Weimar: Creation Of The Republic + The New Constition Parties Flashcards
(28 cards)
When was, and what was the ‘revolution from above’
- US troops moved into Europe and joined the war against Germany in October 1917
- Ludendorff suggested to the Kaiser unrest might be calmed with a changing government, so the Army leadership steped down, a new government was put in place, lead by Prince Max of Baden
What was the treaty of Versailles? And when was it signed?
Treaty ending war between Germany and the allies signed on the 20th of June 1919.
What land had the Germans lost in the treaty of Versailles?
- all the land gain of the treaty of Brest litosvk
- Upper Silesia
- Alsace and Lorraine
- Eupen
What were the military consequences of the treaty of Versailles?
- De militariesed the Rhineland, and became buffer zone for France -> German troops could not enter
- German army Limited to 100,000 troops that couldn’t leave Germany
- Not allowed tanks or heavy artillery
- Was not allowed submarines or an Air Force
What was the fixed amount of money that the had to pay in 1921
The Germans agreed to pay reparations of 132,000 gold marks.
When and why was the Weimar Republic created?
On October 3, 1918 print Max asked for allies, armistice. Allies discuss this, but USA wanted to watch Berlin and force surrender
German politics moved on and resulted in political turmoil and creation of the Weimar Republic
Who are the Spartacist?
Communist group that wanted the workers revolution in Germany, like that of the one in Russia.
When was the council of peoples representative set up?
On November 10, 1918, a new government was set up
Who are the most significant parties in the council?
They were led by the socialist groups. The most significant were the social democrats (SPD), and the independent social Democrats (USPD).
Who was Frederick Ebert?
He was the leader of the SPD and became Chancellor in the cabinet.
What was the Ebert-Groener, and why was it made
The new government had inherited all of the previous governments problems, causing them to make this pact with the army.
The army would support the government if the government would oppose ideas in the Reichstag.
What steps did the government take initially?
- The first move was to stop the war, where on the 11th of November, Erzberger of the German delegation signed the armistice on behalf of the government
- told they cannot take part in treating negotiations, and with the humiliation parties formed and reformed to gain enough votes to have a voice in the new Reichstag
- Government also made social reforms to try and improve political and economic unrest (e.g. eight hour working day, independent trade unions etc)
Why was there a rift between the SPD and USPD, and what was the result?
- Argued over how radical their policy should be
- Caused council members to resign and many USPD members join the German communist party (KPD)
The SPD couldn’t get the full majority they wanted, so what did they resort too
Could only govern by forming coalition governments with other parties. So they formed a coalition with the centre party and the German Democratic party.
Thus other parties had seats in the rice tag and therefore a vote, but weren’t part of the government
What was the German national peoples party? (DVNP)
Represented the majority of right wing views, and was created from the conservative and nationalistic parties.
What were the right wing (DVNP) views
- Didn’t want social reform and dislike the idea of Republic
- Supported the army
- Many members were wealthy, landowners, and anti-Semitic
Who were the Germans peoples party? (DVP) and their leader.
They were the other significant right-wing group that were moderately, conservative.
reconstructed from the older National liberals in 1919, under the leadership of Gustav Streisand
What were the right wing (DVP) views
- Accepted, but not really, supporting the Republic
- members mostly wealthy middle-class, who weren’t in favour or social reform, but wanted economy to be fixed
- Supported the army
- Nationalistic
Who were the centre party?
They were a long established, largely Catholic party and defended the church and its policies
What were the centre parties views?
-m largely conservative values, but did advocate social reform
- Family against left-wing policies and opposed communism
Who were the German Democrats (DDP) and what would they use?
Newly formed liberal party who supported the idea of Republic and more representative constitution
- Members believed in social reform
- Regulating industries to give workers a better deal
- And reforming the army
Who were the social Democrats (SPD)
It was the largest party from 1919 to 1929, and was actually not antimonarchist before the war until the splits of the party in 1917, when members increasingly favoured a republic
What were the social Democrats views? (Why were some hampered)
- they favoured the Republic and moderate social reform
- After the war, it attracted many workers, and also had liberal middle-class, following who wanted moderate reform
- but the desire for social form was hampered by the high numbers of union members it needed to please
Who were the independent social Democrats?
A party who split from the SPD in 1917, that wanted a more radical system than a republic
