Weimar Republic Flashcards
How did the Weimar republic come to power
October 1918- the Allies offer terms for an armistice
November 1918- Kaiser Wilhelm II refuses to make the changes and orders the generals to keep on fighting. However sailors mutiny.
9th November 1918- The kaiser abdicates and flees to the Netherlands
11th November 1918- Frederich Ebert becomes the new leader of Germany. He creates the weimar republic. He signs the armistice.
Strengths of the Weimar republic
All Germans over the age of 20 could vote- gave everyone equal rights to vote
Proportional representation meant that groups got seats according to votes so more people got a say.
Emergency powers (Article 48) meant that decisions could be made fast in case of emergency
No one had too much power in the system
Weaknesses of the Weimar republic
Germany was unfamiliar with democracy and many people doubted if it was going to work.
Governments had to form coalitions to get a majority in the reichstag. This meant decisions were slower in the parties.
The president could abuse article 48
The different parties were deeply divided and groups didnt want to compromise, this made forming coalitions difficult.
What was the Spartacist Uprising
January 1919-
The spartasists (communists) took power in Bavaria and communist councels are setup across Germany. The Freikorps crushed the rebellion. The leaders of the spartacists ,Rosa Luxembourg and Karl Liebknech, were executed after bieng arrested.
Results of the Spartacist Uprising
It created a lasting bitterness between the Communists and the Weimar republic.
It also showed that the Weimar republic needed the Freikorps to help them.
It gained Ebert support from many in Germany who were also against communism.
What was the Kapp Putsch
March-1920
Dr wolfgang Kapp led 5000 Freikorps into Berlin. The army refused to fight against them and Ebert had no way to stop them. However, the workers of Berlin went on strike. Kapp realised he couldnt succeed and fled Germany.
Results of the Kapp Putsch
It showed that the weimar republic couldnt rely on the army.
It also showed that Ebert had the support of the people in Germany.
What caused Hyperinflation in 1923
The reparations had been set at £6.6 billion and was meant to be paid in installations. However Germany couldnt afford reparations and it wasnt paid in 1922.
This led to French and Belgian troops invading and taking occupation of the Ruhr in January 1923 and took what was owed in the form of raw materials.
Ebert ordered the German workers in the Ruhr to go on strike and he continued to pay them. This and the fact that there are no good bieng produced in the ruhr leads the Weimar republic to become short on money
The weimar republic prints more money to pay the workers and replace the money lost by the strikes. This causes hyperinflation.
What was the munich putsch
November 1923-
Hitler plots to stage an uprising with Kahr. However Kahr changes his mind and warns the army. The army clash with the SA and the uprising is crushed.
Results of the Munich Putsch
Shows the weimar republic has the support of the army.
Led Hitler to become famous while on trial. He spends his time in prison writing Mein Kampf.
How did Streseman help the Weimar Republic
He was appointed chancellor in August 13th 1923. He called off the strikes and made a new temporary currency, the Rentenmark which he later replaces with the Reichsmark. This mostly solves hyperinflation.
He also made the Dawes plan. This reduces annual reperation payments. The USA promised to provide $800 million in loans. Also the ruhr would be evactuated by Allied troops as soon as the reparation payments started again.
He signed the Lacarno pact. This meant that Germany agreed to keep its 1919 border with France and Belgium and in return the allies agreed to remove their troops from the rhineland and let Germany enter the league of nations.
What were the consequences of Stresemans actions
Firstly confidence in the economy and banking system was restored.
Secondly, the german economy recovered and recieved more loans. Outputs of coal and manufactured goods rose and unemployment fell. However it did make the German economy reliant on American loans
Thirdly, Germany was treated like an equal again. The lacarno pact improved european relations and encouraged foreign investment into Germany
