Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which leader advocated for the establishment of the League of Nations and disarmament?
What was a significant consequence of the political violence in Germany between 1919 and 1922?
What was the main composition of the Freikorps?
Who were the leaders of the Spartacist Uprising?
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What theory did the Freikorps support that blamed Germany's defeat in World War I?
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What was the primary aim of Kapp during the Kapp Putsch?
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What triggered the Kapp Putsch?
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What was Germany's response to the occupation of the Ruhr by French and Belgian troops?
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Which of the following statements best describes the Chancellor's role?
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What does the term 'Dolchstoss' refer to in the context of post-World War I Germany?
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What was one power granted to the President under Article 48?
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How many members were in the Reichstag in 1933?
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What was one restriction placed on the German army by the Treaty of Versailles?
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What was the function of the Reichstrat?
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What does Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles refer to?
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What was one cause of hyperinflation between 1910 and 1923?
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Which event directly contributed to the increase in money printing during the hyperinflation period?
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What was one consequence of hyperinflation in Germany?
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What term refers to the Weimar government's exploitation of Article 48?
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How much did 10 million Marks worth in 1919 compare to 200,000 billion Marks in 1923?
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What was the primary cause of hyperinflation in Germany during the early 1920s?
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What was the main consequence of hyperinflation for the German middle class?
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What action did Gustav Stresemann take in August 1923 as Chancellor of Germany?
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What new currency was introduced in October 1923 to help stabilize the German economy?
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What was the outcome of the Munich Putsch attempted by Hitler's Nazi Party in November 1923?
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Study Notes
The Weimar Republic (1919-1933)
- The Weimar Republic was established after the defeat of Germany in World War I.
- It was a democratic government with a parliamentary system.
- The republic faced many challenges, including economic instability, political violence, and a sense of national humiliation.
Key Institutions
- Reichstag: The German Parliament, composed of 647 members elected every 4 years.
- Reichsrat: A council of representatives from the 18 German states that could not make laws but could approve those proposed by the Chancellor and Reichstag.
- President: The head of state, elected for 7 years, responsible for daily politics, the army, and appointing the Chancellor.
- Chancellor: The head of government, responsible for choosing cabinet ministers, leading the Reichstag, and making important decisions.
Treaty of Versailles (1919)
- Land: Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France, and the Polish Corridor was created, dividing Germany.
- Army: Germany was limited to a 100,000-strong army with no tanks, airplanes, or submarines, allowed only 6 battleships.
- Money: The Rhineland was demilitarized, and Germany had to pay £6.6 billion in reparations.
- Blame: The War Guilt Clause (Article 231) forced Germany to accept full blame for the war.
The "Stab in the Back" Theory
- The German public blamed the government for the Treaty of Versailles, believing it was a betrayal.
- They believed the government signed the treaty, and that the army did not lose the war due to military defeat.
- This perception sowed seeds of discontent and contributed to the rise of right-wing extremism.
Violence in Politics
- Political parties maintained private armies, recruiting ex-soldiers, to protect themselves.
- This led to violence in politics, including assassinations.
- Between 1919 and 1922, 376 political murders occurred, targeting left-wing and moderate politicians.
Right-wing Groups
- Freikorps: A paramilitary group made up of demobilised soldiers, supporting the "stab in the back" theory.
- They were nationalist and numbered around 250,000 by March 1919.
Left-wing Groups
- Spartacist Uprising (1919): A rebellion led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, who were killed during the uprising.
- The Spartacists aimed to establish a communist government.
- They were ultimately defeated by the army and the Freikorps.
Political Crises
- Kapp Putsch (1920): A failed right-wing coup led by Wolfgang Kapp, aiming to seize control of Berlin.
- The Putsch was defeated by a general strike called by workers.
Hyperinflation (1923)
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Causes:
- Government printed excessive amounts of money to finance wartime shortages and pay for passive resistance during the Ruhr occupation.
- The invasion of the Ruhr led to strikes, further exacerbating the situation.
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Consequences:
- Savings and pensions became worthless.
- Prices skyrocketed, making life difficult for the middle class.
- Widespread economic and social distress strengthened support for extreme political parties.
The Ruhr Occupation (1923)
- Germany struggled to make reparation payments.
- French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr industrial region, a vital economic area.
- Germans responded with passive resistance, but the occupation further damaged the German economy.
The Munich Putsch (1923)
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Background:
- Right-wing extremists opposed Chancellor Gustav Stresemann's decision to end passive resistance in the Ruhr.
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Events:
- Hitler's Nazi Party attempted a revolution in Munich, aiming to seize power.
- The uprising was quickly suppressed by the Bavarian and Reich government forces.
Responses to the Crisis
- August 1923: Gustav Stresemann took office as Chancellor.
- October 1923: Germany introduced the Rentenmark to stabilize the economy.
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April 1924:
- The Dawes Plan provided Germany with a loan and restructured reparations payments.
- The German government agreed to pay reparations and the German economy started to recover.
- The military: The army successfully intervened to prevent the Munich Putsch and secure the stability of the government.
TROPICAL (Acronym)
- Treaty of Versailles
- Right-wing Uprising (Kapp Putsch)
- Occupation of the Ruhr
- Proportional Representation
- Irrational use of Article 48
- Continuing to print money → hyperinflation
- Attempted Munich Putsch
- Left-wing Spartacist uprising
The "November Criminals"
- The government that signed the armistice in 1918 was perceived as a betrayal.
- The term "November Criminals" reflected the public's anger and resentment at the government for signing the treaty, believing that the government had betrayed them.
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Description
Explore the key features and institutions of the Weimar Republic established after World War I. This quiz covers the political structure, major challenges faced, and the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany. Test your knowledge on this significant period in German history.
