Weimar Republic

Question 1

How did the Weimar Republic begin?

Answer 1

• after world war 1, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated, in November 1918 the Germany government was left in the new chancellors Ebert’s hands, they drew up a new democratic constitution in summer 1919 and Ebert was the first president

Question 2

What was the Weimar Constitution?

Answer 2

• it had a Reichstag, elected by proportional representation, with voting to be held every four years by all adults, rules had to pass through the Reichstag apart from article 48 giving the president emergency powers to bypass this
• the president was elected every seven years, and appointed the chancellor usually with the largest party in the Reichstag

Question 3

Problems in the new Republic - Spartacist Revolt

Answer 3

• January 1919 the Spartacists led by Kail Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg set up soviets in many towns, seized power in Berlin and Baltic ports
• Ebert used Freikorps (anti-communist ex-soldiers) against them and murdered the leaders

Question 4

Problems in the new Republic - The Kapp putsch

Answer 4

• in March 1920, Wolfgang Kapp, an extreme nationalist, and a group of 5000 Freikorps seized power in Berlin with the army refusing to fire on them
• the workers in Berlin called a general strike stopping supplies etc. Kapp fled the country knowing he wouldn’t succeed and died awaiting trial

Question 5

What happened in the invasion of the Ruhr?

Answer 5

• in 1922, the German Government announced that it would not be able to pay the annual installment and asked for more time
• the French insisted they must pay, in January 1923, French and Belgian troops entered the Ruhr (center of German industry) to take money owed in goods
• the workers used passive resistance against the invaders
• factories closed and the German economy halted

Question 6

What was the hyperinflation?

Answer 6

• in 1923 The Weimar Government printed more money to pay off its debts, causing hyperinflation and the German Mark to become worthless
• people’s savings became worthless
• prices rose hourly
• people on fixed incomes suffered
• prices rose faster than incomes

Question 7

How was this crisis solved? (Hyperinflation)

Answer 7

• in September 1923, a new government under Gustav Stresemann was formed
  he stopped printing money in November 1923
  he created a new currency ‘The Rentenmark’
  he called off the passive resistance in Ruhr, troops left in 1925

Question 8

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 8

• it was announced in May 1919 and Germany lost:
  10% of its land
  all its overseas colonies
  12.5% of its populatoin
  16% of its coal and 48% of its iron industry
• in addition:
  its army was reduced to 100,000 and without an air force and a reduced navy
  they had to accept blame and pay reparations which was announced in April 1921 of £6.6 billion
• many felt betrayed by the Weimar Government even though it was there only choice

Question 9

Under Stresemann - What happened to the economy?

Answer 9

• under the Dawes Plan 800 million marks in loans from the US were given to Germany in 1924 but the loan could be recalled at any time
• German industry recovered well and by 1928 they reached pre-war levels
• It helped the big business and land owners whilst peasant farms and small shop owners suffered

Question 10

Under Stresemann - What happened to foreign policy?

Answer 10

• in 1925 he signed the Locarno Treaties which meant he could not change the German borders with France and Belgium
• in 1926 they were accepted into the league of nations
• he negotiated the young plan which lightened reparations in 1929
• much of the public thought the government was backing down to the TOV

Question 11

Under Stresemann - What happened with Culture?

Answer 11

• Cultural revival with writers, poets, architects etc. thriving. with the first Bauhaus exhibitions (art and architecture) attracting 15,000 visitors
• Thriving German cinema with stars like Marlene Dietrich and directors like Fritz Lang
• Popular night life with 900 dance bands in Berlin alone in 1927 and also little censorship
• Many in small towns and regions wanted a traditional lifestyle e.g. organisation called the Wandervogel

Question 12

Under Stresemann - What happened with Politics?

Answer 12

• Politics began to become more stable
• in 1924 the Nazi won four seats and in 1928 only twelve in the Reichstag
• in 1924 the KPD (communists) has 45 seats and then 54 in 1928
• there were four changes in chancellor and Hindenburg, who opposed democracy, was elected in 1926

Question 13

What were the effects of the Wall Street Crash?

Answer 13

• in 1929 the American wallstreet crashed and many US banks recalled their loans which German companies were unable to pay, German businesses closed and millions lost jobs

Question 14

What were the longer term effects of the Wall Street Crash?

Answer 14

• between 1928 and 1930 employment rose from 2.5 to 4 million
• more and more felt let down by the Weimar Government and adopted extremist groups
• in the 1930 elections the KPD rose from 54 to 77 seats and the Nazi’s (now the second largest party) from 12 to 107 in the Reichstag compared to 1928

Question 15

How did the Weimar Government survive?

Answer 15

• External Support
  the Dawes Plan
  new British and French governments more sympathetic
• Weaker Political opponents
  Left never gained more than 15% in elections, most working people voted Ebert’s SPD
  Right lacked support of the people and a outstanding leader
• Population supported Weimar
  They supported resistance in the Ruhr and Kapp putsch
• Effective Government Actions
  Stressemann’s reform of the currency, Ebert’s actions against communism