Early Weimar Republic

Question 1

Before WWII, How was Germany ruled?

Answer 1

By the kaiser (Absolute Monarchy)

Question 2

What happened in 1918 that changed the way Germany was governed?

Answer 2

Germany lost the war - they were thrown into economic and social disorder - Forced the kaiser to abdicate after losing support of his military

Question 3

Government of 1971 - 1918 republic

Answer 3

Second Reich

Question 4

The two houses of the second reich

Answer 4

Reichstag and bundesrat

Question 5

Features of the second reich

Answer 5

-manhood suffrage
-secret ballot
-Governed by kaiser or chancellor

Question 6

Political Problems of Second Reich

Answer 6

Constituencies never changed after population shift so rural areas thus retained a vastly disproportionate share of power as urbanization progressed.
government ministers were generally selected from the civil service or the military. They often had little experience
Germany had no natural borders so they were suspicious of other countries

Question 7

Religions in Germany

Answer 7

Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism

Question 8

National identities

Answer 8

Germany’s borders had moved a lot so there were many different national identities within germany.

Question 9

Political ideas

Answer 9

Absolutism, militarism, liberal democracy, revolutionary socialism, communism, anti-semitism

Question 10

Socio-economic developments

Answer 10

Primacy of rural influence, rapid industrialisation, rapid urbanisation and migration

Question 11

Industries in germany

Answer 11

Agriculture, manufactured goods. Synthetic dies, iron, potash

Question 12

Power rivalries

Answer 12

Agriculture, manufactured goods, colonies, navy,

Question 13

Population

Answer 13

German society rapidly grew in the twenty years prior to the First World War.

Question 14

Summary of social problems

Answer 14

Rapid urbanisation led to overcrowding in towns and poor sanitary conditions and lack of water.
Homelessness rose
Rise in white collar jobs

Question 15

What is a junker

Answer 15

Wealthy conservative land owners and aristocrats

Question 16

Growing fears of junkers?

Answer 16

Their dominance was being threatened by catholics and socialists. Saw economic interests threatened by us competition in agriculture and demands of middle-class for involvement in political system.

Question 17

Social impact of economic change for upper middle classes

Answer 17

Growth of powerful entrepreneurial UM-class
They threatened to sustain rather than threaten the political landscape
Saw any sign of division as a threat
Wanted unification

Question 18

Social impact of economic change for lower middle class

Answer 18

Declining and increasingly threatened by industrialisation
Support extreme nationalist anti-Semitic groups

Question 19

Other name for Lower Middle class

Answer 19

Mittlestand

Question 20

Social impact of economic change: working classes

Answer 20

Rapid growth as population of industrial towns grew, 37.9% employed in industry.
Unhealthy working and living conditions,
Rise in support for socialism

Question 21

What did Ludendorff realise in September 1918

Answer 21

That germany were going to lose the war. He secretly asked for an armistice to avoid the humiliation of a surrender but Wilson made the 14 points

Question 22

What were Wilson’s 14 points?

Answer 22

Ways to make germany more democratic involved removing the kaiser

Question 23

What were the October reforms?

Answer 23

A list of reforms that ended the kaisers autocratic rule on recommendation from Ludendorff. Chancellor was responsible for Reichstag and established government based on major political parties.

Question 24

Chancellor was responsible for Reichstag and established