When was the democratic Weimar Gov established?
August 1919 (by law)
Collapsed in 1933 to Nazi rule
List other reasons for the collapse of Weimar:
- A weak constitution
- Huge post-war problems
- Being forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles
List impacts of WW1 on Germany:
- Surviving on turnips and bread
- Flour mixed with sawdust to extend expiry date
- Severe flu epidemic killing thousands of people already weakened by lack of food
How did old Germany end? (1918)
- One condition from the Treaty was a more democratic Germany
- Kaiser was forced to abdicate and left to the Netherlands
- This was known as the German revolution
Who became the new Chancellor of Germany in 1918?
- 10th November 1918, Friedrich Ebert became the new Chancellor of Germany
What did right-wing opponents refer to Ebert and his Government as?
The ‘November Criminals’.
This was because they signed the armistice on the 11th November 1918
What was the armistice?
a ceasefire agreement signed by Germany and the Allies on 11th Nov 1918 - which ended the fighting on the Western Front
List reforms that Ebert introduced:
- 8 hour working days
- Improved benefits for the sick, elderly and unemployed
When did Ebert become president?
Elections were held in January of 1919 and Ebert became president of the new Germany in February
List 4 social impacts of WW1 (1918)
- Huge gap between rich and poor
- 1.5 mil demobilized soldiers returned to society disillusioned
- Germans were angry about losing the war as there were waves of unrest in a strict city like Berlin
- German workers hated restrictions placed on earnings
List 3 political impacts from WW1:
- Fighting between left-wing and right-wing groups
- Ex-soldiers and civilians despised new democratic leaders
- Unstable democratic republic
What was ‘the stab in the back myth’?
The belief of heroic leader Hindenburg being betrayed by weak politicians
List economic impacts on Germany from WW1:
- Fuel shortages
- Food shortages (50% milk produced + 60% of butter and meat)
—-> 300,000 dying in 1918 - National income fell by 1/3
- 1/3 budget spent on war pension
What factors would determine the success or failure of Weimar?
The German people and the constitution
What was the constitution and when was it signed?
Signed in August 1919, it was a federal republic with a president rather than a ‘traditional’ kaiser (king)
What was the Reichstag?
A parliament which had a system of proportional representation (whilst elected every 4 years)
In the constitution, what was article 48?
How many times did ebert use it?
The president’s emergency powers that did not need approval from the Reich.
- Ebert used it 136 times.
What was left-wing?
They wanted more equality in society.
What was right wing?
Wanted to conserve the traditional class system and allow private enterprise to flourish
What happened in October 1918 in munich
- German navy mutinied in the ports of Kiel and Hamburg
- Munich experienced general strikes announcing that they were a separate communist state
Who did Ebert work with to suppress communist riots?
General Groener
To what extent was Ebert’s measures successful?
In the short term:
- regained control of Germany
- Avoided a communist state
What was the national assembly?
An assembly tasked with creating a stable democratic government
What was the Weimar constitution split into?
- The head of state (president)
- The government (the cabinet and chancellor)
- Parliament (Reichstag and Reichsrat)
- Electorate (men and women over 21)
