Germany 1918-1929
• Germany before 1918
• Germany and WWI
• The German Revolution 1918
• The Spartikist Rising
• The Weimar Constitution
• The Treaty of Versailles
• The Kapp Putsch 1920
• The French Occupation of the Ruhr 1923
• Hyperinflation 1923
• The birth of the Nazi party
• The Munich Putsch 1923
• The Stresemann Era 1924-29
• The failures and successes of the Stresemann Era
, Germany 1918-1929 - Weimar Govt, Ruhr Crisis, Hyperinflation, Munich Putsch
Germany before 1918
• Borders
◦Before 1871, Germany = many different countries.
◦1871: war against France -> Germany united as one country.
‣ Ruled by King of Prussia (biggest state) -> became Kaiser of Germany.
‣ Became German Empire.
• Economy
◦Dominated Europe w/ military + industrial power.
‣ Had fertile land + was rich in natural resources.
‣ Had steel, electrical/chemical goods, iron/coal sources.
◦Strongest industrial power in Europe (close to UK).
◦By 1914, had colonies in Africa + Pacific (started in 1880s).
◦1871-1914: increased overseas trade by 400%.
• Society
◦Second largest population in Europe (after Russia).
◦Flourishing industries in big cities + small farms in mountains.
◦North Germany - many large farms (owned by rich landowners) + almost everyone = Protestant.
◦South Germany - many more Catholics.
◦People could afford heathy diet/comfortable houses.
◦By 1890, had best welfare system in Europe.
‣ British PM impressed by this.
◦Had respectful authority, people very obedient.
◦1/3 of population = under 15 yrs old.
◦By 1914, most received good education.
◦Militaristic society.
◦Stable society.
◦Very patriotic.
• Military
◦Dominated Europe w/ military power.
◦Had large/well trained/well equipped land army.
◦Had a growing navy.
◦Conscription - men age 18.
• Political system
◦Kaiser, his chief minister = Chancellor.
◦Parliament = Reichstag.
◦1890s: Reichstag + Chancellor = not very powerful.
◦Most power belonged to Kaiser.
‣ Could appoint/dismiss Chancellor + dissolve Reichstag.
Germany and WWI
• Wilhelm II = Kaiser before/during WWI (since 1888).
◦Believed in autocracy + complete authority of the Kaiser alone.
‣ Appointed ministers he knew would do what he wanted.
‣ Wanted great power the Constitution gave him.
• Germany before 1918
• Germany and WWI
• The German Revolution 1918
• The Spartikist Rising
• The Weimar Constitution
• The Treaty of Versailles
• The Kapp Putsch 1920
• The French Occupation of the Ruhr 1923
• Hyperinflation 1923
• The birth of the Nazi party
• The Munich Putsch 1923
• The Stresemann Era 1924-29
• The failures and successes of the Stresemann Era
, Germany 1918-1929 - Weimar Govt, Ruhr Crisis, Hyperinflation, Munich Putsch
Germany before 1918
• Borders
◦Before 1871, Germany = many different countries.
◦1871: war against France -> Germany united as one country.
‣ Ruled by King of Prussia (biggest state) -> became Kaiser of Germany.
‣ Became German Empire.
• Economy
◦Dominated Europe w/ military + industrial power.
‣ Had fertile land + was rich in natural resources.
‣ Had steel, electrical/chemical goods, iron/coal sources.
◦Strongest industrial power in Europe (close to UK).
◦By 1914, had colonies in Africa + Pacific (started in 1880s).
◦1871-1914: increased overseas trade by 400%.
• Society
◦Second largest population in Europe (after Russia).
◦Flourishing industries in big cities + small farms in mountains.
◦North Germany - many large farms (owned by rich landowners) + almost everyone = Protestant.
◦South Germany - many more Catholics.
◦People could afford heathy diet/comfortable houses.
◦By 1890, had best welfare system in Europe.
‣ British PM impressed by this.
◦Had respectful authority, people very obedient.
◦1/3 of population = under 15 yrs old.
◦By 1914, most received good education.
◦Militaristic society.
◦Stable society.
◦Very patriotic.
• Military
◦Dominated Europe w/ military power.
◦Had large/well trained/well equipped land army.
◦Had a growing navy.
◦Conscription - men age 18.
• Political system
◦Kaiser, his chief minister = Chancellor.
◦Parliament = Reichstag.
◦1890s: Reichstag + Chancellor = not very powerful.
◦Most power belonged to Kaiser.
‣ Could appoint/dismiss Chancellor + dissolve Reichstag.
Germany and WWI
• Wilhelm II = Kaiser before/during WWI (since 1888).
◦Believed in autocracy + complete authority of the Kaiser alone.
‣ Appointed ministers he knew would do what he wanted.
‣ Wanted great power the Constitution gave him.
