The Weimar Republic and Impact of WW1 Flashcards
When Did Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicate?
November 9th 1918
Who was Frederich Ebert?
Leader of the social democratic party of Germany
What did Ebert do?
He became the Chancellor of Germany and introduced the Republic
How was the Republic stuctured?
There was the president voted in every 7 years at the top the the chancellor chosen by the Reichstag with aproval of president every 4 years then The Reichstag who could make laws then Reishstrat who could approve laws. Then anyone over the age of 20 could vote. Within this is article 48.
What was Article 48?
An article that meant in the time of an emergency The president could make laws without the approval of the Reichstag. (Hitler used this)
Why was there unrest in Germany?
The country was now under democracy and there was dislike for the treaty of Versailles and for the November criminals and the abdication of the king.
What was some strengths of the new Wiemar constitution?
All people over 20 could vote, People voted ministers by proportional representation meaning that what the people wanted was represented. People were given the right to elect a president.
What were some weaknesses of the Wiemar constitution?
Proportional representation meant that no one party was a majority and some had to make coalitions but it was hard to pass laws that everyone agreed with. There was a lack of support for democracy and for the November criminals.
Left wing opposition? (when, who, what, consequences)
Sparticus Uprising- On January 5th 1919 Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liechnecht led the sparticus uprising. They seized control of a few government headquarters. They were then crushed by the friekorps by Ebert because they had little planning and not a lot of support. Rosa and Karl were killed and 100 spartisits.
Right wing opposition? (when, who, what, consequences)
Kapp Putch- The friekorps and the army were not fully controlled and in march 1920 Wolfgang Kapp marched with the army and friekorps and declared a national government. Ebert then had to flee. Ebert then Told all the workers to go on strike and the Kapp putsch failed.
When Was the armistice signed?
11th November 1918
Social Impact of the war?
People died which left families grieving, People who fought in the war were scarred by their experiences, The stab in the back theory with people very angry about the signing of the armistice, Some soldiers in denial that they had lost.
Nutritional Impact of the war?
There was battles in the fields of farms which meant that Germany could not feed there people, and due to English naval blockades they could not import food. Germany was left malnourished.
Industrial impact of war?
Machinery was old or broken and they could not afford to by more and they were very low on raw materials.
Economic Impact of the war?
Germany had to sign the treaty of Versailles meaning that they had to pay huge amounts in reparations and they simply could not afford it, the war was very expensive, No one would trade with Germany after the war.
