The weimar republic 1919-1923

The weimar republic 1919-1923

1. what was the stab in the back theory?

   • The belief that Germany was going to win the war, but were betrayed by politicians so Germany refused to accept that they had been been defeated.
     • Hitler really liked this idea and used it to gain support.

2. strengths and weaknesses of new constitution.

   • president- elected every 7years. power to appoint chancellor. article 48 says can make laws without going through reichstag,
     • CHANCELLOR-elected by president. equivalent of British prime minister. had to have support of majority of Reichstag.  the reichstag- power to pass or reject changes in laws. elected by proportional representation every 4 years. german people- over age of 20 could vote for president and reichstag. equal rights including: free speach, travel freely, hold political meetings, freedom of religious belief. 
   • Proportional representation
     • made sure parties given fair share of seats in reichstag, also weakened government by: too many small parties, parties often joined together to form a coalition governments- these were weak and short lived.
   • new constitution gave opposition groups freedom to criticise/attack new gov.

3. 1919- Germany forced to sign Treaty of Versailles

   • Lost land- alsace lorraine returned to France.
   • Reparations- victorius powers demanded compensation from damage caused by war- in 1921, reparations made to be £6,600million to be paid in annual instalments.
   • War guilt- Germany was to blame for war, Germany believed other countries caused war and they went in as self-defence.
   • Military terms- Germany no longer allowed military aircraft& no submarines, navy reduced-6 battleships & 15,000 sailors. army reduced to 100,000

4. why was there opposition in germany to the versailles treat?

5. opposition to the weirmar republic

6. kapp putsch

7. the spartacist uprising