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Weimar Germany – Revision Notes

Autor:   •  April 19, 2017  •  Study Guide  •  697 Words (3 Pages)  •  827 Views

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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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