Weimer: emergence of Democratic Republic

Question 1

Before the Weimer Republic, who held considerable power?

Answer 1

Due to Prussian politician Otto von Bismarck (1815-98), the German Empire concentrated considerable power in hands of Kaiser and those he appointed gov ministers

Question 2

what changes occurred with the political power as war progressed? What happened to Kaiser Wilhelm?

Answer 2

political power more concentrated, Kaiser Wilhelm reduced to a mere symbol – he forfeited his power to the Army High Command

Question 3

Since abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm who ran the Germany? When?

Answer 3

From late August 1916

Chief of General Staff, Paul von Hindenburg (Field Marshal Hindenburg), together with his chief of staff, Erich Ludendorff (General Ludendorff), ran Germany as a military dictatorship

Question 4

What impact did militarism playing a crucial role in the creation of German empire have on the ppl?

Answer 4

most Germans grown to accept use of military force as legitimate means of achieving nationalist outcomes

Question 5

What was a significant factor in undermining Germany democracy?

Answer 5

German military would continue to exert influence (direct/indirect) and can be judged a significant factor in undermining German democracy

Question 6

What happened in late September?

Answer 6

with defeat near and yielding to Allied demands, the military abruptly handed over to the Reichstag politicians

Question 7

What burden did the Reichstag politicians have to face with the sudden change in power?

Answer 7

the enormous burden of negotiating a peace settlement. Even though the Germany military dictatorship contributed to decision to go to war in 1914 and also that leadership which resided over their nation’s approaching defeat

Question 8

Why did Ludendorff suddenly shifted power before end of ww1?

Answer 8

sought to shift blame for defeat and harsh post-war treaty away from army and onto democratic politicians

Question 9

who did he pass responsibility of war when he gave power to Reichstag?

Answer 9

Passed responsibility to civilian politicians, mostly socialist, who until then had exercised little control over how war run

Question 10

Who and when became the new chancellor?

Answer 10

October 2, Prince Max von Baden became new chancellor and sought armistice

Question 11

why was it shock of german ppl for Germany to accept armistice?

Answer 11

told for years that victory was coming. No allied troops on German soil, and German army occupied parts of Belgium and France. Only a few months earlier, nearly took Paris.

Question 12

What belief spread due to their shock of armistice around the Germans?

Answer 12

the German army had not beed defeated in field but “stabbed in the back” at home.

Question 13

what is “stab in the back” called in Germany?

Answer 13

dolchstosslegende

Question 14

who did the stabbing?

Answer 14

socialists, pacifists, Jews, democratic politicians

Question 15

Why did the stab in back legend serve well for German Army?

Answer 15

although they explained need for armistice, since Ludendorff’s surrender of power in Sept 1918, it was civilian politicians, mostly socialists, who were to be burdened with blame for surrender, defeat, armistice and peace treaty.

Question 16

What were these politicians blamed for defeat known as?

Answer 16

Scapegoats, known as “November criminals”

Question 17

What did the stab in the back legend provide?

Answer 17

fertile propaganda for anti-democratic right wing political parties

Question 18

What impact did stab in back legend have?

Answer 18

Hence, from foundation, the new democratic system of gov burdened with guilt and for many Germans, never achieve legitimacy

Question 19

Where can the conflict between army and gov be seen due to betrayal?

Answer 19

Army’s support – in March 1920, for e.g., when the elected gov was under severe pressure as result of attempted coup by nationalist Wolfgang Kapp, army chief General Hans von Seeckt refused to support gov

Question 20

in what world was the democratic republic born into?

Answer 20

world of violence, revolution, defeat and chaos. Began with widespread protest movement, fed by war weariness and demanding extensive reforms. Home front in state of political, economic and social collapse

Question 21

What happened in November 1918?

Answer 21

‘revolution’ in Germany. Triggered by mutiny at northern port of Kiel = protest by workers. Workers and Soldiers Council set up, spreading across northern Germany. Socialist revolutionary gov established in Bavaria

Question 22

When did Kaiser Wilhelm abdicate?

Answer 22

9 November

Question 23

What happened with kaiser Wilhelm’s abdication?

Answer 23

National Assembly was to be elected to draw up a democratic constitution. Some protestors (radical, far left) wanted to go further, replace army with revolutionary militia or nationalise industry

(Germany declared republic)

Question 24

What would a violence revolution lead to?

Answer 24

change in the social and economic foundation of the nations

Question 25

What did the Social Democratic Party, Friedrich Ebert declare as his response to possibility of a violent revolution?

Answer 25

“I don’t want that, indeed I hate it like sin”

Question 26

Due to opposition by Ebert what was the revolution like?

Answer 26

Hence revolution restricted to relatively modest reform of political system, no where near as radical as those protestors with communist sympathies wanted.

Question 27

what did demobilised soldiers form into?

Answer 27

Free Corps (Freikorps) units, with backing of the regular army and approval of Social Democrats. Paramilitary group, right wing volunteer. Hated socialists as blamed for defeat in war

Question 28

what did Ebert do as soon as he came into power?

Answer 28

made secret agreement with General Groener, Supreme Command – Ebert-Groener Pact

Question 29

what was Erbert-Groener Pact?

Answer 29

Groener would maintain army discipline and Ebert would oppose any revolutionary/Bolshevik socio-economic changes

Question 30

What were the factors included in Ebert Groener Pact?

Answer 30

♣ No right-wing army coup against army
♣ Guaranteed survival of Ebert’s gov
♣ Meant no radical socio-economic changes in Germany
♣ Guaranteed survival of conservative elites and maintenance of army political influence in future.

Question 31

What happened in Jan 1919?

Answer 31

Far left: Spartacists, led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, later known as Communist Party of Germany – called general strike

Question 32

What happened with General strike led by Spartacists?

Answer 32

attempt to seize power -> Defence minster, Noske, called Freikorps units to oppose the rebels -> After week of savage fighting, revolution over –> strike called off, captured rebels executed, and Liebknecht and Luxemburg murdered.

Question 33

What did Freikorps units do throughout Germany?

Answer 33

suppressed other left-wing revolts

Question 34

What impacts did these events have on Democratic Republic?

Answer 34

♣ Conservative elites remain in power
♣ Army remain key anti-democratic force in German politics
♣ Left in Germany remain divided and distrustful of each other

Question 35

As first president of the new German Republic, what did Ebert issue a decree of?

Answer 35

Ebert issued a decree which would lead to gov authorities often ignoring illegal actions carried out by right-wing extremists, while suppressing any perceived threat from the left.

Question 36

what did Ebert’s decree help establish?

Answer 36

He helped establish a precedent which would prove decidedly detrimental to the fortunes of the new Republic as it sought to establish itself

Question 37

what was the existence of military bands and private armies a threat to?

Answer 37

danger to peaceful political development. The failure of the Weimar Republic to take firm action to suppress these bands permitted the electorate to be intimidated and contributed to the destruction of democracy

Question 38

What was the Weimer Coalition formed from National Assembly?

Answer 38

Political parties supporting a program of moderate reform – the Social Democrats, the Centre Party and the German Democrats – received majority of votes (Elections for national assembly) and formed gov known as “Weimer Coalition’.

Question 39

when was the election for the National Assembly held?

Answer 39

19th January 1919

Question 40

What had the Assembly drawn up and ratified by end of July 1919?

Answer 40

a new constitution

Question 41

What was the new constitution like?

Answer 41

It meant that a Reichstag would be elected at least every 4 years, elections would be conducted on the basis of proportional representation, a President would be elected every 7 years and in times of emergency the President would be empowered to ‘rule by decree’ (Article 48) and under Article 25 to dismiss the Reichstag and arrange new elections

Question 42

what were the 2 parliament houses?

Answer 42

Reichstag (people’s house) and Reichsrat (states’ house)

Question 43

What did Germany have during Weimer period?

Answer 43

one of most successful social welfare systems in world

Question 44

What did Weimer’s successful social welfare systems sought to do?

Answer 44

♣ Sought to safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens
♣ All citizens entitled to free welfare
♣ Unemployment benefits
♣ Compulsory state arbitration of disputes between employers and unions introduced.