Establishment of the Weimar Republic

• What years are considered the early years of the Weimar Republic?

  1918-1923
• What caused severe food shortages in Germany after WWI?

  A British naval blockade
• How many Germans died from starvation and hypothermia in 1918?

  293,000
• What was the impact of the blockade on Germany's economy?

  It collapsed the chemical industry
• How did workers' wages change during the war?

  Wages were falling despite increased work
• What was happening to the German mark during this period?

  It was losing value and inflation was rising
• What was the state of the German government finances?

  The government was running a huge budget deficit
• What was happening across Germany during this time?

  There was mutiny and revolution
• What happened to the Kaiser during this period?

  The Kaiser abdicated
• When did Ebert declare Germany a democratic republic?

  6th January 1919
• Who were the Spartacists?

  A group of Communists in Germany
• What did the Spartacists want for Germany?

  To be run by councils of soldiers and workers
• What action did Ebert take against the Spartacists?

  He sent in the Freikorps to attack them
• What were the Freikorps?

  A group of 2000 tough ex-soldiers
• What was the outcome of the conflict between the Freikorps and the Spartacists?

  The Free Corps recaptured buildings and arrested leaders
• What party did Ebert's group belong to?

  The SPD (Social Democratic Party)
• Where did politicians meet to create the Weimar Constitution?

  In Weimar
• What rights did all Germans have under the Weimar Constitution?

  Equal rights, including the right to vote
• What was a major weakness of the Weimar Constitution regarding representation?

  Proportional representation made majority difficult
• Why was law-making slow in the Weimar Republic?

  Leading parties had to deal with smaller groups
• What was the Weimar Constitution?

  A formal set of rules for governance
• Who opposed the new democratic system in Germany?

  Older generals, judges, and upper-class families
• What term did some Germans use to describe the politicians linked to Germany's defeat?

  'November Criminals'
• What did Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution allow?

  Laws could be passed without the Reichstag
• What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?

  Strengths:

  • Established a democratic government
  • Guaranteed equal rights for all Germans

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Proportional representation led to fragmented politics
  • Article 48 allowed laws without Reichstag approval
• How did the lives of ordinary Germans change during WWI?

  • Severe food shortages due to blockade
  • High death rates from starvation and hypothermia
  • Falling wages despite increased work
  • Rapid inflation and loss of currency value
  • Widespread mutiny and revolution
• How was the Weimar Republic formed?

  • Ebert declared a democratic republic on 6th January 1919
  • Spartacists seized power in Berlin
  • Ebert sent Freikorps to suppress Spartacists
  • Elections held, Ebert's SPD won
  • Weimar Constitution created for governance
• Who were the Spartacists?

  • A group of Communists in Germany
  • Wanted governance by councils of soldiers and workers
  • Seized power in Berlin on 6th January 1919
• Describe two weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution of 1919.

  1. Proportional representation made majority rule difficult
  2. Article 48 allowed laws to be passed without Reichstag approval