Germany Revision 1871-1923
Democracy- a system of government by the whole population or all eligible members of
state, typically through elected representatives
Nationalism- identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests, especially to
the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations
Dictatorship- a country governed by a dictator
3 key points to summarise Germany pre WW1- 1871-1914
- Otto von Bismarck was Chancellor of Germany
- Germany was known as Imperial Germany
- Unification had not been around for too long
Why did Germany lose the First World War?
- Weren’t prepared for a war which was so long
- Didn’t prepare for the introduction of Britain
- Their plan to end the war quickly has failed (the Schlieffen Plan)
How would you describe the ‘feeling’ in Germany at the end of 1918/beginning of 1919?
- Surprised
- Confused
- Baffled
Treaty of Versailles questions
1. What did article 231 state?
War guilt clause – Germany had to take full blame for the outbreak of WW1
2. Give 2 economic/financial impacts on Germany?
- Reparations reduced the wealth of the country extremely
- Unemployment rose
3. Who were the 3 main ‘powers’ at Versailles?
- French- George Clemenceau
- Britain- David Lloyd George
- America- Woodrow Wilson
4. Give 4 ways the Germany military was restricted
- 100,000 men in army
- No submarines
- No airplanes
- Only six battleships
5. Give 5 land/territory changes in Germany
- Germany lost all of its colonies
- Alsace- Lorraine was returned to France
, - Eupen and Malmedy was given back to Belgium
- Rhineland was demilitarized
- Poland received parts of west Prussia and Silesia
Germany post WW1
What ‘challenges’ did Germany face as it emerged from the aftermath of the First World
War?
- Unemployment
- Reparation debt
- Death and destruction (15% of men had been killed)
- Economic collapse
What was the biggest obstacle/challenge that post war Germany had to overcome?
The economic collapse was the biggest obstacle that Germany had to overcome post WW1.
This is because economic collapse had long term effects and caused other things. For
example, the country had no money, yet they still had to pay reparations. The lack of money
in Germany led to unemployment because people couldn’t afford to employ people.
Therefore, economic collapse meant that there was a huge knock on effect: unemployment
and hyperinflation.
The Weimar constitution
Constitution- the rules and principles about how a country is to be govern4ed. A
constitution typically explains the roles, rights and responsibilities of the various institutions
in a state. For example, how often should elections take place, who can vote, what power
does the parliament have
The Weimar Constitution: Roles
Reichstag
- Elected every 4 years by proportional representation. Decided on laws in Germany.
The chancellor and government needed to have the support of the Reichstag to run
the country
President
- Head of state elected every 7 years
- Had power to dissolve the Reichstag
- Had the power to appoint/dismiss the Chancellor
- Could rule using Article 48 emergency powers
The German People
- Everyone over the age of 20 could vote in elections for Reichstag, President and
local elections
Chancellor
- Leader of the government
- Appointed by President but must have support of Reichstag
Democracy- a system of government by the whole population or all eligible members of
state, typically through elected representatives
Nationalism- identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests, especially to
the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations
Dictatorship- a country governed by a dictator
3 key points to summarise Germany pre WW1- 1871-1914
- Otto von Bismarck was Chancellor of Germany
- Germany was known as Imperial Germany
- Unification had not been around for too long
Why did Germany lose the First World War?
- Weren’t prepared for a war which was so long
- Didn’t prepare for the introduction of Britain
- Their plan to end the war quickly has failed (the Schlieffen Plan)
How would you describe the ‘feeling’ in Germany at the end of 1918/beginning of 1919?
- Surprised
- Confused
- Baffled
Treaty of Versailles questions
1. What did article 231 state?
War guilt clause – Germany had to take full blame for the outbreak of WW1
2. Give 2 economic/financial impacts on Germany?
- Reparations reduced the wealth of the country extremely
- Unemployment rose
3. Who were the 3 main ‘powers’ at Versailles?
- French- George Clemenceau
- Britain- David Lloyd George
- America- Woodrow Wilson
4. Give 4 ways the Germany military was restricted
- 100,000 men in army
- No submarines
- No airplanes
- Only six battleships
5. Give 5 land/territory changes in Germany
- Germany lost all of its colonies
- Alsace- Lorraine was returned to France
, - Eupen and Malmedy was given back to Belgium
- Rhineland was demilitarized
- Poland received parts of west Prussia and Silesia
Germany post WW1
What ‘challenges’ did Germany face as it emerged from the aftermath of the First World
War?
- Unemployment
- Reparation debt
- Death and destruction (15% of men had been killed)
- Economic collapse
What was the biggest obstacle/challenge that post war Germany had to overcome?
The economic collapse was the biggest obstacle that Germany had to overcome post WW1.
This is because economic collapse had long term effects and caused other things. For
example, the country had no money, yet they still had to pay reparations. The lack of money
in Germany led to unemployment because people couldn’t afford to employ people.
Therefore, economic collapse meant that there was a huge knock on effect: unemployment
and hyperinflation.
The Weimar constitution
Constitution- the rules and principles about how a country is to be govern4ed. A
constitution typically explains the roles, rights and responsibilities of the various institutions
in a state. For example, how often should elections take place, who can vote, what power
does the parliament have
The Weimar Constitution: Roles
Reichstag
- Elected every 4 years by proportional representation. Decided on laws in Germany.
The chancellor and government needed to have the support of the Reichstag to run
the country
President
- Head of state elected every 7 years
- Had power to dissolve the Reichstag
- Had the power to appoint/dismiss the Chancellor
- Could rule using Article 48 emergency powers
The German People
- Everyone over the age of 20 could vote in elections for Reichstag, President and
local elections
Chancellor
- Leader of the government
- Appointed by President but must have support of Reichstag
