1918-1919 - after ww1 Flashcards
(92 cards)
1
Q
What happened on the 8th November 1918?
A
Republic proclaimed in Bavaria
2
Q
What was the Ebert-Groener pact?
Motivs and outcomes
A
Ebert’s Motiv: wanted to protect government from communists to keep peace
Ebert’s outcome: The army protected him
General Groener’s motiv: Wanted to keep his position and for the army to keep their power
General Groener’s Outcome: Kept his position.
3
Q
Who was Hindenburg?
A
- Born 1847 and died 1934
- Served in Austro-Prussian war 1866 and the Franco German war 1870-71
- Got promoted to field marshal
4
Q
Who was Ludendorff and what did he do?
A
- Responsible for defeat of Russian forces in WW1
- Responsible for Germany’s Military policy and strategy
- Was nationalist and right wing
- Ran against Hindenburg in 1925 for president
- Was a Nazi member from 1924 to 1928
5
Q
Who was Ebert? Who was a threat to SPD
A
- Not revolutionary
- Trade Union background
- not elite/ landowner
- SPD
- DMVPs and Nationalists were a bigger threat
6
Q
political challenges towards ebert + why he wasnt supported?
A
- Opposition and unenthusiastic reactions
- Communists wanted revolution and argued against Ebert’s plan
- Violent opposition from the right wing and assassinations were frequent
7
Q
What were the social challenges that Ebert faced?
A
- People believed he “stabbed germany in the back”
- He took the blame for the Treaty and Weimar Republic
- People disliked socialists
8
Q
What was the impact of War when Ebert was in control?
A
- No air force
- Reduced army
- lost overseas colonies
-16% of coal and 48% of iron industry lost - Kaiser left
9
Q
List the problems that Ebert faced after ww1
A
- His government lacked legitimacy + had to establish a new constitution
- His authority didn’t reach further than Berlin
- People rebelled and used violence
- Constant strikes and unhappy soldiers
- Hunger and flu and epidemics
10
Q
What is Parliamentary Democracy?
A
A system whereby parliament decides what happens and parliament is elected by the people
11
Q
What happened towards the end of September 1918 regarding the defeat of war
A
- Ludendorff persuades Kaiser to hand over power to civilian government based on Reichstag
- Germany becomes virtual parliamentary democracy
12
Q
when did prince max of baden become chancellor
A
3rd october 1918
13
Q
What did Ludendorff aim to do after the war ended?
A
- Secure peace terms with Allies
- Blame for end of the war to be on government
- Government who signed armistice but not army for their mistakes during fighting
14
Q
Why might the creation of democracy reach better peace terms?
A
Woodrow wilson keen on spreading democracy
Allies disliked military style rule in Germany
15
Q
How did politicians feel about the New republic?
A
Disliked + felt ‘stabbed in the back’
16
Q
Why was the new government weak
A
Army, judiciary ( rule of law), civil service maintained their place in society
they were right wing
17
Q
What date did the Kaiser abdicate?
A
9th Nov 1918
18
Q
What date was the Armistice signed?
A
11th Nov 1918
19
Q
What date was the Ebert-Groener pact signed?
A
10th Nov 1918
20
Q
How did the left wing feel about the Ebert Groener agreement?
A
Betrayed
hoped to abolish influence of aristocratic elites, break up army, civil service, judiciary
wanted to nationalise key industries
21
Q
What events did the Peace Note trigger?
A
Strikes and mutinies e.g. Kiel mutiny 3rd Nov 1918
22
Q
How could the proclamation of socialist republic in Bavaria be seen as turning point in German revolution?
A
Convinced Prince Max of Baden that he lost control of government + should pass it to Ebert to control
23
Q
What is Constituent Assembly?
A
Elected body with specific task of drawing up new constitution
24
Q
What happened on the 5th Jan 1919?
A
A Spartacist demonstration in Berlin- fired on by soldiers killing 16 people
25
What happened on the 8th Nov 1918?
A republic declared in Bavaria and Bavarian monarchy was deposed
26
What happened in October 1918 regarding the government
Series of reforms introduced by government
Gave Reichstag more power
Put army under control of government not Kaiser
Reforms used to keep Kaiser in place
27
what was the peace note + what does it show
Prince max wrote to Wilson asking for armistice
Wilson demanded Germany evacuate all occupied territory, call end to submarine warfare + fully democratise their political system
Shows Germany lost war + shocks people
28
when was the peace note
3rd of october 1918
29
how did workers react by october 1918
Strike in Friedrichshafen, workers shouted ‘The Kaiser is a scoundrel’ and ‘Up with the
German Republic.’’
30
What happened on the 28th Oct 1918?
Naval mutiny at Wilhemshaven
crew refused to obey orders to attack British ships in the English Channel.
31
What happened 9th Nov 1918?
- SPD call general strike + want Kaiser abdication
- Prince max releases statement about this
- Resigned as Chancellor + hands to Ebert
- Phillip Scheidemann declared that a German Republic now existed.
32
where were there most riots during october 1918
Cologne, Dortmund, Essen, Berlin, Dresden
33
What happened 4th Nov 1918
Cities revolt and set up soldiers councils.
34
what happened by 6th november
workers councils were springing up allover Germany
it seemed to many that Germany was on the verge of a communist revolution
35
What deal was made between the industrialists and trade union representatives?
- The ‘Central working association’. This set up workers committees to campaign for more rights
- an eight hour day and arbitration- a neutral observer to settle industrial disputes.
36
Why were the Industrialists willing to make a deal with trade union representatives
worried about losing money due to increasing workers unrest
worried about communist revolution
37
Describe how the new caretaker government was organised:
- 3 members SPD and USPD
- vote that called for constituent assembly rather than use of workers councils to make constitution
38
impacts of ww1 + problems
- Growth in government debt + inflation
- Unexpected defeat
- Myth of Stab in the Back
- Treaty Of Versailles
impacts:
- Weimar regime printed too much money
- national humiliation / November criminals blamed
39
impacts of german revolution
- SPD governments suppression of communist uprising
- Ebert and Groener deal
impacts:
- Two main left wing parties divided
- Influential social groups/institutions hostile to democracy not removed from positions of power
40
What happened 3rd November 1918?
- November revolution
Kiel, 3rd of november sailors took control of bazes
41
how much value did the mark lose between 1913 and 1918
75%
42
when was a new government based on the Reichstag formed
October 1918
43
what did Hindenburg do
- Ludendorff drove Russian invasion force from East Prussia - Hindenburg received nations applause
- The duo starved Britain with unrestricted submarine warfare
- They drew US into war and let Ludendorff take blame
44
what was the friekorps
about 200 ex soldiers
right wing nationalists
saw themselves as protectors of germany from bolshevism
45
What was the President?
- Elected every 7 years
- Article 48
- Similar to Kaiser
46
What was the Chancellor?
- Appointed by President
- Head of government
- Came up with new laws that the Reichstag voted on
47
What was the Cabinet?
about 200 ex soldiers
right wing nationalists
saw themselves as protectors of germany from bolshevism
48
What was the Supreme court?
- Independent body used to interpret constitution
- However, judiciary usually right wing - lacked political independence
49
What was the Reichstrat?
- Assembly of representatives of the 17 states
- Gave advice and reject new laws
- Could be overridden by Reichstag
50
What was the Reichstag?
- Deputies elected by all germans over 20
- Germany's parliament and deputies elected every 4 years
- Voted on whether bills should become law
51
What were the strengths of the Weimar Constitution?
- Election of president
- President had 7 year terms - stable
- Proportional representation - everyones voices heard
- Article 48
- Universal suffrage
- Fundamental rights for workers
52
What were the weaknesses of the Weimar constitution?
soc
53
What social problems did the Republic face at the start?
- Mass demobilisation
- Food shortages
- Shock end to WW1
- Workers unrest wanting more reform
- Lack of support from different social groups
54
What political problems did the Republic face at the start?
- Political unrest both left and right wings
- Political assassinations
- Political impact of Treaty of Versailles
- Less support for the Republic by 1920
55
What were the economic problems of the Republic at the start?
- Deficit spending
- War debt
- Inflation
- Reperations
56
What foreign policy problems did the Republic face at the start?
- Treaty of Versailles
- Land loss e.g. Alsace-Lorraine
- Isolation in foreign policy
- Tensions with France
57
Why was the legacy of the First World War a potential problem?
- Growth in government debt and inflation
- Stab in the back myth + unexpected defeat
- Treaty of Versailles
- Printed too much money
- Groups on fixed incomes - discontented
- Weimar = national humiliation
- November criminals blamed
58
Why was the nature of the German Revolution a potential problem?
- SPDs governments suppression of communist uprising (spartacists)
- Ebert- Groener deal
- Umnrevolutionary revolution
59
Why was the Weimar constitution a potential problem?
- Proportional representation
- Article 48
- Inclusion of principles of welfare state
- President could bypass Reichstag
- Elites may turn against it - See it as too radical
- Coalition governments too likely
60
Did the Weimar constitution establish a sound structure for democracy in Germany?
- Country now parliamentary democracy
- elections held Jan 1919 for German Constituent Assembly
- Universal male and female suffrage
- Proportional representation -> voting for party not a person
- Assembly met in Weimar Germany + wrote constitution led by liberal lawyer Hugo Preuss
61
Who was the first president and chancellor of the coalition government? (Weimar)
President - Ebert
Chancellor - Scheidemann
62
Why was the Weimar constitution a potential problem and the impacts?
- Proportional representation
- Article 48
- Inclusion of principles of welfare state
impacts :
- President can bypass reichstag
- Elites can turn and consider it too radical
- Coalition governments likely
63
Describe the Bavarian People's Party? BVP
Leader : Heinrich Held
- Upholds Bavaria's interests
- Conservative but generally supported Republic
64
Describe the German Democratic Party: DDP + did they support the Republic
Leaders: Walther Rathenau + Hugo Preuss
- Support from Middle class
- Intellectuals + businessmen
- Supported Republic
65
Describe the National People's Party: DNVP + do they support republic
Leaders: Karl Helfferich + Alfred Hugenburg
- Right wing from old conservative parties + racist and anti-semantic groups (Pan German league)
- Monarchist + Antirepublican
- Land owners + small farmers
66
Describe the German People's Party (DVP)
+ whether they support republic
Leader: Gustav Stessemann
- Conservative + monarchist
- Initially suspicious of Weimar + voted against
- From 1921 - supporter of parliamentary democracy
- Support from protestant middle and upper classes
67
Describe the German Communist Party : KPD + whether they supported Republic
Leader: Ernst Thalmann
- formed in 1919 by extreme left wing Spartacists
- Anti republican
- Supported revolutionary overthrow of society
- Working class support
- Strengthened by defection of many USPD members 1920
68
Descrihe the National Socialist German Workers Party : NSDAP + whether they supported Republic
- Leader: Adolf Hitler
- extreme right wing formed in 1919
- Anti republican, Anti Sematic
- Strongly nationalistic
- until 1930, support from lower middle classes
69
Describe the German Social Democratic Party: (SPD) + whether they supported Republic?
- Leader: Friedrich Ebert and Philip Scheidemann
- Moderate left wing socialist movement
- Working class + trade unions
- strongly supported parliamentary democracy
- Opposed to revolutionary demands of the more left wing socialists like the USPD
70
Describe the Independent German Social Democratic Party: USPD + whether they supported republic
- Leader: Karl Kautsky + Hugo Haase
- broke away from SPD 1917
- radical elements of German Socialism
- split by 1922
71
Describe the Centre Party + whether they supported Republic
- Leaders: Matthias Erzberger and Heinrich Bruning
- Created in 19th century to protect interests of roman catholic church
- Support from aristocratic land owners to christian trade unionists
- Committed to Republic
- 1920s sympathetic to Right Wing
72
who remained in their positions + were hostile to the republic
elites
military
bureaucracy
professors
judiciary
big businesses
73
What are some right wing ideas?
- Prefer authoritarian government
- Advocate strong military + foreign policy
- Hostile to change
- Less state involvement + Lower tax to encourage investment
- hatred of communism
- traditional ideals + marriage
74
What are some left wing ideas?
- More power to working classes
- Want radical social change
- government heavily involved
- higher tax to the rich/businesses
- hatred of capitalism
- vast programme of social welfare
75
What are some democratic ideas in Germany? pre war
- Reichstag fully elected by universal male suffrage
- People can vote/ encouraged to vote
- Federal system; people represented USPD, SPD, etc
- Free and fair elections
76
What are some not democratic ideas in Germany? pre war
- Kaiser picks Reichstag
- Kaiser can remove people from government
- He can dissolve Reichstag
- Kaiser controls war
- No state with individual rights
77
What were some Left Wing parties?
Extreme :
- German communist party (KPD)
- Independent socialists (USPD)
- Social Democratic Party (SDP)
- German Democratic Party
78
What were some right wing parties?
Extreme:
- National Socialist german worker's Party
- German Nationalist People's Party (DNVP)
- German People's party (DVP)
79
What was the constitution like Pre WW1
--------> the KAISER :
- King of Prussia - Hereditary monarch
- Appointed/ Dismissed government
- Could dissolve the Reichstag
- Controlled foreign policy and armed forces
80
What was the constitution like Pre-WW1
-----------> Reichstag
- Members (deputies) elected by universal male suffrage
- Could agree to or reject laws proposed by Kaiser or government
- Could not remove the chancellor or government
81
What was the constitution like Pre-WW1
-----------> Government: Chancellors and Other Ministers
- Appointed/ Dismissed by Kaiser
- Proposed new laws to the Reichstag
- Not dependent upon support in the Reichstag to stay in office
82
What were there shortages of in Germany?
- Coal
- Fats
- Clothes
83
Why was opposition to war growing?
- Food shortages
- Resource shortages
- Longer hours
- Forced labour
84
How did Burgfrieden break down by end of 1917 ?
- Calls for Peace resolution
- Strikes
- Protests
85
What did the German Fatherland Party want?
- To continue war and gain extra annexation of land
86
Who demanded Germany begin armistice negotiations?
- Ludendorff
87
What was agreed in the Revolution from Above?
- Reichstag would have more powers, armistice
negotiations would begin
88
What was the economic impacts of the War?
- in winter of 1917 -> food shortages due to allied blockade of Germany
- Turnip winter
- Shortage of fuel meant many people were freezing
- Coal production only 90% of production in 1913
- 1913-1918 mark lost 75% value
89
What were political impacts of the War?
- 1917 Burgfrieden breaking down
- Radicals who opposed war broke with SPD and formed independent socialist party
- July 1917, Reichstag voted for peace resolution
- Hindenburg programme seen as forced labour, rural producers resented because of food prices low : production prices high
- no support for war : 6.2m casualties
90
what were the military impacts of the war?
- controversial policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, USA joined Allies : April 1917
- Russia defeated + accepted Brest Litovsk -> more resources + territory and germany only fighting on one front
91
What were the social impacts of the war?
- Many German workers bitter on restrictions of earnings during war; factory owners made fortunes
- gap grew between social classes
- Women called to work in factories, seen as damaging to traditional values
92
What was the Schlieffen Plan?
To defeat France before Russia could mobilise , then to focus resources on Russia. - invading france through Belgium
- Resistance from belgium troops + British Expeditionary force -> advancement slow
- Ludendorff + Hindenburg 2 victories against Russian forces
