Weimar Constitution Flashcards
What was the agreement between Ebert and Groener on November 10, 1918?
The army would support the new Weimar government in exchange for the government’s commitment to preserve military discipline and suppress revolutionary uprisings.
Why was the Ebert-Groener Pact seen as a betrayal by left-wing revolutionaries?
The pact prioritized suppressing revolutionary movements, which angered left-wing groups seeking radical change.
How was the Spartacist uprising in December 1918 and January 1919 suppressed?
The army and Freikorps crushed the Spartacist uprising in January 1919, following earlier demonstrations in December.
What were Ebert’s beliefs regarding revolutionary change?
Ebert was a moderate who believed in achieving change through parliamentary elections, not through violent revolution.
What symbolic changes occurred in Germany’s socioeconomic structure after the revolution?
While the revolution brought symbolic changes, such as establishing a republic, Germany’s underlying socioeconomic structure largely remained intact.
What ideological differences separated socialist and communist beliefs in post-revolution Germany?
Socialists: Advocated for social ownership and democratic control of production and institutions.
Communists: Aimed for equal wealth distribution and more radical systemic change.
What right-wing ideology influenced Germany after the revolution?
Right-wing nationalistic principles, including support for dictatorship, continued to have influence despite the establishment of a republic.
What were the key terms of the Allied Armistice accepted by Ebert on November 11, 1918?
German troops had to withdraw beyond the Rhine.
Germany surrendered its warships and airforce.
The Allied blockade remained in place until a final peace treaty was signed.
What remained unchanged about Germany’s structure despite becoming a republic?
Germany remained a federal state, with significant powers delegated to the central government.
How was the Weimar Constitution structured regarding the Reichstag?
Reichstag deputies were elected every four years by Germans over 20 years old.
The Chancellor needed the confidence of the Reichstag to govern.
What was the role of the Reichsrat under the Weimar Constitution?
The Reichsrat, made up of state delegates, could veto Reichstag legislation, though a two-thirds Reichstag majority could override this veto.
What powers did the President hold under the Weimar Constitution?
Served as Commander of the Armed Forces.
Elected for seven years.
Could dissolve the Reichstag, appoint the Chancellor and government, and issue emergency decrees.
