Weimar And Treaty Of Versailles Flashcards
What led to Kaiser abdicating on 9 Nov 1918?
Max approached Wilson about ending the war but was told that a peace treaty could not be signed with the Kaiser in power and his military advisors.
In October at Kiel, the Germans refused to fight the British navy as they feared this would stop ceasefire talks.
Due to unpopularity Kaiser abdicated on 9 Nov 1918.
What did Ebert do following Kaiser’s abdication?
Ebert became the Chancellor of the German Republic on 11/11/1918, and accepted Wilson’s Fourteen Points as the peace settlement. On 19th Jan, 1919, there were to be elections for a new Constituent Party.
What was the public theory of Weimar?
They were November Criminals. They had forced the army to surrender, being a stab in the back to the army, (Dolschtoss).
What decisions led to the formation of the constitution?
Increasing chaos led to the government moving to Weimar following the Constituent Party elections. There was increasing unrest following December 1918 from the right and left.
What government was formed at the elections on 19th Jan?
Ebert was president (SPD).
Philip Scheidemann was Chancellor (SPD)
The government formed a coalition with the Social Democratic Party, Centre Party (ZP), and German Democratic Party(DDP)
When was the new constitution drawn up?
August 1919.
What were the weaknesses of the constitution?
- challenges from the army (they feared they would have less status under Weimar).
- Challenges from the Civil Service and Judges who disagreed with liberal views of the party.
- Proportional representation - the number of seats depended on the number of votes and many coalitions formed were very unstable.
- The Article 48 rule meant that the President could freeze the constitution and restore order. The president could keep the Chancellor in office.
These weaknesses made the republic look weak.
Describe the government…
The president was elected every 7 years.
The Chancellor was picked by the president and had to have the Reichstag confidence.
Article 48 meant the president could choose to suspend the constitution to restore order and keep the chancellor in office.
The Reichsrat was made of 55 representatives in 18 states. They were able to approve laws but could not make them.
The Reichstag was voted every four years and could approve and make laws. More power than Reichsrat.
The voters were of men and women over 20.
How did the Treaty of Versailles begin?
On 28 June 1919 the peace settlement was signed.
The Germans hoped the terms would be light (ie - returning land), as based on Wilson’s Fourteen Points. The British, and French led by Clemenceau, wanted revenge. When the Germans saw the terms, they were horrified.
What did Germans lose in the Treaty?
13% of their land, 48% iron production, and 6 million citizens who were absorbed into reclaimed countries.
What was Article 231? What were it’s problems?
This was the War Guilt Clause, where Germans had to accept responsibility for starting the war and were denied entry into the LoN. This reinforced the idea that peace was enforced (a Diktat), and people began to accuse Weimar of being responsible as their scapegoat. They were the November Criminals, which was ironic as originally they had rejected the terms, despite threats of renewed hostilities and invasion from the Allies. Scheidemann resigned on 19 June 1929 in disgust and the treaty was considered Gewaltfrieden - enforced peace.
Describe territorial terms at Versailles.
- All colonies to the allied powers.
- No union with Austria Hungary.
- France has Alsace-Lorraine.
- Saar to League of Nations.
Describe military terms at Versailles.
- Army not to exceed 100,000.
- No tanks, armoured cars, or heavy artillery.
- Naval vessels not to exceed 10,000 tons.
- No submarines.
Describe financial terms at Versailles…
- Coal to be mined in Saar.
- Cattle and sheep to France and Belgium.
- Reparations at 6.6 billion.
- Germans to build merchant ships to replace ships sunk by U-Boats.
Describe the events leading to the end of the war…
The US joined the Allies in April 1917.
The Germans were pushed back by French on western front and the British naval blockade created shortages.
In October 1918 prince Max of Baden created a new parliamentary cabinet which included members of the Reichstag and meant the cabinet had control over the army, navy and Reichstag.
