Weimar Germany
Origins of the Weimar Republic; effects of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany; Problems of the Weimar Republic, 1918-1924: political weakness; challenges from the Left and Right; Spartacists; Kapp Putsch; invasion of the Ruhr; hyperinflation. Recovery of the economy; the Dawes and Young Plans; the role of Stresemann.
Make sure you have detailed factual knowledge about AND HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT the following issues and topics:
HOW FAR DID the early problems of the Weimar Republic suggest that it was doomed from the start? 1. A description of the Weimar republic. 2. The effects of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany. 3. The STORY of the Weimar Republic's problems 1918-1924, including: a. the Spartacist revolt b. the Kapp Putsch c. the STORY of the crisis of 1923 (invasion of Ruhr / hyperinflation) d. the effects of hyperinflation 4. How did the Weimar Republic survive?
How far did the Weimar Republic recover under Stresemann? 5. The period of Weimar Prosperity 6. the role of Stresemann.
and that you are able to explain:
HOW FAR DID the early problems of the Weimar Republic suggest that it was doomed from the start?
The Weimar Constitution
The Effects of Versailles on Germany |
Revision Focus This is a Paper 2 topic, so you need to have factual KNOWLEDGE IN DEPTH but also a degree of understanding which will allow you in the exam to write MULTI-CAUSAL EXPLANATIONS of the key issues. Linkse-books on the Weimar Constitution , the problems of 1918-24 and the years of prosperity, as well as a detailed account of hyperinflation
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Term of the Treaty |
Effect upon Germany |
Reaction of Germans |
Germany not involved/ forced to sign/ Treaty didn't include 14 Points |
Brockdorff-Rantzau refuses to sign Entire government resigns Newspapers outraged |
Weimar politicians who signed the Treaty were regarded as traitors - the 'November criminals' Felt cheated - 'Stab in the back' legend - Germans don't accept they lost the war Kapp Putsch |
War Guilt Article 231 |
'Such a confession in my mouth would be a lie' (Brockdorff-Rantzau) |
1928: Hindenburg denied war-guilt. |
Economic Reparations loss of Saar (coal) loss of Posen (wheat) |
damages German economy already ruined by war leads to failure to pay reparations = invasion of Ruhr = hyperinflation dependent on American loans |
ruined by hyperinflation hate Dawes 'charity' 1933 Hitler refuses to pay reparations |
Territorial Loss of territory Loss of colonies Anschluss fobidden |
Families split Germans under foreign rule Germany only country in Europe which didn't get self-determination |
"We will win back what we deserve." (Deutsche Zeitung, 1919) Nationalism
Hitler overturns the Treaty - Saar (1935)/ Anschluss |
Military Navy cut to 6 ships Army cut to 100,000 Rhineland demilitarised |
weakened isolated |
Felt humiliated Re-armament after 1935 |
Weimar Problems, 1918-24
Spartacists
Kapp Putsch
Crisis of 1923
Effects of HyperinflationIF YOU ARE ASKED THIS, MAKE SURE YOU GIVE SOME FACTS AS WELL. 1. Huge rise in prices - money became worthless (people carrying wages in wheelbarrow/ using money to light the fire/ run to shops). 2. Bartering became common (e.g. a haircut for 2 eggs/ workers paid in food) 3. People who lived on savings or fixed incomes (e.g. pensioners, clergy) were ruined. 4. Wages earner had to renegotiate their wages every day - even they fell behind. 5. Opportunities for businessmen to make huge fortunes - e.g. pay off their debts. The power of landowners and businessmen who had capital assets was strengthened.
6. Hungry people loot food shops and lorries. 7. Hatred of Jews, many of whom owned businesses and were accused of profiteering. 8. Hatred of foreigners, who took advantage of the favourable exchange rate to go to Germany to buy luxuries very cheaply. 9. Reputation of central government ruined - local towns printed their own money. People looked to extremists such as Hitler for a solution. 10. General anger and hopelessness - 'Life was madness, nightmare, desperation, chaos' - people never forgave the Weimar government
How did the Weimar Republic Survive?(Stresemann Gets Everything Fine)
NOTE: there is a lot in this section, but you can also use it to answer questions about Weimar prosperity and the role of Stresemann.
1. SURVIVED THE REBELLIONSa.Set one against the other - The Freikorps and the Army enjoyed putting down Communist uprisings. When the Freikorps rebelled in 1920, the trade unions declared a General Strike. The two extremes destroyed each other and the government survived.
2. GREAT COALITION a. Great Coalition - Stresemann arranged a 'Great Coalition' of the moderate pro-democracy parties (based around the SDP, the Centre party and Stresemann's own 'German people's Party', the DVP). United together, they were able to resist the criticism from smaller extremist parties, and in this way, he overcame the effects of proportional representation - the government had enough members of the Reichstag supporting it to pass the laws it needed.
3. ECONOMY/ PROSPERITY a. Inflation controlled, Nov 1923 - Stresemann called in all the old, worthless marks and burned them. He replaced them with a new Rentenmark (worth 3,000 million old marks). b. Dawes Plan, 1924 - gave Germany longer to make the payments (and the Young Plan of 1929 reduced the payments). Dawes also arranged for Germany to borrow 25,000 million gold marks, mainly from America. This was used to build roads, railways and factories. The economy boomed and led to prosperity. Cultural life also boomed (the Roaring Twenties). c. Reforms - Stresemann introduced reforms to make life better for the working classes - Labour Exchanges (1927) and unemployment pay. Also, 3 million new houses were built.
4. FOREIGN AFFAIRS a. French leave the Ruhr, April 1924 - Stresemann called off the 1923 Ruhr strike and started to pay reparations again. Eventually, the French left. b. Locarno Treaty (1925) - agreeing to the loss of Alsace-Lorraine (relations with France began to improve). c. League of Nations (1926) - Germany was allowed to join the League of Nations (Germany had become a world power again).
How far did the Weimar Republic recover under Stresemann?
Weimar Prosperity(TAKE THE RELEVANT BITS FROM WHY DID THE REPUBLIC SURVIVE, i.e:)
The Role of Stresemann(TAKE THE RELEVANT BITS FROM WHY DID THE REPUBLIC SURVIVE, i.e:) (DIFFERS)
1. Dawes Plan -
Stresemann called off the 1923 Ruhr strike and started to pay reparations
again, but the Dawes Plan gave Germany longer to make the payments (and the
Young Plan of 1929 reduced the payments) = prosperity.
2. Inflation controlled,
Nov 1923 - Stresemann replaced the old, worthless marks with a new
Rentenmark (worth 3,000 million old marks) = economic stability
3. French leave the
Ruhr, April 1924
4. Foreign Affairs -
Stresemann signed the Locarno Treaty (1925) and joined the League of Nations
(1926) = made Germany become a world power again.
5. Economic Growth -
25,000 million gold marks of American loans built roads, railways and
factories = economic and cultural boom. 6. Reforms - Stresemann brought in Labour Exchanges, unemployment pay and 3 million new houses = life better for the working classes. 7. Strength at the Centre - Stresemann arranged the 'Great Coalition' alliance of the moderate pro-democracy parties (based around the SDP, the Centre party and Stresemann's own 'German people's Party', the DVP) against the extremist parties = overcame the effects of proportional representation (the government had enough members in the Reichstag to pass laws).
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