Germany

• When did the First World War end?

  1918
• What was the impact of the First World War on Germany?

  Germany was scarred and crumbling
• How many Germans fought in the First World War?

  11 million
• How many German troops died in the war?

  2 million
• What percentage of German troops became casualties?

  $0.55\%$
• How much did Germany's debts increase from 1914 to 1918?

  From 50 billion to 150 billion marks
• How many Germans died due to food shortages during the war?

  750,000
• Why did Kaiser Wilhelm abdicate?

  He lost control of Germany
• When was the new German Republic set up?

  10th November 1918
• What significant event happened on 11th November 1918?

  Ebert signed the armistice
• What was the Weimar Constitution?

  A new democratic constitution for Germany
• What did the Weimar Constitution guarantee?

  Freedom of speech and religion
• Who had the right to vote under the Weimar Constitution?

  All men and women over 20
• How did the voting age in Weimar Germany compare to Britain?

  It was lower in Germany
• How often were members of the Reichstag elected?

  Every four years
• What were the strengths of the Weimar Constitution?

  • Advanced democracy in Europe
  • Elected president every 7 years
  • Reichstag could pass or reject laws
  • Guaranteed free speech and religious belief
  • Checks and balances in power
• What were the weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?

  • Article 48 gave too much power to the President
  • Proportional representation led to weak coalition governments
  • Army generals and judges were loyal to the Kaiser
  • Created without real public enthusiasm
• What was the Treaty of Versailles?

  An unpopular peace treaty for Germany
• Why was the Weimar Republic linked to the Treaty of Versailles?

  It was associated with surrender and harsh terms
• When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?

  28th June 1919
• What did Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles state?

  Germany had to accept blame for the war
• How much reparations did Germany have to pay?

  6.6 billion pounds
• What territories did Germany lose due to the Treaty of Versailles?

  Alsace, Lorraine, Eupen, Malmedy, Posen, West Prussia
• What was the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany's military?

  Army limited to 100,000 men
• What was the reaction of many Germans to the Treaty of Versailles?

  They saw it as a diktat
• What did Germans mean by "dolchstoss"?

  Stab in the back by their leaders
• How did the Treaty of Versailles affect the Weimar Republic's reputation?

  Linked to defeat and humiliation
• What were the main political challenges to the Weimar Republic?

  Opposition from left and right-wing groups
• What was the main right-wing party in 1919?

  National Party (DNVP)
• What was the main left-wing party in 1919?

  German Communist Party (KPD)
• What was the impact of political assassinations on the Weimar Republic?

  Increased instability and fear
• How many political murders occurred between 1919-1922?

  376
• What was the outcome for right-wing murderers in the Weimar Republic?

  No right-wing murderer was convicted
• What was the crisis year for the Weimar Republic?

  1923
• What was the reparations bill set at in April 1921?

  £6600 million
• What happened during the invasion of the Ruhr?

  French and Belgian troops occupied it
• What was the German government's response to the Ruhr occupation?

  Ordered workers to go on strike
• What was the result of the Ruhr occupation for Germany?

  Collapse of the German currency
• What caused hyperinflation in Germany?

  Government printed more money
• What were the effects of hyperinflation on the German economy?

  Prices and wages skyrocketed