PAPER 3 - WEIMAR & NAZI GERMANY

• What years did the Weimar Republic exist?

  1918 - 1929
• How many troops died in World War I?

  A million troops died
• How many women became widows due to World War I?

  400,000 women became widows
• How many civilians died from starvation and illness during the flu pandemic?

  763,000 civilians died
• How did World War I affect German industrial production by 1918?

  It was only 2/3 of 1913 levels
• What happened to Germany's debt from 1914 to 1918?

  It increased from 50 billion to 150 billion marks
• What was the consequence of Germany printing more money during the war?

  The value of the German mark fell, causing inflation
• How did wealth distribution change during World War I?

  It became more unevenly distributed
• What was the average wage for a worker in 1918 compared to 1913?


  It was only 60% of 1913 wages
• Who benefited financially from World War I?


  Business owners of military weapons
• What social problems arose from the war's economic impact?

  Workers resented business owners
• When did it become clear that Germany would be defeated in World War I?

  29th September 1918
• Who informed Kaiser Wilhelm II that Germany couldn't win the war?

  Hindenburg and Ludendorff
• What did Hindenburg and Ludendorff suggest for a favorable peace settlement?

  A democratic government was needed
• When was the decision to create a new democratic government announced?

  3rd October 1917
• Who was appointed Chancellor of Germany?

  Prince Max of Baden
• What happened on 3rd November 1918 in the navy?

  Sailors refused to follow the Kaiser's orders
• What was the Kiel mutiny?

  A refusal by sailors to follow orders
• Who caused mass strikes in Munich after supporting an uprising?

  Kiel Eisner, a communist
• When did Kaiser Wilhelm II lose support from military advisors?

  9th November 1918
• What did the ministers try to do regarding Kaiser Wilhelm II?

  They tried to make him give up leadership
• What happened after the leaders of the army withdrew their support?

  The Kaiser gave up leadership and fled
• When was the German Republic declared?

  10th November 1918
• Who declared the new German Republic?

  Scheidemann, a member of the SDP
• Who became the leader of the German Republic?

  Ebert, the leader of the SDP
• What temporary government did Ebert create?

  The council of people's representatives
• When was the armistice signed?

  11th November 1918
• How did many Germans feel about the armistice?

  They felt it was unnecessary and a betrayal
• What were the politicians who negotiated peace called?

  The 'November Criminals'
• Where did politicians move to set up the new republic?

  Weimar
• What is the structure of the Weimar Republic?

  • Head of the republic: President
  • President chooses key ministers/chancellors
  • Article 48 allows president to bypass government
  • Government: Cabinet makes political decisions, Chancellor leads
  • Parliament: Reichstag and Reichsrat, elected every 4 years
  • Proportional representation for parties
  • Electorate: All men and women over 20 can vote
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?

  Strengths:

  • Genuine democracy with universal suffrage
  • Prevents concentration of power

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Proportional representation leads to weak coalitions
  • Article 48 allows presidential overreach
  • Strong states retain power through Reichsrat
• How long is the presidential term in the Weimar Republic?

  7 years
• What were the general terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

  • Germany accepted blame for the war
  • Must pay £6.6 billion in reparations
  • Loss of 13% of land and 12% of population
• What were the military terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

  • Max of 100,000 soldiers allowed
  • 15,000 sailors and 6 ships permitted
  • No submarines or armoured vehicles
  • Demilitarisation of the Rhineland
  • Prohibition of union with Austria
• How did some Germans view the Treaty of Versailles?

  As a betrayal and unnecessary
• What term describes the politicians blamed for signing the armistice?

  November criminals
• What is the term 'Betriebeplatzes' associated with?

  It refers to a specific context in Weimar Germany
• What was the Spartacist uprising?

  A communist revolt in Berlin, January 1919
• Who led the Spartacist uprising?

  Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht