Weimar Germany Flashcards
What were the Weimar Republic’s first priorities?
- End WW1
- Sort out the Economy
- Secure a Peace Treaty
- End Political Violence
When did the Kaiser Abdicate?
1918
How many Germans were believed to have died from starvation during WW1?
3 million
During WW1, how many calories was the average German adult consuming?
1000 ~Calories
During 1918, how many soldiers died from the flu?
500,000
When did food start to run out and why?
1915, any German ships taking food to Germany were destroyed by the British
What happened to the German Industry during WW1?
Workers took control of the German industry and refused to work until the war ended
In 1916, how many workers gathered to protest against the government to end WW1?
10,000
In 1915, How many women demonstrated outside the German government to end WW1?
500
What happened to the military during the WW1?
Many soldiers deserted the army and joined the demonstrations against the war with weapons
What was life like on the home base during WW1?
- In many cities, all public buildings such as cinemas and theatres were closed down
- There were several power cuts as coal, gas and electricity ran out in Germany
- Germany was only able to produce 50% of the milk and 60% of the butter that had been produced before WW1
What was the biggest party in the Reichstag in the beginning?
Social Democratic Party
Who was made the head of the SDP, and how did it lead to resentment?
Friedrich Ebert (The Kaiser’s old Chancellor) and now the new Chancellor. The Kaiser’s friends are still in power, despite the fact that the Kaiser had abdicated
Why were the communists angered by Ebert?
- Ebert made an agreement with General Groener of the Army to work with them to keep the Communists out of power
- Ebert told factory owners that the new government would allow them to keep their businesses
Why was Ebert accused of favouritism?
Ebert named 6 of his friends as the Council of Peoples’ Representatives. They would help run the country until the next elections
Why did many feel like there wasn’t much of a change from before?
All the government employees who had run things for the Kaiser kept their jobs which was meant to keep things going. However, many felt that it felt very similar to when the Kaiser was in charge and thought that it would probably end the same way
Why were business owners upset by Ebert?
Ebert told Trade Unions that he would try to set up an 8-hour working day
What did the Kaiser do despite getting advice about the war?
General Ludendorff told the German Government that Germany had no hope of winning the war in 1918, despite this, the Kaiser ignored this advice and decided to fight on
Why did the Kaiser abdicate?
- The Sailors and soldiers refused to listen to him and went on strike instead of attacking British ships
- When workers started setting up their own councils and Germany descended into Chaos, the Generals didn’t help the Kaiser, given that he didn’t listen to them
How often is the President elected?
Every 7 years
What was article 48?
In the case of an emergency, the president could use Article 48, to run the Country by himself
What is the chancellor like?
- Selected from a member of the Reichstag
- Like a prime minister
- Runs the country day to day
What was the voting age?
20, men and women
What was the most left-wing party (KPD)?
The German Communist Party
- Wanted a dictatorship to force everyone to become equal alongside a communist Government
What was the Centre Party (ZP)?
The Catholic Centre Party
- Broad range of views but largely wanted to conserve the Republic as it was
- Had support from all over Germany
What was the German People’s Party (DVP)?
- Represented small and middle-sized businesses
- It was quite right-wing
- They wanted to support the rich and middle-class
- Wanted the return of the Kaiser
What was the German Nationalist Party (DNVP)?
- Largely rich or middle-class landowners
- Wanted the return of the Republic and wanted to look after the Rich
- Hated the communists
Who were the SDP?
Social Democrat Party
- Had support from the middle class and working classes
- Has support from farmers and workers and wants to keep the country stable
- believed people were equal and wanted a democracy
German Democratic Party (DDP)?
- Largely middle class: Lawyers, doctors
- slightly left wing but hated the communists
- Wanted the right to individual speech and free political meetings and to maintain a democratic government
Who were the NSDAP?
National Socialist German Workers Party
- Right winged
- Hated the new republic and the democracy
- Wanted to promote businesses and German culture to make Germany great again with a dictator
When did the Fench and Belgians invade Germany and why?
1923, in order to sell Germany’s resources to get the money that Germany owed them
When did Germany fall behind on its payments to the Allies?
1920
What was the first thing that the new government did?
It was surrendering to the Allies, who were able to impose any conditions they wanted in the treaty, which gave a weak first impression of the new Weimar Republic.
Due to the treaty, what happened to Germany’s Land?
- Germany lost 13% of its land
- All of Germany’s colonies in Africa were taken away
- The Saarland and the Rhineland were taken away from Germany.
- Germany lost 15% of its agricultural land and 10% of its industrial land
- Important coal fields were taken away.
- Poland was given land on the coast, cutting Germany in two
How much did Germany have to pay in operations due to the treaty?
£6,600 million or 132 billion German Marks
Due to the treaty, what article made Germany have to take the blame for the war?
Article 231
Due to the treaty, what happened to Germany’s army?
- Reduced from 2 million to 100,000 men
- Germany was not allowed an air force
- Germany was only allowed 6 battleships in its navy, and 15,000 sailors
What were the Germans’ ops on the treaty?
Most felt betrayed by the Weimar Republic for agreeing to this, even though they wanted the war to end
- Felt like it severely restricted Germany
- Caused resentment and a bad first impression of the new government
Others believed that Germany was winning and that the treaty was unnecessary
What does Constitution mean?
A set of rules defining the way that a state is governed
What does Electorate mean?
People who are eligible to vote in elections
When did the German government sign the Armistice?
November 1918
What did the Germans think about the Armistice?
- The German Government were called the November criminals
- The defeat was a big shock to the German People and Soldiers
- This led to many coming up with a theory that the German Army had been “Stabbed in the back” by the new Government
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
28th June 1919
Why did the German Government have to sign the treaty quickly?
They were given an ultimatum, they would have to sign within 5 days or risk invasion
Why did many turn to extremist parties after the Treaty of Versailles?
They felt betrayed by the government and felt like only the extremists could take extreme measures against the government for change and revenge.
What did they call the treaty and why?
“Diktat”
Meaning a treaty was forced upon the German people and then blamed Ebert for accepting its terms who felt like he did it purposely and unnecessarily
Between 1919 and 1922 how many Political murders took place?
376
How many Right and Left-wing assassins were put on trial?
- Even though the murderers of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht were caught, no Right-wing assassins were put on trial
- Whereas 10 left-wing assassins were put on trial
This is because the Weimar Republic was more Right-Winged
What are 3 examples of Political Murders?
- Hugo Hasse: Member of the Reichstag (SPD) killed in 1919
- Matthias Erzberger: Member of the Reichstag (signed the armistice) killed in 1921
- Walter Rathenau: Foreign Minister in the Weimar Republic killed in 1922
What were the Extremist Left-Wings called?
Spartacists
What were the Extremist right wings called?
Friekorps
What did the Spartacists want?
- Want Germany controlled by the people
- Abolish private ownership of land & business
- Want a democracy; this is because many workers supported them and they wanted a say in what happens in the country instead of just listening to those with power and wealth
What did the Freikorps want?
- Want a strong government & return of the Kaiser
- Support traditional values and law and order
- Prioritise the nation over the individual; because most of these supporters were rich, they didn’t care about supporting the individual since they would always be able to support themselves, they just wanted one person to take care of everything and make Germany great again
Why did the Government dislike the Spartacists?
- The government needs the capitalists to pay the reparations
- Government was more right winged
Why did the government dislike the Friekorps?
They were a threat since many soldiers were angry about losing their jobs