WW1 and weimar republic Flashcards
when was the first world war (start and end)
august 1914- november 1918
what were the german peoples’ initial reactions to the start of the war
the war was popular, patriotic germans thought it would end quickly
what happened to the german’s supplies
british navy blockade (medicine, clothes and food shortages)
what were the german peoples’ reactions in 1915-16
protesters demanded an end to the war
increased from 500-10,000 people in demonstrations to end war
what did general ludendorff suggest to kaiser wilhelm II towards the end of the war
to make the country more democratic so the winning allies (britain, france, usa) would treat germany more fairly
what did kaiser wilhelm do after general ludendorff told him to make things more democratic
allowed main political parties to form a government, transferred some of his power to the reichstag
what happened on 28th october 1918
german navy in Kiel mutinied - spread to others (soldiers joined the navy and workers)
- kaiser realised he had lost control - army generals refused to support him
what happened on 9th november 1918
kaiser wilhelm abdicated and fled to switzerland
who took over from kaiser wilhelm II after he abdicated
friedrich ebert (SPD leader) - promised to hold elections at end of war
when was the armistice signed (surrendered)
11th november 1918
what did patriotic germans call the politicians who signed the armistice
november criminals
what were the impacts of war on germany by 1918 (economically)
virtually bankrupt
- owed vast amounts of money that it had borrowed to pay for war
- lent some of its own money to allies
- war pensions would cost the government a lot
- factories were exhausted
what were the impacts of war on germany by 1918 (socially)
society divided further
- factory owners made a fortune, workers had restrictions put on their wages
- women worked in factories during war - some thought this damaged family values
what were the impacts of war on germany by 1918 (politically)
politically unstable
- mutinies and revolutions all over germany
- many ex soldiers felt betrayed by the politicians for ending the war
