1 The Weimar Republic 1918-29

Question 1

Origin of Weimar Republic

Answer 1

1. 9 November 1918: Kaiser abdicates, chancellor announces abdication.
2. 11 November 1918: Armistice (agreement made by opposing sides to stop fighting for a certain time) signed by Erzberger.

Question 2

Creation of Weimar Republic

Answer 2

1. January 1919: Ebert elected as new president; new government elected through proportional representation (amount of seats reflected proportion of votes you got e.g. coalition gov.)

• 40% vote to SDP
• 20% vote to Centre Party.

Question 3

Weimar Constitution - strengths and weaknesses

Answer 3

• Genuine democracy: all germans above 20 could vote; chancellor elected every 4 years; president elected every 7 years.
• Reichstag power: appointed government, made all laws.
• Bill of Rights: guaranteed freedom of speech, religion and equality under the law to every german citizen.
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• Proportional representation: small parties in parliament made passing laws hard - weak, often short-lived government.
• Article 48: power for president to act without parliament approval - overuse; weakened Germans’ confidence in democracy.

Question 4

Reason for early unpopularity of Weimar government

Answer 4

• Signing of armistice (Nov 1918): government hated - many speculated the German army had been ‘stabbed in the back’ by the politicians in power (dolchstoß).
• Treaty of Versailles (28 June 1919): resented government (unaware of ultimatum) - many felt germany received very harsh deal in treaty.

Question 5

Terms of Treaty of Versaille

Answer 5

• Blame: Germany forced to accept blame for starting war under article 231 (War Guilt clause).
• Reparations: £6.6 billion reparations set at 1922
• Armed forces: 100,000 troops, 15,000 navy personnel, 6 battleships, no tanks, submarines or conscription, airforce disbanded.
  -Territory: lost 13% of land on all sides of border (e.g. Alsace-Lorraine) and all overseas colonies; Rhineland demilitarised, coal taken from Saar Region; anchluß forbidden.

Question 6

Challenges to Weimar government - Spartacists Uprising

Answer 6

1. January 1919: 50,000 Spartacists rebelled in Berlin led by Luxemburg and Liebknecht.
2. Spartacists in Berlin defeated but communists uprisings occurred all over Germany - took power in Bavaria.
3. May 1919: Friekorps crushed all uprisings.

Question 7

Challenges to Weimar Government - Kapp Putsch

Answer 7

1. March 1920: Dr Kapp (right-wing nationalists) led Freikorps takeover of Berlin due to ToV - regular army refused to attack them.
2. Ended when workers went on strike and refused to work with Dr Kapp.

Question 8

Challenges of 1923 - Invasion of the Ruhr (cause and effect)

Answer 8

1. January 1923: 60,000 french and Belgian troops occupied ruhr after failed payment - 132 factories removed.
2. Passive resistance effect on production weakened economy already suffering from effects of war and government debts.
3. The government printed more money to pay strikers - as more money was printed, prices rose.
4. Hyperinflation occurred - bread costs 250 marks in January 1923 but 200 billion marks in November 1923.
5. By autumn 1923, it cost more to print one mark than its value.
6. Led to rebellions from Nationalists, Communists and Fascist group.

Question 9

Challenges of 1923 - Hyperinflation Crisis (winners and losers)

Answer 9

• Borrowers able to pay back loans easily (e.g. businessmen, land owners).
• Farmers’ products still in demand and received more money for what they sold.
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• Fixed incomes did not keep up with prices (e.g. pensioners, students, the sick).
• Lenders (e.g. government) and savers suffered as money became worthless.

Question 10

Reason for economic recovery

Answer 10

• Role of Stresemann: appointed chancellor - mid 1923; decided to call off passive resistance in Ruhr and negotiate Dawes Plan.
• Rentenmark: late 1923, introduced to replace old currency - temporary measure to stabilise currency and restore confidence; converted into Reichsmark, backed by gold reserves.
• Dawes Plan: 1924, reparations of 1 billion marks a year and 2.5 billion after 5 years; loaned 800 million marks from USA - french left ruhr; many reassured; extreme parties angry at agreements; economy depended on American loan.
• Young Plan: 1929, payments until 1988; from £6.6 billion to £1.85 billion.

Question 11

Improving foreign relations

Answer 11

• Locarno Pact 1925: signed by France, Belgium, Britain, Italy and Germany - they accept 1919 borders.
• League of Nations 1926: permanent member of Council of Leagues - symbol of international acceptance.
• Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928: 1 out of 62 agree to settle disputes peacefully.

Question 12

Changes in standard of living

Answer 12

• Wages: Hourly wages rose in real terms every year from 1924-1930 - 10% in 1928 alone.
• Housing: government built 2 million homes between 1924-31 - homelessness reduces by 60% by 1928.
• Architecture: Bauhaus - used bold designs, unusual materials and basic shapes and colours.
• Unemployment insurance: 1927, compulsory unemployment insurance - covered 17 million workers.

Question 13

Changes in position of women

Answer 13

• Politics: women over 20 can vote; weimar constitution introduced equality in pay education and opportunity; 1926, 32 women deputies in Reichstag.
• Leisure: enjoyed freedom socially: went out unescorted, drank and smoked in public, fashion conscious, shorter skirts, makeup, short hair.
• Employment: normally took white-collar jobs; 100,000 woman teachers, 3000 women doctors by 1933.

Question 14

Cultural changes

Answer 14

• Architecture: Bauhaus movement (founded 1919 by Gropius) featured modern function architecture - Bauhaus school.
• Art: Dada movement included photography, sculpture, poetry, collage - protest against traditional convection of art and western culture; New Objectivity reflect reality and harshness of war.
• Cinema: expressionist style; kammerspielfilm movement due to economic instability; films like metropolis.