Weimar Republic - 1918-33

Question 1

What were the main problems facing the Weimar Republic in its early years?

Answer 1

Treaty of Versailles terms, economic crisis (hyperinflation 1923), political extremism, uprisings (e.g. Spartacist and Kapp Putsch).

Question 2

What was the significance of the Treaty of Versailles for Weimar?

Answer 2

It caused national humiliation, territorial loss, disarmament, and reparations (£6.6 billion), undermining trust in the Republic.

Question 3

What was the Spartacist Uprising and when did it happen?

Answer 3

A left-wing revolt led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht in January 1919, crushed by the Freikorps.

Question 4

When was the Kapp Putsch and what happened?

Answer 4

March 1920; right-wing Freikorps attempt to overthrow the government, failed due to general strike.

Question 5

What caused hyperinflation in 1923?

Answer 5

Passive resistance during the Ruhr Crisis led to economic collapse and excessive printing of money.

Question 6

How was hyperinflation resolved?

Answer 6

Stresemann introduced the Rentenmark in November 1923, ending hyperinflation.

Question 7

What was the Dawes Plan (1924)?

Answer 7

It reorganised reparations payments and brought in 800 million marks in US loans.

Question 8

What was the Young Plan (1929)?

Answer 8

Reduced reparations from £6.6bn to £1.8bn and extended the payment period to 1988.

Question 9

What were Stresemann’s key foreign policy successes?

Answer 9

Locarno Pact (1925), League of Nations entry (1926), Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) - improved Germany’s international status.

Question 10

How did Weimar culture flourish in the 1920s?

Answer 10

Growth in cinema (e.g. Metropolis), cabaret, Bauhaus architecture, liberalism in art and literature.

•	Berlin became Europe’s cultural capital, known for nightlife, cabaret, and LGBTQ+ openness.
•	Freedom of expression under the Weimar Constitution encouraged experimental art, music, and ideas.
•	The Bauhaus movement (founded 1919) reshaped design with modern, functional architecture.
•	Cinema boomed with Expressionist films like Metropolis and Nosferatu, using bold visuals and themes.
•	Literature thrived—writers like Brecht and Mann tackled politics, identity, and modern life.
•	Art was raw and provocative—Otto Dix and George Grosz exposed war trauma and urban struggles.

Question 11

What were the Golden Years (1924–29)?

Answer 11

A period of stability, economic growth, cultural flourishing under Stresemann’s leadership.

Question 12

How democratic was the Weimar Constitution?

Answer 12

Highly democratic: proportional representation, universal suffrage, civil liberties; but Article 48 weakened it.

Question 13

What role did Article 48 play in Weimar’s downfall?

Answer 13

Allowed the President to bypass the Reichstag in emergencies, overused later, undermining democracy.

Question 14

How did the Great Depression affect Weimar Germany?

Answer 14

Unemployment soared to 6 million by 1932, US loans withdrawn, extremism grew (Nazi vote rose).

Question 15

What were the election results for the Nazis in July 1932?

Answer 15

Nazi Party became the largest with 37.3% of the vote (13.7 million votes).

Question 16

What was the Weimar Constitution?

Answer 16

A democratic constitution established in 1919 that introduced proportional representation and a Bill of Rights in Germany.

Question 17

How did proportional representation work in Weimar Germany?

Answer 17

Each party gained seats in the Reichstag in direct proportion to the number of votes they received nationwide.

Question 18

What were the key weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?

Answer 18

Proportional representation led to fragmented parliaments; Article 48 allowed the president to rule by decree in an emergency, undermining democracy.

Question 19

What was the Kapp Putsch and when did it happen?

Answer 19

A right-wing coup attempt in March 1920 to overthrow the Weimar government, ultimately failed due to a general strike.

Question 20

What was the Ruhr Crisis?

Answer 20

In 1923, France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr to force reparations payments; German workers went on strike, worsening hyperinflation.

Question 21

What caused hyperinflation in 1923?

Answer 21

The government printed money to pay striking workers during the Ruhr Crisis, leading to a collapse in currency value.

Question 22

What was the Dawes Plan (1924)?

Answer 22

A U.S.-backed plan that restructured Germany’s reparations and secured loans to stabilize the economy.

Question 23

How did Stresemann help stabilise Weimar Germany?

Answer 23

As Chancellor and Foreign Minister, he ended hyperinflation, introduced the Rentenmark, accepted the Dawes Plan, and improved international relations.

Question 24

What was the Locarno Pact (1925)?

Answer 24

An agreement where Germany accepted its western borders with France and Belgium, boosting international trust.

Question 25

What was the Young Plan (1929)?

Answer 25

Reduced reparations payments and extended the payment period, making it more manageable for Germany.

Question 26

What impact did the Wall Street Crash have on Weimar Germany?

Answer 26

It triggered the Great Depression; U.S. loans were recalled, leading to mass unemployment and loss of confidence in democracy.

Question 27

Why did support for extremist parties increase after 1929?

Answer 27

Economic crisis, high unemployment, and dissatisfaction with democratic parties led to rising support for the Nazis and Communists.

Question 28

When and why did Hitler become Chancellor?

Answer 28

In January 1933, due to backroom deals among conservative elites who thought they could control him and his growing electoral support.

Question 29

What does Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution state?

Answer 29

It allowed the President to rule by decree in an emergency without the Reichstag's consent.

Question 30

Q: What impact did the Treaty of Versailles have on the Weimar Republic politically?

Answer 30

A: It severely undermined the legitimacy of the Weimar government, as many Germans saw it as a betrayal ('Diktat') and blamed the politicians for accepting harsh terms.

Question 31

Q: What were the economic impacts of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany?

Answer 31

A: Germany was burdened with £6.6 billion in reparations, leading to inflation and economic instability in the early Weimar years.

Question 32

Q: How did hyperinflation affect the German population in 1923?

Answer 32

A: It wiped out personal savings, particularly hurting the middle class and pensioners, and led to a reliance on bartering.

Question 33

Q: What was the significance of the Dawes Plan (1924) for the Weimar economy?

Answer 33

A: It restructured reparation payments and secured US loans, stabilising the economy and restoring some international confidence.

Question 34

Q: What did the Young Plan (1929) aim to achieve?

Answer 34

A: It reduced total reparations to £1.85 billion and extended the payment period, easing the economic burden.

Question 35

Q: What were Stresemann’s key achievements in foreign policy?

Answer 35

A: Locarno Pact (1925), League of Nations entry (1926), and improved relations with Western powers, boosting Germany's international standing.

Question 36

Q: How did Weimar Germany advance in terms of social welfare?

Answer 36

A: It introduced extensive welfare reforms including unemployment insurance (1927) and expanded housing and education services.

Question 37

Q: What challenges did proportional representation pose in the Weimar political system?

Answer 37

A: It led to frequent coalition governments and political instability due to a fragmented Reichstag.

Question 38

Q: How did cultural life in Weimar Germany flourish?

Answer 38

A: There was a boom in art, cinema (e.g., 'Metropolis'), architecture (Bauhaus), and literature, reflecting liberal and modernist trends.

Question 39

Q: What was the Kapp Putsch (1920)?

Answer 39

A: A right-wing attempt to overthrow the Weimar government, led by Wolfgang Kapp and elements of the Freikorps.

Question 40

Q: How did the Ruhr Crisis (1923) begin and what were its consequences?

Answer 40

A: France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr to enforce reparations payments; German passive resistance led to economic collapse and hyperinflation.

Question 41

Q: What were the causes and outcomes of the Munich Putsch (1923)?

Answer 41

A: Hitler attempted to seize power in Bavaria; it failed but gave him national publicity and led to a change in Nazi tactics.

Question 42

Q: What were the Golden Years of Weimar (1924-1929)?

Answer 42

A: A period of relative political stability, economic recovery, and cultural vibrancy, largely under Stresemann's leadership.

Question 43

Q: How did the Wall Street Crash affect Weimar Germany?

Answer 43

A: US loans were recalled, leading to mass unemployment, poverty, and the collapse of the German economy.

Question 44

Q: What social tensions existed in Weimar Germany?

Answer 44

A: Class conflict, rural-urban divides, and opposition from both far-left and far-right extremists challenged social cohesion.

Question 45

Q: What was the significance of the 1925 presidential election?

Answer 45

A: Hindenburg, a monarchist and conservative, won — symbolising growing support for authoritarianism.

Question 46

Q: How did education policy change under Weimar?

Answer 46

A: Reforms aimed at equal access and secular education; vocational training was expanded to support industry.

Question 47

Q: What factors contributed to political extremism during the Weimar Republic?

Answer 47

A: Economic hardship, Versailles resentment, weak coalition governments, and street violence by groups like the SA and Red Front.

Question 48

Q: What was the significance of the 'stab in the back' myth?

Answer 48

A: It falsely blamed socialists and Jews for Germany’s WWI defeat and was exploited by right-wing groups to delegitimise the Republic.