1.1 Early threats to the Weimar Republic Flashcards
(34 cards)
What was Germany like, pre-WW1 (1914)?
All states were under the kaiser’s control.
A sense of German identity held together all states and classes.
It was a modern industrial state, with a powerful working class sympathetic to socialist ideals, with the belief that Germany did not need democracy.
What was Germany like at the end of WW1 (1918)?
It was in a weak position, economically and politically.
It had a military-style government, which collapsed in October 1918; a naval mutiny caused anti-war demonstrations and soviets sprang up in major cities due to the collapse of the Spring Offensive.
Anti-war sentiment and food shortages were common.
Why did the kaiser abdicate at the end of WW1?
General Ludendorff convinced the kaiser to abdicate, hoping that a civilian government would get fairer peace terms (which didn’t happen) and the new government would be blamed for the outcome of war (did happen).
A new government was established on the basis of President Wilson’s 14 Points.
Who led the Spartacist Uprising and why?
Led by Rosa Luxembourg and Karl Liebknecht
Aimed to improve workers’ conditions and establish a soviet-run Germany
When and where did the Spartacist Uprising take place?
January 1919, Berlin
How did the Spartacist Uprising succeed?
It showed how weak the new government was by forcing them to set up in Weimar, Saxony
Had to be put down by the Freikorps, who resented the new republic
Why did the Spartacist Uprising fail?
A lack of strategy - leaders were divided politically and detached from the political reality
What was the Bavarian Soviet Republic?
A short-lived unrecognized socialist state in Bavaria, 1919, modelled on the communist Russian government
Why did the Bavarian Soviet Republic succeed?
It proved that Germany was split between right-wing or left-wing extremists, and that moderates had little power without the army/right-wing
Why did the Bavarian Soviet Republic fail?
It lasted only three weeks and was put down by the army and Freikorps
What was the Red Rising? Where and when did it occur?
A workers’ uprising in the industrial Ruhr region in 1920
What was the aim of the Red Rising?
Workers hoped to exploit their aid during the Kapp Putsch to force the government to make concessions
Who put down the Red Rising?
The Freikorps
When and where did the German October take place?
Saxony, 1923
What were the aims of the German October?
To use paramilitary units to launch a “German October”, based on the Russian October Revolution
Who led the German October?
The KPD and SPD
What happened during the German October?
The KPD and SPD formed a coalition government and the army was sent to drive communists out of Saxony’s government.
However, Prime Minister Zeigner resisted and Article 48 was used to remove him from office. Eventually, an all-SPD government formed in Saxony.
When and where did the Kapp Putsch take place?
Berlin, 1920
What were the causes of the Kapp Putsch?
Treaty of Versailles - army reduction and government attempt to disband a Freikorps unit
Leader Wolfgang Kapp was hostile to a new republic
What happened during the Kapp Putsch?
5000 Freikorps members took part; the army refused to retaliate, stating “troops do not fire on troops”.
Why did the Kapp Putsch fail?
Workers in Berlin were encouraged by the government to organize a 4-day general strike. This shut off all essential supplies and Kapp was forced to flee
How did the Kapp Putsch succeed?
Leaders were not dealt with harshly, as the government couldn’t afford to lose right-wing support
Decline in support for 3 major democratic parties
Who was Matthias Erzberger?
The German representative on the Reparations Commission, responsible for carrying out the Treaty of Versailles.
When was Erzberger assassinated?
August 1921
