Weimar/Nazi Germany 1918-1939 Content Flashcards
How many German soldiers died and were wounded in WWI?
2 million soldiers dead, 4 million wounded.
What caused the death of 750,000 German citizens?
British navy blockade; Germans die of food shortages.
When did the Kaiser abdicate the throne?
9th November 1918. Kaiser Wilhem II was forced to abdicate his throne after having lost the support of the military and fled Germany for Holland on the 10th.
What led to the end of WWI, 11 November, 1918
The signing of the Armstice ending WWI. The German politicans who signed the armistice - and later the Treaty of Versailles - were nicknamed the November criminals.
Hitler used the German peoples hate for the ‘November criminals’ and promoted the ‘stab in the back’ myth claiming the signing of the Armistice betrayed the German people. He portrayed the Weimar Republic as the work of the ‘November criminals’.
What was the Weimar Republic?
It succeeded the German Empire and was Germany’s attempt at democracy.
Why did many Germans dislike the Weimar Republic early on?
Although it granted German citizens a right to vote in a democracy, many of them didn’t care about doing so and instead wanted a strong leader like the Kaiser.
What was the Weimar Constitution, 1919?
Established a parliamentary in Germany, granting the vote to all German citizens over 20.
What were the strengths of the Weimar Constitution, 1919?
All men/women over 20 could vote for the Reichstag and vote for president every 7 years. The Reichstag was elected every four years.
Proportional Representation (PR) gave fair share of power to lots of different parties.
Lots of rules to balance power so different parts of government could check each other.
What were the weaknesses of Weimar Constitution, 1919?
President had too much power as they could choose the chancellor, close Reichstag and control the army.
PR meant small parties (29 in 1920s) shared power in coalitions; made decisions hard and slow; 9 elections 1919-23; worried and frustrated German people.
President could use Article 48, could make all decisions in a crisis; used lots and made people think democracy didn’t work.
What was the Reichstag and the Reichsrat?
The Reichstag was the lower house of Germany’s parliament. It voted on laws, was responsible for the budget, and had a role on declaring war and making peace. Members were elected by the people.
The Reichsrat represented the states of Germany and the interests of the individual states. It was not elected by the people; members were appointed by the state government.
What were the Freikorps?
Ex-WWI soldiers who came back home and still had weapons; formed into right wing army led by Freidrich Ebert, the first president of Weimar Germany. Stronger than actual German army.
Many Freikorps largely despised the Weimar Republic.
What were the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, June 28, 1919?
Army limited to 100,000, no air force or submarines, navy limited to 6 battleships.
Had to pay £6.6 billion in reparations.
Lost Danzig port and Saar: lost 13% of land, 12% of its population, 50% of its Iron and 15% of its coal.
What was Spartacists uprising, January 1919?
On the 4th January - Friedrich Ebert sacked a popular police chief in Berlin. On the 5th thousands of workers protested through Berlin.
On the 6th Jan 100,000 people participated in a general strike: backed by the communist left-wing KPD. Led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht. On the 13th of January Ebert used Freikorps against protestors to end the uprising.
Luxemburg and Liebknecht were arrested, tortured and brutally killed.
What were the consequences of the Spartacist uprising, January 1919?
Increased political divide between communists and Social Democrats. Murder of Luxemburg and Liebknecht generated significant outrage at the Freikorps and the government.
The Weimar government dismantled the workers’ council that had been established during the uprising, a move that further alienated the working class.
Demonstrated the government’s vulnerability and over reliance on the Freikorps.
What was the Kapp Putsch, March 1920?
Ebert tried to disband the Freikorps.
5000 Freikorps marched on Berlin. Ebert ordered army to fire but the refused. The Weimar government had to flee Berlin briefly.
Wolfgang Kapp set up government in Berlin and invited Kaiser. Ebert asked Berliners to strike against Kapp.
4 days of strikes ended the Putsch. Wolfgang Kapp was caught and jailed.
What were the consequences of the Kapp Putsch, March 1920?
Once more revealed the vulnerability to extremist groups and leading to other fringe groups rise.
Minister of Defence, Gustav Noske, resigned.
The Weimar government moved quickly to disband many Freikorps unit.
It actually showcased the working class support for the Weimar government.
