IGCSE History Revision Site: Germany, Development of Dictatorship

The Weimar Republic Germany went into the Great War in September 1914 1918: Germanys enemies, the Allies (Britain, France, Russia, USA) still undefeated March 1918 Germanys spring offense on Paris July 1918 Allies counter attacked and drove Germans back Morale among the troops was very low defeat was near War caused hardships and social inequities Allied navies blocked the German coast prevented the imports of basic supplies linked to food shortages - leads to great suffering and military failure causes sense of hopelessness August 1918 public hardships wit deadly influenza infection spreading over Europe Russian Revolution (February 1917) caused discontent in Germany wanted the same revolution in overthrowing the Kaiser November 1918 demanding change the Kaiser abdicates 29 October, German sailors mutiny spread to base at Kiel 4 November more soldier mutinies all across Germany government breaking down 7 November worker strikes in Bavaria against the capital Munich 9 November Kaiser Wilhelm agrees to abdicate fled to Holland Social Democratic Party, Germanys larges political party in 1918 starts a new government New government was able to agree an armistice: The Treaty of Versailles The Treaty of Versailles stated that Germany had to withdraw from all land won in the war, put troops back into borders, put navy under Allied control Armed groups with extreme political views clashed Ebert began to take control by introducing slow, careful changes. February 1919 a new constitution was created The Weimar Republic Strengths of the Weimar Republic Germany became more democratic: general elections every 4 years. System of checks and balances limited power no single group or person had complete power

 Local government was run by the 18 regions of Germany kept local parliaments Central government president and chancellor given more power than before Reichstag dominant house of the new parliament controlled taxation Members elected every four years All men and women over 20 could vote using a secret ballot Proportional Representation number of Reichstag seats which political parties were given depended on the percentage of votes they gained. Reichsrat other house of German parliament A number of members were sent by each local region according to its size Reichsrat could delay new laws unless overruled by a two thirds majority of the Reichstag. Chancellor Chancellor chose ministers and ran the country Pass laws need majority support from the Reichstag President head of state Took no part in day to day government Chose the chancellor Could dismiss the Reichstag, call new elections, assume control of the army Article 48 president could suspend the constitution and pass laws by decree Friedrich Ebert elected by the Assembly as the first president Promised that there wouldnt be nationalization of industries Ensured the support of trade unions by giving them a maximum eight hour working day Coalitions to get majority support, the chancellors a coalition of several large parties difficult to make a stable government Germans felt that the Weimar Republic was very weak Treaty of Versailles: Reparations to the Allies eventually fixed, by 1921, it was 6600 million Germany lost all its colonies 11 German colonies in Africa were given to victorious countries Germany military forces cut the navy and army were limited, no air force was allowed. The Rhineland was demilitarized Germany lost land lost many of its industrial areas and population Stab in the Back Myth the Germans called the new government the November Criminals for accepting the terms of the Treaty of Versailles The Germans thought they were stabbed in the back by the Weimar Republic they lost immense amounts of support Economic Depression Bankruptcy: reserves of gold had been spent in the war

 Treaty of Versailles deprived Germany of wealth earning areas Could no longer pay reparations after 1923 due to having no more gold Occupation of the Ruhr: Raw materials, manufactured goods, industrial the French confiscated all machinery. The Germans lost their main industrial area. Inflation: shortage when price of things go up Germany had hyperinflation because they kept on printing money prices rose way over affordable Affected everyone mainly people with savings and the poor September 1923 Gustav Stresemann appointed November 1923 Stresemann cancelled the old mark and created the Rentenmark led to a period of stability All suffering was blamed on the Weimar Republic Political Problems: Political unrests from both right wing and left wing Sparacists extreme left wing group planned a revolt in 1919 (January) attempted to take over all of Germanys regions failed an crushed by the Freikorps Freikorps demobilized soldiers anti communists Kapp Putsch right wing revolt led by Wolfgang Kapp, wanted Kaiser to come back into control The Dawes Plan, 1924 April 1924 new agreement with the Allies