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History > WEIMAR Germany - Opposition, Control and Consent (Theme 2) > Flashcards

WEIMAR Germany - Opposition, Control and Consent (Theme 2) Flashcards

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1
Q

(Opposition) Why was the Treaty of Versailles a major source of opposition to the Weimar Republic?

A

It was seen as a humiliating “dictated peace” and blamed on those who signed it—called “November Criminals.”

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2
Q

(Opposition) What was the “Stab in the Back” myth?

A

A theory by Ludendorff and Hindenburg blaming Germany’s WWI loss on socialists, Jews, and politicians—not the army.

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3
Q

(Opposition) How did political extremism threaten Weimar?

A

Both left and right extremist groups aimed to overthrow the government.

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4
Q

(Opposition) How did the judiciary add to opposition?

A

It often favored the right, letting right-wing extremists off lightly, which angered many.

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5
Q

(Opposition) How did economic hardship affect support for Weimar?

A

hyperinflation and the Depression made people lose faith in democracy and turn to extremist parties.

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6
Q

(Opposition) What happened when the SPD-led coalition collapsed in 1930?

A

It weakened confidence in democratic politics.

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7
Q

(Opposition) Why did the conservative elite oppose the Republic?

A

They disliked instability, feared communism, and wanted a return to authoritarian rule.

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8
Q

(Opposition) Did all parties support the Republic?

A

No—parties like the KPD and NSDAP never truly supported Weimar democracy.

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9
Q

(Opposition) How did extremists use violence to oppose Weimar?

A

Left: Spartacist, Ruhr uprisings. Right: Kapp Putsch, Munich Putsch, Organisation Consul assassinations.

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10
Q

(Opposition) What was the role of the Freikorps?

A

Ex-soldiers who violently crushed left-wing uprisings and supported anti-democratic causes.

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11
Q

(Opposition) How was democracy still supported?

A

SPD had strong voter support and turnout was high, showing some faith in the system.

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12
Q

(Opposition) Were referendums used?

A

Yes—like one against the Young Plan in 1929.

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13
Q

(Opposition) How was propaganda used against the Republic?

A

Right-wing groups promoted the “Stab in the Back” myth, and industrialists bought media to attack democracy.

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14
Q

(Opposition) How did the left weaken itself?

A

The KPD refused to work with the SPD and USPD, dividing anti-Nazi forces.

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15
Q

(Opposition) How did the army show opposition?

A

It often refused to act against right-wing threats like the Kapp Putsch.

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16
Q

(Opposition) What did left-wing extremists want?

A

A communist state, like Russia’s after the revolution.

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17
Q

(Opposition) What were right-wing extremists aiming for?

A

An authoritarian regime or monarchy, and the end of the Versailles Treaty.

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18
Q

(Opposition) What were the NSDAP’s goals?

A

Overturn Versailles and build a nationalist dictatorship.

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19
Q

(Opposition) What did the conservative elite want?

A

A return to authoritarian rule to protect their power and interests.

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20
Q

(Opposition) Were early left-wing uprisings successful?

A

No, they were crushed by the army and Freikorps—but they showed strong leftist support.

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21
Q

(Opposition) What happened during the Kapp Putsch?

A

It failed due to a general strike—but the army didn’t resist and courts were lenient.

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22
Q

(Opposition) What was the result of the Munich Putsch?

A

It failed but gained Hitler publicity. Courts gave him a light sentence.

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23
Q

(Opposition) What effect did judicial bias have?

A

It encouraged right-wing violence and undermined the Republic.

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24
Q

(Opposition) How did Versailles continue to affect politics?

A

It was a constant rallying cry for opposition groups.

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25
(Opposition) What impact did the Great Depression have?
Extremist parties, especially the Nazis, gained massive support.
26
(Opposition) Who supported the left-wing opposition?
Workers—Spartacist (thousands), Ruhr Uprising (50,000), Red Fighting League (130,000), KPD (up to 15% vote).
27
(Opposition) Who were the key right-wing groups?
Freikorps (12,000 in Kapp Putsch), Organisation Consul (5,000), NSDAP (37% in July 1932), Stahlhelm (250,000).
27
(Opposition) How did economic conditions affect working-class support?
Stable economy = support for SPD. Hardship = support for extremists.
27
(Opposition) What types of opposition existed?
Violent uprisings (active resistance), political opposition, and institutional non-cooperation.
27
(Opposition) Who were the conservative elite?
Junkers, industrialists, bureaucrats—many held power and opposed democracy.
28
(Opposition) Did extremist parties ever win a majority?
No, but they gained significant influence and visibility.
29
(Opposition) How did non-conformity show itself in institutions?
Army and judiciary lacked loyalty and often undermined the Republic.
29
(Opposition groups) What was the Bavarian Socialist Republic (Mar–May 1919)?
A short-lived socialist state crushed by the Freikorps.
29
(Opposition groups) What was the Spartacist Uprising (Jan 1919)?
A left-wing revolt where thousands of armed workers tried to take over key buildings in Berlin.
29
(Opposition groups) What happened during the Ruhr Uprising (Mar 1920)?
A 50,000-strong Red Army controlled parts of the Ruhr until crushed.
29
(Opposition groups) How much support did the Communist Party (KPD) have early on?
Never more than 15% in elections in the early years.
30
(Opposition groups) How did the KPD perform in elections by 1932?
100 Reichstag seats, 13% presidential vote (Thälmann), 360,000+ members.
31
(Opposition groups) What was the Red Fighting League (RFL)?
A paramilitary group tied to the KPD with 130,000 mostly working-class members.
32
(Opposition groups) What was the outcome of the 1929 RFL celebration?
30 people were killed in Berlin during clashes.
32
(Opposition groups) Did most workers support the KPD?
No, most working-class voters supported the SPD.
33
(Opposition groups) How strong was SPD electoral support in early Weimar?
38% in 1919, and still 30% by 1928.
34
(Opposition groups) What was the Kapp Putsch (Mar 1920)?
A right-wing coup attempt involving 12,000 Freikorps in Berlin; failed due to a general strike.
35
(Opposition groups) What did Organisation Consul do between 1919–1922?
Carried out over 350 political assassinations, including Erzberger.
35
(Opposition groups) How large was Organisation Consul at its peak?
Around 5,000 members.
36
(Opposition groups) How did the Nazi Party (NSDAP) perform electorally in the 1920s?
Less than 3% of the vote in 1928.
37
(Opposition groups) What was Nazi support like by July 1932?
37% of the vote, 400,000 members, biggest party in the Reichstag.
37
(Opposition groups) What happened in the Munich Putsch (Nov 1923)?
Hitler tried to seize power in Bavaria—it failed.
38
(Opposition groups) How many Reichstag seats did Nazis have in Nov 1932?
196 seats.
38
(Opposition groups) What was the SA?
The Nazi paramilitary group; 400,000 members by 1932.
38
(Opposition groups) How did Hitler perform in the 1932 presidential election?
He won 30% of the vote.
39
(Opposition groups) What was the DNVP’s position on the Republic?
Participated in elections but opposed the Republic.
40
(Opposition groups) What was the Stahlhelm?
A nationalist veterans' group with 250,000+ members by 1925.
41
(Opposition groups) How did industrialists like Hugo Stinnes oppose the Republic?
Bought newspapers to spread right-wing, anti-Republic views.
42
(Opposition groups) Who was Alfred Hugenberg and what did he do?
DNVP leader and media tycoon who used his empire to oppose the Republic and boost Hitler.
43
(Opposition groups) What was the stance of administrators and bureaucrats?
Many had right-wing sympathies and resisted democratic reforms.
44
(Opposition groups) How did the judiciary show bias?
Lenient towards right-wing violence, undermining justice.
45
(Opposition groups) How did the army show opposition?
Leaders like von Seeckt refused to defend the Republic during the Kapp Putsch.
46
(Opposition groups) Why were the Junkers frustrated with Weimar?
Disliked instability, communism, and loss of their traditional power.
47
(Opposition groups) How did Junkers influence politics in 1932?
Pressured Hindenburg to remove Chancellor Brüning after land reform attempts.
48
(Control) What was Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution?
It allowed the president to suspend the constitution and rule by decree during emergencies.
49
(Control) How often did Ebert use Article 48 (1919–1924)?
He used it 136 times, mostly to restore order during early crises.
50
(Control) How was Article 48 used in September 1923?
Ebert declared a state of emergency during hyperinflation.
50
(Control) How did Hindenburg use Article 48 in the 1930s?
He used it increasingly (5x in 1930, 44x in 1931, 60x in 1932) to undermine democracy, e.g. removing the Prussian government.
50
(Control) What was the Law for the Protection of the Republic (1922)?
passed after Rathenau’s murder to punish extremists and ban extremist parties like the Nazis in Saxony and Prussia.
50
(Control) Was the KPD ever banned?
Yes, the Communist Party was banned at various times.
50
(Control) What happened after the 1929 Berlin street fighting?
The Red Fighting League (RFL) was banned.
51
(Control) How were left-wing uprisings suppressed?
Brutally, by the Reichswehr and Freikorps; up to 1,000 killed in the Red Ruhr Uprising.
51
(Control) What did Brüning do to the Nazi SA and SS in 1932?
He banned them in April 1932, but von Papen lifted the ban in June.
52
(Control) What was the Stinnes-Legien Agreement (1918)?
A deal between Ebert and unions/employers on work hours and union representation.
52
(Control) What happened to Liebknecht and Luxemburg?
They were killed without trial after the Spartacist Uprising.
53
(Control) How did the judiciary treat political violence?
Harsh towards the left, lenient towards the right, legitimising political violence.
54
(Control) What compromises were made with the Nazis (1932–33)?
Von Papen invited Hitler to the cabinet; von Schleicher offered Strasser Vice-Chancellor—both refused.
54
(Control) How did the government handle the Ruhr pay dispute in 1928?
It provided welfare and negotiated a compromise.
54
(Control) What was the Ebert-Groener Pact?
A 1918 agreement between Ebert and the army for mutual support.
55
(Control) What did Article 118 of the Weimar Constitution guarantee?
Freedom of speech and the press.
55
(Control) How did the government limit extremism despite Article 118?
Through the Law for the Protection of the Republic.
56
(Control) How did right-wing groups use propaganda?
They used slogans like "November Criminals" and "stab in the back" to undermine the Republic and Treaty of Versailles.
56
(Control) What policy did Brüning introduce in December 1930?
A ban on political uniforms—ineffectively enforced.
57
(Control) What role did Hugo Stinnes play in propaganda?
He bought right-wing newspapers and shifted them to be more critical of the Republic.
57
(Consent (support))Why did artists and journalists support the Weimar Republic?
Due to civil rights such as freedom of the press and speech.
57
(Consent (support))How did the "Golden Years" (1924–1928) influence support for the Republic?
Economic recovery and international acceptance increased SPD support (SPD seats rose from 131 to 153).
57
(Consent (support))How did the Weimar Republic appeal to young women?
Women gained the vote, making them more likely to support the Republic.
58
(Consent (support))What welfare policy helped gain support for the Republic?
The national unemployment insurance program established in 1927.
58
(Consent (support))Which political parties supported the Weimar Republic?
The SPD (moderate left), Centre Party, and German Democratic Party (DDP).
58
(Consent (support))What percentage of votes went to democratic parties in 1928?
Over 50% of votes supported democratic parties.
58
(Consent (support))Why did the working class support the Weimar Republic?
-represented by the SPD -gained rights under the Stinnes-Legien Agreement -8-hour day, employee councils, job security for returning soldiers
58
(Consent (support))How did the vote share for pro-Weimar parties change from 1919 to 1932?
-declined from 80.5% (1919) to 35.2% (Nov 1932) -showing decreasing support, especially in hard times.
58
(Consent (support))How did SPD performance in elections reflect support for democracy?
The SPD consistently won votes, showing lasting support for democratic values.
59
(Consent (support))Who made up the conservative elite that opposed the Republic?
Junkers, businessmen, judges, civil servants, and educators.
59
(Consent (support))How did the army view the Republic?
It was suspicious of communism and not fully supportive of democracy.
59
(Consent (support))Which groups were key supporters of the Weimar Republic?
Working class, middle-class liberals, artists, journalists, and younger women.
59
(Consent (support))What was the industrialists’ attitude toward the Republic?
They disliked government intervention in labor disputes.
59
(Consent (support))Who among the population besides the working class supported the Republic?
Trade unionists, middle-class liberals, and some women.
59
(Consent (support))How did Hugo Stinnes undermine the Republic?
He bought newspapers and made them promote right-wing, anti-Republic views.
59
(Consent (support))Was support for democracy widespread?
It existed but was limited, especially in times of crisis.
59
(Consent (support))What does high voter turnout (e.g. 84% in 1932) suggest?
People still valued the democratic process, even if voting for anti-democratic parties.
59
(Consent (support))How did support differ between urban and rural areas?
Urban areas were more supportive; rural areas showed varied support.
60
(Consent (support))How did the judiciary show opposition to the Republic?
It showed bias toward the right and leniency in right-wing violence cases.
60
(Consent (support))Why did some in the middle class oppose the Republic?
They feared the empowerment of the working class and turned to the Nazis.
60
(Consent (support))What was the KPD’s highest vote share, and what does it indicate?
Never more than 15%, indicating limited radical left support.
61
(Consent (support))How did many women vote politically?
Many supported conservative/traditional parties like the Centre Party (ZP) or DNVP.
61
(Consent (support))How did rural communities respond to the Republic?
Support varied; not as strongly pro-Republic as urban areas.

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