Early changes to the Weimar Republic 1919-23

• What did the establishment of the Weimar Republic signify for Germany and its citizens?

  It ushered in a period of chaos and violence.
• What major events occurred in Germany during the five years following the First World War?

  There were attempted Communist revolutions, political assassinations, putsches, and massive inflation.
• How did many Germans perceive the Treaty of Versailles?

  They felt it was a vindictive peace settlement.
• What term was used to describe the politicians of the Weimar Republic by many Germans?

  November Criminals.
• What was the political and economic situation in Germany by the end of 1923?

  Political and economic stability were being restored.
• What was the main reason for the early unpopularity of the Weimar Republic?

  The signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
• What did the French, led by Clemenceau, seek to achieve regarding Germany?

  They wanted revenge and to ensure Germany could never threaten France again.
• When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?

  28 June 1919.
• What did Germans expect from the peace settlement after the First World War?

  They expected it to be based on Wilson's Fourteen Points and to return conquered lands.
• What was the significance of Article 231 in the Treaty of Versailles?

  It stated that Germany had to accept blame for starting the war in 1914.
• How did the Treaty of Versailles affect Germany's status in the international community?

  It denied Germany entry to the League of Nations, making it a pariah.
• What were the territorial terms imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?

  • Loss of 13% of its land
  • Alsace Lorraine returned to France
  • Eupen-Malmedy given to Belgium
  • Posen and West Prussia to Poland
  • Eastern Upper Silesia to Poland after a plebiscite
  • Danzig created a Free City
  • Northern Schleswig to Denmark after a plebiscite
• What were the military terms imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?

  • Army not to exceed 100,000
  • No tanks, armored cars, or heavy artillery permitted
  • No military aircraft permitted
  • No naval vessel to be greater than 10,000 tons
  • No submarines permitted
• What were the financial terms imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?

  • Reparations fixed at £6.6 billion
  • Coal to be mined in the Saar by France
  • Cattle and sheep to be given to Belgium and France as reparations
  • Saar to be administered by the League of Nations
  • Germany to build merchant ships to replace Allied ships sunk by U-Boats
• What was the 'stab in the back' theory in relation to the Treaty of Versailles?

  It suggested that the Weimar Government and its politicians betrayed the army by accepting the treaty's terms.
• Who were the leaders of the Spartacist League?

  Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg.
• What was the goal of the Spartacist League?


  To establish a state based on communist ideals.
• What happened during the Spartacist Uprising in January 1919?

  The Spartacists attempted to overthrow Ebert and the Weimar Government.
• How did Ebert and his defense minister respond to the Spartacist Uprising?

  They used the Reichswehr and the Berlin Freikorps to put down the rebellion.
• What was the outcome of the Spartacist Uprising?

  The uprising was crushed, and Liebknecht and Luxemburg were captured and killed.
• What was the role of the Freikorps in post-war Germany?

  They were paramilitary groups formed from demobilized soldiers who refused to disarm.
• What was the Kapp Putsch?

  A failed coup attempt in March 1920 to seize Berlin and form a new right-wing government.
• What was the response of the Weimar Government to the Kapp Putsch?

  They called on the people of Berlin to go on strike and not support the Putsch.
• What was the significance of the French occupation of the Ruhr in 1923?

  It exacerbated Germany's economic problems and led to hyperinflation.
• How did the German government respond to the French occupation of the Ruhr?

  They supported passive resistance and printed more money to pay strikers.
• What was the impact of hyperinflation on the German population?

  People with savings or fixed incomes found themselves penniless.
• Who benefited from hyperinflation in Germany?

  Businessmen who had borrowed money, farmers, and foreigners with strong currencies.
• What currency did Gustav Stresemann introduce to stabilize the economy?

  The Rentenmark.
• What was the outcome of Stresemann's economic policies?

  They led to economic recovery and a period of stability for the Weimar Republic.
• What were the challenges faced by the Weimar Republic from both the left and right?

  • Threats from the left: Spartacist Uprising and other communist movements.
  • Threats from the right: Kapp Putsch and support from the Freikorps.
  • Political assassinations and uprisings.
  • Economic instability and hyperinflation.