Political Ideologies and Weimar Republic

A political ideology that values individual liberty, limited government, and free markets.

A political ideology that prioritizes social equality, government intervention, and collective ownership.

A political system characterized by a strong central authority, nationalism, and suppression of opposition.

A political system where the state owns and controls the means of production, aiming for equality and a classless society.

Economic system that emphasizes private ownership of the means of production, free markets, and limited government intervention.

A political party in Weimar Germany representing a range of left-wing viewpoints, including social democracy and communism.

A political party in Weimar Germany representing a range of right-wing viewpoints, including nationalism, conservatism, and anti-communism.

The Weimar Republic was a period of political instability in Germany, marked by a rise of new political parties representing diverse ideologies and competing for power.

Germany's leader during World War I, Kaiser Wilhelm II, was forced to give up his power and leave the country in 1918.

The Weimar Republic was a new government created in Germany after Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated.

The Weimar Republic's first act was to sign an armistice to end World War I, which angered many Germans who felt they had not been defeated.

The Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended World War I, was very harsh on Germany, demanding heavy reparations and territorial concessions, which further fueled public resentment toward the Weimar government.

The Weimar Republic, under the leadership of Friedrich Ebert, introduced new policies to improve the lives of Germans. These included universal suffrage granting all citizens voting rights and a new Constitution aimed at establishing a democratic system.

The Weimar Republic's Constitution used proportional representation in elections, leading to weak and unstable coalition governments that frequently had to rely on emergency powers to pass laws.

The Weimar Republic faced significant challenges in its early years, including resentment stemming from the Treaty of Versailles, economic instability, and political unrest.

The Weimar Republic's use of emergency powers weakened its legitimacy and eroded public trust, contributing to its eventual downfall.

The Treaty of Versailles, imposed on Germany after WWI, heavily restricted the size of the German military, limiting its army to 100,000 soldiers, eliminating its air force, and significantly reducing its navy. This harsh limitation led to widespread unemployment among ex-soldiers, fostering resentment and contributing to instability in the Weimar Republic.

The Freikorps was an armed right-wing group formed in Germany after WWI, composed largely of disgruntled ex-soldiers. They sought to restore the monarchy and overthrew the government in 1920 in the Kapp Putsch. Although their uprising failed, the Freikorps represented a significant threat to the Weimar Republic and its stability.

The French invasion of the Ruhr in 1923 was a direct consequence of Germany's failure to meet its reparations obligations under the Treaty of Versailles. This invasion further crippled the German economy, leading to hyperinflation and significant economic hardship for the German people.

Stresemann, appointed Chancellor in 1923, implemented several economic reforms to stabilize the Weimar Republic. He introduced a new currency, the Rentenmark, which greatly improved the situation by curbing hyperinflation. Stresemann also negotiated the Dawes and Young Plans, which reduced Germany's reparations payments to the Allies.

The Dawes Plan (1924) and the Young Plan (1929) were agreements that reduced Germany's reparations payments to the Allies. These plans provided much-needed economic relief for Germany and contributed to the stabilization of the Weimar Republic.

The Weimar Republic, despite facing many challenges, including economic hardship, political instability, and extremist threats, experienced a period of stability and economic recovery after 1923. This recovery was largely attributed to the economic reforms implemented by Chancellor Stresemann and the Dawes Plan, which provided much-needed financial relief.

A German politician who served as Chancellor in 1923, aiming to stabilize the nation, recover its reputation, and suppress extremist groups.

The German currency before the Rentenmark, suffering from extreme inflation and losing value rapidly.

Introduced in 1923, the Rentenmark was a new currency pegged to gold, replacing the hyperinflated old mark to stabilize the economy.

The Rentenbank, established in 1923, was a state-owned bank tasked with managing the transition from the old mark to the Rentenmark.

An agreement reached in 1924, the Dawes Plan aimed to aid Germany's economic recovery by providing loans and restructuring war reparations.

The Dawes Plan, by offering financial aid, helped Germany to stabilize its economy and recover from the post-war crisis.

A gold-backed currency's value is tied to the price of gold, making it more stable and trustworthy to other countries.

The Reichsbank was established in 1924 to manage the Rentenmark, controlling its value and monetary policy in Germany.

A German artistic and architectural movement that emphasized functionality, geometric shapes, and the use of modern materials.

A famous architectural design school founded by Walter Gropius in 1919 in Weimar, Germany.

An observatory in Potsdam designed by Erich Mendelsohn in a 'Bauhaus' style, featuring a rocket-like appearance.

The dramatic growth of cinema in Germany during the 1920s, leading to numerous cinemas (around 500) across the country.

A German expressionist horror film released in 1920, known for its innovative visual style and disturbing atmosphere.

A style of art that emphasized emotional expression and psychological depth, often using distorted figures and exaggerated perspectives.

The right half of Otto Dix's artwork 'Metropolis' (1927), depicting a contrasting scene compared to the left half.

A painting by George Grosz (1921) that is a powerful representation of the social and political anxieties of the Weimar Republic.

The ‘New Woman’ was seen by extremists as a threat to societal order. They believed her independence and changing roles undermined traditional values and social hierarchy.

Hitler blamed the ‘New Woman’ for unemployment because he believed women entering the workforce meant fewer jobs for men. He saw it as a disruption of traditional gender roles and blamed them for economic hardship.

Trade unions, dominated by men, feared that equality for women in the workplace would hurt male workers. They saw women as competition for jobs and believed it would lower overall wages.

"Double earners" referred to households where both the husband and wife worked. Trade unions resented this as it challenged their idea of the breadwinner role of men in the family.

Extreme left-wing parties, like the KPD, viewed government funding of culture as wasteful spending. They believed it took resources away from the working class and saw it as a frivolous expense.

Extreme right-wing parties, like the NSDAP, saw Weimar culture as damaging to traditional German values. They believed it was a sign of moral decline and a rejection of their national identity.

The ‘New Woman’ symbolized independence, self-expression, and changing gender roles in Weimar Germany. She embraced new freedoms and challenged traditional expectations for women.

The ‘Golden Age’ of Weimar refers to the flourishing of arts, culture, and creativity during the Weimar Republic. However, it faced strong opposition due to its association with modernism and liberalism.