1918 - 1920 Flashcards
(39 cards)
What triggered the German Revolution and what happened?
Triggered by WWI defeat, naval mutiny at Kiel (Nov 1918), and widespread unrest.
Workers’ and soldiers’ councils took control in some cities.
Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated (9 Nov 1918).
A new Weimar Republic was proclaimed under Friedrich Ebert (SPD).
What were the main political effects?
Germany became a republic.
Power transferred to civilian democratic government.
Creation of Weimar Constitution (1919): democratic structure, voting rights, civil liberties.
Rise of extremist groups (Spartacists, Freikorps).
What was the long-term impact of the German Revolution?
Some Germans believed they had been betrayed (“stabbed in the back”).
The army and right-wing groups didn’t support democracy.
These problems helped Hitler rise to power later.
What was the Weimar Constitution?
It was the set of rules for how Germany would be run after WWI.
Introduced democracy: people voted for leaders and laws.
What was proportional representation?
Parties got seats in the Reichstag based on their share of votes.
It was fair because every vote counted.
Who could vote under the new system?
Men and women over 20 could vote (very modern for the time).
More people had a say than ever before.
What rights did Germans have?
Freedom of speech, religion, and press.
All Germans were equal under the law.
What was the downside of proportional representation?
Too many small parties → no party could get a majority.
Resulted in weak coalitions and unstable governments.
What was the weaknesses of Article 48?
The president could pass laws without the Reichstag in an emergency.
It could be abused (e.g. Hitler used it to take full control later).
Who disliked the new constitution?
The army, judges, and wealthy landowners preferred the Kaiser.
Some wanted to destroy the republic from the start.
Who were the Spartacists and what did they want?
A communist group led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht.
Wanted Germany to be like Soviet Russia: run by workers’ councils (soviets).
Opposed the democratic Weimar Republic.
Why did the Spartacists rebel in January 1919?
Wanted a communist revolution.
Angry that Ebert (president) worked with the army and didn’t give power to the workers.
Took advantage of unrest after the German Revolution.
What were the key events of the Spartacist Uprising?
Spartacists took over newspaper offices and tried to start a general strike in Berlin.
Ebert used the Freikorps (ex-soldiers) to crush the revolt.
Luxemburg and Liebknecht were captured and killed.
What happened after the uprising?
The uprising failed.
Showed the Weimar government’s reliance on the army and Freikorps.
Increased tensions between the government and communists.
Set a pattern: left-wing uprisings crushed, but right-wing threats often ignored.
Why does the Spartacist Uprising matter?
Weakened the left (divided workers and socialists).
Proved that the new democracy was fragile.
Used violence to survive, damaging its image.
Led to more violence later (e.g., Kapp Putsch, political murders).
What was the Treaty of Versailles?
A peace treaty signed in 1919 after World War I.
It was mainly written by Britain, France, and the USA (the “Big Three”).
It punished Germany for the war.
What were the territorial terms?
Lost 13% of its land and 6 million people.
Alsace-Lorraine went to France.
The Polish Corridor was given to Poland.
Germany lost all overseas colonies.
What were the military terms?
Army cut to 100,000 men.
No tanks, submarines, or air force.
Only 6 battleships allowed.
Rhineland (border with France) demilitarised.
What were the financial terms?
Had to pay £6.6 billion in reparations (compensation for war damage).
This caused serious economic problems later.
What were the long-term effects for Germany?
Weakened the Weimar Republic.
Economic crisis and Hitler’s rise to power.
What was the War Guilt Clause?
What did Article 231 say?
Article 231 placed full blame for the war on Germany and its allies.
This was deeply unpopular in Germany, as many felt it was unfair and a form of humiliation.
How did the treaty affect the world?
Created resentment and failed to bring lasting peace.
Weakened the League of Nations and led to World War II.
How did Germans react to the Treaty of Versailles?
Viewed as a “Diktat” (dictated peace).
Led to anger and the “November Criminals” accusation.
What was the Kapp Putsch?
A right-wing coup attempt in March 1920.
Led by Wolfgang Kapp and Freikorps (ex-soldiers).
They tried to overthrow the Weimar Republic.
