WW1 aftermath and the Weimar government Flashcards
What challenges did Germany face after WW1? (Three terms)
Social challenges, political challenges and economic challenges
What 3 factors made the first world war so damaging?
Almost 2 million German troops died and 4 million were injured, Germany fell into debt, people were dying due to mass food shortages
What is a republic
A country without a monarch
What economic challenges did Germany face?
General strikes and a total debt of 150 billion marks
What were some of the strengths of the Weimar government?
- all people could vote
- the president would be elected separately
What were some of the Weimar government’s weaknesses?
- proportional representation
- accepted the treaty of Versailles
- accepted war guilt
- extremist parties could vote
- article 48 allowed the president to pass laws alone
What was article 48
If public safety is threatened the president may take necessary steps to restore public order
How much would Germany have to pay in reparations?
6.6 billion (they would have been paying until the 1980’s)
What were some early challenges that the Weimar Republic faced?
(1919-1923)
- inherited all the war guilt/post war issues
- Had to sign the treaty of Versailles
What is proportional representation?
The percentage of votes is equal to the percentage of seats in the Reichstag
Why was Germany struggling to pay reparations?
They had lost lots of territory including areas that usually provided income (eg. Farm land)
