Early challenges to the Weimar Republic

• What were the two extreme political factions in Germany after the First World War?


  The far Left and the far Right
• What was the main goal of the far Left in Germany after World War I?

  To put land and business in the hands of workers
• What did the far Right in Germany after World War I want?

  A strong ruler to take charge of Germany and enforce law and order
• What challenges did moderate parties face in the 1920s in Germany?

  They struggled to form coalitions to prevent extremists from taking power
• Who were the leaders of the Spartacists?

  Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht
• What event did the Spartacists lead in January 1919?


  A massive uprising in Berlin
• How did Ebert respond to the Spartacist uprising?

  He organized a group of returning soldiers into the Freikorps to suppress the revolt
• What was the Freikorps?


  A group of returning soldiers organized to suppress uprisings
• What was the Kapp Putsch?


  A failed attempt by the Freikorps to take control of Germany
• Who was the right-wing politician put forward by the Freikorps during the Kapp Putsch?

  Wolfgang Kapp
• What caused the Kapp Putsch to fail?


  Workers went on strike and refused to provide basic services
• What year did Germany become unable to pay its reparations under the Treaty of Versailles?

  1923
• What action did France take in January 1923 regarding the Ruhr?

  Sent troops to occupy the Ruhr and seize raw materials
• What was the impact of the French occupation of the Ruhr on the German economy?


  It further crippled the economy and led to inflation
• What did workers do in response to the French occupation of the Ruhr?


  Went on strike to resist the occupying forces
• What was the consequence of the German government printing money in 1923?


  It led to hyperinflation
• What is hyperinflation?

  A situation where prices increase to extreme levels
• How did hyperinflation affect normal life in Germany?

  Normal life became impossible due to rapidly increasing prices
• What happened to people's savings during hyperinflation?


  People's savings became worthless
• Who benefited from hyperinflation in Germany?

  People who had taken out loans and those who hoarded goods
• Why did people who took out loans benefit from hyperinflation?

  They had to pay back less due to the devaluation of money
• How did hoarding goods help individuals during hyperinflation?

  They were able to make a massive profit