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Weimar government was the opposite of that which went before. O Adult Suffrage for all over 21 (votes). O Presidential system BUT day--to--day power is the Chancellors. O Compromise; no one agrees, no one is happy. People weren't used to it so didn't know what to do with it.
Weimar government was the opposite of that which went before. O Adult Suffrage for all over 21 (votes). O Presidential system BUT day--to--day power is the Chancellors. O Compromise; no one agrees, no one is happy. People weren't used to it so didn't know what to do with it.
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Weimar government was the opposite of that which went before. O Adult Suffrage for all over 21 (votes). O Presidential system BUT day--to--day power is the Chancellors. O Compromise; no one agrees, no one is happy. People weren't used to it so didn't know what to do with it.
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Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Скачайте в формате PDF, TXT или читайте онлайн в Scribd
• 9th
November
1918,
Kaiser
abdicated.
• Germany
was
thrown
into
a
state
of
flux
(chaos).
• 11th
November
1918,
WWI
ended.
• Many
soldiers,
sailors
and
workers
(in
different
towns
and
cities)
set
up
their
own
councils
to
govern
themselves.
• There
was
a
power
vacuum
(no
one
in
charge).
• A
new
government
needed
to
be
created
–
German
people
were
not
used
to
democracy.
• Elections
were
held.
• New
government
first
met
in
the
town
of
Weimar
as
the
capital,
Berlin
was
in
chaos.
• The
Weimar
government
was
the
opposite
of
that
which
went
before.
o Parliamentary
democracy.
o Germany
was
not
ready
for
democracy.
• Military
was
furious
that
the
war
had
ended;
fury
was
taken
out
on
the
politicians.
• Victorious
powers
accepted
Weimar
as
the
ruling
elite
of
Germany
–
foreign
recognition.
• Germany
becomes
the
most
democratic
country
in
Europe.
o Adult
Suffrage
for
all
over
21
(votes).
o Presidential
system
BUT
day-‐to-‐day
power
is
the
Chancellors.
• Proportional
representation
(coalition
government).
o Difficult
to
agree
so
perceived
to
be
a
weak
government.
o Compromise;
no
one
agrees,
no
one
is
happy.
• People
were
suddenly
given
A
LOT
of
freedom
and
people
weren’t
used
to
it
so
didn’t
know
what
to
do
with
it.
The
Armistice,
11th
November
1918
• New
republic
sent
representatives
to
sign
the
armistice.
• Germans
believed
that
the
peace
settlement
that
was
to
be
worked
out
would
be
based
on
Wilson’s
14
points.
o Gave
the
impression
that
ALL
countries
would
be
treated
the
same
way
(e.g.
all
countries
would
be
expected
to
disarm).
• When
discussions
about
the
treaty
took
place
the
Germans
were
not
allowed
to
take
part.
• Treaty
was
presented
to
the
Germans,
May
1919.
o Shocked
how
harsh
it
was.
o Leaders
were
told
there
was
no
option
but
to
sign.
• Weimar
government
was
accused
of
having
stabbed
the
German
army
in
the
back.
• Opponents
of
the
government
called
them
the
‘November
Criminals’.
Effects
of
the
Treaty
of
Versailles,
June
1919
• Germans
were
angry.
o Humiliated.
o Blamed
for
the
war
–
‘War
guilt
clause’.
Unfair,
all
major
countries
(victorious
too)
had
helped
start
the
war.
Blaming
them
(and
making
them
accept
they
were
to
blame)
would
justify
making
them
pay
reparations
(£6.6
billion).
o Armed
forces
were
reduced
(smaller
than
Belgium’s)
100,000
men;
no
tanks;
no
subs;
6
battleships;
no
aircraft;
no
troops
in
the
Rhineland.
Germany
could
not
defend
itself
if
invaded.
o Loss
of
land:
Alsace
Lorraine
→
France.
East
Prussia
and
Silesia
→
Poland.
Eupen
and
Malmédy
→
Belgium.
Lost
around
4
million
people
and
all
colonies.
Not
allowed
to
join
with
Austria
(very
similar
countries).
o Germany
was
not
allowed
to
join
League
of
Nations.
• Protests
and
demonstrations!
o German
people
wanted
to
keep
fighting
–
Generals
said
there
was
no
chance
of
victory.
o National
mourning
was
declared.
Political
Problems:
the
Constitutions
and
its
Government
• Freidrich
Ebert
–
Germany’s
political
leader
since
November
1918.
• Worked
hard
to
stop
Communists
taking
over.
• February
1919
→
Ebert
is
first
president
of
the
Weimar
Republic.
o He
was
moderate.
o Hated
by
the
left-‐wing
communists
and
right-‐wing
groups
who
wanted
the
army
to
rule.
• Weimar
Constitution
o Very
democratic
All
over
20s
allowed
to
vote
Allowed
all
political
parties
to
have
a
say
(proportional
representation
-‐
%
of
votes
gained
=
%
of
seats
in
Reichstag)
Chancellor
needed
support
of
support
of
majority
in
the
Reichstag.
Political
Instability
• Political
weaknesses:
o President
could
appoint/dismiss
Chancellor
whenever
he
wanted.
o (If
there
was
an
emergency)
President
could
suspend
democracy
and
rule
with
his
own
laws
and
backing
of
the
armed
forces.
o Proportional
representation
–
unlikely
any
1
party
would
gain
more
than
half
the
Reichstag
seats
(overall
majority).
Always
coalition,
some
parties
would
agree
to
work
together
to
gain
a
majority
when
voting.
Not
all
parties
would
agree;
not
everyone
happy;
compromise.
o In
the
Reichstag
there
were
right
wing
and
left-‐wing
parties.
Wanted
to
destroy
democracy.
Middle
(moderate)
parties
had
to
work
hard
to
protect
constitution
from
the
extreme
parties.
o Most
judges
were
right
–wing
Reluctant
to
deal
severely
with
those
with
similar
political
views
o 1919
election:
Most
support
for
moderate
parties
or
parties
willing
to
join
coalition
governments
in
Weimar.
Still
some
support
for
extreme
parties.
Challenges
to
Weimar,
1919-1923
• Little
food
after
the
war;
Germans
were
starving.
• 1918,
Germany
was
producing
just
over
half
the
food
it
had
before
the
war.
• Allied
blockade
made
it
impossible
to
import
food.
• Many
returning
soldiers
had
no
home
or
jobs.
• Winter
1918-‐1919,
many
suffered.
o Made
worse
by
Spanish
Flu;
over
half
a
million
died.
• The
Spartacists
o Communists.
o Wanted
to
copy
Russia
(1917)
with
a
communist
government.
o January
1919,
attempted
revolution
–
Berlin.
Against
Ebert’s
government.
Badly
organised.
Freikorps
are
mostly
unemployed
Rosa
Luxemburg
and
Karl
ex-‐soldiers
with
extreme
right-‐wing
Liebknecht
(leaders)
only
supported
views.
Formed
themselves
into
it
after
it
had
started.
unofficial
units
in
Germany.
• Later
were
caught
and
killed.
Uprising
was
crushed
by
the
Freikorps,
over
100
Spartacists
killed.
o Many
communist
risings
over
the
following
months;
all
stopped
by
the
Freikorps.
E.g.
Munich
• Soviet
Republic
was
declared
(like
in
Russia).
• Food
and
clothing;
taken
from
rich,
given
to
poor.
• Red
army
was
formed.
• Freikorps
entered
the
city
and
killed
over
600
communists.
• Attempted
takeovers
by
the
right
wing.
o The
Friekorps
After
armistice,
army
officers
did
not
want
to
be
demobilised;
no
home
or
jobs.
Wanted
Germany
to
be
great
again,
restore
German
pride.
Hated
Communists
and
Weimar
(for
signing
the
Treaty
of
Versailles).
Formed
themselves
into
unofficial
units
(used
weapons/uniforms
left
over
from
war).
Ebert
used
these
officers
to
defeat
the
Putsch
is
a
rebellion;
an
Spartacists.
attempt
to
seize
power.
• Gave
them
credibility
and
self-‐belief.
o The
Kapp
Putsch,
March
1920
Over
5,000
Friekorp
supporters
led
a
putsch.
Seized
control
of
the
capital;
named
Dr
Wolfgang
Kapp
as
Germany’s
new
leader.
Government
fled;
workers
strike
in
all
essential
services.
• Paralysed
the
city.
• Attempted
Putsch
failed.
Kapp
fled.
o Munich
Putsch,
November
1923
Nazi
party
attempted
to
take
over
in
Munich.
Hitler
was
in
charge.
Economic
Problems
Leading
to
Hyperinflation
• Prices
had
been
rising
during
war;
continued
to
rise
after
the
war.
• When
first
reparation
bill
was
announced
(April,
1921)
panic
took
over,
led
to
hyperinflation.
• Invasion
of
the
Ruhr.
o Reparations
first
paid
in
1921,
nothing
paid
in
1922.
o Government
argued
that
hyperinflation
was
causing
economic
chaos
and
could
not
pay
in
1923
either.
French
thought
they
were
exaggerating
the
situation
so
that
they
would
not
have
to
pay
SO…
January
1923,
French
and
Belgium
troops
invaded
the
Ruhr
(Germany’s
main
industrial
area).
Intended
on
collecting
goods
to
the
value
of
the
reparations,
Germany
was
outraged;
workers
in
the
Ruhr
went
on
strike
(‘passive
resistance’).
French
sent
in
French
workers.
Bitterness
increased
and
violence
broke
out.
Some
Germans
were
shot
for
refusing
to
work.
Over
150,000
Germans
were
removed
from
the
Ruhr.
o Strikes
in
the
Ruhr
made
material
shortages
worse,
prices
were
up.
Government
had
to
print
more
notes
to
keep
up
(tried
to
cut
down
the
number
of
notes
being
printed
by
printing
larger
numbers
on
them).
o Prices
spiralled
out
of
control.
Consequences
of
Hyperinflation
• Caused
much
suffering.
o Pensioners
or
those
living
off
savings
were
worse
hit
(income/savings
became
worthless).
o Workers
suffered
as
wage
rises
could
never
keep
up
with
prices.
Employers
had
to
pay
workers
daily
(sometimes
twice
daily).
o Landowners
were
protected
from
the
worse
effects.
o Long-‐term
losers
were
the
middle
class
with
businesses
and
savings
–
destroyed.
o Those
with
debts/loans
benefitted
–
could
pay
money
back
at
a
tiny
fraction
of
the
original
cost.
o Those
dealing
in
foreign
currencies
could
benefit.
o Rich
businessmen
were
able
to
take
over
small
companies
that
had
gone
bankrupt.
o Damaged
Weimar
Republic’s
reputation.
How
far
did
the
Weimar
Republic
recover
under
Stresemann?
The
role
of
Stresemann
as
Chancellor
then
Foreign
Minister
• Chancellor:
August
–
November
1923.
• Foreign
minister:
November
1923
–
October
1929
(died).
• Mainly
responsible
for
the
quick
recovery
of
the
economy
(late
1920s).
• Responsible
for
Germany
being
trusted
by
other
countries
in
trade
and
diplomacy.
The
recovery
of
the
Economy
• New
currency.
o September
1923,
Stresemann
called
off
passive
resistance
in
the
Ruhr;
resumed
reparation
payments.
o New
currency:
Rentenmark
(old
currency
was
scrapped).
o Government
was
becoming
more
stable
Attempted
putsch
(Munich,
led
by
Hitler)
was
defeated.
o French
and
Belgium
troops
taken
out
of
the
Ruhr
in
1924.
• The
Dawes
Plan,
1924.
o New
reparations
scheme.
o Charles
Dawes
(American
banker)
investigated
the
problems
of
German
reparations.
o Drew
up
a
plan
–
accepted
by
the
US
government.
American
loans
(800
million
marks)
were
made
available
to
Germany
(to
be
used
to
help
the
economy
recover
by
building
factories
–
more
jobs
and
wealth).
Payments
of
reparations
would
be
calculated
depending
on
what
Germany
could
afford
(first
4
years
–
smaller
amounts;
got
larger
as
the
economy
recovered).
• The
Young
Plan,
1929.
o Extended
the
time
to
pay
off
all
reparations,
had
until
1988.
o Reduced
amount
Germany
had
to
pay,
£2.2
billion.
o Nationalists
hated
both
plans;
agreeing
to
pay
reparations
meant
agreeing
they
had
caused
the
war.
o Young
Plan
was
destroyed
by
the
Wall
Street
Crash;
led
to
the
Great
Depression.
o 1932,
allies
agreed
to
cancel
reparation
payments.
Developments
in
International
Relations,
1924
–
1929
• Stresemann
restored
Germany’s
position
as
a
trusted
trading
partner
in
Europe.
• Not
al
Germans
wanted
to
follow
his
policy
of
cooperation;
too
much
bitterness
in
the
country.
• Stresemann
got
support
from
Western
European
countries;
afraid
that
otherwise
Germany
might
join
with
the
USSR
(communists!).
o Germany
had
already
made
friends
with
USSR
Had
secretly
signed
a
treaty
(1922)
meaning
Germany
could
build
factories
in
Russia
(airplanes,
tanks
and
poison
gas).
• All
of
this
was
forbidden
in
the
Treaty
of
Versailles.
• Locarno
Treaties,
1925.
o Signed
by
Germany,
France,
Belgium,
Britain
and
France
o Agreed
to
accept
the
boundaries
of
Western
Europe
as
set
out
in
the
Treaty
of
Versailles.
o Meant
the
French
could
not
invade
the
Ruhr
again
IN
RETURN…
o Germany
agreed
the
Rhineland
would
stay
demilitarised.
o Germany
and
France
both
agreed
future
disputes
would
be
resolved
through
the
League
of
Nations.
• League
of
Nations,
1926.
o Stresemann
persuaded
the
League
that
Germany
should
be
allowed
to
join
in
1926.
o Germany
was
given
a
seat
as
a
permanent
member
of
the
council.
o League
was
no
longer
seen
as
a
club
protecting
the
interests
of
only
victorious
countries.
• Kellogg-‐Brand
Pact,
1928.
o Over
60
countries
(including
Germany)
agreed
to
not
use
war
against
each
other
in
the
future.
o Memories
of
war
were
still
fresh.
o Peak
of
idealism
in
international
relations
(1920s).
o Nothing
was
said
about
what
would
happen
if
a
country
did
not
stick
to
the
agreement.
The
Extent
of
Recovery
in
the
Late
1920s
• Politically:
seemed
stable.
o Reichstag
elections,
extreme
parties
(communists
&
Nazis)
had
less
support
than
mainstream
parties.
o Coalition
government
(focused
on
the
Social
Democrat
party)
seemed
to
have
the
confidence
of
most
German
people.
• Economy:
seemed
to
be
recovering.
o 1928,
industrial
production
was
greater
than
before
the
war,
o World
leader
as
an
exporter
of
manufactured
goods.
• Weimar
Germany
was
very
successful
in
cultural
activities.
o Strict
censorships
from
pre-‐war
Germany
were
removed.
o Berlin
rivalled
Paris
as
cultural
capital.
o Germans
led
the
way
in
innovative
painting,
architecture
and
design.
Bauhaus
movement,
bold
designs/unusual
materials
o Also
became
the
centre
for
new
plays
and
operas.
• Were
some
underlying
problems:
o Still
political
opponents
of
Weimar.
o Many
wanted
to
be
ruled
by
the
Kaiser.
Shown
in
1925;
president
Ebert
died;
Hindenburg
(critical
of
the
new
democracy)
took
his
place.
Greeted
by
cheering
and
black,
white
and
red
flags
(colours
of
old
empire).
o Support
for
communism
increased
(Nazis
got
more
votes
in
elections).
o Economy
relied
on
American
loans
(could
be
withdrawn
at
any
time).
Had
to
be
repaid!
o More
imports
than
exports
(trading
at
a
loss).
o A
lot
of
unemployed.
o Food
prices
fell
(1927)
farmers’
income
reduced
and
debts
increased.
o Culturally,
many
criticised
the
artistic
developments
(decadent,
unpatriotic).
o Berlin,
famous
for
transvestite
parties.
o Perceived
decline
in
moral
standards
(cabaret
shows,
nightclubs)
o Seen
by
some
Germans
as
corrupt
and
sex
obsessed.
How
far
did
the
Nazi
Party
develop
its
ideas
and
organisation
(up
to
1929)?
Life
and
Early
Career
of
Hitler
1889
Born
in
Austria
1907
Lived
in
Vienna;
tried
to
earn
a
living
as
an
artist.
Picked
up
ideas
such
as
hatred
of
Jews.
1914
Join
the
army
in
Munich;
won
medals
for
bravery.
1918
Badly
gassed;
in
hospital
when
armistice
was
signed.
Blamed
defeat
on
the
Communists
and
Jews
(stabbed
Germany
in
the
back).
1919
Still
in
the
army.
Joined
a
small
extreme
nationalist
group
(German
Workers’
Party,
founded
by
Anton
Drexler).
1920
Helped
to
draft
party’s
programme.
Renamed,
National
Socialist
German
Workers’
Party
(Nazi).
1921
Became
leader
of
Nazi
Party.
Founded
the
SA
to
intimidate
opposing
groups.
SA
(storm
troopers).
Some
former
members
of
Early
development
of
Nazi
Party
Freikorps.
Wore
Brown.
• Hitler
was
convinced
he
could
take
power.
Led
by
Ernst
Röhm.
• Used
the
SA
to
break
up
opposing
party
meetings.
Members
swore
total
Encouraged
violence
in
the
streets.
obedience
to
Nazis.
• Weimar’s
reputation
was
damaged
by
hyperinflation
and
the
invasion
of
the
Ruhr.
• Hitler
wanted
to
copy
Mussolini’s
success
(leader
with
similar
policies
–
had
taken
control
of
Italy,
1922)
• Designed
the
Nazi
flag.
• Gained
control
of
‘The
People’s
Observer’,
allowed
them
to
spread
propaganda.
• Munich
Putsch,
8th
November1923
o Munich,
meeting
in
a
beer
hall
(led
by
Gustav
Von
Kahr
–
head
of
the
government
for
Bavaria).
o Nazi
demonstration
broke
out.
o SA
surrounded
the
hall.
o Hitler
said
he
was
taking
over
Bavaria;
would
next
march
to
Berlin.
Kahr
(when
at
gunpoint)
agreed
to
support
him.
o Consequences
9th
November,
Hitler
(and
war-‐hero
General
Ludendorff)
and
about
3000
supporters
marched
into
Munich.
Stopped
in
a
narrow
street
by
100
armed
police
(had
been
called
by
Kahr
to
stop
the
march).
1
shot
was
fired,
police
opened
fire.
16
Nazis
killed.
3
policemen
killed.
Hitler
fled.
Hitler,
Ludendorff
and
Röhm
arrested;
put
on
trial
for
treason
(February
1924).
Hitler
used
courtroom
as
propaganda.
• Newspapers
all
reported
the
case;
readers
were
impressed
with
Hitler’s
nationalist
arguments.
Only
given
a
five
year
sentence
(Landsberg
Castle
–
luxury).
• Couldn’t
be
harsh
on
Hitler;
would
have
to
be
just
as
harsh
on
General
Ludendorff
(no
one
would
want
to
see
a
war-‐ hero
put
into
prison).
• Only
served
9
months
of
his
sentence.
• When
in
prison,
realised
he
needed
to
win
power
legally
(elections)
and
not
take
it
by
force.
• Mein
Kampf
(‘My
Struggle’)
o Hitler’s
autobiography,
written
in
prison.
o Selective
account
of
his
life
so
far.
o Set
out
his
main
political
ideas.
Germans
are
a
superior
race.
Dictatorship
is
essential
to
build
up
the
strength
of
Germany.
Communism
must
be
destroyed.
Germany’s
natural
allies
and
Britain
and
Italy.
Decline
in
Nazi
Support
During
the
Stresemann
Years:
Consolidation
of
Nazi
Organisation
in
Late
1920s
• Nazis
had
lost
a
lot
of
credibility.
• Party
didn’t
do
well
in
elections
during
Stresemann
years.
• Local
branches
set
up
around
Germany.
o Nationwide
party.
o Support
from
workers,
farmers
and
craft
groups.
o Still
tried
to
appeal
to
workers.
o Unhappy
workers
supported
communism.
o Happy
workers
continued
to
support
the
Weimar
Republic.
o Gained
a
lot
of
support
from
peasants.
Weren’t
sharing
the
obvious
success
from
the
cities.
Promised
to
help
farming.
Praised
traditional
lifestyle
of
peasants.
o Gained
support
from
conservatives
by
condemning
(as
sinful)
the
Weimar
Republic’s
achievements
in
film,
art,
literature
and
music.
o Late
1920s,
SA
was
enlarged.
o SS
was
created.
• Joseph
Goebbels:
in
charge
of
propaganda.
SS
a
group
formed
in
1925
as
a
personal
guard
unit
for
Hitler.