Nazi Germany and Weimar

• How many Germans fought in WW1?


  11 million
• How many Germans died in WW1?


  2 million
• What percentage of German soldiers became casualties in WW1?


  55%
• How much debt did the German government incur after WW1?


  150 million marks
• What caused food shortages during WW1?


  Over 750,000 Germans died from shortages
• Who lost control of the government during WW1?

  Kaiser Wilhelm
• When did Kaiser Wilhelm abdicate?


  09/11/1918
• Where did Kaiser Wilhelm go into exile?

  Holland
• Which party formed the new government after the Kaiser?

  Social Democratic Party (SPD)
• What was the Council of People's Representatives?

  A temporary government after the Kaiser
• Who handed over his office to Ebert?

  The Kaiser’s chancellor
• What agreement did Ebert make with General Groener?

  The army would keep their ranks
• When was the Old Reichstag suspended?

  10/11/1918
• What was the purpose of the Council of People's Representatives?

  To govern until a new constitution
• When was the armistice signed?

  11/11/1918
• Who signed the armistice on behalf of Ebert?

  Matthias Erzberger
• What was the first major decision of the new government?

  Signing the Treaty of Versailles
• Who helped run Germany under the Kaiser?

  Civil servants
• What did Ebert reassure General Groener about the army?

  It would not be reformed
• What promise did Ebert make to industry leaders?

  The Republic would not confiscate land
• What did Ebert promise to trade unions?

  An 8-hour working day
• When were national elections announced for the National Assembly?

  19/01/1919
• What percentage of votes did the SPD win in the elections?

  40%
• When did the National Assembly meet for the first time?

  02/1919
• When was the new constitution agreed upon?

  31/07/1919
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?

  Strengths:

  • Democratic (women could vote)
  • Checks and balances to prevent power concentration

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Coalition government led to compromises
  • Crisis reliance on the president
  • Government used force and relied on the army
• What was the voting age reduced to in the Weimar Constitution?

  21 years
• Why was the Weimar Constitution considered democratic?

  It allowed women to vote
• What was a major issue with the coalition government in the Weimar Republic?

  Lack of clear decision-making
• How did the government respond to division and violence?

  By relying on the army