Threats from the Right

• What was the main issue with coalition governments in Germany from 1919-23?

  Proportional Representation required over 50% of votes for reforms, leading to unstable coalitions.
• Who were the Spartacists?


  A group formed from USPD members with communist beliefs, led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg.
• How did the Spartacists challenge the Weimar government in 1919?


  They staged an armed uprising in Berlin to overthrow Ebert's government.
• What was the outcome of the Spartacist uprising?


  The uprising was crushed by Ebert using the Freikorps, and Liebknecht and Luxemburg were executed.
• What was the KPD's goal during the March Action in 1921?


  The KPD aimed to lead a communist revolution inspired by the Russian Bolshevik revolution.
• Why did the KPD's March Action fail?


  It was uncoordinated and lacked support, leading to its defeat by Ebert and the army.
• How did left-wing rebellions affect the Weimar Republic?


  They instilled fear of a 'red revolution' among the middle classes, pushing them towards right-wing parties.
• Who constituted the right-wing opposition to the Weimar government?


  Conservative and nationalist members who preferred the autocratic monarchy of the Kaiser.
• Why were right-wing groups divided in their objectives?


  Some wanted to restore the monarchy, while others sought a dictatorship or separation from Germany.
• How did Ebert's decisions contribute to the power of the right-wing in Germany?


  Ebert retained elites from the Kaiser’s reign in power, which allowed right-wing influence to persist.
• What triggered the Kapp Putsch in March 1920?


  Resentment from the right-wing army over the Treaty of Versailles and the disbanding of Freikorps units.
• How did the army respond to Ebert's call for help during the Kapp Putsch?

  General Seeckt's non-committal stance led to the army not supporting Ebert against the putsch.
• What ultimately led to the defeat of the Kapp Putsch?

  A general strike called by socialist members brought Berlin to a standstill, leading to the putsch's collapse.
• What lessons were learned from the Kapp Putsch regarding Ebert's government?

  The putsch highlighted the lack of trust between Ebert and the army, and the weakness of the Weimar government without military support.
• What were the patriotic leagues?


  Right-wing groups committed to eliminating politicians associated with the 'betrayal' of Germany.
• What was the issue with political assassinations in Weimar Germany?

  There were 367 political assassinations, mostly by the right, and judges were often right-wing sympathizers.
• Who was Matthias Erzberger and why was he assassinated?

  He was a former finance minister assassinated for signing the Treaty of Versailles.
• Who was Walter Rathenau?


  He was the foreign minister and a member of the DDP who became Minister of Reconstruction in 1921.
• Why was Rathenau targeted by Organisation Consul?


  He was Jewish and a leading minister in the republican government, involved in signing the Treaty of Versailles.
• Why did the law for the protection of the republic fail?

  It failed due to right-wing judges not complying with its conditions.
• What was the public's reaction to Rathenau's assassination?


  700,000 protesters lined the streets of Berlin in protest.
• How were right-wing assassins treated compared to left-wing assassins in Weimar Germany?


  Right-wing assassins faced minimal punishment, while left-wing murderers received harsher sentences.
• What was the timing of the Munich Putsch?

  It occurred in November 1923 when Hitler attempted to seize power with the support of Ludendorff.
• How did Hitler expect to gain the army's support during the Munich Putsch?


  He believed the army would align with him due to their right-wing preferences and support from General Ludendorff.
• What led to the failure of the Munich Putsch?


  Support for Hitler evaporated, and the SA could not control the Munich army barracks.