Weimar Germany (B1)

Question 1

GERMANY DURING WW1

Answer 1

• Initial Support: All major parties (inc. SPD) backed war. Kaiser: “No parties, only Germans!”
• Growing Issues: British blockade, economic decline, labor shortages, censorship.
• Political Shift: Military gained power, suppressed dissent.
• Radicalization: Minority socialists wanted Soviet-style revolution.

Question 2

KIEL MUTINY

Answer 2

• Context: Millions dead/wounded, food/fuel shortages, social unrest.
• Trigger: German fleet ordered suicidal attack. Sailors refused.
• Spread: Inspired by Russian Revolution, councils took over local power.
• Outcomes: Accelerated German Revolution, Kaiser abdicated (Nov 9), new republic declared.

Question 3

ARMISTICE & PROCLAMATION OF WEIMER REPUBLIC

Answer 3

• End of War: Germany forced to disarm, lost territory/resources.
• Political Shift: Monarchy gone, fragile democracy established.
• Public Opinion: Many felt betrayed by politicians, not military defeat.
• Challenges: Communist threat, economic hardship, political instability.

Question 4

SPARTACIST UPRISING (JAN 5-12 1919

Answer 4

• Causes: Inspired by Soviet Russia, KPD saw Ebert’s gov’t as bourgeois.
• Events: Mass protests, strikes in Berlin. KPD tried to seize power.
• Ebert’s Response: Called on army/Freikorps (right-wing ex-soldiers).
• Outcome: Showed fragility of Weimar Republic, deepened political divisions.

Question 5

PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE (1919)

Answer 5

• Allied Aims: Punish Germany, prevent future aggression.
• German Expectations: Cooperation, less harsh terms (Wilson’s points).
• Key Terms (simplified): War guilt, reparations, disarmament, territorial losses.
• Wilson’s Points (contrast): Open diplomacy, free trade, self-determination, League of Nations.

Question 6

ALLIED LEADERS AT PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE

Answer 6

• Clemenceau: Focused on French losses and future threat from Germany.
• Wilson: Believed in a just peace based on principles, but faced domestic opposition.
• Lloyd George: Sought a stable Europe, understanding economic interdependence.
• Overall: Differing aims and public pressures shaped the Treaty of Versailles.

Question 7

1919 FEDERAL ELECTION (WEIMER REPUBLIC)

Answer 7

• System: Designed for fair representation, but led to coalition governments.
• Results: SPD strongest (38%), Centre (20%), DDP (18%).
• Coalition: Ebert’s cabinet was moderate, relied on coalition.
• Significance: Marked start of Weimar democracy, but inherent instability.

Question 8

TREATY OF VERSAILLES

Answer 8

• Key Terms: Limited army, no submarines/planes, Rhineland demilitarized, large reparations.
• Territorial Losses: Alsace-Lorraine, Saarland (temporary), parts of Poland, etc.
• German Reaction: Anger, felt unjustly punished. Ebert reluctantly signed.
• Long-Term Impact: Contributed to political extremism and eventual rise of Nazism.

Question 9

KAPP PUTSCH

Answer 9

• Causes: Opposition to Treaty of Versailles, fear of disbanding Freikorps.
• Events: Military occupied Berlin, declared new government.
• Failure: Lack of broad support, effective general strike.
• Significance: Showed weakness of Weimar Republic but also potential for resistance.

Question 10

THE WEIMER CONSTITUTION (1919)

Answer 10

• Strengths: Democratic rights (speech, assembly, religion), progressive social policies.
• Weaknesses: Proportional representation led to unstable coalitions. Strong president could bypass parliament.
• Key Features: Reichstag (elected parliament), President (head of state), Chancellor (head of government).
• Challenges: Inherited from revolution, faced political extremism and economic crises.

Question 11

FLAWS IN WEIMER POLITICAL SYSTEM

Answer 11

• Coalitions: Difficult to form stable majorities due to many parties.
• Article 48: Used excessively, undermined parliamentary authority.
• Military: Saw themselves above politics, not loyal to republic.
• Extremism: Right-wing groups aimed to overthrow the system.
• Weakness: System lacked deep roots and faced constant challenges.

Question 12

GERMAN ECONOMY IN EARLY 1920s

Answer 12

• WWI Impact: Naval blockade, food/raw material shortages, lost trade.
• Reparations: Huge burden, paid in goods & cash.
• Inflation: GDP declined, living standards low.
• Economic Weakness: Vulnerable and struggling to recover.

Question 13

POLICY OF FULFILMENT (EARLY 1920s)

Answer 13

• Stresemann: Believed cooperation was key to easing terms.
• Economic Crisis: Printing money led to hyperinflation.
• Allied Response: Initially resisted, but allowed some flexibility later.
• Goal: Avoid further conflict, revise treaty through compliance.

Question 14

1923 INVASION OF THE RUHR

Answer 14

• French Aims: Seize industrial output as payment.
• German Response: Non-violent resistance, supported by government.
• Consequences: Economic devastation, increased resentment, international condemnation of invasion.
• Resolution: Passive resistance eventually called off, but crisis worsened inflation.