Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-39

• What was the impact of the First World War in Germany?

  • two million German troops died and over four million were wounded
  • government debts increased from 50 billion marks to 150 billion
  • more than 750000 Germans died because of food shortages
• When does Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicate?

  The Kaiser fled to Holland in 10 November 1918
• Who declared the German Republic?

  Philipp Scheidemann
• What did Friedrich Ebert do on 10 November when Germany became a republic?

  Ebert suspended the old Reichstag (German government) and formed the council of People's Representatives as a temporary measure.
• What was the Armistice?

  The Armistice was the peace agreement between Germany and the Allies which stopped the fighting in the Western Front. It was signed in 11 November, remembrance day.
• What are some strengths of the Weimar Republic?

  • proportional representation made sure small parties had a fair share of seats
  • women able to vote as well as men
  • voting age reduced from 25 to 21
  • no one group or person could have too much power
  • there was an election for president every seven years
• What were some of the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic?

  • proportional representation led to coalition governments that were unstable - policies often fell apart
  • Lack of a strong government led to weakness in crisis that ended up with the president passing laws without the prior consent of the Reichstag
  • It was not the choice of the people so was not that popular
• Why was the Weimar Republic so unpopular?

  The Treaty of Versailles damaged Germany's economy making the Weimar Republic look weak and the public blamed the Republic leaders for signing it. The 'stab in the back' theory was largely believed: the theory stated that the army had been betrayed by the politicians.
• What were some of the main conditions that Germany was meant to comply from the Treaty of Versailles?

  • the German army was limited to 100,000
  • no air force was allowed
  • Germany lost 13% of their European territory
• Who were the Spartacists?


  The Spartacists were a left-wing opposition group who came from the Independent Socialist Party. They have backing from the Soviet Union, but were based in Berlin and were led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht.
• Who were the Freikorps?

  The Freikorps were a paramilitary right-wing group made up of ex-soldiers who had kept their weapons. They had 250,000 men in 1919.