Germany 1890-1945: Democracy and Dictatorship Flashcards
(130 cards)
How was Germany ruled?
1871-Prussia most powerful Germanic state
When Germany unified Prussians formed a German army.
Kaiser ruled Germany.
EACH STATE SENT REPRESENTATIVES-BUNDESRAT. TO TALK ABOUT KAISER
Who was Kaiser Wilhelm II?
Became KAISER in 1888 at age 29. Grandson of Queen Victoria.
-At this time, Britain was most powerful and dominated trade.
KAISER WANTED INDUSTRIALISATION, BY 1913, GERMANY PRODUCED MORE IRON AND STEEL THAN BRITAIN.
What was Kaiser Wilhelm’s system?
Kaiser was supported by advisers and ministers.
Chief minister=Prime minister.
Reichstag- PARLIAMENT ELECTED BY MEN OVER 25 YEARS OLD.
Reichstag discussed laws and Kaiser made own decisions related to army and foreign countries.
Parliament government and growth of Socialism
-Germany made landowners rich.
-Army officers wanted to preserve influence on people and Kaiser.
-working conditions and food were expensive, More people wanted Kaiser to improve them.
Social Democratic Party
-An arising party workers put together.
-They believed in socialism. Power and wealth should be equally distributed amongst people.
-People thought Kaiser should share power.
Some people wanted revolution over Kaiser.
Germany before WW1
-Kaiser wanted to transform Germany to a global power with control over other countries-WELTPOLITIK which would help Germany take over countries and protect them.
-Kaiser was militaristic and wanted to rival British army.
-Taxed raised money and loans so Germany in debt
Facts about the start to WW1
August 1914-WW1 began
-Germany suffered when Britain stopped supply ships to Germany.
-Shortage of food, medicine, clothing.
1915-500 WOMEN GATHERED ROUND Reichstag DEMANDING SOLDIERS TO COME BACK HOME.
1 year later-10,000 workers assembled in berlin.
Impact of War
By 1918-Flu pandemic
-October-Ludendorff told politicians Germany wouldn’t win war.
-Told Kaiser that Europe would treat Germany fair it that were more democratic.
-Kaiser has to share power with parliament to achieve DEMOCRACY.
What was the Turnip Winter?
Winter of 1916-1917, where people had to eat turnips, a food fit for cattle (profound hardship).
Was as a result of things like the blockade, which reduced supplies by over 33%.
Mutiny and revolution
29 October 1918-GERMANY ATTACKED BRITISH MILITARY SHIPS. People didn’t follow these orders and mutiny news spreads.
9 November 1918-he abdicates and secretly left Germany.
Consequences: The end of war?
Germany bankrupt-Lent money too allies
-6,000,000 war widows
- War pensions given out.
War in Germany- Factory owners made lot of money
- Restriction on wages of other jobs
Unstable Germany-Mutinies and revolution against government
- November criminals stopped and hated government as they ended the war.
Who was the SPD leader
Friedrich Ebert
Facts about revolutions in Germany after Kaiser left?
-Friedrich Ebert wanted to sign an armistice to end WW1
-He improved working conditions and freedom of religion.
-He declared Germany would be a democratic republic
Who were the spartacists?
Political group= Spartacus League, believed in communism.
What happened on 6th January 1919?
Spartacists took over Germany capital.
-Sent 2000 soldiers and after the fighting, Ebert sent the Free corps who captured the buildings and arrested Karl Liebknecht and ROSA Luxembourg the spartacist leaders.
-Free corps murdered them and the Spartacus revolt was over.
How the Weimar Republic arised?
January 1919-Ebert held an election where the SPD won most votes and Ebert became the new German president.
-Ebert and other presidents met on 11 February 1919 in Germany called the WEIMAR REPUBLIC.
What were the FREE CORPS?
A group of former soldiers that had fought in WW1.
The Structure of The Weimar Constitution?
-It was very fair.
-Women over age of 20 could vote.
Facts about the President?
-Elected
-Controlled army, navy and air force
-Stayed out of day-day running of the country however, he ruled without permission of Reichstag
Facts about the Chancellor
-Chosen by president.
-Responsible for day-day running of country e.g. law and order and taxation.
-Must have the support of at the least half MPS in Reichstag.
What was the Weimar Republic
In 1919, politicians drew up the Weimar CONSTITUTION.
-It was far more democratic system than when Kaiser was there to introduce new laws.
The Reichstag facts
-Discussed and introduced laws.
-Members of the Reichstag were elected every 4 years.
-USED PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION.
The German people (electorate) facts
All men and women over age of 20 could vote.
-They elected the President and politicians in the Reichstag.
-The constitution guaranteed them basic freedoms such as free speech.
How was Germany treated due to the Treaty Of Versailles?
TOV STATED-
-War was Germany fault had to pay 6.6 billion dollars back
-The money is to be paid to the winners in instalments.
-Germany only allowed small army (100,000 soldiers), small navy, and no submarines or air force.
-Germany had to give colonies over.
-Anschluss banned
-No German soldiers allowed in Rhineland.