The Weimar Republic, 1918-1929

• what was the legacy of the first world war?


  • The first world war ended in 1918
  • Left Germany scarred & crumbling
  • Defeated by Britain, France, Russia, Italy and The USA
• Who was the leader of the Social Democratic Party, and decelared Germany a Republic?


  Friedrich Ebert
• what was the impact of the first world war on Germany?


  • Two million German Troops died and over four million were wounded (11 million fought in war)
  • Government debts increased from 50 billion marks to 150 billion marks
  • More than 750,000 Germans died because of food shortages
  • The effcts of war left many people to revolt by striking and rioting
• what happened on the 9th and 10th November?


  9th November - the kaiser visited army headquarters in Spa, the ministers tried to persuade the kaiser to abdicate, the kaiser refused.

  The army officers refused to support the kaiser.

  10th November 1918 - having loss support the kaiser abdicated and fled to Holland.
• what was the signing of the armistice?


  11th November 1918 - ceasefire to end WW1 was agreed, the allies signed a truce with Germany. The new republic was under pressure to sign it, Germans were starving and the military force was low. The armistice wasn't supported by some right-wing German's, they saw the truce as a betrayal, they believed Germany could still win the war.
• when was the declaration of the new republic?

  9th November 1918 - Two socialist parties, the Social Democratic Party and the Independent Social Democratic Party declared republic.

  10th November 1918 - The monarchy had been abolished, Friedrich Ebert suspended the old Reichstag and formed the Council of People Representatives as a temporary government - this was until January 1919.
• what were the strengths of the weimar constitution?


  • women were able to vote as well as men
  • voting age reduced from 25 to 21
  • proportional representation made sure small parties had a fair share of seats
  • elections for president every 7 years
  • The Reichsrat could regulate the power of the Reichstag by delaying new laws
  • Central government was more powerful but local government still retained power.
• what were the weaknesses of the weimar constitution?


  • proportional representation led to coalition governments that were unstable or found difficult to have strong policies and often fell apart
  • lack of strong government led to weaknesses in a crisis that ended up with the president passing laws without the prior content of the reichstag. Article 48 of the constitution allowed the president to do this.
• When did the First World War end?

  1918
• Who became the first German president after the First World War?

  Friedrich Ebert
• What was the combined force that defeated Germany in the First World War?

  Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and the USA
• What was the impact of the First World War on German troop casualties?

  Two million German troops died and over four million were wounded
• How much did government debts increase after the First World War?

  From 50 billion marks to 150 billion marks
• How many Germans died due to food shortages after the war?

  More than 750,000 Germans
• What actions did people take in response to the devastating effects of the war?

  Many revolted by striking and rioting
• When was the German Republic declared?

  9 November 1918
• What was the first major decision of Ebert’s new Republic?

  Signing the armistice on 11 November
• What became a burden for Germany after the First World War?

  The terms of the Treaty of Versailles
• What was the date the armistice was signed?

  11 November
• Who declared the new Republic to the crowds in Berlin?

  Philipp Scheidemann
• Why did Scheidemann promote a peaceful transition?

  To prevent armed rioters from declaring a communist government
• What did Friedrich Ebert do on 10 November 1918?

  He suspended the old Reichstag and formed the Council of People’s Representatives
• What was the revolutionary period in Germany?

  The time until August 1919 when the Weimar Republic was established
• When was the new constitution of the Weimar Republic drawn up?

  31 July 1919
• What were the strengths of the Weimar Constitution?

  • Proportional representation for small parties
  • Women could vote
  • Voting age reduced to 21
  • No one group had too much power
  • Presidential elections every seven years
  • Central government was stronger
• What were the weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?

  • Coalition governments were unstable
  • Weak government during crises
  • Article 48 allowed laws without Reichstag consent
  • Not popular among the people
• How did the Treaty of Versailles affect Germany's economy?

  It damaged Germany’s economy, making the Weimar Republic weak
• What were the 'November Criminals'?

  Leaders of the new German republic blamed for signing the Treaty of Versailles
• What did Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles state?

  Germany was guilty of starting the war
• How much reparations did Germany have to pay according to the Treaty of Versailles?

  £6600 million
• What were the military restrictions placed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?

  Army limited to 100,000; Navy limited to six battleships; no air force allowed
• What was the reaction of many Germans to the Treaty of Versailles?

  They felt betrayed and blamed the politicians
• What was the economic crisis faced by Germany in 1923?

  Hyperinflation that made the German currency worthless
• Why did hyperinflation occur in Germany?

  The government printed more money without gold backing
• What were the negative effects of hyperinflation on the German people?

  People could not afford essentials, wages rose slower than prices, and savings became worthless
• How did farmers benefit from hyperinflation?

  They were paid more for food
• What was the role of the Freikorps in the Kapp Putsch?

  They were ex-soldiers who marched on Berlin and took control
• What was the Spartacist Revolt?

  A left-wing uprising in January 1919 to take over the government
• What was the outcome of the Kapp Putsch?

  The national strike caused chaos, forcing Kapp to flee
• How many political assassinations occurred in the early years of the Weimar Republic?

  376 political assassinations