Germany: Democracy and Dictatorship

• What was the purpose of the election organized by the Council of People's Representatives in January 1919?

  To create a new parliament
• Who was the first president of the Weimar Republic?

  Fredrik Ebert
• Who was the Chancellor in February 1919?

  Phillips Lightman
• What was the Weimar Republic known for?

  A period of democracy in Germany
• What does a constitution decide in a government?

  How the government is organized
• How often was the president of the Weimar Republic elected?

  Every 7 years
• What powers did the president of the Weimar Republic have?

  Could suspend the Constitution and dissolve the Reichstag
• How often were members of the Reichstag elected?

  Every 4 years
• What was the role of the Reichsrat in the Weimar Republic?

  It was the second house of parliament
• What was the minimum percentage of votes needed for a party to gain seats in the Reichstag?

  0.4%
• What significant change occurred regarding voting in the Weimar Republic?

  Women could vote for the first time
• What was Article 48 used for in the Weimar Republic?

  To suspend Parliament in emergencies
• What was a consequence of proportional representation in the Weimar Republic?

  Many conflicting views made decision-making difficult
• How did the Treaty of Versailles affect the Weimar Republic?

  It caused resentment and weakened the government
• What term did Germans use to describe the Treaty of Versailles?

  Diktat
• Who were the November criminals?

  Politicians who signed the Treaty of Versailles
• What was the Spartacus revolt?

  An extreme left-wing rebellion in January 1919
• Who led the Spartacus revolt?

  Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg
• What was the outcome of the Spartacus revolt?

  Over a hundred workers were killed
• What was the Kapp Putsch?

  An extreme right-wing rebellion in March 1920
• Who led the Kapp Putsch?

  Wolfgang Kapp
• What was the response of the German workers to the Kapp Putsch?

  They staged a general strike
• What happened to the Kapp Putsch as a result of the general strike?

  Kapp was forced to give up
• What was the impact of the economic situation on anti-Semitic behavior in Germany?

  Anti-Semitic behavior increased as the economy worsened
• Who was assassinated by former Freikorps members in 1922?

  Walther Rathenau
• What was Walther Rathenau's significance?

  He was the foreign minister and Jewish
• What were the main features of the Weimar Republic's constitution?

  • Established a democratic government
  • Elected president every 7 years
  • Chancellor oversaw daily government operations
  • Reichstag elected every 4 years
  • Proportional representation for political parties
  • Allowed for Article 48 in emergencies
• What were the causes of the Weimar Republic's unpopularity?

  • Treaty of Versailles resentment
  • Economic hardship and inflation
  • Political instability from left and right revolts
  • Perception of November criminals
  • Use of Article 48 undermining democracy
• What were the consequences of the Spartacus revolt and Kapp Putsch?

  • Spartacus revolt led to violence and division
  • Kapp Putsch resulted in a general strike
  • Both revolts highlighted political instability
  • Increased tensions between left and right factions
• The Weimar Republic was established on August 19, 1919.
• When was Gustav Strassman appointed Chancellor of the Weymouth Republic?

  13th of August 1923
• How long did Strassman serve as Chancellor?

  Three months
• What significant change did Strassman bring to the Weymouth Republic?

  Shifted trust in the Republic
• What characterized the period from 1924 to 1929 in Germany?

  • Economic recovery
  • Cultural development
  • Fueled by Strassman's policies
• What coalition helped Strassman implement reforms?

  A grand Coalition of Centrist liberal parties
• What was Strassman's first move as Chancellor?

  End the strikes in the Ruhr
• What was the outcome of ending passive resistance in September 1923?

  The government stopped compensating workers
• What currency did Strassman replace in November 1923?

  The old currency with the Rentenmark
• What problem did the introduction of the Rentenmark solve?

  Stabilized Germany's currency and hyperinflation
• Why did Strassman step down as Chancellor?

  SPD withdrew from his reshuffled government