establishment and development of the Weimar Republic 1919-1933 Flashcards
what happened in 1919?
In April, Germany officials went to see what the Treaty of Versailles would proceed for Germany.
those that signed the ToV were known as the November Criminals
the ToV was known as diktat
the stab-in-the-back myth
what was the stab in the back myth?
was that the Army was not defeated but was betrayed by those, it was antisemitic and anticommunist conspiracy
what happened in the Spartacist uprising?:
in 1919, leaders, Leibknecht and Luxemburg led a LW uprising as they wanted power to the LW rather than the RW.
the Freikorps easily defeated the uprising
what was the Kapp Putsch uprising?
1920, a RW attempt to restore military control,
as at the time the government wanted to disband the Freikorps
Kapp proclaimed himself as chancellor
Army/Freikorps refused to stop the uprising
BUT, strikes called off the uprising,
therefore not really a major threat
what was the Munich Putsch/Beer Hall Putsch?
1923, in Bavaria
Hitler led the putsch, RW
march on Munich for pre-war army powers
but Hitler was arrested and a few were killed
what were the losses of the Germany because of the ToV?
Land - loss of 10%
Army - reduced to 100,000 soldiers and 10,000 officers
Money - £6.6 billion reparations, clauses 232
Blame - war guilt clause 231
Battleships - 6
Airforce - 0
Tanks - 0
Subs - 0
12.5% of the population
16% of coal production
48% of industry
leave Rhineland
Alsace-Lorraine to France
East Prussia - Poland
the Saar, rich industrial area under the control of the League of Nations
what was the Invasion of the Ruhr?
1923,
the Ruhr created 3/4 of coal production, so essential for the economy to recover
Franco-Belgium troops invaded because the reparation payments fell behind in payment
this caused workers to go on strike - passive resistance
this increased inflation, more of a problem for Germany’s economy as therefore no reparations were being paid off.
August - currency was worth nothing
what did Stresemann do in response to the invasion of the Ruhr?
chancellor for 100 days
formed Great Coalition
passive resistance was called and a new currency was formed - Rentenmark to stop hyperinflation
how successful was Stresemann and his foreign policy?
he was a major international figure, won the Nobel Peace prize in 1926
wanted germany to gain its independence back and solve relations with neighbouring countries
foreign policy - Fulfilment
reparations were being paid regularly, this contributed to improved relations between France and Germany - Dawes plan
still very dependent upon the continuation of American loans
HOWEVER,
policies failed to generate broad domestic support for Weimar
Right wing against fulfilment, they were influential despite being a majority
nationalist opposition against the Young plan, there was no sufficient support for Stresemann’s foreign policy in Germany
what was the Dawes Plan?
1924, reduced annual payments, slowly increased over the years as the reparations were then able to pay off debts
it was a temporary solution, France did not like this
what were the Locarno treaties?
1925, many countries signed that there would reduce hostility, only attack in defense
also confirmed western frontiers, Germany accepted western borders, not east
what was the Young Plan?
1929, a permanent solution, reduced that amount of reparations that Germany had to pay off, 132 billion to 121 billion marks
why were 1924-29 known as the Golden years?
heavy industry recovered, 1928 reached levels in 1913
efficient methods in coal mining and steel manufacture
increase in investments
German exports rose by 40%
state subsidies provided for the construction of 2 million houses (1924-31)
homelessness was reduced by 60%
HOWEVER,
economic growth was uneven, not stable
imports exceeded exports
unemployment never fell below 1.3 million
savers lost money in the Great inflation, therefore less enthusiasm to invest money again
then there was the great depression in 1929
what were the political parties in Weimar Germany?
KPD, DDP, DVP, DNVP, SPD
