Weimar Republic

Question 1

Why did the first world war lead to economic and political problems for Germany❓

Answer 1

2 million German troops dead and over four million wounded
Government debt increased to 150 billion marks
more than 750000 dead because of food shortages
Lead to riots and strikes within the Germans

The treaty of Versailles and the armistice became a big burden for Germany.

Question 2

What were the strengths of the Weimer Constitution?

Answer 2

• proportional representation so even small parties had a fair share of seats
• Both women and men could vote, voting age was reduced
• One group or one person could not have too much power
• election for president every 7 years
• Local government still had power in the regions
• ## The Reichsrat (the less powerful of the houses) could regulate the power of the Reichstag by delaying new laws

Question 3

What were the weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?

Answer 3

• proportional governments lead to coalition governments that were unstable and had weak policies
• ## the lack of strong government lead to weakness in a crisis

Question 4

Why was the Treaty of Versailles so damaging?

Answer 4

• Germany accepted the blame for war
• Military force became limited eg no air force allowed
• Germany lost 11 of its colonies and a lot of its land
• 6.6 billion marks a year for compensation
• made the economy weak so a weak start to the Weimar Constitution

Question 5

What were the threats to the Weimar Republic?

Answer 5

threats from the political parties from the right and left.
Right: The Frei Korps and Kapp Putsch
Left: The Spartacists

Question 6

Why did hyper inflation become a problem in 1923 ?

Answer 6

1. The government printed out more money to pay the reparations but had no gold reserves to back it up
2. French troops invaded the Ruhr to take reparation payments in goods and raw materials. German workers went on strike
3. The Weimer government printed out more money to pay the workers
   4 hyperinflation happened making the currency worthless

Question 7

How did Germany recover in 1923-1929

Answer 7

1. Stresemann setting up the Rentenbank and issuing a new currency
2. Loans from the USA were made under the Dawes and Young Plan

Question 8

What were Stresemann’s achievements?

Answer 8

1. Improved Germany’s political and economical problems
2. made sure Germany was part of important foreign pacts and agreements
   - league of nations
   - Loncarno Pact
   - Kellog-Briand Pact
   This increased public confidence of the Germans and improved international relations

Question 9

What were the changes for workers and women?

Answer 9

workers: higher wages and reduced hours and systems such as benefits were introduced
Women: most women gave up work but some professions were offered to women leading to more leisure and independence. Women also gained the right to vote

Question 10

What were the cultural changes between 1924-29 ?

Answer 10

Expressionism, Art, cinema and new architecture were introduced