Weimar Republic 1919-1933 Flashcards
What were the 4 main reasons for early challenges and political instability
Threat from the left, spartakist uprising, radical socialism, KPD
Threat from right, Kapp Putsch 1920 led by right wing journalist Wolfgang Kapp
Treaty of Versaille, territory losses, loss of resources, war guilt/reparations, Disarmament
Economic challenges, Hyperinflation 1923, Ruhr crisis 1923
What were the 2 main threats from the right
Spartakists - uprising in 1919 led by Rosa luxemborg, ultimately failed but showed left wings unrest
The communist KPD party who looked for a socialist uprise and a communist state
When was the treaty of versailles signed and how did it effect germany
Signed June 1919. It caused economic turmoil from loss of production and resources for weimar leading to hyperinflation.
It also fueled nationalist sentiment and weimar resentment when factors like Disarmament and territory losses made weimar look weak and unfit to stay In charge.
Explain hyperinflation in weimar republic
Hyperinflation - 1923, government printed huge amounts of money to attempt to cover/pay off reparations and solve economic challenges as quickly as possible. It caused the mark to spiral down in price causing unprecedented rates of inflation that worsened the already low living quality Germany (people seen with wheelbarrows of marks)
What was, and when did the Kapp Putsch happen
The kapp putsch, was a 1920 coup led by right wing journalist Wolfgang Kapp and 5,000 Freikorps soldiers in response to the government disbanding many freikorps groups following the end of the war. They took Berlin, Kapp made himself chancellor after Friedrich Ebert had fled. He eventually failed not long after when the people of Berlin began to strike and refused to work
What was the Ruhr Crisis 1923
By 1923, Germany fell behind on reparations. French and Belgians marched into the industrial heartland of Germany, the Ruhr, and looked to extract a sufficient amount of resources from it to cover the reparations. Huge resistance was fealt tho with workers engaging in passive resistance, which was encouraged by the weimar government. Only real relief for weimar was fealt in 1924 woth Dawes Plan.
What financial strategy did the government have to undertake early in its stay
Describe it
Deficit financing - gov spending more than they’re making back in revenue
Shat were the 5 indicators that weimar republic had entered the golden years
Economic recovery
Political stability
Social progress
New functionalism
How had weimar achieved, to some extent, political instability
Coalition cabinets - allowed for greater representation of peoples/parties interests.
Acceptance into LON 1926
Gustav Stresemanns work 1923
Allied occupation of the Ruhr ended 1929
What was New functionalism
It was a period of artistic and cultural expression and freedom. It led to a cultural renaissance full of expressionism.
How did new functionalism benefit the weimar government.
It made people feel an improvement in the quality of their lives, giving them that feel good mentality. It made them feel happier living in the country and they believed weimar republic was taking a turn for the better.
What was the Bauhaus movement
A Cultural/artistic movement that looked to change the culture of Germany entirely, away from its bland roots.
What four areas was Social progress made during the golden era
Labour rights
Woman’s suffrage
LGBTQ+ recognition and rights
Advancements in education and healthcare
What were the two main international policies that helped the Weimar republic with economic recovery
Dawes Plan 1924
Young plan 1929
How did the Dawes and Young plan help with Weimar economic recovery
improved living standards, lowered unemployment, changed reparations terms, industrial production up
