The First World War (1914-18) Flashcards
(10 cards)
What caused war weariness during WW1?
- Long working hours from war effort
- Thousands of soldiers killed
- Influenza pandemic, 500,000 killed in 1918
- Army desertions and mutinies increased nearing the end of WW1
What were the four main clauses of the Treaty of Versailles?
- £6.6 billion reparations
- War Guilt Clause
- Lost 13% of land and all colonies
- Disarmament - 100,000 army, no air force, no tanks
Why was World War One a problem for the Kaiser?
- Naval blockade caused severe food shortages, thousands died of starvation
- Government in debt from the war
- Government wouldn’t tax the rich
- Eventually this caused the German Revolution, and the Kaiser abdicated and fled the country
What was the stab in the back myth?
Germany lost WW1 due to the actions of weak (Jewish) politicians giving in to the Allies
At first only right-wing believed this, but Hitler spread this rumour after coming to power
What happened to the German government after Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated?
Leader of SPD made Chancellor (Ebert) and Germany declared a republic
Ebert arranged ex-soldiers into Freikorps to maintain control
What were the economic problems caused by WW1?
- Allied naval blockade continued until 1919
- Turnip winter during WW1
- Debts from war effort
- Trading community ignored Germany
- Industrial output decreased, less access to raw materials (E.g. Saarland, Upper Silesia)
How did the German people react to Germany’s defeat in WW1?
People were shocked as the government told them that they were winning the war and it was defensive
Found it hard to believe as Germany wasn’t invaded
How did the French occupation of the Ruhr lead to hyperinflation?
When the French started taking what they were owed in raw materials, the government ordered passive resistance.
Workers went on strike
To pay striking workers, govt. printed more money
Who benefitted from hyperinflation and why?
People in debt could easily repay them
Farmers made profit from high food prices
Foreign visitors got more value for their money
Who were badly affected by hyperinflation and why?
Middle class people lost their savings
People on pensions suffered as their salary didn’t increase
Wages increased, but not as much as prices
Couldn’t afford essentials like food
Weimar government couldn’t decide how to solve hyperinflation, many turned to extremism and lost faith in democracy
