Weimar Germany Revision Flashcards
Why were the Germans a proud people before the war?
Fertile farming land and rich natural resources in the Ger REICH
2nd largest population in Europe
Finest army in the world
Country had great economic success
PROUD OF PAST. CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
How did Ger emerge from the war?
an international pariah that had taken full blame for the war - warguilt clause of the ToV
Describe how the people of Germany revolted against the Kaiser’s refusal to abdicate?
Allies promised peace for Ger if the Kaiser abdicated but he refused
Sailors in the N.Ger mutinied and took over the town of Kiel
Kaiser’s old enemies the Socialists - led uprisings of workers and protestors on Ger ports
Bavaria declared and Independent Socialist REPUBLIC
How did Ebert then get control of Germany?
Social Democreats were leading the REICHSTAG
Ebert sent an ultimatum to Kaiser telling him to abdicate or the Social democrats would join the revolution.
General strike in Berlin - armed workers and soldiers roamed the streets
Ebert feared an extremist takeover nad announced the Kaiser’s abdication and declared himself chancellor
What did Ebert do after becoming Chancellor?
SIGNED THE ARMISTICE
Why was there opposition in general against Ebert?
People had to accept change from autocratic traditional rule to DEMOCRACY
What problem did the Kaiser leave behind for Ebert?
Kaiser’s former advisors were still in important positions and restricted the new government and hoped for the Kaiser’s return.
How did Ebert establish his secure position in Ger?
JAN 1919 elections - Social Democrats had majority
Ebert became the President of the Weimar Republic
What was Ger’s economic situation emerging from the war?
national income 1/3 of in 1913
industrial production 2/3 of in 1913
600,000 widows and 2 million fatherless kids
all profit went to Allies to pay reparations and any war debt
HYPERINFLATION IN 1923
What was Ger’s POLITICAL situation emerging from the war?
Revolution OCT/NOV 1918
Ex soldiers and civilians depised the WR as they felt that Hidenburg had been betrayed by weak officials
Looked back to the military dictatorship of the Kaiser
Rise of extremist groups trying to wrestle power from the destbilised government.
What was Ger’s social situation emerging from the war?
divide between RICH and POOR
females had to work which was seen as damaging to society and family values
Ger workers were bitter at the restricitions which were put on their earnings - FACTORY OWNERS WERE RICH
Experiences of war made people bitter/angry and the situation of Germany
ANARCHY - armed, demobilised soliers were returning home to join violent demonstrations against war and the new gov.
Why did the SPARTICISTS rise against Ebert?
they didnt trust Ebert to look after the needs of the working people and they wanted Ger to be ruled by workers councils and soviets
Why did the SPARTICISTS think now was the time to attack?
seize power more easily from Ebert whilst Ger was in turmoil
How did the first stage of the Spa. revolt pan out?
1919 they set up soviets in many towns
Ebert made an agreement with army commanders and Freikorps to put down the rebellion - the Freikorps won and Rosa and Karl were murdered (REV FAILED)
How did the second stage of the revolution pan out?
Bavaria led by Kurt Eisner (Ebert’s ally) ws declared a Soviet Republic by the Communists and Eisner was murdered
Ebert and Freikorps killed 600 Communists in reprisal
Was the threat from the left dealth well with and were the Gers happy?
Yes, they were happy to avoid a bloody civil war like in Russia
BUT
Communism remained a powerful anti-gov force throughout the 1920s and Ebert put his gov in the hands of the army and Freikorps who were not v.loyal
Why were the Ger’s optimistic for the TOV?
The kaiser was gone - they could not punish the new gov for his mistakes!
The new republic needed support if it was to become stable
Wilson also wanted a fair and just treaty to avoid another war.
Ger was not the only nation that was to blame for starting the war.
