The Weimar Republic 1918-29

• What was the Weimar Republic established due to?


  The legacy of the First World War
• What led to the revolution in Germany?

  Defeat in the First World War
• What were the key events of the Revolution of October/November 1918-19?

  • Formation of a new government in October 1918
  • Kaiser Wilhelm's abdication on November 9
  • Establishment of a new republic on November 10
  • Signing of the armistice with the Allies on November 11
• When did the First World War start?

  1914
• When did the USA join the Allies in the First World War?

  April 1917
• What was the impact of the British naval blockade on Germany?

  It caused food shortages for the German people
• What was the state of German debt by November 1918?

  It was immense
• Who led the new government formed in October 1918?

  Prince Max of Baden
• What did President Wilson refuse to do regarding peace terms?

  Discuss peace terms with Germany
• What event occurred at the end of October 1918?

  The German navy mutinied
• What was the significance of the mutiny of sailors at Kiel?

  It sparked unrest across Germany
• When was Kaiser Wilhelm's abdication announced?

  November 9, 1918
• Who was appointed Chancellor after the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm?

  Chancellor Ebert
• What did Ebert do the day after becoming Chancellor?

  Signed the armistice with the Allies
• When was the new democratic constitution for Germany drawn up?

  January 1919
• When was the new constitution finalized?

  August 1919
• What were the strengths of the new German constitution?

  • Established advanced democracy in Europe
  • Universal suffrage at age 20
  • President elected every seven years
  • Reichstag could pass or reject laws
  • Right to free speech and religious belief
• What were the weaknesses of the new German constitution?

  • Article 48 gave President excessive power
  • Proportional representation led to many small parties
  • Coalition governments were often weak
  • Army generals and judges opposed the Republic
• What does the term 'armistice' refer to?

  The agreement to end hostilities in a war
• What is a coalition government?

  Two or more parties forming a government
• What is a constitution?

  The basic principles of governance
• What does proportional representation mean?

  Votes determine seats in parliament
• What was the Weimar Republic?

  The republic in Germany from 1919 to 1933
• Who was Kaiser Wilhelm?

  The last German Emperor, 1888-1918
• What is an important exam tip regarding the German constitution?

  Know the weaknesses of the constitution
• What theory did many Germans believe regarding the army's defeat in WWI?

  The "stab in the back" theory
• What did many Germans think about the German army's defeat?

  They believed it was betrayed by politicians
• What were the key military terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

  • Army reduced to 100,000
  • Rhineland demilitarised
  • No tanks, aircraft, or submarines allowed
• What percentage of land did Germany lose due to the Treaty of Versailles?

  Thirteen percent
• What were the financial reparations set for Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?

  £6 billion
• What did Germany have to accept according to the Treaty of Versailles?

  Blame for starting the war
• How did opponents of the Treaty of Versailles describe it?

  As a dictated or imposed peace
• What were the main challenges to the Weimar Republic from the left and right?

  • Uprisings from the left (Spartacists)
  • Uprisings from the right (Kapp Putsch)
• Who led the Spartacists during their uprising?

  Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht
• What was the outcome of the Spartacist uprising in January 1919?

  It was crushed, and leaders were killed
• What was the main reason for the Freikorps' anger in March 1920?

  The Treaty of Versailles
• What did the Freikorps attempt to do in March 1920?

  Take power in Berlin through a putsch
• What was the response of the army during the Kapp Putsch?

  The army did not suppress the putsch
• How did Berlin workers respond to the Kapp Putsch?

  They went on strike in support of Weimar
• What was the value of the German mark by November 1923?

  Worthless; £1 = 4,200,000,000 marks