Weimar - key topic 1 Flashcards
What was the impact of WW1 on Germany?
- 2 million German troops were killed and over 4 million wounded. 2. Government debts increased from 50 billion marks to 150 billion marks. 3. More than 750k Germans died due to food shortages.
When did the Kaiser abdicate and where did he go?
9th November 1918 - he abdicated. On the next day he fled to Holland.
When was the German Republic declared?
9th November 1918.
What were some political changes after the German Republic was declared?
10th Nov 1918 - Ebert suspended Reichstag and temporarily formed the Council of People’s representatives. The leader of the SDP was worried about armed rioters and big crowds so made this a peaceful transition.
How was the new government set up?
The president was the head of state and was elected every 7 years. The chancellor was head of the government (i.e. the cabinet and government ministers). Parliament was made up of Reichstag (more powerful and controlled taxes) and Reichsrat (represented each region).
What were some strengths of the new Weimar Constitution? (6)
- PR made sure smaller parties had a fair share of seats. 2. Women were able to vote. 3. Voting age went from 25 to 21. 4. Reichsrat could delay new laws. 5. Central government had lots of power but the local govs did too. 6. Elections for president every 7 years.
What were some weaknesses of the new Weimar Constitution? (3)
- PR led to coalition governments which were unstable and often fell apart. 2. Article 48 allowed presidents to pass laws without Reichstag. 3. Not the choice of the people - not popular.
Why was the Republic unpopular? (2)
- Treaty of Versailles - £6600 million to paid to allies; army limited to 100k; no air force; took the blame and lost 13% of land. 2. Stab in the back theory - “forced to surrender by politicians when they could’ve won”
Who were the left wing in Germany?
The Spartacists - had backing from USSR; led by Rosa Luxemburg and based in Berlin.
Who were the right wing in Germany?
The Freikorps - made of ex soliders and had 250k men in March 1919.
How was the Spartacist Revolt a challenge to the Republic?
Jan 1919- the Spartacists took over the government’s newspaper and telegraph bureau and tried to organise a strike in Berlin. The Weimar government sent the Freikorps to put down the revolt.
How was the Kapp Putsch a challenge to the Republic?
March 1920 - Freikorps (fearing unemployment) marched Berlin. Ebert asked the head of the army to help stop them but he refused. So instead the government organised the trade unions to go on strike.
How were political assassinations a challenge to the republic?
In the early years of the Republic; there were 376 political assassinations. Some were done by right wing extremists and the judges were more lenient in court and gave the conservatives a lighter punishment.
What is an example of hyperinflation?
By 1923 a loaf of bread was worth 200k billion marks!
Why had hyperinflation occurred? (3)
The government had printed lot of money to pay for WW1 and for food shortages. Jan 1923 - France invaded the Ruhr to take reparation payments in goods and materials. France now occupied 80% of German coal; iron and steel reserves so Germans went on strike. Again printed more money to pay the strikers.
What were the positive effects of hyperinflation? (3)
- Farmers benefited, as they were paid more for food. 2. Fixed rents for rooms or shops became very cheap. 3. Foreign visitors could buy more for their money.
What were the negative effects of hyperinflation? (5)
- Some people could not afford essentials like bread. 2. Wages rose, but not as quickly as prices. 3. Some businesses went bankrupt. 4. Savings became worthless. This affected the middle classes most. 5. People blamed the Weimar government, which made it even more unpopular.
What were the 3 reasons for economic recovery?
- Creation of the Rentenmark. 2. The Dawes Plan. 3. The Young Plan.
Give some info about the Rentenmark
Nov 1923 - Stresemann set up Rentenbank which set up the new currency Rentenmark. Their value was backed by gold so more reliable. August 1924 - Reichsbank took control and renamed it the Reichsmark. Hyperinflation was over.
Give some info about the Dawes Plan
1924 - American banker Charles Dawes designed a plan so Germany could pay its reparations. 1. Instalments were temporarily reduced to £50 million a year. 2. US banks gave loans to Germany.
Give some info on the Young Plan
August 1929 - a committee set up by allies and Owen Young proposed a plan. 1. The debt would be reduced from £6.6 billion to £2 billion. 2. Payments could be paid up until 1988. 3. Lower reparations meant lower taxes for Germans.
Why did some Germans oppose the Young Plan?
Some extremist parties like the Nazis thought it was burdening future generations.
What were the 3 pacts which Stresemann joined which helped Germany be accepted once again?
- Locarno Pact. 2. League of Nations. 3. Kellog - Briand Pact 1928.
Give some info about the Locarno Pact
1925 - an agreement between Germany; Britain; France; Italy and Belgium. It said: Germany agreed with France for new borders - improved relations; all agreed to permanent demilitarisation of the Rhineland and a German membership was under discussion.
Give some info on the League of Nations
1920 - it was set up. 1926 - Germany was invited to join the council. Showed Germany’s views counted.
Give some info on the Kellog - Briand Pact
1928 - agreement between 62 counties to not use war to achieve foreign policy objectives.
What were some changes in the standard of living after 1924? (3)
- Working hours reduced and wages rose and working conditions improved. 2. Unemployment insurance - 3% of wage allowed them to have basic benefits when sick or unemployed. 3. 100;000 homes were built from 25 to 29.
What is some info about women at work? (3)
- Drop of 40% who weren’t working in 1925 compared to 1918. Many women gave up their jobs when married. 2. Teaching and medicine offered new opportunities. Increase in part time work. 3. Women were encouraged to go to uni.
What is some info about women at leisure? (3)
- More independence for young single women. 2. More interested in having a good time rather than marriage and family. 3. The values of new women were disliked by some because they thought traditional values were being eroded.
What is some info about women in politics? (3)
- Women earned the right to vote in 1918 and 90% do vote. 2. Article 109 of the constitution states women have equal rights to men. 3. Marriage was also an equal partnership.
What were some cultural changes?
- Art. 2. Cinema. 3. Architecture.
Give some info about new art.
Expressionism - concerned with raw emotion and confronting the disaster of WW1. Some examples include Otto Dix and Paul Klee.
Give some info about new cinema
Expressionism occurred especially in 1920s due to fewer restrictions. An example of a science fiction is metropolis.
Give some info about new architecture
Bauhaus school was set up in 1919 to attract talented artists and designers. Radical new designs.
