The Weimar Government

• What were the main aims of Socialism?


  • Promote rights for workers
  • Advocate for policies that benefit the working class
• What policies did Chancellor Bulow and Chancellor Caprivi implement to help Socialism?

  Chancellor Bulow extended pensions, while Chancellor Caprivi banned working on Sunday and lowered food prices.
• How often was the president elected under the German Constitution?

  Every 7 years.
• What article of the constitution could the president use in an emergency?

  Article 48.
• What type of seat distribution system was implemented in Germany under the constitution?

  Proportional representation.
• What did proportional representation lead to in the German political system?

  The formation of coalitions.
• What did Germany gain by signing the Locarno pact in 1925?

  Germany gained entry to the League of Nations in 1926.
• What commitment did Germany make in the Locarno pact?

  Germany agreed to respect the land borders set out in the Treaty of Versailles.
• What artistic movement was emphasized in German Art and Literature after World War I?

  Realism.
• How did Gustav Stresemann contribute to the German economy?

  • Obtained loans totaling 800 million marks from the US through the Dawes plan (1924)
  • Reduced reparations by 2/3 through the Young Plan (1929)
• Name one novel that exemplifies the Realism movement.

  ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’.
• Approximately how many films were produced in Germany's film industry annually?

  Approximately 250 films a year.
• Name a famous German actress of the film industry boom.

  Marlene Dietrich.
• What improvements were made in the standard of living during the Weimar Republic?

  • Wages increased by 10%
  • Working hours dropped
  • New housing built (2 million)
  • 60% reduction in homeless population
• What economic measures did Chancellor Bruning take to address the economic crisis?

  He raised taxes and cut benefits.
• What was the impact of Chancellor Bruning's economic measures?

  They were unpopular and led to high use of article 48.
• What was the effect of people losing faith in the Weimar government?

  It caused people to turn to extremist groups such as the NSDAP and workers' movements.