History

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


  The impact included the collapse of the Kaiser’s government, over 2 million German deaths, near bankruptcy, food shortages, and serious political divisions.
• Why did the new German government decide to hold elections for a new Reichstag in January 1919?


  They decided to hold elections due to the serious violence on the streets of Berlin, including an attempted communist uprising.
• What was the significance of the city of Weimar for the new German government?

  Weimar became the meeting place for the new Reichstag, giving its name to the Weimar Republic, even after the Reichstag returned to Berlin.
• What was the role of the Reichstag according to the Weimar constitution?

  The Reichstag was given the right to make laws and control the government.
• How was the Reichstag elected under the Weimar constitution?

  The Reichstag was elected by proportional representation, meaning parties received seats in proportion to their total votes.
• Who was the head of the government in the Weimar Republic, and what was required for them to govern?

  The head of the government was the Chancellor, who needed support from over half of the Reichstag to govern.
• What powers did the President hold under the Weimar constitution?

  The President had control of the armed forces, the power to dismiss the Reichstag, hold new elections, and suspend the constitution in emergencies under Article 48.
• What was a major problem with the system of proportional representation in the Weimar Republic?

  A major problem was that it often resulted in no single party having a majority, leading to unstable coalition governments.
• What were some immediate challenges faced by the Weimar Republic's first government?

  They faced violent protests from political groups, an unpopular peace treaty, and a severe economic crisis.
• What was the Treaty of Versailles, and how did it affect Germany?

  The Treaty of Versailles ended the First World War and imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including reparations and territorial losses.

  
• Why was Germany not allowed to participate in the negotiations of the Treaty of Versailles?

  Germany was in no position to resist the Allies due to its military defeat and weak economy.

  
• How did the views of President Wilson differ from those of Clemenceau and Lloyd George regarding the Treaty of Versailles?

  Wilson sought a moderate peace settlement, while Clemenceau wanted revenge and Lloyd George balanced leniency with public pressure for reparations.
• What were the reparations Germany was required to pay according to the Treaty of Versailles?

  Germany was required to pay a total of £6,600 million in reparations for the damage caused by the war.
• What territorial losses did Germany face as a result of the Treaty of Versailles?

  Germany lost 10% of its population and 13% of its territory, including valuable industrial regions and all overseas colonies.

  
• What military restrictions were placed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?

  Germany's army was limited to 100,000 volunteers, its navy was reduced, and it was banned from having an air force.

  
• How did the Treaty of Versailles affect the political landscape in Germany?

  The treaty led to widespread resentment and criticism of the Weimar Republic, associating it with defeat and humiliation.

  
• What was the economic impact of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany?

  The treaty exacerbated Germany's economic struggles, leading to hyperinflation and a decline in industrial output due to territorial losses.

  
• What was the total reparations bill Germany faced after the Treaty of Versailles?

  The total reparations bill was 132 billion marks or £6.6 billion, payable in annual installments.

  
• What was the response of the German government to the occupation of the Ruhr by French and Belgian troops?

  The German government ordered a campaign of passive resistance and encouraged sabotage in response to the occupation of the Ruhr.
• How did hyperinflation affect the German population during the early 1920s?

  Hyperinflation led to the destruction of savings, widespread hunger, and a loss of faith in the Weimar Republic, pushing many towards extreme political parties.
• What was the role of the Freikorps in suppressing communist revolts?


  The Freikorps were recruited to violently suppress communist revolts, leading to the deaths of many, including Liebknecht and Luxemburg.
• What were the political divisions in Germany after the First World War?

  There were serious divisions between socialists, communists, and other left-wing groups versus right-wing political groups, often leading to violent protests.
• What was the significance of the Centre Party and Democratic Party in the Weimar Republic?

  The Centre Party supported the new republic but often disagreed with socialist ideas, while the Democratic Party introduced moderate reforms and was supported by the middle classes.
• How did the Treaty of Versailles impact German nationalism?

  The treaty fueled German nationalism by creating a sense of betrayal and humiliation, leading many to oppose the Weimar Republic and seek restoration of national pride.

  
• What was the broader context of the Freikorps' actions in Weimar politics?

  The Freikorps were part of a larger reaction against leftist movements, reflecting the political instability and violence that characterized the early years of the Weimar Republic.
• What caused fear in Germany following the communist revolution in Russia?

  The fear was caused by the violence, confiscation of property, and threats to spread revolution throughout the world.
• How did Ebert’s government respond to the revolts in Germany?

  Ebert’s government acted quickly by recruiting and training volunteers, mostly war veterans and junior army officers, to attack the communists.
• What was the significance of the Freikorps in the context of the revolts in Germany?

  The Freikorps were significant as they were violently anti-communist and played a crucial role in suppressing revolts, leading to a lasting bitterness between the Social Democratic Party and the Communist Party.
• What happened to Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht during the Spartacist revolt?

  Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht were killed during the Spartacist revolt in Berlin.
• What was the outcome of the Kapp Putsch in 1920?

  The Kapp Putsch was ultimately destroyed by a general strike of workers and the refusal of civil servants to obey Dr. Kapp.
• What actions did the Freikorps take after the Kapp Putsch?

  After the Kapp Putsch, some Freikorps members formed assassination squads to murder politicians who supported the Treaty of Versailles.
• How did the assassination of Matthias Erzberger and Walter Rathenau reflect the political climate in Germany during this period?

  The assassinations reflected a violent political climate where right-wing extremists targeted politicians who supported the Treaty of Versailles, indicating deep divisions in German society.

  
• How did Hitler's service in the German army during WWI influence his political career?


  His service in the army, where he won medals for bravery and was recognized for his persuasive public speaking, influenced his later involvement in right-wing politics.

  
• What was the original name of the Nazi Party before it was shortened?

  The original name of the Nazi Party was the German Workers’ Party.
• What were the main goals of the Nazi Party under Hitler's leadership?

  The main goals included overturning the Treaty of Versailles, uniting all German-speaking people, and promoting openly racist and anti-Semitic ideologies.
• What was the paramilitary unit established by the Nazi Party called?

  The paramilitary unit established by the Nazi Party was called the SA (Sturm Abteilung) or 'Brownshirts'.
• What event did Hitler attempt in Munich in 1923, and what was its outcome?


  Hitler attempted a revolution known as the Munich Putsch, which ultimately failed after a police confrontation resulted in 16 deaths.
• How did Hitler use his trial after the Munich Putsch to his advantage?

  Hitler used the trial as a propaganda platform to gain national attention through his speeches, which were widely reported in newspapers.
• What were the consequences of Hitler's imprisonment following the Munich Putsch?

  The consequences included the opportunity for Hitler to write Mein Kampf and a realization that he could not solely rely on violence to gain power.
• Who was Gustav Stresemann and what role did he play in Weimar Germany?

  Gustav Stresemann was Chancellor of Germany for a few months in 1923 and served as Foreign Minister until 1929, playing a key role in economic recovery.