Weimar Republic, 1918-29

• When did World War I last from?

  1914 to 1918
• What event marked the end of fighting in World War I?

  The armistice on November 11th, 1918
• What was the situation in Germany by the end of World War I?

  Germany was experiencing widespread unrest
• What hardship did the German people face near the war's end?

  Severe hardship and starvation
• What caused public opinion to turn against Kaiser Wilhelm II?

  Desire for democracy and end to the war
• What action did some members of the German navy take in November 1918?

  They rebelled and refused to board ships
• Who encouraged a general uprising in Germany?

  Kurt Eisner
• What was the significance of the public protest in Berlin in November 1918?

  It called for the Kaiser's resignation
• When did Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicate?

  On November 9th, 1918
• What two socialist parties declared a republic on the same day as the Kaiser’s abdication?

  SPD and USPD
• What happened on November 10th, 1918?

  State leaders appointed by the monarchy left
• What is a republic?

  A country ruled without a monarch
• When was the armistice signed to end World War I?

  November 11th, 1918
• Who were the Allies that signed the armistice with Germany?

  Britain, France, and the USA
• Why was the new republic pressured to sign the armistice?

  People were starving and morale was low
• What did some right-wing Germans think of the armistice?

  They saw it as a betrayal
• How was Germany structured politically after the war?

  Made up of 18 states with local governments
• What was established after the abdication of the Kaiser?

  A temporary national government
• What was the name of the temporary government in Germany?

  The Council of People’s Representatives
• When were elections held for a new Reichstag parliament?

  In January 1919
• What was the Weimar Republic?

  The first democratic government in Germany
• Who became the first President of the Weimar Republic?

  Friedrich Ebert
• Where did the members of the new Reichstag meet to create a new constitution?

  In Weimar
• What was a key feature of the Weimar Constitution regarding political parties?

  Small parties could gain representation
• What was the voting age lowered to in the Weimar Constitution?

  20 years old
• What was the role of the President in the Weimar Republic?

  Head of the army and government
• How often were members of the Reichstag elected?

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

  A less powerful second house of parliament
• What was a major flaw of the Weimar Constitution?

  Proportional representation led to indecision
• What did the President of the Weimar Republic have the power to do?

  To dissolve the Reichstag and call elections
• What was the Treaty of Versailles?

  A peace treaty imposed on Germany
• When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?

  In June 1919
• Who were the main Allied leaders that decided the terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

  David Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau, Woodrow Wilson
• How did the Weimar Republic become associated with the Treaty of Versailles?

  It accepted the treaty's harsh terms
• What did Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles state?

  Germany had to take the blame for the war
• What were the military restrictions placed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?

  Reduced to 100,000 men, no heavy weapons
• How much reparations was Germany forced to pay?

  £6600 million
• What happened to Germany's empire after the Treaty of Versailles?

  Germany lost its empire and mandates were created
• What area of Germany was banned from military presence by the Treaty of Versailles?

  The Rhineland
• What term did Germans use to describe the Treaty of Versailles?

  Diktat