Weimar Summary

Question 1

How did Germans feel at the start of WW1?

Answer 1

They were enthusiastic.

Question 2

What killed thousands of Germans during WW1?

Answer 2

The flu.

Question 3

What was the daily calorie intake for German adults in 1918?

Answer 3

Less than 1,000 calories.

Question 4

What happened after the US joined the war?

Answer 4

Germany was on the verge of collapse.

Question 5

What did Ludendorff persuade the Kaiser to do?

Answer 5

Pass power to a civilian government to avoid blame for losing the war.

Question 6

What triggered the formation of sailors’, soldiers’, and workers’ councils?

Answer 6

The Kiel Mutiny.

Question 7

What did Prince Max of Baden do to prevent full revolution?

Answer 7

Persuaded the Kaiser to abdicate.

Question 8

When did Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicate?

Answer 8

9th November 1918.

Question 9

When was the Armistice signed?

Answer 9

11th November 1918.

Question 10

What did many Germans believe about the end of WW1?

Answer 10

That pacifists, socialists, and weak politicians had betrayed them — a “stab in the back.”

Question 11

What was voter turnout in the first Weimar election?

Answer 11

0.82

Question 12

Who could vote in Weimar Germany?

Answer 12

Everyone over the age of 20.

Question 13

How often were presidential elections held?

Answer 13

Every 7 years.

Question 14

What steps did Ebert take as president to maintain stability?

Answer 14

Kept civil servants, reassured industrialists, and promised trade unions an 8-hour workday.

Question 15

Who opposed Ebert’s government?

Answer 15

Senior officials, monarchists, and communists.

Question 16

How did democracy work in the Weimar Republic?

Answer 16

All over 20 could vote, with elections every 4 years (Reichstag) and 7 years (President).

Question 17

What was proportional representation?

Answer 17

Seats in the Reichstag matched the percentage of votes won.

Question 18

What was Article 48?

Answer 18

It allowed the president to rule by decree in an emergency.

Question 19

What was the federal system in Weimar Germany?

Answer 19

18 states controlled major services independently.

Question 20

What made democracy unstable in the Weimar Republic?

Answer 20

Voters supported extreme parties and frequent coalition governments.

Question 21

What was a major weakness of Article 48?

Answer 21

It didn’t define ‘emergency’ clearly and could be abused.

Question 22

How could the federal system weaken the central government?

Answer 22

States could oppose or even attempt to remove it.

Question 23

What did Clemenceau want from the treaty?

Answer 23

Harsh punishment and revenge.

Question 24

What was Wilson’s approach?

Answer 24

Fair treatment to prevent future conflict.

Question 25

What was Lloyd George’s position?

Answer 25

A balance between the two, though he campaigned with 'Make the Hun Pay'.

Question 26

What did Clause 231 state?

Answer 26

Germany was solely to blame for the war.

Question 27

What were Germany’s reparations?

Answer 27

£6.6 billion.

Question 28

What limits were placed on Germany’s military?

Answer 28

100,000 men, no tanks, aircraft, or submarines; 6 battleships.

Question 29

What land did Germany lose?

Answer 29

7 European territories, 11 colonies, Polish Corridor.

Question 30

What was Germany's reaction to the treaty?

Answer 30

They felt it was a 'Diktat' — an imposed punishment they didn’t deserve.

Question 31

What did the Spartacist Uprising aim to achieve?

Answer 31

A Communist government in Berlin.

Question 32

How was the Spartacist Uprising suppressed?

Answer 32

By the Freikorps.

Question 33

What triggered the Kapp Putsch?

Answer 33

Ebert’s attempt to disband Freikorps units.

Question 34

Why did the Kapp Putsch fail?

Answer 34

It lacked public support and was stopped by a general strike.

Question 35

Why did France and Belgium occupy the Ruhr?

Answer 35

Germany couldn’t pay reparations.

Question 36

How did Germans resist the occupation?

Answer 36

Passive resistance and strikes.

Question 37

What economic effect did this have?

Answer 37

It worsened inflation as the government printed more money.

Question 38

What caused hyperinflation in Germany?

Answer 38

The government printed excessive money to cover costs and pay striking workers.

Question 39

Who suffered most from hyperinflation?

Answer 39

Pensioners and people with savings.

Question 40

Who benefited from hyperinflation?

Answer 40

Borrowers (with loans/mortgages) and farmers.