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Period: to
1918-1945
From The Treaty Versailles being signed in 1918 it impacted Germany socially, economically and politically. From the demise of the Weimar Republic to the rise of Hitlers Nazi Party, Germany was a constantly changing country. 1945 was the mark of World War 2 starting with Hitler leading Germany into battle for revenge. -
World War 1 Ended
On the 11th of November when Germanys army collapsed and signed an armistice which ended the fighting. It was signed at le Francport which ended fighting on land, sea and air. -
Spartacist Uprising
In January 1919 in Berlin the Spartacist League and the KPD went on strike. Ebert was a left wing and moderate socialist which required more law and order than socialism. He couldn’t rely on the army and used Freikorps (ex-servicemen, hate communism, right wing) who hate socialism to stop the uprising. Many people were killed during the uprising. This showed that the German government was weak and that something new had to be put in place. -
The Treaty of Versailles
Each of the big 3 Leaders had their own viewpoints on the terms of the Treaty. Clemenceau wanted the treaty ultimately to rip Germany apart so there was no chance of them invading France again. Wilson wanted to use his 14 points to bring the best outcome while Lloyd appeared harsh on Germany to the public but secretly wanted Germany to rebuild its economy to provide Britain with goods and protect itself from the Communist government in Russia. -
The Weimar Republic
After WW1, Germany was exhausted and needed a strong government to help re-build the economy, especially with all the reparations they had to pay the Allies. Awareness of the upcoming defeat chaos spread in Germany. The abdication of the Kaiser, formal surrender to the Allies and announcement of the Weimar Republic. Strengths:
Democracy
Bill of Rights, everyone aged 20+ could vote
Elected President and Reichstag
Weakness:
Left too much power to the German States
Article 48 -
The League of Nations
League of Nations was formed, which guaranteed international peace with different countries as members to represent their worries and come up with solutions together. It was one of Wilsons 14 points that came into action. -
Hitler becomes leader of the Nazis
Hitler rose to power by his promises of hope, redemption and revenge on the Allies and to remove Germany from the economic crisis they were in. -
Hyperinflation
As prices rise due to the need for money to repay the Allies in reparations and workers soon started striking. More and more money was printed paying inactive workers, and soon the money itself became worthless. -
France occupied the Ruhr
After Germany slowly failed to pay in reparations French and Belgium soldiers invaded the Ruhr which was an important area of industrialization for Germany, setting them back economically further. -
France occupies the Rhineland
France occupied the Rhineland to give France security against any German invasion. It also served as a guarantee for reparations. -
Dawes Plan
The Dawes plan led by Charles Dawes a US banker, planned on the withdrawal from the Ruhr, re-organization of the Reichbank etc. This act was put in place because the Allies worried a weakened Germany could result in a Communist Germany. Although this plan relied on large loans from the USA. -
Stock Market Crash
After WW1 America experienced phenomenal economic growth in exporting their products to Europe who were in need to rebuild a lot of damage from the war, but soon unemployment also grew throwing many families into poverty. People also started investing a lot of their money which then became worthless. This was the start of the Great Depression Period. The Great Depression was one of the most significant reasons as to why the Weimar Republic failed, with 6 million Germans without a job in 1932. -
The Weimar system ended, and Hitler rose to power
February 28th 1933, the Weimar republic came to an end. The Weimar republic was classed as ‘12-year experiment with democracy on individuals’ (Holocaust Encyclopedia). The Weimar republic was failing to keep order within the Germany and with new ideas and hope provided with the rising Nazis came into power in January 1933 founding a dictatorship under Hitler. The Enabling Act through the Reichstag enabled Hitler to have full control. -
Germany invades the Rhineland
May 1935, France and the USSR signed a friendship treaty. Germany and Hitler opposed this and claimed it was an antagonistic move against Germany. Also, it was stressed that France could use the de-militarised area of the Rhineland to invade Germany. Hitler and the Nazis then used this as a good excuse to re-occupy the Rhineland in order to protect his country.