and freedom to vote
What happened when Germany was unable to pay reparations
In 1923 the reparations commision declared Germany in default
French and Belgium troops were sent to the Ruhr in the Rhineland which was demilitarised
Workers striked and production stopped, this damaged Germany’s economy leading to hyperinflation
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed
1919
Describe the Kapp Putsch
Lead by Wolfgang Kapp 1920
Seized Berlin with help from the Freikorps
Proclaimed in centre of a nationalist government
They cut off communications in the city causing a strike, no one could communicate. This was a direct threat the the weimar government.
The Kapp Putsch was supported by journalist Gen Luttwitz
Why did the Kapp Putcsh occur
Outrage at the Treaty of Versailles and the November criminals
Shortly before Stresemann’s death what did he quote about Germany’s economy
“Germany is…dancing on a volcano
