Summary Lesson

1. Summary Lesson Weimar Germany 1919-1929

2. Key Questions Assess the reasons for the collapse of the Second Reich. How flawed was the Weimar Constitution? Explain your answer. Assess the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany in the 1920s. ‘Reparations were the main cause of the hyper-inflation of 1923.’ How far do you agree with this view? Explain your answer. Assess the reasons why the Weimar Republic faced so many problems in the early 1920s. How successfully did the Weimar Republic overcome its post-war problems during the 1920s? Explain your answer. Assess the reasons why Weimar Germany was stable during the years 1924-28.

3. The German RevolutionHow fundamental were the changes brought about by the German Revolution? • Birth of the Republic • Mutiny & Revolts • Abdication of Kaiser • Failure of October Reform – constitutional changes • Left Wing Movement - disunited • Spartacist Uprising (LEFT) • USPD – resigned, changes not made • SPD – move farther to RIGHTS • Ebert’s Leadership • Coalition government faced many problems • Ebert-Groener – military support of new government/oppose revolutionary socialism • Stinnes-Legien – trade unions stay out of private ownership and free market • Early Problems • Socio-economic • Left-wing opposition • Right-wing opposition • Military

4. The Weimar ConstitutionWas the Weimar Constitution fatally flawed? • Political Structure • President • Chancellor • Supreme Court • Reichstag • Reichsrat • German People • Rights & Duties • Features • Elections • Appointments • Article 48 • Proportional Representation • Coalitions • Plebiscites • Traditional Institutions

5. The Treaty of VersaillesDid the Treaty of Versailles fundamentally weaken Weimar Germany? • Territorial Arrangements • War Guilt • Reparations • Disarmament • Maintaining Peace

6. Political ThreatsWhat was the greatest threat to Weimar democracy? • SpartacistUprising • January 1919 • Occupied public buildings • Called for general strike • Formed revolutionary committee • 3 days of street fighting – over 100 killed • DEFEAT! • Liebknecht and Luxembourg murdered while in custody • Government backed by Freikorps and army

7. Political ThreatsWhat was the greatest threat to Weimar democracy? • Kapp Putsch • Unease among the Freikorps due to reduction in forces • Kapp exploited anger of troops • 12,000 marched on Berlin and seized buildings of capital • Relatively unopposed • Installed new government • Army did not become involved with either side • Government called a general strike – paralysed capital • Kapp and government fled the city

8. Political ThreatsWhat was the greatest threat to Weimar democracy? • Munich Beer Hall Putsch • Hitler and Nazis took control of a rally • Declared ‘national revolution’ • Kahr & Lossow agree to proceed, but lose their nerve • Nazis attempt to take Munich with little support • Bavarian police crush the putsch • 14 Nazis killed, and Hitler is arrested on charges of treason • Raises issues over effectiveness of judiciary

9. Invasion of the RuhrHow serious a threat was the invasion of the Ruhr to Germany in 1923? • Ruhr Occupation • Reparation Commission declares Germany in default on deliveries of timber and coal • French and Belgians occupy the Ruhr (British oppose) • Unites German nation behind government • Reparation payments suspended • Workers go on strike • Short term – successful • Long term – enormous strain on economy  hyperinflation

10. The Great Inflation – HyperinflationWhy did Germany suffer hyperinflation? • Long term • Sold war bonds instead of raising taxes • Massive national debt • Full employment – war economy – high prices • Medium term • Deficit financing • Reduced taxation to give people money to spend • Increase demand for goods  create work • Allows inflation to continue • Short term • Ruhr Occupation • Passive resistance  strike • No taxes or income, has to import fuel • Prints money to make payments

11. The Great Inflation – HyperinflationWho were the winners and losers of hyperinflation?

12. The Great Inflation – HyperinflationIn what other ways did the Great Inflation affect people’s lives? • Poor health • Decline in law and order • Increase in crime • Decline in morality • Growth in suicides • Increase in prejudice – tendency to find scapegoats • Loss of some old values • Increases tension • Lack of confidence in ability of Weimar to maintain social stability • Causes psychological damage

13. Stresemann’s 100 DaysHow did the Weimar Republic survive the crisis of 1923? • Led a coalition of DVP, DDP, ZP, and SPD • Called off passive resistance • Cut government expenditure and jobs • Appointed Hjalmar Schacht • Introduced Rentenmark – new currecy • Convinced Allies to consider Germany’s economic plight

14. Stresemann’s 100 DaysWhy didn’t the Weimar Republic collapse before Stresemann took over? • Popular anger directed toward French and Allies, not the Weimar Republic • Despite inflation, workers didn’t suffer as much as they will later • Employers show less hostility toward Republic • Some businessmen do very well, so are tolerant • Distress and disillusionment, but hostility not yet unbearable • No obvious political alternative • Extreme left – suffered from divisions and suppression; not enough support to overthrow Weimar • Extreme right – divided with no clear plans; Kapp Putsch a warning of the dangers of taking hasty action

15. Stresemann as Foreign MinisterWhat were Stresemann’s aims and objectives? • Dawes Plan • Rentenmark • Reichsbank established • International loan of 800 million gold marks (USA) • Fixed scale over long period • Locarno Pact • International security pact for western frontiers • Renounce use of force • Demilitarisation of Rhineland – permanent • Arbitration treaties – G/P/C – settle dispute peacefully • Kellogg-Briand Pact • Outlawed war as an instrument of national policy • Treaty of Berlin • Russo-German friendship • Needs understanding with East and West • Reduced strategic fears • Young Plan • Revised reparations payments • Agree to pay until 1988, total sum reduced to 25% of 1921 demands

16. The Golden Years, 1924-1928What were the strengths and weaknesses of the German economy? • Strengths • Heavy industry recovers • By 1928 – production equals that of 1913 • Efficient production • Increased investment • Foreign banks attracted by high interest rates • Growing number of cartels • Exports rise to 40%, 1925-1929 • Hourly wages rise every year, 1924-1930 • Weaknesses • Uneven economic growth • 1926 – production declines • Overseas – imports greater than exports • Unemployment never below 1.3 million • Unemployed workers averaged 1.9 million in 1929 • Grain production – ¾ of 1913 • Farmers in debt, falling incomes

17. Social Welfare • Improvements in social welfare • Generous pensions & sickness benefits • Compulsory unemployment insurance covering 17 million workers • State subsidies for parks, schools, sports facilities, and council housing • Increasing number of cars • Growth of cinema industry

18. Fundamental Economic ProblemsWas the Weimar economy fundamentally weak? • World economic conditions • World trade low • Protective tariffs • Loss of valuable resources • Fall in world prices • Government aid only partial help • Spending power reduced – fall in demand • Changing balance of population • More school leavers – high pre-war birth rate • Available work force increased – always an increase in unemployment • Savings and investment discouraged • Money lost in the Great inflation • Less enthusiasm to invest • Economy relies on foreign investors • Economic well-being reliant on foreign investment • Government finances raised concern • Balanced the budget in 1924 • From 1925, continually in debt • Spending increased to double the pre-war figure • Difficult to encourage domestic savings • Had to rely on international loans

19. Political StabilityDid election results of 1924-8 reflect optimism about the Weimar Republic? • Extremist parties lost ground • Sympathetic parties maintained share • SPD made significant gains • Grand Coalition • SPD, DDP, DVP, and Centre – support from 60% of Reichstag • Difficulty creating and maintaining coalitions • Party interest before those of government • Lasting political stability unlikely • Reason for length of governments • Failure of opposition parties to unite

20. Weimar CultureWhy were the 1920s a culturally rich period? • New Functionalism – show reality & objectivity • Art – ordinary people in everyday life • Architecture & Design – functional, art & technology • Literature – traditional/social issues/workers • Theatre – Theatre of the Time – banners, slogans, slides • Mass Culture • Film – most advanced, high quality work • Radio – one in four Germans own a radio • Cabaret – comedy/jazz/women dancers & wrestlers

21. Germany in 1929What was the situation in Germany in 1929? • Unstable Economy • Unstable foundations • False idea of prosperity • Problems hidden by reliance on foreign credit • Tied up with powerful forces – no control • Divided Society • Class/regional/religious differences • Bitterness/fear/resentment – workers and employers • Political Division • Ideals of Constitution undeveloped • Could not work together and compromise • Failure to establish shared political outlook • Foreign Affairs • Fellow countrymen rejected Stresemann’s policy • Pressed for more hardline approach