Key Events

• 9th November 1918


  Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates his throne.

  • The emperor of Germany leaves after initially refusing to agree to surrender from ww1. After several protests from the German public.
• 11th November 1918


  Germany signs an armistice, bringing an end to fighting in ww1.
• 5th-12th January 1919


  Sparticitst Uprising/Revolt

  • The Spartacists hold an uprising in Berlin. Lead by Karl Leibknecht and Rosa Luxembourg, which the Freikorps surpress and Hitler ends up on trial.
• Feb- June 1919


  Weimar National Assembly established.

  • the first assembly of the Weimar Republic is established and drafts the Constitution.
  • Friedrich Ebert is elected President
• 28th June 1919

  Germany signs the Treaty of Versailles

  • The peace treaty that ends the First World War.
• 11th August 1919


  Weimar Constitution is signed

  • This introduces much greater democracy.
• 13th March 1920


  The Kapp Putsch

  • A revolt in Berlin led by Wolfgang Kapp supported by the Freikorps. A strike brings the putsch to an end.
• 11th January 1923


  Invasion of the Ruhr

  • French and Belgian troops occupy the Ruhr industrial region as Germany had stopped paying reparations.
• 1923 - year of crisis


  Hyperinflation Begins

  • Prices begin to rise rapidly, made worse by the printing of money to pay striking workers in the Ruhr. Money became worthless.
• 13th August 1923


  Stresemann becomes Chancellor and Foreign Minister.
• 8th November 1923


  The Munich Putsch

  • The Nazis attempt a failed putsch in Munich. Hitler is sent to prison for his role in it.
• 18th July 1925


  Mein Kampf published

  • Meink Kampf (Mind Camp), Hitler's book is published with his ideas for Germany.
• 16th October 1925


  The Locarno Pact

  • Germany agrees to the border set out in the Treaty of Versailles.