Weimar Germany 1918-1924

Question 1

Impact of WWI: Blockades

Answer 1

• A British naval blockade had led to severe food shortages. In 1918, 293,000 Germans died from starvation and hypothermia
• The blockade, combined with a war on two fronts, restricted Germany’s ability to trade, which was the basis of its pre-war economic growth. Its chemical industry virtually collapsed

Question 2

September 1918

Answer 2

• The heads of the German army, Generals Hindenburg and Ludendorff, told the Kaiser that Germany should ask the Allies for an armistice
• From November onwards a series of events occurred that became known as the German Revolution

Question 3

The German Revolution

Answer 3

• A huge public protest was held in Berlin and the SPD called for the Kaiser’s resignation
• The Kaiser abdicated, on 9 November
• Friedrich Ebert, leader of the SDP became Chancellor
• The SPD and the Independent Social Democratic Party (USPD) declared a republic
• 10 November - all state leaders appointed by the monarchy left their posts and were replaced by new state governments

Question 4

End of WWI

Answer 4

• On 11 November 1918, World War One ended when an armistice was agreed with the Allies (Britain, France and the USA) and Germany surrendered
• The new republic was under pressure to sign. The government didn’t think Germany could keep fighting - its people were starving and military morale was low
• Some right-wing Germans disproved of the armistice and believed Germany could still win the war. They saw it as a betrayal and called the new government, the November Criminals

Question 5

Impact of WWI: Wages

Answer 5

• German workers’ wages were falling despite the extra work they were doing to support the war. By 1918, German miners were earning only 60 per cent of their pre-war salaries
• Germany’s currency, the Mark, was losing its value and inflation was rising rapidly. The government was running a huge budget deficit but was unable to raise taxes on the rich

Question 6

Impact of WWI: Democracy & Riots

Answer 6

• Kaiser Wilhelm II became unpopular and people called for democracy. The German people were war-weary
• The Kiel Mutiny - on 3 November 1918, at the main German naval base in Kiel, some sailors mutinied, instead of following orders to attack the British Royal Navy
• In Hanover, German troops refused to control rioters
• A popular Jewish communist called Kurt Eisner encouraged a general uprising, which sparked mass strikes in Munich

Question 7

Temporary Government

Answer 7

• After the abdication of the Kaiser, Germany was disorganised and different political parties claimed control over different towns
• The Council of People’s Representatives was formed to act as a temporary national government. It consisted of the SPD and the USPD
• It controlled Germany until January 1919, when elections were held for a new Reichstag (parliament)

Question 8

Formation of the Weimar Republic

Answer 8

• In January 1919, elections were held to create a new parliament. Germany was now a democracy.
• Friedrich Ebert became the first President, with Philip Scheidemann as Chancellor
• In February 1919, the members of the new Reichstag met at Weimar, instead of Berlin due to the political violence there, and created a new constitution

Question 9

Strengths of the Weimar Constitution

Answer 9

• The Weimar was a democracy that now allowed women to vote, and it also lowered the voting age to 20. More Germans could now vote
• It used proportional representation, which meant that smaller parties could be represented. It also allowed for a wider variation in political beliefs

Question 10

Weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution

Answer 10

• Proportional representation meant that smaller parties could get seats, meaning that there were too many conflicting parties and views - making it harder to make decisions
• Article 48 allowed the President to suspend the constitution and pass laws without the Reichstag’s consent
• This was meant to only be used in emergencies, but it became a useful way of getting around disagreements. This undermined the new democracy

Question 11

The Terms of the Treaty of Versailles: Blame & Reparations

Answer 11

• BLAME - Germany was forced to accept the blame for starting the war under article 231 of the treaty, known as the War Guilt Clause
• REPARATIONS - Germany was to be made to pay for the damage suffered by Britain and France during the war. In 1922 the amount to be paid was set at £6.6 billion

Question 12

The Terms of the Treaty of Versailles: Armed Forces & Territory

Answer 12

• ARMED FORCES - Germany’s army and navy were significantly reduced in size and its air force abolished:
• Max. of 100,000 troops in the army
• Conscription was banned
• No tanks were allowed
• Its navy was reduced to 15,000
• It was allowed only 6 battleships, and no submarines
• TERRITORY - Germany lost land on all sides of its borders as well as its overseas colonies