1.1: Early Chaos: 1919 - 1923 WEIMAR LEADERSHIP + CONSTITUTION POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
Weimar Constitution
W.R. BACKGROUND L C R
WW1 Faults: Proportional representation: led to frequent coalition Govts: Communism, Socialism, Liberalism, Conservatism, Nationalism
18 Govts, lasting an average of 9 months. 11 of these were minority
Govts. Wide Political Spectrum: 30 different parties, ranging from the
Germany’s Involvement: Puled in by Austria-Hungary. Wanted to extreme left to the extreme right. Average 3.5 Political Parties in Extreme Left Parties: SPD: Moderate, pro-democracy. USPD: Radical
challenge British Naval Supremacy. End 'Danger of Encirclement' + each coalition: the largest being 5. Article 48: President can overrule socialists: socialist society within a democratic framework. KPD: Anti-
Possible Territorial expansion. End possible French retaliation from the Democracy, revolutionary socialists – sought a revolution/soviet republic.
Franco-Prussian War.
Proportional Representation
Marxist Beliefs: Led by Karl Marx – wrote ‘The Communist
Plan: Schlieffen Plan – overwhelm the west, then Russia. Quick victory – Manifesto’. Believed industrial age would culminate a revolution.
Kaiser promised win by Autumn/Winter 1914. Advantages Disadvantages Believed history was a continuous struggle of social class –
It is more representative of the Leads to a greater choice of believed The Proletariat would overthrow the Bourgeoisie,
population than FPTP. political parties – complicated. creating a classless society.
Problems: War of Attrition: stalemate/resources drained. Unreliable allies
Fairer to minority parties. Extremist parties get a
– little contribution. UK, France + USA called overseas
platform/mandate.
supplies/personal/resources – USA mobilise 2m men. Led to death of KPD Beliefs: Opposed WR: Wanted a full revolution. Wants a
millions, material damage, economic hardship + political bitterness. Rarely produces a majority Rarely produces a majority
government – encourages a government – Leads to one-party communist state. Supported by 10-15% of electorate.
Economy dislocated + weakened. 1917: War becoming unpopular – vast Led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxembourg. Wanted to gain
majority supported but fearful. Suffered from naval Blockade – 1915+ greater consensus between coalitions and unstable Govts.
political parties to succeed power through strikes rather than elections.
rations. 1916-17: ‘Turnip Winter’: lack of food, only Turnips. 1917 Grain
harvest half of 1913. 212:126 in Reichstag for peace (led by SPD)
Coalitions Extreme Right Parties: DNVP. Racist Nationalism (Volkisch) + German
Workers Party. Freikorps: Paramilitary Units (200+ units). Consul
Article 231: Germany take full responsibility: ‘Diktat’ (Dictated Peace) Organisation: Political Assassinations
Advantages Disadvantages
Consequences Tempers extreme views and Weakens political party policies
Ideologies of the Right: Anti-democracy, Anti-Marxism,
policies – parties compromise as they have to compromise.
Authoritarianism, Nationalism
Better than a minority gov Dangerous for smaller parties -
Political: Majority of the Public vote SDD (left), including the which struggles to action blamed for compromising. Can
SPD, USPD and KPD (The Spartacist league). Kaiser legislation. also hold great power. THREATS FROM THE LEFT
abdicates 9th November 1918. Better representation of the Longevity is difficult
population. More than one view -deal/agreement made at the
Spartacist Revolt (4th-6th Jan 1919): Aimed to overthrow Gov in
Economic: Food + Fuel Shortages, Inflation, War in the leading govt. start difficult to maintain
Berlin: occupied buildings, encourage strikes, form a
Pensions/War Bonds, ToV.
TREATY OF VERSAILLES revolutionary committee. 3 Days fighting – 100 killed. Defeated -
Liebknecht + Luxembourg killed. Strong policy but can’t see
Social/Cultural: Social discontent and divisions. Casualties: 2m Consequences for Germany political reality. Attacked by Army + Freikorps with unrestrained
Dead, 6M wounded, 600,000 widows + 2m fatherless. Spanish force.
Flu - 20-40M impacted. Infant mortality and civilian deaths Militarily: 100,00 in army only: no tanks, aircraft or big
rose: doubled between 1916-1918. guns. Navy limited. Conscription abolished. Red Bavaria (March 1919): Kurt Eisner organises/overthrows
Bavarian Monarchy: Assassinated in Feb by Far-right nationalist.
Formation of W.R. Territorial: 10% land, 12% pop, 48% iron regions, 15% Eugen Levine takes over, proposing radical PESC changes + a
Agricultural regions. Upper Silesia to Poland: contained new communist lifestyle. Army + Freikorps crush uprising in 1
coal/steelworks. Rhineland to independent League of month: 'The White Terror': 100,00 Dead.
Made up of SPD, Centre party + DDP, led by President Ebert. Ebert
Makes Deals with Trade Unions + Industrialists – agrees Central Working Nations: a rich industrial area
Association Agreement for 8hr working day + recognition for TUs + Army The German October (Summer 1923): Rise of Left-wing
(Ebert-Groener Pact). Promised to preserve authority of army officers + Economic (Reparations): No fixed sum: a 'blank cheque'. revolutionaries in Saxony + Thuringa. KPD + SPD formed
prevent spread of revolutionary socialism in exchange for supporting the Other payments via products/resources coalitions. Communists create 'Proletarian Hundreds' defence
Govt. – used troops to maintain stability/security when faced with units. Army crushed units before revolution. Regional Gov re-
opposition. created with no KPD allowed
THREATS FROM THE RIGHT HYPERINFLATION
Reality: Territory: Alsace-Lorraine+ THE INVASION
originally OF THE
French. Danzig votesRUHR
to HYPERINFLATION: Timeline
return to Denmark. Anschluss: A/G banned from being one nation:
Vulnerabilities: SPD nicknamed ‘November criminals’ + ‘the stab in the never were originally.Invasion
War not of in the
Germany: Fought Evaluation/Judgement
Ruhr (11 th
Jan in F/R/B - only
1923)
back myth’.Kapp Putsch (13 March+ 1920): 12,000 troops (inc. Freikorps)
th
Atmosphere of unrest confusion (shadowed by the Russian right to pay for damages. F wanted Saar + Rhineland: DMZ + WW1: Govt. borrow money to pay reparations
October Revolution). Born outby
march to Berlin led of 2defeat.
disbanded Army
Limited Units.
Nature of Led by Wolfgang
Revolution League of Nations
Invasion control
of the Ruhr: was a+ concession.
French Economically:
Belgians invade G reps slowly.Small but regular uprisings - threat remained minor. Never stood a chance
after WR pay
Kapp and Gen. Luttwitz. Ebert + Govt. flee to Dresden: Army remains anindustrial
economicarea,
power.
A Large full of coal and mines. Displaced 150,000 due to 1919:
poor co-ordination, poororleadership,
Can't raise taxes concessions
reduce spending: forced+ to
repression.
print money
refuse to help. Army refuse to disband rebels – wouldn’t fight
Germans from the Ruhr into central Germany. Germans angry: unites
own men. Govt. / SPD call for general strike: city paralysed,
strikes spread nationally. Kapp flees to Sweden 4 days later. them against a common enemy. Area a DMZ and army is weak: Govt call
ToV: Allowed inflation to rise: proof they can’t pay the reparations
Weimar Constitution
W.R. BACKGROUND L C R
WW1 Faults: Proportional representation: led to frequent coalition Govts: Communism, Socialism, Liberalism, Conservatism, Nationalism
18 Govts, lasting an average of 9 months. 11 of these were minority
Govts. Wide Political Spectrum: 30 different parties, ranging from the
Germany’s Involvement: Puled in by Austria-Hungary. Wanted to extreme left to the extreme right. Average 3.5 Political Parties in Extreme Left Parties: SPD: Moderate, pro-democracy. USPD: Radical
challenge British Naval Supremacy. End 'Danger of Encirclement' + each coalition: the largest being 5. Article 48: President can overrule socialists: socialist society within a democratic framework. KPD: Anti-
Possible Territorial expansion. End possible French retaliation from the Democracy, revolutionary socialists – sought a revolution/soviet republic.
Franco-Prussian War.
Proportional Representation
Marxist Beliefs: Led by Karl Marx – wrote ‘The Communist
Plan: Schlieffen Plan – overwhelm the west, then Russia. Quick victory – Manifesto’. Believed industrial age would culminate a revolution.
Kaiser promised win by Autumn/Winter 1914. Advantages Disadvantages Believed history was a continuous struggle of social class –
It is more representative of the Leads to a greater choice of believed The Proletariat would overthrow the Bourgeoisie,
population than FPTP. political parties – complicated. creating a classless society.
Problems: War of Attrition: stalemate/resources drained. Unreliable allies
Fairer to minority parties. Extremist parties get a
– little contribution. UK, France + USA called overseas
platform/mandate.
supplies/personal/resources – USA mobilise 2m men. Led to death of KPD Beliefs: Opposed WR: Wanted a full revolution. Wants a
millions, material damage, economic hardship + political bitterness. Rarely produces a majority Rarely produces a majority
government – encourages a government – Leads to one-party communist state. Supported by 10-15% of electorate.
Economy dislocated + weakened. 1917: War becoming unpopular – vast Led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxembourg. Wanted to gain
majority supported but fearful. Suffered from naval Blockade – 1915+ greater consensus between coalitions and unstable Govts.
political parties to succeed power through strikes rather than elections.
rations. 1916-17: ‘Turnip Winter’: lack of food, only Turnips. 1917 Grain
harvest half of 1913. 212:126 in Reichstag for peace (led by SPD)
Coalitions Extreme Right Parties: DNVP. Racist Nationalism (Volkisch) + German
Workers Party. Freikorps: Paramilitary Units (200+ units). Consul
Article 231: Germany take full responsibility: ‘Diktat’ (Dictated Peace) Organisation: Political Assassinations
Advantages Disadvantages
Consequences Tempers extreme views and Weakens political party policies
Ideologies of the Right: Anti-democracy, Anti-Marxism,
policies – parties compromise as they have to compromise.
Authoritarianism, Nationalism
Better than a minority gov Dangerous for smaller parties -
Political: Majority of the Public vote SDD (left), including the which struggles to action blamed for compromising. Can
SPD, USPD and KPD (The Spartacist league). Kaiser legislation. also hold great power. THREATS FROM THE LEFT
abdicates 9th November 1918. Better representation of the Longevity is difficult
population. More than one view -deal/agreement made at the
Spartacist Revolt (4th-6th Jan 1919): Aimed to overthrow Gov in
Economic: Food + Fuel Shortages, Inflation, War in the leading govt. start difficult to maintain
Berlin: occupied buildings, encourage strikes, form a
Pensions/War Bonds, ToV.
TREATY OF VERSAILLES revolutionary committee. 3 Days fighting – 100 killed. Defeated -
Liebknecht + Luxembourg killed. Strong policy but can’t see
Social/Cultural: Social discontent and divisions. Casualties: 2m Consequences for Germany political reality. Attacked by Army + Freikorps with unrestrained
Dead, 6M wounded, 600,000 widows + 2m fatherless. Spanish force.
Flu - 20-40M impacted. Infant mortality and civilian deaths Militarily: 100,00 in army only: no tanks, aircraft or big
rose: doubled between 1916-1918. guns. Navy limited. Conscription abolished. Red Bavaria (March 1919): Kurt Eisner organises/overthrows
Bavarian Monarchy: Assassinated in Feb by Far-right nationalist.
Formation of W.R. Territorial: 10% land, 12% pop, 48% iron regions, 15% Eugen Levine takes over, proposing radical PESC changes + a
Agricultural regions. Upper Silesia to Poland: contained new communist lifestyle. Army + Freikorps crush uprising in 1
coal/steelworks. Rhineland to independent League of month: 'The White Terror': 100,00 Dead.
Made up of SPD, Centre party + DDP, led by President Ebert. Ebert
Makes Deals with Trade Unions + Industrialists – agrees Central Working Nations: a rich industrial area
Association Agreement for 8hr working day + recognition for TUs + Army The German October (Summer 1923): Rise of Left-wing
(Ebert-Groener Pact). Promised to preserve authority of army officers + Economic (Reparations): No fixed sum: a 'blank cheque'. revolutionaries in Saxony + Thuringa. KPD + SPD formed
prevent spread of revolutionary socialism in exchange for supporting the Other payments via products/resources coalitions. Communists create 'Proletarian Hundreds' defence
Govt. – used troops to maintain stability/security when faced with units. Army crushed units before revolution. Regional Gov re-
opposition. created with no KPD allowed
THREATS FROM THE RIGHT HYPERINFLATION
Reality: Territory: Alsace-Lorraine+ THE INVASION
originally OF THE
French. Danzig votesRUHR
to HYPERINFLATION: Timeline
return to Denmark. Anschluss: A/G banned from being one nation:
Vulnerabilities: SPD nicknamed ‘November criminals’ + ‘the stab in the never were originally.Invasion
War not of in the
Germany: Fought Evaluation/Judgement
Ruhr (11 th
Jan in F/R/B - only
1923)
back myth’.Kapp Putsch (13 March+ 1920): 12,000 troops (inc. Freikorps)
th
Atmosphere of unrest confusion (shadowed by the Russian right to pay for damages. F wanted Saar + Rhineland: DMZ + WW1: Govt. borrow money to pay reparations
October Revolution). Born outby
march to Berlin led of 2defeat.
disbanded Army
Limited Units.
Nature of Led by Wolfgang
Revolution League of Nations
Invasion control
of the Ruhr: was a+ concession.
French Economically:
Belgians invade G reps slowly.Small but regular uprisings - threat remained minor. Never stood a chance
after WR pay
Kapp and Gen. Luttwitz. Ebert + Govt. flee to Dresden: Army remains anindustrial
economicarea,
power.
A Large full of coal and mines. Displaced 150,000 due to 1919:
poor co-ordination, poororleadership,
Can't raise taxes concessions
reduce spending: forced+ to
repression.
print money
refuse to help. Army refuse to disband rebels – wouldn’t fight
Germans from the Ruhr into central Germany. Germans angry: unites
own men. Govt. / SPD call for general strike: city paralysed,
strikes spread nationally. Kapp flees to Sweden 4 days later. them against a common enemy. Area a DMZ and army is weak: Govt call
ToV: Allowed inflation to rise: proof they can’t pay the reparations
