Political and governmental change, 1918-33 Flashcards
What was the Second Reich?
The name given to the unified German state that was established following Prussia’s victory in the Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871.
Following the Franco-Prussian War, what happened to all German speaking states (with the exception of the Austrian Empire)?
They were all unified under Prussian dominance - Prussian King was Kaiser of Germany.
Briefly describe the constitution of the Second Reich
- Gave substantial powers of patronage to the Kaiser, although the agreement of the Reichstag was needed to pass legislation.
- Kaiser was in charge of foreign policy and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
- Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted to develop a German empire and build up German military strength.
In the years prior to WWI, what happened to Germany?
It industrialised rapidly and the urban working class grew substantially. A large trade union movement developed and German politics came under increasing strain as a permanently upper class conservative government struggled to work with an increasingly working class, socialist Reichstag.
What was the economic impact of WW1 for Germany?
- Fighting the war was an enormous economic challenge.
- Taxation contributed only 16% of the cost of the war.
- War bonds were used and money printed.
- Printing money led to inflation - the mark declined in value by 75% between 1913 and 1918.
- German agriculture was not mobilised effectively, causing food shortages.
How much did taxation contribute to the First World War?
Only 16%
What was used to help finance the First World War?
War bonds and printing money
What did printing money to finance WW1 lead to?
Inflation
What did the mark decline in value by between 1913 and 1918?
75%
During the First World War, what was the problem with agriculture?
German agriculture was not mobilised effectively, causing food shortages.
What was the social impact of WW1 for Germany?
- 2 million soldiers were killed and 6.3 million were injured.
- With inflation and tight controls on wages, living standards fell by 20-30%.
- Food and fuel shortages exacerbated the impact of the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 and caused misery, disease and starvation.
How many soldiers were killed in the First World War?
2 milion
How many soldiers were injured during the First World War?
6.3 million
After WW1: With inflation and tight controls on wages, what did living standards fall by?
20-30%
What did food and fuel shortages exacerbate the impact of?
The Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 and caused misery, disease and starvation.
At the start of the war, how did Germany appear?
Politically unified behind the war effort - a political truce, Burgfrieden was announced. But this situation didn’t last.
What was the political impact of WW1 for Germany?
- During the war, the government became increasingly authoritarian and militaristic. By 1916, the Supreme Commanders, Generals Hindenburg and Ludendorff were essentially in charge of the country, running what has been characterised as a ‘silent dictatorship’. Military government exacerbated political and social tensions.
- Mounting concern about the war led, in 1917, to a Reichstag vote for the ‘peace resolution’, which urged the government to try to negotiate a peace settlement.
- The war saw the formation in 1915 of the communist Spartacist League that agitated for social revolution and an end to the war.
- In 1917, 42 SPD deputies had broken away to form the anti-war and radical socialist USPD.
- Discontent with the political and social situation in Germany was revealed by the huge strikes that occurred in 1917 and 1918.
- By 1918, politics was more polarised than ever as the Generals continued to seek a ‘Siegfried’, victory peace.
During WW1, what did the government become?
Increasingly authoritarian and militaristic. By 1916, the Supreme Commanders, Generals Hindenburg and Ludendorff were essentially in charge of the country, running what has been characterised as a ‘silent dictatorship’.
Political impact of the war:
Mounting concern about the war led to what in 1917?
A Reichstag vote for the ‘peace resolution’, which urged the government to try to negotiate a peace settlement.
What did the war see the formation of in 1915?
The communist Spartacist League that agitated for social revolution and an end to the war.
Political impact of the war:
In 1917, what happened with SPD deputies?
42 SPD deputies had broken away to form the anti-war and radical socialist USPD.
What did discontent with the political and social situation lead to?
Huge strikes that occurred in 1917 and 1918.
Describe the situation in 1918 as the war was coming to a close
By 1918, politics was more polarised than ever as the Generals continued to seek a ‘Siegfried’, victory peace.
In the autumn of 1918, what came as great shock to Germans?
Germany’s impending defeat - which contributed to the outbreak of revolution and acceptance of the ‘stab in the back myth’.
Define Imperial Germany/Second Reich
The title given to Germany from 1871 (unification of Germany) to 1918 and the end of the First World War.
What was the Weimar Republic?
The title given to the regime which governed Germany between the end of the First World War and the election of Adolf Hitler in January 1933. Refers to a period of democracy in Germany.
What was the ‘stab in the back’ myth?
The 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁-𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆𝘁𝗵 coined by General Hindenburg in November 1919 which declared that the German army could have won the war but were ‘stabbed in the back’ by the government that replaced by the Kaiser. Also idea that the German army was betrayed by the communists, socialists and Jews on the home front.
What was the SPD?
The Social Democratic Party. They were a left-wing leaning political party and was the largest political party in the Reichstag from 1919-1929.
Who were the Allies in WW1?
Britain, France, Russia and their empires.
By 1916, what were Hindenburg and Ludendorff essentially in charge of?
In charge of the country, running what has been characterised as a ‘silent dictatorship’.
What was the ‘silent dictatorship’ from 1916?
The Supreme Commanders Ludendorff and Hindenburg were essentially in charge of the country - and the country became increasingly authoritarian and militaristic.
What did the authoritarian leaderships of Hindenburg and Ludendorff (silent dictatorship) produce in Germany?
Opposition. Huge strikes in 1917 and 1918.
By 1918, what was politics?
More polarised than ever.
What political parties were completely anti-war
SPD and USPD
Why was the political impact of the First World War important?
It polarised Germany, creating a divided country that was once unified and also increased opposition.
Why was the political impact of the First World War important?
It polarised Germany, creating a divided country that was once unified and also increased opposition.
Why did Imperial Germany collapse in November 1918 (i.e why was the Weimar govt formed?)
- A growing working class became increasingly unhappy with the conservative political system of the Second Reich and the power of the Kaiser.
- In the final months of the war, the German army became exhausted and overstretched. Defeat was likely.
- Generals of the General Army worked to shift the blame of Germany’s impending defeat on to the new government. A new liberal and left-wing government as formed.
- German sailors, aware of Germany’s impending defeat, mutinied. This led to further riots and disturbances across Germany. The government had lost control.
- WWI caused inflation, declining standards of living and increased political polarisation. By the end of the war, the nation had become more divided, making revolution more likely.
- Fearing a violent revolution, and with political parties calling for the creation of a democratic republic, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated. Friedrich Ebert, leader of the SPD, was appointed leader of Germany. His first action was to sign the armistice agreement, bringing an end to the war.
What did German sailors do during the war?
German sailors, aware of Germany’s impending defeat, mutinied. This led to further riots and disturbances across Germany. The government had lost control.
Who was made leader of Germany after Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated?
Friedrich Ebert
When was Friedrich Ebert elected president?
February 1919
What was Friedrich Ebert’s first action?
To sign the armistice agreement, bringing an end to the war.
What was ‘rule by decree’?
Power to pass any law (decree) without having to consult any other person or body such as parliament.
What is a constitution?
A set of laws which outline how a country is run.
Reichstag
The German parliament
What was Burgfrieden?
A German term that refers to the political truce between Germany’s political parties during World War I. It was announced at the start of WWI, when Germany appeared politically unified behind the war effort.
