Unit 1 - The Early Years (1918-1924) Flashcards
1.1
Give 3 reasons why Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated the throne:
- To preserve order in Germany
- To escape the collapse of the German government
- To obtain better peace terms with the allies
1.1
On what date did Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicate?
November 9th, 1918
1.1
Who was appointed Chancellor in the October reforms?
Prince Max von Baden
1.1
What was ‘The Peace Note’ and when was it sent?
3rd October: sent by Max of Baden to Woodrow Wilson (USA) appealing to the 14 points.
1.1
Name three events in the November Revolution
- Sailors’ Mutiny (October 29, 1918): Widespread protests against German Imperial Navy.
- Abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II (November 9, 1918): End of German Empire and creation of Weimar Republic.
- Proclamation of Weimar Republic (November 9, 1918): Social Democratic Party establishes democratic republic.
1.1
Who were the three main socialist parties in 1918?
- Largest and most established socialist party advocating for gradual reforms and Weimar Republic support.
- Independent Social Democratic Party of Germany (USPD): Breakaway group critical of SPD’s war and monarchy cooperation.
- Spartacist League: Far-left group advocating for revolutionary approach and capitalism overthrow.
1.1
What did the left want from the revolution?
- Overthrew old monarchy for socialist state with workers’ councils.
- Aimed for drastic changes like nationalizing industries, redistributing land, and ensuring worker control over production.
- Strong anti-war sentiment, aiming to end World War I.
- Advocated for worker control over government decisions through councils, not traditional elite governance.
1.1
What was the Ebert-Groener Pact?
- Made between Friedrich Ebert and Wilhelm Groener.
- Ebert pledged to maintain order and prevent communist revolution.
- Groener pledged army support for Ebert’s government.
- Stabilized post-WWII Germany, enabling Ebert’s democratic government.
- Requirement of old military elite in new democracy.
1.1
What were the terms of the Ebert-Groener Pact?
- Ebert promised to maintain order and prevent a communist revolution.
- Groener pledged the army’s support to protect Ebert’s government.
1.1
Who were the four main non-socialist parties in the new republic?
- Centre Party (Zentrum) – Represented Catholics and focused on religious and social issues.
- German Democratic Party (DDP) – Liberal, pro-democracy, and supportive of business and middle-class interests.
- German People’s Party (DVP) – Conservative, pro-business, and monarchist-leaning.
- German National People’s Party (DNVP) – Far-right, nationalist, and anti-democratic, with monarchist tendencies.
1.1
Strengths of the Weimar Republic:
- Democratic System: All adults over 20, including women, could vote, making it one of the most inclusive democracies of its time.
- Proportional Representation: Allowed political parties to gain seats in parliament based on the percentage of votes they received, ensuring fair representation.
- Checks and Balances: Included a president, chancellor, and parliament (Reichstag) to balance power and prevent dictatorship.
1.1
Weaknesses of the Weimar Republic:
- Proportional Representation: Led to fragmented parliaments with many small parties, making it difficult to form stable governments.
- Article 48 (Emergency Powers): Allowed the president to rule by decree in emergencies, which was later abused to undermine democracy.
- Frequent Government Changes: Coalition governments often collapsed, causing political instability and loss of public confidence.
1.2
Name four terms of the Treaty of Versailles:
- Germany had to accept full blame of the war Article 231, the War Guilt Clause
- Germany had to be £6.6 billion in reperations for damages to Britian and France
- Germany’s military was limited to a maximum of 100,000 men; it was not fully eradicated due to the fear of communism spreading through Europe
- Germany lost 13.5% of its overall territory and 10% of its population
1.2
What were the main objections within Germany to the Treaty of Versailles?
The public believed the Treaty was a diktat (dictated peace) which fuelled the German public’s resentment to the Allies
1.2
What was the proccess of the political crisis of June 1919?
- The Allies presented the Treaty of Versailles to Germany, with harsh terms that shocked the German government.
- German politicians and the public were outraged by the treaty’s conditions, particularly the war guilt clause and reparations.
- The German government was divided on whether to sign the treaty. Many politicians wanted to reject it, fearing backlash from the people.
- The Allies gave Germany a deadline to accept the treaty, threatening renewed military action if it refused.
- The German Chancellor Philipp Scheidemann resigned on June 19, 1919, refusing to sign the treaty.
- A new government led by Gustav Bauer reluctantly agreed to sign the treaty to avoid further devastation.
- Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles, marking the end of the political crisis but igniting long-term resentment.
1.2
What was the name of the policy that advocated compliance with the Treaty of Versailles whilst trying to negotiate modifications?
The Policy of Fulfillment (Erfüllungspolitik)
1.2
What did right wing objectors to the Versailles Treaty called the politicians involved?
The November Criminals
1.2
What was the ‘Stab in the Back’ Myth?
German military officials claimed they did not lose on the battlefeild during WWI and believe the German politicians who signed the Treaty of Versailles had stabbed Germany in the back.
1.2
How did Britain react to the Treaty of Versailles?
Overall - Mixed
Satisfied: Britain regained naval dominance and saw Germany weakened.
Concerns: Prime Minister Lloyd George feared that harsh terms might lead to future conflict and disrupt European trade.
Public Opinion: Initially supportive but later grew uneasy about Germany’s economic struggles.
1.2
How did France react to the Treaty of Versailles?
Overall: Harsh but Relieved
Satisfied: France regained Alsace-Lorraine, secured reparations, and weakened Germany militarily.
Frustrated: Felt the treaty wasn’t harsh enough to guarantee long-term security. Many wanted Germany completely crippled.
Public Opinion: Largely positive due to security concerns, though tensions lingered.
1.2
How did the USA react to the Treaty of Versailles?
USA (Critical)
Dissatisfied: President Woodrow Wilson felt the treaty was too punitive and went against his idealistic Fourteen Points.
Senate Rejection: The U.S. Senate refused to ratify the treaty, and the USA never joined the League of Nations.
Public Opinion: Many Americans favored isolationism and opposed foreign entanglements.
1.3
How did Germany fund WW1 and what economic problems did this create?
Germany borrowed from banks and printed money, which caused a hyperinflation crisis in 1923
1.3
Why did the new government struggle to increase taxes and decrease spending?
- Public Opposition: Widespread resistance to higher taxes due to war trauma and hyperinflation.
- Political Fragmentation: Divided Reichstag and extremist factions made financial reforms difficult.
- Social Obligations: High spending on welfare programs and war pensions to maintain social stability.
- Fear of Social Unrest: Risk of protests and strikes discouraged austerity measures.
- Reparations Burden: Treaty of Versailles payments strained the economy, limiting financial flexibility.
1.3
What positives were there in Germany’s post-war economy?
- Industrial Potential: Germany retained a strong industrial base with advanced technology and skilled workers, enabling future economic recovery.
- Export Opportunities: The weakened European economies created export demand for German goods, helping industries such as chemicals and manufacturing.
- Dawes Plan, 1924: International loans, particularly from the USA, stabilized the economy and supported infrastructure development.
1.3
What negatives were there in Germany’s post-war economy?
- Heavy Reparations: The Treaty of Versailles imposed massive reparations on Germany, straining its finances and limiting economic recovery.
- Hyperinflation (1923): The government’s reliance on printing money to pay debts led to a devastating period of hyperinflation, wiping out savings and destabilizing the economy.
- Unemployment and Poverty: The war’s aftermath left millions of veterans and civilians without work, contributing to widespread poverty and social unrest.
1.3
What did the Reparations Commision decide?
- Total Amount: Germany was held responsible for the war and ordered to pay £6.6 billion in reparations to Britian and France.
- Payment Terms: Payments would be made in annual installments, with a focus on economic hardship, and some payments were in the form of raw materials and goods, rather than just cash.
- Impact on Economy: The decision placed a massive burden on Germany’s economy, leading to hyperinflation, widespread poverty, and resentment against the Weimar government.
1.3
List three consequences for Germany’s new government:
- **Loss of Public Trust: **The reliance on foreign loans (like the Dawes Plan) and the inability to stabilize the economy led to widespread disillusionment with the Weimar government, weakening its legitimacy.
- Social Unrest: Economic hardship, including hyperinflation and unemployment, fueled protests, strikes, and support for extremist political movements like the Nazis and communists.
- Increased Political Instability: The government’s struggle to manage the economy led to frequent changes in leadership, coalition collapses, and a lack of strong, consistent policies.
1.3
Three ecenomic impacts of reperations:
Hyperinflation, widespread poverty, and resentment against the Weimar government
1.3
When and why did French and Belgian troops occupy the Ruhr?
1923: Germany had failed to pay reperations because of Germany’s ecenomic crisis
1.3
What were the key consequences of French and Belgian soldiers occupying the Ruhr?
- Hyperinflation (1923): Printing money to support striking workers caused the German currency to collapse.
- Political Instability: The occupation fueled unrest and weakened the Weimar government, boosting extremist movements.
- Dawes Plan (1924): The crisis led to international intervention and the restructuring of reparations to stabilize Germany’s economy.
1.3
Give three outcomes of the hyperinflation crisis:
- Economic Ruin: Savings became worthless, devastating the middle class and eroding public trust in the Weimar government.
- Social Unrest: Widespread poverty and anger fueled protests, strikes, and increased support for extremist political groups.
- Currency Reform: The introduction of the Rentenmark in late 1923 stabilized the currency and helped restore economic order.
1.3
Why were social welfare reforms introduced in the Weimar Republic?
- Post-War Hardship: Millions of war veterans, widows, and orphans faced poverty, requiring state support for survival.
- Preventing Social Unrest: Economic hardship and political instability made welfare reforms essential to prevent strikes, protests, and the spread of communism.
- Democratic Ideals: The new democratic government sought to improve living standards and gain public support by showing a commitment to social justice and worker rights.
1.3
What four key acts were passed?
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1.3
Who did hyperinflation benefit?
- Debtors: People with loans or mortgages could easily repay their debts with worthless currency.
- Industrialists and Business Owners: Many large businesses profited by buying assets and goods at devalued prices, consolidating their power.
- Speculators: Those who traded in foreign currencies or tangible assets (like land and property) made significant profits.
1.3
Who did hyperinflation negatively impact?
- Middle Class (Savers): Savings and pensions became worthless, destroying financial security for many families.
- Fixed-Income Earners: Workers and retirees on fixed salaries or benefits saw their purchasing power vanish.
- Small Businesses and Retailers: Rapidly changing prices made trade difficult, leading many to bankruptcy.
- General Public: The collapse of the economy led to widespread poverty, hunger, and social unrest, eroding trust in the Weimar government.
1.4
Explain three differences in the results of the June 1920 elections compared to January 1919
- Decline of Pro-Democratic Parties: Support for the Weimar Coalition (SPD, DDP, and Centre Party) dropped significantly, reflecting public dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles and economic hardship.
- Rise of Extremist Parties: Anti-democratic parties like the USPD (Independent Socialists) and right-wing nationalists (DNVP) gained more votes, signaling growing political polarization.
- Weaker Government Stability: The decline in support for moderate parties led to fragmented coalition governments, increasing political instability in the Weimar Republic.
1.4
Give three problems of coalition government at this time
- Political Fragmentation: Numerous parties with conflicting ideologies made it difficult to form stable and effective coalitions.
- Frequent Government Changes: Disagreements within coalitions led to frequent collapses and short-lived governments, undermining political stability.
- Policy Gridlock: Competing party interests made it challenging to pass decisive legislation, weakening the government’s ability to address economic and social crises.
1.4
Name three examples of left-wing uprisings in this period
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