Part 1 Weimar Republic 1918-29

• A weakness of the Weimar Constitution was proportion representation- Reichstag made up of lots of parties.
• A second weakness of the Weimar Constitution is Article 48- Gave chancellor power to rule without the Reichstag.
• Aftermath of WW1- Treaty of Versailles (LAMB) Land (lost 13%) Army (100,00) Money (£6.6billion) Blame (War Guilt)
• Sparttaists are left wing, independent socialist party, Based in Berlin and led by Rosa Luxembourg and Karl Liebknecht.
• The Freikorps are right wing, made up of ex-soldier, had 250,00 men in March and organised by regular army.
• Challenge from the left- the Spartacist Revolt in 1919.
• Challenge from the right- the App Putsch in 1920.
• A challenge in 1923 was hyperinflation (price of goods increased)
• Negative effect of hyperinflation was some couldn't afford essentials, wages rose, businesses went bankrupt and savings become worthless.
• Positive effects of hyperinflation were farmers benefited as they were paid more for food, businesses could pay off loans and mortgages.
• Reason for recovery was the rentenmark was Stresemann set it up and issued the currency.
• The Dawes Plan, 1924 was a plan so Germany could pay its reparations.
• Young Plan, 1929: Germany would pay reparations over 10 years.
• Improvements in the economy and the quality of life meant that the working class were more likely to vote for the Liberals
• Locarno Pact 1925

  • was an agreement between Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Belgium.
  • G agreed to new borders with France
• Stresemann's success

  • strengthened the confidence of the German people
  • reduced the support for extremist political parties
  • increased the support for the moderate partues
• Why was the Locarno Pact a success?

  • improved relations with France with the border agreement
  • increased the status and popularity of the Weimar Republic
• League of Nations


  Able to discuss world problems in order to avoid war.
• Why was league of nations a success?

  • showed that germanys views counted
  • boosted confidence
• Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928


  Agreement between 62 nations. Avoid using the use of war to achieve foreign policy objectives.
• Changes in living standards:

  • working hours reduced
  • wages rose
  • working conditions improved
  • 15% rent tax introduced
  • 101,000 homes built between 1925-29
  • 3% of workers earnings were deducted
• Women at work:

  • drop in women working from 75% in 1918- 36% in 1925
  • few women secured high status jobs
  • increase in part time work
• Women at leisure:

  • women less interested in marriage and family, 'good time'
  • behaviour of new women not liked by some men
  • more independence
• Women in politics:

  • earned the vote in 1918
  • 90% turned out at electrons
  • article 109 of the constitution stated that women should have equal rights to men
• Art- cultural changes

  • weimar artists wanted to make art commenting on problems German society
  • style of work called expressionism
• Cinema- cultural changes

  Expressionism helped in film making.