Flashcards
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Cards in this deck (50)
- 1~Sept 1918~Allied troops broke through Hindenburg line on the W Front, defeat was inevitable for G.
British blockade on G ports had produced serious food shortages in G –many wanted peace. - 2~Oct 1918~Sailors at naval base in Wilhelmshaven mutinied, was another mutiny at Kiel when order was given for one last attack on the GB navy!
- 3~7th of November 1918~Socialist- Kurt Eisner declared Bavaria to be a Socialist republic, all over G workers and soldiers formed councils.
This was called ‘the G revolution’ and G’s leaders so scared of a Comm revolution in G they persuaded Kaiser to abdicate. - 4~9th of November 1918~Kaiser abdicated. Friedrich Ebert, one of the leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) said G now a Republic.
Ebert was to be President and colleague, Philip Scheidemann, became Chancellor. - 5~Problems with new government~Signed armistice with Allies on 11th Nov many Gs shocked by surrender even though no choice.
‘Stab in back’ idea – that G been betrayed by politicians, should have fought on!
Nationalists called gov ‘The November Criminals’. - 6~How should G be governed?~Sorting this out was a major problem for Ebert.
Some Gs wanted communism as had recently begun in Russia (1917). - 7~The Spartacist Revolt~ January 1919Spartacus League (G Comm Party) tried take over power in Berlin – Ebert’s gov had few troops to deal with this because army had been disbanded after War so gov made units of ‘Freikorps’ (volunteer soldiers) to crush the Communists.
- 8~Freikorps~ 15th Jan 1919 (birthday)‘Freikorps’ hated the Comm and on 15th Jan executed the Sparta leaders, Karl Liebnicht and Rosa Luxemburg.
These ‘Freikorps’ actions led to bitter hostility between the SPD and the German Comm Party - lasted until end of the Weimar Republic. - 9~Beginnings of Democracy~After executions of Sparta leaders, elections held for a National Assembly which would draw up list of rules for G.
SPD won most seats – but no majority
Joined in coalition with Centre Party and Democratic Party, then had support of ¾ of the Assembly. - 10~Why was it called Weimar republic?~The assembly held its first meeting at Weimar because of unrest in Berlin so new Republic took the name ‘The Weimar Republic’.
- 11~Weimar Republic~ Part 1G was to be a democracy
Reichstag was to make laws and control the Gov.
Men + women over 21yrs could vote for Deputies to Reichstag.
Voting was (PR)– 10% of votes = 10% of Reichstag seats. - 12~Weimar Republic~ Part 2Chancellor was head of the Gov.
President was Head of State – elected every 7 yrs.
Could dissolve the Reichstag, order fresh elections and in times of emergency, suspend the Reichstag and rule by himself. - 13~Weakness of the new constitution~1919-33 - no party won more than 1/2 of votes because of PR, all the govs were coalitions of 2 or more, often fell out when faced with hard decisions.
Many didn’t want new democracy eg.industrialists and army members. They wanted G as it was before War. - 14~What was economic and political impact of the Treaty on the Weimar Republic?~ Part 1Treaty of Versailles was vindictive – punished G for its part in the War:
G split in 2
Lost 13% of territory
Lost 10% of its population
Restrictions on size of armed forces and weapons. - 15~What was economic and political impact of the Treaty on the Weimar Republic?~ Part 2‘War Guilt Clause’ said G had to take full blame for starting War and causing damage that occurred – this was the basis for reparations payments that it was decided G should pay.
Reparations figure was set in 1921 - £6600 million! - 16~Reactions to Treaty~ Part 1G's furious – claimed they had agreed to Armistice because they believed the treaty was based on Wilson’s ‘Fourteen Points’ – these had been published in Jan 1918 + less severe than the final Treaty.
G's - no say in the Treaty – said it was a ‘Diktat’ (a dictated peace) - 17~Reactions to Treaty~ Par 2L8r people argued if Gs no say in making Treaty,couldn’t be made to keep rules.
Philip Scheidemann (new Chancellor)first suggested G shouldn’t sign Treaty but no choice as Allies would've invaded again – so Treaty was signed – making W Republic even more unpopular. - 18~Kapp Putsch~ Part 1Freiks included BIG Nationalists who opposed democracy + believed that Comm only be stopped with strong leadership + a strong army.
Treaty said G army cut to 100,000 men – Ebert tried to disband the army but there was rebellion. - 19~Kapp Putsch~ Part 2Freiks marched Berlin – said that Dr Kapp was G’s new leader – army didn't help Gov and shoot Freiks, so gov ran away.
Kapp not popular with peeps, when Gov went on General Strike peeps supported gas, water + electricity cut, B came to halt. - 20~Kapp Putsch~ Part 3Kapp forced flee to Sweden.
Gov returned + Freiks’ were broken up.
Despite this Freiks kept causing probs – they formed a group called ‘Operation Consul’, in 1922 murdered Walter Rathenau (G’s Foreign M, signed the Treaty). - 21~Munich Putsch~ 1923 Part 1By 1923 G economy in ruins because hyperinflation + F occupation of the Ruhr.
Leader of Nazi Party, Adolf, believed that Republic on edge of collapse, decided to try seize power. - 22~Munich Putsch~ 8th November 1923 Part 2Hitler + supporters broke up meeting in Munich Beer Hall where leaders of Bavarian Gov were speaking.
He Forced leaders to take part in putsch against Weimar Gov – but they were allowed to leave meeting, changed their minds about supporting him. - 23~Munich Putsch~ 9th November 1923 Part 33000 Nazis, led by Hitler + General Ludendorff (WWI hero) marched on Munich – Hitler thought police + army would join him but instead they opened fire on marchers, 16 Nazis were killed.
- 24~Munich Putsch~ 9th November 1923 Part 3AH + Ludendorff arrested for conspiracy.
Hitler used trial to make speeches criticising gov + setting out plans for future G – publicity he received turned him into a national figure.
AH sentenced 5 yrs in prison- released after 9 months!.. L not guilty. - 25~Munich Putsch~ 2 other outcomes of trial 1923AH realised he could get power in G via people voting for him rather than armed uprising.
AH began work on ‘Mein Kampf’ (‘My Struggle’) – set out his main beliefs . - 26~The Economic Crisis of 1923~ Hyperinflation Part 1During WWI Gov paid bills by printing more money –having more money in circulation cut value and prices rose.
As prices rose workers demanded more wages, so goods were dearer to produce + more expensive to buy – this vicious circle is called hyperinflation. - 27~The Economic Crisis of 1923~ Hyperinflation Part 2When a country has high inflation currency worth less to foreign countries + imports get dearer – happened in G from 1914 onwards, mostly during 1923.
1921 – reparations payments fixed at £6600 million. - 28~The Economic Crisis of 1923~ Hyperinflation Part 3G had spent huge sums of money on the War like other countries.
After WWI raw materials in G like coal + iron taken away to keep G weak.
G made payments in 1921, failed to in 1922, so asked for more time – GB agreed with idea but F didn’t. - 29~The F and Belgians occupied the Ruhr in Jan 1923~ Part 1G in BIG trouble without this area +, even worse, it damaged production in all G industries that needed coal.
The collapse of industrial production cost G more than would have done if gov simply paid reparations. - 30~The F and Belgians occupied the Ruhr in Jan 1923~ Part 2F didn’t care about G economy + only wanted to get back money owed – at beginning GB supported F actions, but began to realise they'd suffer if G suffered because G + GB= trading partners.
- 31~The F and Belgians occupied the Ruhr in Jan 1923~ Part 2When F army occupied Ruhr G gov ordered policy of passive resistance.
Production fell + F and Bel couldn’t take goods – although occupation was legal countries sympathised G.
Eventually the F withdrew (1925) after the Dawes Plan. - 32~The effect of hyperinflation on Germany~ Part 1Although Gs won Ruhr crisis, still had to pay workers in Ruhr + meet other bills –so they printed more banknotes leading to hyperinflation.
December 1921 loaf of bread cost under 4 marks –September 1923 cost 1.5 million marks. Wages went up but nm. - 33~The effect of hyperinflation on Germany~ Part 1Paper money became worthless + people exchanged goods instead.
Foreign goods were so expensive Gs couldn’t afford them.
Hardest hit were people who saved for future – lost everything! - 34~The effect of hyperinflation on Germany~ Part 3Living standards fell, most people couldn’t afford to eat properly.
Some gained from hyperinflation : people who had borrowed money could pay it back easily.
Foreigners visiting G had great rate of exchange with currency. - 35~What did he do?~2 measures helped end hyperinflation and brought confidence back:
1. Introduced a new currency – the Rentenmark.
2. Reduced Gov spending (700,000 Gov. employees lost their jobs) - 36~Other things that he did~Put down Communist uprisings and dealt with the Munich Putsch – there was political stability in Germany for the rest of the 1920s and the extreme parties such as the Communists and the Nazis found it difficult to win large numbers of Reichstag seats.
- 37~Stresemann time~Stresemann was Chancellor for only 4 months but he was Foreign Minister for 5 years – and in this position he had greatest success
- 38~Dawes Plan~ 1924Negotiated this with the Allies
USA agreed loan G 800million marks.
USA also decided that annual reparations payments should be reduced + G had longer to pay.
All helped G to recover– between 1924 -1929 G received 25 billion marks in loans + G industry was rebuilt. - 39~Locarno Pact~ 1925G signed this with France and Belgium.
The countries agreed to accept each others’ borders agreed at the Treaty.
After this, G was allowed to join the League of Nations in 1926. - 40~Kellogg-Briand Pact~ 1928Reinforced other countries’ acceptance of G.
G was one of 60 countries which signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact which agreed to give up War for 5 years unless attacked by another country. - 41~The Young Plan~ 1929G reparations reduced by over 67%
G given timetable for repayments until 1988.
The Allied powers accepted this in 1930 although the Wall Street Crash affected it. - 42~Comments on Stresemann~Stresemann strongly criticised for being too willing to co-operate with G’s enemies – but he believed that changing the Treaty couldn’t happen overnight + had to be done by co-operation with other countries. Others, particularly Adolf Hitler, disagreed.
- 43~Art and Culture under the Weimar Republic~ Part 1Economic revival reflected in cultural revival that showed itself in no. of ways.
Censorship had existed under Kaiser - now there was new spirit of freedom where criticism of Gov was ok + even songs + books mentioning sex were ok! - 44~Art and Culture under the Weimar Republic~ Part 2Berlin became thriving Arts centre with over 120 newspapers + 40 theatres.
G literature flourished - Remarque’s ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ (an anti-war book) sold over half a million copies.
German playwrights e.g. Berthold Brecht won international fame. - 45~Art and Culture under the Weimar Republic~ Part 3Painters e.g. George Grosz criticised old German society.
Architects such as Walter Gropius founded the Bauhaus group which brought in new ideas in architecture and sculpture. - 46~Art and Culture under the Weimar Republic~ Part 4Some Gs hated new ideas in art + thought they were too relaxed– they wanted art to celebrate traditional ideas of G society.
Critics argued that new artistic styles, popular music + jazz clubs showed how G going into moral decline. - 47~What were the achievements of the Weimar period?~With all the left and right wing challenges it was a success to keep political stability in G.
Getting international acceptance for G again.
Achievement in the Arts. - 48~Problems in the Weimar period~ Part 1Economic prosperity based on foreign loans.
Exports falling.
Trouble between Trades Unions + employers in 1928.
Prices for farm produce fell during 1920s + many farmers in debt. - 49~Problems in the Weimar period~ Part 2Political situation was dangerous – Hindenburg was appointed President in 1925 + he was a strong supporter of the Kaiser.
- 50~End of Weimar Republic~Many Germans resented fact that Treaty hadn’t been reversed + blamed Weimar Gov for that.
While things were going well Weimar Republic’s achievements looked impressive once things started to go wrong they looked a lot less impressive!
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- Flashcards on History Republic, created by Alicia Tamlyn on 13/06/2015.
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