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THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC AND THE RISE OF THE NAZIS
The impact of the WW1 on Germany was devastating. The treaty of
Versailles = Germanys problems got even worse.
The Impact of the WW1
1914- Germans were proud people. The Kaiser was celebrated for
his achievements and the army was probably the finest in the
World.
The country felt very optimistic (positive) about the power and
strength of Germany.
After the war, the proud German army was defeated.
The German people were surviving on turnips and bread. The flour
for the bread was mixed with sawdust to make it go further. A flu
epidemic raged across the country, thousands of people died because there were already weak
from the rations.
The birth of the Weimar Republic
In autumn of 1918 the allies had clearly won the war. Germany was in a
state of chaos.
The allies offered Germany peace but with strict conditions.
One condition = Germany become more democratic. When Kaiser refused,
sailors in Northern Germany Mutinied (rebelled) and took over town of Kiel.
This triggered other revolts.
Kaisers old enemies, (the Socialists) led uprisings of workers and soldiers in
other German ports and soon other German cities followed.
On 9 November 1918 the Kaiser abdicated (abondoned) his throne and left
Germany for the Netherlands.
The following day Socialist leader, Frederich Ebert, became new leader of
Republic of Germany. He immediately signed an armistice with the allies. The
war was over. He also announced to the new Republic that he was giving them:
freedom of Speech,
freedom of worship and
better working conditions.
And a new constitution was drawn up.
The success of the new government depended on the acceptance of the German people to this
new instant change (from traditional autocratic German government to new Democratic system)
The reaction of politicians in Germany was unenthusiastic. Ebert had opposition from both right and
left wings.
Right wing = all Kaisers former advisors remained in their positions in the army, judiciary, civil service
and industry. They restricted what the new government can do.
Many still hoped for a return to rule by the Kaiser. A powerful myth developed that men such as
Ebert had „stabbed Germany in the back‟ and caused the defeat in the war.
Left wing= Were many communists who believed at this stage what Germany actually needed was
a communist revolution.
January 1919 free elections took place for the first time in Germany‟s history. Ebert‟s party won a
majority and he became the President of the Weimar Republic. It was called this because the new
government met in the small town of Weimar, rather than in the German capital of Berlin. Even in
February 1919, Berlin was thought to be too violent and unstable.
THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC AND THE RISE OF THE NAZIS
The impact of the WW1 on Germany was devastating. The treaty of
Versailles = Germanys problems got even worse.
The Impact of the WW1
1914- Germans were proud people. The Kaiser was celebrated for
his achievements and the army was probably the finest in the
World.
The country felt very optimistic (positive) about the power and
strength of Germany.
After the war, the proud German army was defeated.
The German people were surviving on turnips and bread. The flour
for the bread was mixed with sawdust to make it go further. A flu
epidemic raged across the country, thousands of people died because there were already weak
from the rations.
The birth of the Weimar Republic
In autumn of 1918 the allies had clearly won the war. Germany was in a
state of chaos.
The allies offered Germany peace but with strict conditions.
One condition = Germany become more democratic. When Kaiser refused,
sailors in Northern Germany Mutinied (rebelled) and took over town of Kiel.
This triggered other revolts.
Kaisers old enemies, (the Socialists) led uprisings of workers and soldiers in
other German ports and soon other German cities followed.
On 9 November 1918 the Kaiser abdicated (abondoned) his throne and left
Germany for the Netherlands.
The following day Socialist leader, Frederich Ebert, became new leader of
Republic of Germany. He immediately signed an armistice with the allies. The
war was over. He also announced to the new Republic that he was giving them:
freedom of Speech,
freedom of worship and
better working conditions.
And a new constitution was drawn up.
The success of the new government depended on the acceptance of the German people to this
new instant change (from traditional autocratic German government to new Democratic system)
The reaction of politicians in Germany was unenthusiastic. Ebert had opposition from both right and
left wings.
Right wing = all Kaisers former advisors remained in their positions in the army, judiciary, civil service
and industry. They restricted what the new government can do.
Many still hoped for a return to rule by the Kaiser. A powerful myth developed that men such as
Ebert had „stabbed Germany in the back‟ and caused the defeat in the war.
Left wing= Were many communists who believed at this stage what Germany actually needed was
a communist revolution.
January 1919 free elections took place for the first time in Germany‟s history. Ebert‟s party won a
majority and he became the President of the Weimar Republic. It was called this because the new
government met in the small town of Weimar, rather than in the German capital of Berlin. Even in
February 1919, Berlin was thought to be too violent and unstable.
