threats / years of crisis exam questions

Question 1

“The most significant challenge to the Weimar Republic came from the left” 1919-1923
Assess the validity of this statement.

Answer 1

Although there was unrest from left, right-wing groups caused more of a challenge to the Weimar - highlighted a constitutional issue of support from the army. lack of systemic repression to right and affiliation w/ military = allowed to evolve into a more significant threat.

Question 2

Spartacists - left-wing not serious jan 1919 ‘red threat’

Answer 2

-easily crushed by firekorps and no weapons / real instructions + aim so not serious
-systemically repressed
-100,000 workers seized government buildings
CA-10-15% electorate support KPD BUT systemic repression + too detached from political realities of republic tackle it / take over

Question 3

Kapp putsch - right-wing serious in response march 1920

Answer 3

-5000 disbanded marine troops march on berlin
-gen von seekt ‘ troops do not fire on troops’ - reflects a larger more constitutional error in which right have support - ignores ebert
NOT SYSTEMICALLY REPRESSED
CA - ppl in berlin went on 6-day strike to prevent - therefore not as serious - enough ppl in the general public against
-response seekt elected chief army in command = army state within a state
1/750 prosecuted found guilty

Question 4

Consul organization - threat from the extreme right

Answer 4

-political assasinators
-1919-1922 376 political murders - 22 left and 354 right
-Matthias erzberger financer minister murdered as signed armistice + member of ZP
-Walther rather 1922 foreign minister
-allowed to ‘run riot’ - the power of right
CA-

Question 5

DNVP support in reichstag 1920

Answer 5

15% - a collection of far-right imperialist conserve. parties e.g. pan german league

Question 6

kapp putsch success at first glance for weimar but w/ further thought

Answer 6

-highlighted the weakness of Ebert Groner army ‘state within a state’ and right-wing terrorists never felt full religious of law
1/750 prosecuted found guilty
-response seekt elected chief army in command = army state within a state 1920

Question 7

How successful was the Weimar Republic in dealing with the crises it faced between 1919 and 1923?
thesis

Answer 7

• at first glance successful but with underneath lay grave issues in response - living in the shadow of second Reich
• successful in repressing left wing threats

Question 8

“The Treaty of Versailles/Weimar constit/ was the main reason for the Weimar Republic’s troubles during the year 1919 – 1923”
How far do you agree with this statement?
Assess the reasons why there was unrest in Germany 1919-1923

Answer 8

constitution/TOV/
-ALWAYS ARGUE CONSTIT.
despite being epitome of democratic gov - underlaying weaknesses caused it collapse - string of unstable coalition govs + exitance of right wing

Question 9

constitution

Answer 9

-A48 weakened democratic spirit - used by ebert 136 occasions - democrats disillusioned
-required strong gov but the proliferation of smaller parties prevents larger majority - stability
-systemic repression of left-wing = hatred + allows right-wing terror attack to thrive
CA - without economic difficulties by TOV couldn’t have much of a problem BUT systemic and fundamental weakness to underlaying structure = dismay -

Question 10

TOV

Answer 10

-discontent + November criminal myth = hatred from left + right
-reparations - missed payment invasion Ruhr = hyperinflation + discontent - spiral of decline
CA- reparations paid more back in 1932 Dawes plan therefore not TOO MUCH of a burden BUT more of psychological effect - didn’t want to accept that they had to pay + panic
BUT - ultimately fundamental weaknesses in constitution w/ proportional rep encouraging smaller parties + unstable govs - couldn’t manage the issues brought about TOV + elevated

Question 11

effect of war

Answer 11

-discontent +

Question 12

effect of war

Answer 12

-discontent + sudden realisation of loss bred atmosphere of chaos + disarray
-blame placed on new gov - rise of politicla assassinations
Assess the reasons why there was unrest in Germany 1919-1923

Question 13

effect of war

Answer 13

-discontent + sudden realization of loss bred atmosphere of chaos + disarray
-blame placed on new gov - the rise of political assassinations
-1919-1922 376 political murders - 22 left and 354 right
-Matthias erzberger financer minister murdered as signed armistice + member of ZP
BUT - without anger brought by TOV + innability of constitution to deal w/ issues - effect of war would never have grown to be such an issue.