Weimar Germany Flashcards
When did WW1 end?
1918
What were the 3 main impacts of WW1 on Germany?
Deepened divide between rich and poor, Germany was bankrupt and had an unstable democracy
How many children were left fatherless by the war?
2 million (and there were about 600,000 widows too)
When did the Kaiser abdicate his throne?
9th November 1918
Who became the new leader (after the Kaiser) and when?
Socialist leader Freidrich Ebert became leader of the new republic of Germany the next day
When did the first free elections take place?
January 1919
Who was voted in (in Jan 1919) and where was the new government?
Freidrich Ebert was voted in, and the new republic was in the small town of Weimar- not Berlin- hence named the Weimar Republic
Why was the new republic not in Berlin?
Berlin was seen as violent and unstable
Who could vote in this democracy?
Anyone, male or female, over the age of 20
How were seats in the Reichstag decided?
By proportional representation
Who was responsible for the day to day running of the government?
The Chancellor, but he needed support of half of the Reichstag
Who was head of state (above the chancellor)?
The president
What powers did the president have?
President: stayed out of day to day running of the government but had emergency powers through article 48
Who led the Spartacist uprising?
Frank Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg
When was the Spartacist uprising?
Early 1919
What was the Spartacist uprising?
A communist uprising joined by rebel soldiers and sailors, however they were defeated by the Freikorps- ex military who opposed communism. Spartacist leaders were murdered.
What was the Bavarian revolution?
Communists in Bavaria (south Germany) seized power when Kurt Eisner (Ebert’s ally and socialist leader of Bavaria) was murdered in Feb 1919.
How was the Bavarian revolution defeated?
The Freikorps crushed the revolt in May 1919. Around 600 communists were killed
When were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles announced?
May 1919
What did Germany lose in the terms of the treaty of Versailles?
20% of its land; all overseas colonies; 12.5% population; 16% coal industry and 48% of its iron industry
What else did Germany have to do (in the Treaty of Versailles)?
Reduce army to 100,000- no air force at all
Had to accept blame for the war and pay reparations
When was the Kapp Putsch?
March 1920
What was the Kapp Putsch?
A right wing revolt of 5000 Freikorps in Berlin, who the army refused to fire upon
Who led the Kapp Putsch?
Dr Wolfgang Kapp, who later died awaiting trial
How was the Kapp Putsch defeated?
The German workers declared a general strike; stopping transport, power and water
How much was the reparations bill?
Announced in April 1921 it was £6600 million
What happened when Germany failed to pay the reparations in 1922?
The French and Belgian troops invaded the Ruhr and began to take reparations in the forms of raw materials
What did the government tell the workers to do in the Ruhr?
Go on strike- resulting in 100 worker deaths; 100,000 workers expelled (by French) and the collapse of German currency
What did the government do to try to pay off reparations?
Print more money; resulting in Hyperinflation
Who lost the most from hyperinflation?
Those with savings- which became completely worthless
By November 1923 how much was £1 worth?
14,000,000,000,000 marks
Who took over the government from Ebert and when?
Gustav Stresemann in August 1923
Which party did Friedrich Ebert lead?
The Social Democrats
What was the first thing that Ebert did in government?
He ended Germany’s involvement in WW1
What basic human rights did Ebert guarantee for the German people?
Freedom of speech, freedom of religion and a vote
What else did Ebert attempt to improve for the German people?
Help for unemployed, better housing, shorter working hours, more food supplies
