The Weimar Republic, 1918-29

The Weimar Republic, 1918-29

9th November 1918 - Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates

10th November 1918 - Kaiser flees to Holland

11th November 1918 - The armistice was signed

Dolchstoss - 'stab in the back' theory

November Criminals - leaders of the republic which signed the Treaty of Versailles

Weimar Constitution

Electorate:

• Consisted of all men and women of 21 years old and over

Parliament:

• Made up of two houses; the Reichstag and the Reichsrat
• Normally, all laws had to pass through both houses
• Proportional representation

Reichstag:

• More powerful of the two houses
• Controlled taxation
• Directly elected by the people at least once every four years

Reichsrat:

• Also elected every four years
• Represented the regions of Germany
• Each region sent a certain number of representatives depending on its size

Chancellor:

• Head of the government
• Chose all goverment ministers

Cabinet:

• Main decision making body of the government

President:

• Head of the Weimar Republic 
• Elected by the people every seven years
• Had some important political powers, like choosing the chancellor
• Could suspend the constitution and pass laws by decree (Article 48)

Strengths:

• Proportional representation made sure small pasties has a fair share of seats
• Women were also able to vote
• Voting age reduced to 21
• No one group could have too much power
• New president every seven years

Weaknesses:

• Proportional representation led to coalition governments that were unstable
• Lack of strong government led to weakness in crisis
• Wasn't was people wanted so they were unpopular

Challenges:

• Spartacists Revolt, 1919
  • Led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht
  • Left Wing
  • Put down by the Freikorps
• Kapp Putsch, 1920
  
  • Led by Dr Wolfgang Kapp
  • Right Wing
  • Freikorps were unable to stop this

Hyperinflation crisis, 1923

• Due to the government printing too much money
• Value of the money became worthless
• Price of goods spectacularly increased

Negatives:

• People couldn't afford essentials
• Wages rose, but not as quickly as prices
• Businesses went bankrupt
• Pensioners suffered the most
• Savings became worthless
• People blamed the Weimar government

Positives:

• Farmers benefitted the most as they were paid more for food
• Some people and businesses could pay…