Weimar Germany

• What event occurred on 29th October 1918 involving German sailors at Wilhelmshaven?

  German sailors refused to follow orders, leading to the Kiel Mutiny.
• What was the outcome of the Kiel Mutiny?

  Sailors refused to go and fight the British navy.
• What significant action did 40,000 sailors take on 4th November 1918?


  They joined dock workers to set up a Workers’ and Soldiers’ council.
• What was the effect of the Workers’ and Soldiers’ council on government control in Germany?

  Government control broke down in areas like Bavaria and Hamburg.
• What did Kaiser Wilhelm II realize on 9th November 1918?

  He realized he had lost control of Germany.
• Why did Kaiser Wilhelm II decide to abdicate?

  He was under pressure from ministers and Allies who wanted representatives of the people.
• Where did Kaiser Wilhelm II flee after his abdication?


  He fled to Holland.
• Who was given power on 10th November 1918?

  Friedrich Ebert from the Social Democrat party (SPD).
• What was the new government established after the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II called?

  The Weimar Republic.
• What significant change occurred in Germany's political system after the establishment of the Weimar Republic?

  Germany became a democracy for the first time in its history.
• What were the mounting problems Germany faced by the end of 1918?

  Germany's Spring Offensive had failed, the allies were on the offensive, and there were food shortages due to the blockade.
• What were the short-term and long-term effects of the revolution in Germany?

  • Short Term: The Weimar Republic called for a ceasefire leading to the armistice on 11th November 1918; Germany lost WWI.
  • Long Term: Politics became unstable with extreme groups fighting for power; the government didn't fully take control until mid-1919.

  
• How many casualties did Germany suffer during the First World War?

  Over 7 million casualties (dead or injured).
• What financial burden did Germany face after the war?

  The war cost Germany £37 billion, nearly bankrupting the country.
• What was the impact of the allied blockade on Germany?

  It led to mass starvation due to lack of food supplies.
• How many people died as a result of mass starvation due to the blockade?

  500,000 people died as a result of this.
• What was the public sentiment towards the Weimar Republic's surrender?

  The German population felt deeply unhappy and believed the government had 'stabbed them in the back.'
• What was the Freikorp?

  Ex-soldiers who refused to give up their weapons.
• What were the main features of the Weimar Constitution?

  • Freedom of speech, religion, and meetings
  • Personal freedom and equality
  • Universal suffrage for men and women over 20
  • The Reichstag was elected by the people to make laws

  
• What is proportional representation in the context of the Weimar Republic?

  It is a voting system where political parties gain seats in the Reichstag based on the percentage of votes they receive.

  
• How many seats were there in the Reichstag?

  421 seats.
• What was the first job of the Weimar Republic after its establishment?

  To establish the constitution.
• What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?

  Strengths:

  • Proportional representation ensured fair seats for small parties
  • Prevented concentration of power
  • Most democratic in Europe in 1919, with equal rights for women
  • Elections for Reichstag and President
  • Free speech and religious freedom

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Coalition governments often collapsed
  • 29 different parties reduced chances of majority
  • Opposition from army, judges, and civil servants
  • Article 48 could lead to dictatorship
  • The Weimar Republic was unpopular

  
• What was Article 48 in the Weimar Constitution?


  It allowed the President to rule without the Chancellor or Reichstag in an emergency.
• Who was the head of the government in the Weimar Republic?

  The Chancellor.
• How often were members of the Reichstag voted in?

  Every 4 years.
• What was the role of the Reichsrat in the Weimar Republic?

  It represented the regions of Germany.
• What was the political spectrum in the Weimar Republic?

  • Left: Communists (KPD) - opposed the Weimar Republic
  • Centre: Social Democrats (SPD) - supported the Weimar Republic
  • Right: German People’s Party (DVP) - accepted the Weimar Republic
  • Extreme Right: National Socialist Party (NSDAP) - opposed the Weimar Republic

  
• What was the Treaty of Versailles?


  The treaty that officially ended the First World War, signed on 28 June 1919.
• Why did Germans hate the Treaty of Versailles?

  They had no say in it and were horrified by its terms.
• What were the military terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

  • German army limited to 100,000 men
  • Conscription banned
  • No tanks or artillery allowed
  • Rhineland demilitarized
  • Navy reduced to 6 battleships; submarines banned
  • German air force banned

  
• What were the reparations and territorial terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

  Reparations:

  • £6.6 billion to Britain, France, and Belgium
  • Saar coalfields given to France for 15 years
  • Loss of merchant navy

  
  

  Territorial Terms:

  • 13% of land and 6 million Germans lost
  • 48% of coal production lost
  • Overseas Empire taken away
  • Forbidden Anschluss with Austria
  • Specific territories returned or given to other countries

  
• What was the Diktat in relation to the Treaty of Versailles?

  It referred to the treaty being dictated to Germany without their input.
• What was the Dolchstoss Theory?

  It was the belief that the Weimar government had betrayed Germany by signing the Treaty of Versailles.
• How did the loss of armed forces affect Germany's national pride?

  It hurt Germany's pride and made them feel weak and insecure.
• What were the financial consequences of the Treaty of Versailles for Germany?

  The £6.6 billion reparations would almost bankrupt Germany.
• What were the threats from the left and right faced by the Weimar Republic?

  • Challenge from the left: Communist uprisings
  • Challenge from the right: Kapp Putsch in 1920

  
• What did many German people feel about Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles?

  They felt it was unfair to blame them for the actions of the Kaiser and other countries.
• Why did Germans feel disgraced and humiliated by Article 231?

  Because they believed it unfairly blamed the new Weimar government for the actions of the abdicated Kaiser.
• What were the financial and social consequences of losing 13% of Germany's population due to territorial loss?

  It split up the country and had significant financial and social consequences.