Weimar Germany – Revision Notes
Autor: Param Pitroda • April 19, 2017 • Study Guide • 697 Words (3 Pages) • 981 Views
WEIMAR GERMANY – REVISION NOTES [pic 1]
The Revolution of 1918
- By autumn 1918 is was clear Germany would lose WW1…
- The Kaiser refused the first Allied offer of peace because it required him to step down…
- When this news got out sailors in Kiel mutinied and took over the town…
- This revolt quickly spread. On 9 Nov the Kaiser stepped down & left Ger for Holland.
- Friedrich Ebert (SPD) became the 1st Pres of Germany and surrendered to the Allies.
[pic 2]
The Weimar Constitution (system of Government)
- Until the end of WW1 Germany had no real democracy; Kaiser Wilhelm was like a dictator.
- The Weimar Constitution was designed to be v. democratic
- All Germans over 20 could vote.
- The President was the Head of State – he controlled the army & appointed the Chancellor. In a crisis he could govern directly using Article 48 emergency powers.
- The Chancellor was responsible for day to day Government.
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Threats from the Left & Right 1919-1923
Jan 1919 – Spartacist (Comm.) rising in Berlin & other cities | Mar 1920 – Kapp Putsch in Berlin |
Led by Karl Liebknecht & Rosa Luxembourg Ebert uses Freikorps – groups of nationalist ex-soldiers who hated Communists – to crush the revolt Rising defeated; KL & RL killed; other leaders executed Further Comm. risings in Bavaria (1919) and the Ruhr (1920) also defeated | Dr. Wolfgang Kapp, angry with WR over ToV, leads 5,000 Freikorps into Berlin & seized power Army refused to fire on the Freikorps Ebert’s gov was saved by Berlin workers going on strike – soon there is no transport , power or water Kapp realised he couldn’t win and left Ger; he was later caught & died awaiting trial |
Leaders to learn…
Presidents | Chancellors (there were others, but these are the ones you need to know) |
Ebert (SPD) 1919-1925 | Stresemann 1923 (only Chanc. for a few months, but most imp politician in Ger 23-29) |
Bruning (Centre Party – ZP) 1930-1932 | |
Hindenburg (Independent) 1925-1934 | Von Papen (Indpendent) 1932 |
Von Schliecher (Independent) 1932- Jan 33 |
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