the origins of the republic 1918-1919

Question 1

first world war

what kind of government did germany have in 1918
and who rule it

Answer 1

dictatorship of the Kaiser: Wilhem II

Question 2

first world war

when did germany launch their Spring Offensive thinking it would bring them Germany’s success

Answer 2

march 1918

Question 3

first world war

how were the german people feeling before the end of the war and why (2 short reasons)

Answer 3

at a breaking point, due to loss of family members and food shortages causing strikes

Question 4

creation of Weimar

by … the situation was unrecovering for the kaiser, so what did he do?
what did this allow for?

Answer 4

November 1918
abdicated and exiled to the Netherlands
allowed a new state to emerged and germany now known as the Weimar Republic

Question 5

first world war

who and what kind of government did germany have after Wilhem
what was an early action taken by this gov, what did it lead to?

Answer 5

chancellorship of Friedrich Ebert
to sign an armistice (agreement) to end WW1, causing them tonnes of backlash by german people who resenting admitting defeat to the Allies

Question 6

creation of Weimar

what new reforms did they bring in (2)

Answer 6

• created universal suffrage (right for men + women to vote)
• produced a new constitution (document containing laws)
  aiming for democracy

Question 7

creation of Weimar

what was Weimar’s biggest flaw
what did it create

Answer 7

• proportional representation (parties represented in parliament depending on percentage of people who voted for them) used in elections
• created weak coalition (2 groups working together) governement

Question 8

ebert takes steps to increase people confidence in the republic
what does he do for the army?
why?

Answer 8

• he promises the general of the army, groener, that nothing will change and all officers will keep their ranks in return the army will help keep the new republic in power

Question 9

ebert takes steps to increase people confidence in the republic
what does he do for leaders of industry?
why?

Answer 9

he reassures leaders of industry that no land or factories will be confiscated by the new repbulic and no nationalisation of private industries (where the gov takes over the running of an industry)
- ensure businesses stay open
- economy continues to function

Question 10

ebert takes steps to increase people confidence in the republic
what does he do for the trade union?
why?

Answer 10

promises trade union (workers organisations) leader, carl legien, that republic will try to achieve an 8 hour work day
- to stop possible riots

Question 11

when is the treaty of versailles signed, because the gov is bascially being forced

Answer 11

28 june 1919

Question 12

what are the main terms of the treaty of versailles

Answer 12

• have to pay reparations to the allies
• all of german colonies are given to the allies
• german army limited to 100 000 men
• germany air land is not allies
• rhineland is to be demiliitarised until 1930s
• land is lost - alsace and lorraine given to france
• article 231 states germany caused the war, which angers many germans