Establishment and Development of the Weimar Republic 1919-1933 Flashcards
What year did Germany surrender WW1?
1918
What were the conditions that the allies forced upon Germany for their surrender?
Must become a democracy and sign the treaty of Versailles
When was the Weimar constitution approved by the national assembly?
July 1919
What were the strengths of the Weimar constitution?
Proportional representation - very democratic
Fundamental laws - human rights to everyone
Article 48 - gave power to president when emergency
President (7 years) - Offered stability in turbulent govrnment
What were the weaknesses of the Weimar constitution?
Proportional representation - meant many parties got in, therefore, lots of coalitions which compromises their views.
President had control of appointing Chancellor (head of government), court judges and officers (control of army). Therefore has power over so much.
Article 48 - meant president could pass anything they wished if power abused.
What were the main things the treaty of Versailles demanded? (LAMB)
Land
Armaments
Money
Blame
What were the “land” regulations forced by the treaty of Versailles?
Alsace-Lorraine returned to France.
Germany split into two make “polish corridor” to give Poland access to the baltic sea. Created East Prussia, although Germany separated from the “mainland”.
Saar coalfield taken, and put under league of nations control for 15 years until reconsideration.
Upper Silesia coal and steelworks given to Poland.
Danzig made free city.
What were the “armament” regulations forced by the treaty of Versailles?
Only 100,000 soldiers Only 15,000 sailors 6 battleships No airforce No submarines or tanks No conscription This was also a major trade for Germany so was an economic problem too.
What were the “Money” regulations forced by the treaty of Versailles?
Reparations set in May 1921 at £6.6 billion
Lost of trade and raw materials due to loss of industrial heartland. See “land card”
What were the “Blame” regulations forced by the treaty of Versailles?
Article 231 of the treaty of Versailles - Meant Germany and her allies took full responsibility for starting the war.
What economic challenges did the Weimar Constitution face after the war?
GB naval blockade had ruined trade for the German export trade.
The Government was 250.7 million marks in debt after WW1.
What political/social challenges did the Weimar Constitution face after the war?
Was blamed for signing the treaty of Versailles (hated by the Germans as made them appear weak). Become known as the November Criminals and forever associated with the hated treaty.
Germany had a kaiser before the end of WW1 and therefore, especially the older generation was very hesitant to have a democracy.
When was the hyperinflation?
1923
What were the events that led to the hyperinflation?
- 1921 reparations set at £6.6 billion. Paid first installment and no attempt to stabilize the economy.
- 1923 Germany default on the payment of timber and coal. Therefore French and Belgian troops occupy the Ruhr of industrial importance. The German Government pays the workers to passively resist (strike).
However to pay the workers with no financial benefit the government had to print more money which led to inflation. This spiralled out of control and led to a hyperinflation.
What was the extent of the hyperinflation? (Statistics)
1914 £1 = 20 Marks 1921 £1 = 256 Marks Sept 1923 £1 = 1,413,648 Marks Oct 1923 £1 = 3,954,408,000,000 Nov 1923 £1 = 1,680,800,000,000,000
What were the negative economic effects of the hyperinflation?
Money became completely worthless, was cheaper to use as a fire fuel than buy wood. This led to the majority of the population being in poverty, therefore not buying goods, which led to businesses not supplying.
The middle class lost all of their savings leaving them with nothing.
Those on fixed incomes and pensions saw their earnings turn to nothing.
What were the negative social effects of the hyperinflation?
For many this proved to them that the Weimar government was inefficient at running a country. Germany had been a rich and powerful country before the war, with the kaiser. Made people look for other options… Extremist parties.
People began to look for a scapegoat. The Jewish community had been least affected due to their independence and often had high paying jobs such as finance. This jealousy made people think they were to blame.
What were the positives of the hyperinflation?
Those with debts gained from it, as they were written off as they became worthless.
The Government’s debt was significantly decreased.
Unemployment unaffected.
What was the Spartacist uprising?
A communist uprising in 1919, 5,000 strong. They wanted a revolution in Germany like the one in Russia in 1917.
How successful was the Spartacist uprising?
In Berlin they took control of the gov. newspaper + telegraph. Tried to lead striking workers in a revolution, but workers didn’t join them. Gov. ordered army and Freikorps (ex-army, anti-communist) to stop rising. Leaders executed for part in uprising.
What was the Red Rising in the Ruhr?
In 1920 workers were angry about low pay + poor working conditions. Had been protesting throughout 1919.
How successful was the Red Rising?
Communist Red Army of 50,000 workers occupied Ruhr + took control of raw materials. Army + Freikorps crushed them, killing around 1000 communists.
What was the Kapp Putsch?
In 1920 Freikorps disbanded after left-wing protests were crushed as they weren’t needed anymore. Leader of Freikorps, Wolfgang Kapp, attempted to seize power with help of Freikorps.
How successful was the Kapp Putsch?
12,00 Freikorps marched into Berlin and gov. forced to flee. Workers went on general strike to protest, which stopped uprising as he couldn’t rule. After 4 days, he fled, due to lack of support and protests, government returned.
