Weimar Republic Flashcards
How many died in WW1?
2 million troops and 750,000 civilians
What was the Republic’s first major decision?
Signing the armistice in 1918
Who was the first president of the Weimar Republic?
Ebert (1919)
Give 3 strengths of the Weimar constitution
- Democratic system
- Men and women 21+ could vote
- Election every 7 years
Give 2 weaknesses of the Weimar constitution
- Proportional representation led to unstable coalition governments
- Article 48 enabled presidents to pass laws without the Reichstag’s approval
How did the Treaty of Versailles affect Germany and who did the people of Germany blame?
It damaged Germany’s economy and the people of Germany blamed the government
What made Germany accept blame for the war that many Germans resented?
The war guilt clause
How much was Germany forced to pay the allies in reparations?
£6,600 million
Give 2 examples of how the Treaty of Versailles limited Germany?
- They couldn’t have an air force
2. Their army was limited to 100,000 men
How much did Germany lose geographically?
They lost 11 colonies and 13% of their European territory
What was the Spartacist Revolt?
Left-wing independent socialist party took over a government bureau and tried to organise a strike. They were put down by the Freikorps.
What was the Kapp Putsch?
Right-wing armed ex-soldiers made Weimar ministers flee
What did the government do in response to reparations?
Printed money
Why did French troops invade the Ruhr?
They took reparations as goods: 80% of German coal, iron, steel and factories
What did the German workers do in response to the French invasion?
German workers went on strike
What did the government do in response to the French invasion?
Printed more money to pay strikers and make up for the iron, steel and coal until the German mark was worthless
Give a positive effect of hyperinflation
People were paid more
Give 4 negative effects of hyperinflation
- People couldn’t afford essentials
- Prices rose faster than wages
- Fixed incomes and pensioners suffered most
- Businesses went bankrupt
What did Chancellor Stresemann do in response to hyperinflation?
Issued a new currency called the Rentenmark
What was the dawes plan?
Reparation instalments were temporarily reduced to £50 million a year and the US agreed to make loans to Germany
What was the young plan?
Reduced total reparation debt from £6.6 billion to £2 billion and payments could be made up until 1988
Give 2 improvements in the economy in Germany
- Employment and trade increased
2. Lower reparations meant lower taxes, increasing spending money for German taxpayers
Give 2 problems in the German economy
- Its economic recovery relied on American loans, so it remained fragile
- Extreme parties were against Germany paying reparations
What was the Locarno pact?
Agreement between Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Belgium. Germany agreed to its new border with France. Allies and Germany agreed to permanent demilitarisation of the Rhineland.
