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Treaty of Versailles and Results for Germany
The treaty of Versailles led to many consequences for Germany. It created a larger degree of German anti-Semitic beliefs as many blamed the loss of WWI as Jew's stabbing them in the back. Additionally, accepting article 231 was a source of humiliation and hatred for German citizens as they felt the blame was unjust. Also, their were economic consequences that occurred due to the reparations payments required. The picture shows delegates at the Paris Peace conference creating Versailles treaty. -
German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II Resigns
The German Revolution of 1918 was a revolution led by liberals who were against the Kaiser and his monarchy. This included the SPD, other liberal parties, and also military mutinies. Later, on November 9th, the Kaiser abdicated and fled to live in the Netherlands in exile. This image is significant as it depicts the perspective of the press as the headline of the front page of The New York Herald reads, "Abdication of the Kaiser: Revolution in Germany". -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
After the German Revolution and the abdication of the Kaiser, the new democracy of the Weimar Republic replaced the old Imperial system. The January 1919 elections formed the initial political landscape of the republic. The president, Friedrich Ebert, signed a new constitution formed by the elected Reichstag. This image is significant as President Ebert was the first "face" or symbol of the new Weimar Republic as he was the first president of the Weimar Republic. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
The Ebert-Groener Pact was an agreement between President Ebert and General Groener. It was an "insurance policy" for the new democratic government that a paramilitary force, the Freikorps, would be loyal to them. These forces would be used to put down any type of socialist/communist revolution as the members that made up the group were mostly right-wing. This image is significant as it is of General Groener, the leader who prevented another left-wing revolution in Germany. -
Armistice ending WWI
The Armistice ending WWI was the agreement that ended land, sea, and air conflict between the Allies and Germany. It was signed on November 11, 1918, in Compiegne, France. This signifies the last day of conflict of the first World War. Germany initially sought an armistice on October 4th of that year and sent a request to President Wilson. This picture is significant because it is a depiction of the signing of the armistice that occurred in French General Foch's railway carriage. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
The Bavarian Soviet Republic was spurred by a socialist revolution in Bavaria. There was violence in the streets and the state saw a few socialist governments/leaders come into power. In May of 1919, the Weimar Republic sent in the Freikorps to put a stop to the socialist powers. Bavaria then became part of the Weimar Republic. This image is significant because it depicts one of the socialist government leaders during this revolution, Ernst Toller. -
Spartacist Revolt
The Spartacist Revolt was a declared revolution by left-wing, anti-government individuals. It consisted of protestors, rioters, and significant violence in Berlin. The Freikorps, loyal by duty to the Ebert-Groener Pact, put a stop to the revolution. This image is significant as it depicts participants of the revolt in Berlin. -
Red (Ruhr) Uprising
The Ruhr uprising was a workers revolt in the Ruhr region of Germany as a result of the Kapp Putsch issued right winged parties. This was organized by the Social Democrat party of the German government. The result of the uprising was the failure of the Kapp Putsch as they were forced to resign due to the economic strike. This was significant as it kept the Weimar government intact and aided in it's continued leadership. This image shows soldiers in the Ruhr red army. -
Kapp Putsch
The Kapp Putsch was an attempt of right winged parties to over throw the Weimar government and undo the 1918-1919 revolution. This was led by leaders Wolfgang Kapp and Walther von Lüttwitz and was also a direct result of the governments attempt to disband two Freidkorp brigades. Very little resistance was found from troops however the Ruhr uprising (workers strike) halted German economy and forced their resignation. The picture shows the right winged troops that fought. -
Rapallo Treaty
The Rapallo treaty was an agreement signed between Germany and Soviet Russia that rejected territorial claims of one another that were implemented under Brest-Litovsk. The treaty demonstrated a Germany shift towards Eastern European policy and ended it's political isolation following WWI. This also builds trade route and military cooperation between Russia and Germany for around ten years following the treaty. This image shows the singed Rapallo Treaty. -
Hyperinflation crisis
The Hyperinflation crisis was a result of a mass amount of banknotes printed during the workers strike over French occupation of the Ruhr. This event was seen as one of the largest failures of the Weimar republic as the Reichsmark continuously devalued. Bread which had cost a quarter of a Reichsmark in 1918 had cost 80 billion Reichsmarks in November of 1923. The pictures shows children playing with the money as the currency had little value. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
The "grand coalition" was used during the Weimar Republic of 1919 to 1933 to describe a coalition that comprised the SPD, the Catholic Centre Party, and the liberal groups Democratic Party, DDP, People's Party, DVP. Stresemann was the one who brought these parties back to work together in times of crisis and end hyperinflation. This fought to counter threats from the far right and far left. The image is significant; showing Brandt, Kiesinger and Schmidt ten years after their coalition. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
The French and Belgian occupation of the Ruhr occurred after Germany had disbanded it's reparation payments. This occupation of the Ruhr had resulted in an workers strike within the Ruhr to prevent the industrialization from benefitting either country. This strike lead to mass printing in money and created hyperinflation of German currency. This left Germany in economic downfall and resulted in the Dawes plan which lower reparations payments. The image shows soldiers invading the Ruhr. -
Beer Hall Putsch
This was when the Munich police and members of the Nazi party and marched into the city center at the same time. The Nazis were attempting a coup however, more than a dozen members were killed. Hitler and his supporters attempted this in hope they'd seize power over the government. Due to their failure, this made Hitler famous but for the wrong reason; the party was known for how weak they were. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
This was the introduction of a new currency in restricted amouunts and was backed by mortgage by the industrial and agricultural resources. This was made to replace the old currency since it was priceless due to the hyperinflation earlier in the year. It was supported by business men and the people of germany as it had a tied value to gold which meant it would hold its value. -
Weimar Golden Age
This was the time when Gustav Stresseman introduced his policies to improve Germany as a whole. This included greater stability, economic security and prosperity, and better living conditions. One major advancement was from the Hyperinflation crisis which put Germany at one of its lowest economically. Another person who helped alongside Stresemann was Charles Dawes when overall Germany repaired its international relations. -
Dawes Plan 1924
This was created from a US banker called Charles Dawes which created an agreement between the Allies and Germany. This allowed Germany leeway to pay its reparations that were still held from World War I. This led to an end in european crisis following the war and the Treaty of Versailles. Although, this was attacked as Hitler didnt like it since it never reduced the amount germany had to pay or how germany was controlled by foreigners and made this plan a failure. -
Election of President von Hindenburg
The initial presidential elections were held on March 29, 1925 but then redone on April 26 of 1925. Hindenburg had a large role and was known as a war hero when he retired, but then ran for president in 1925. He was up against politician Wihelm Marx and won with a close match as Hidenburg got the popular vote. -
Locarno Treaty
This was a series of establishments between Germany, France, Belgium, Great Britain and Italy stating peace across Western Europe. When Stressemann agreed to this pact this renounced all countries the use of invasion and force, unless in self defense. -
German entrance into League of Nations
In 1920, Germany wasn’t an initial member of the League of Nations. Germany wasn’t allowed to join previously because they started the war according to the Treaty of Versailles. Gustav Stresemann wanted to steer Germany into the league as it was needed for the Locarno Pact to come into operation. This was significant because it was a great honor for Germany to be considered an equal power among the First World War victors. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
In this agreement, Germany and the Soviet Union pledged neutrality in the event of an attack on the other via a third party for 5 years. Stresemann signed this and expanded the friendly relations generated at Rapallo. The image shows Germany and the USSR signing the treaty. This is significant because unlike Stresemann’s agreement with the Western powers, the treaty of Berlin gathered approval of German political parties and those on the right. -
Beginning of Great Depression
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 triggered a worldwide downturn. The recall of US loans, which led Germany's economy to collapse, led it to suffer more than any other country. Unemployment skyrocketed, poverty levels skyrocketed, and Germans were desperate. Hitler soon began the process of destroying German democracy. The image is significant because it conveys Germany’s public measures towards the global economic slump, which caused widespread unemployment, starvation, and misery. -
Young Plan
Young was a member of the Dawes committee and proposed a plan to reduce the total amount of reparations demanded for Germany. This also set up the Bank for International Settlements to handle the fund transfers and ended foreign controls. Significantly, it was an attempt by former wartime allies to support the Weimar Germany government. The image is also significant because it portrays Owen Young, an American industrialist known for his solutions to reparations issues after WWI. -
Von Papen's deal with Hitler
Von Schleicher tried to rein in the Nazis' most heinous acts of unlawful behavior. He offered Hitler the position of Chancellor in exchange for von Schleicher being in command of defense. Von Papen was sidelined as chancellor and replaced by Von Schleicher but had secret discussions with Hitler. This was significant as he offered Hitler the position of Chancellor in a government on the condition that von Schleicher be in command of defense. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Following political triumphs for the Nazi Party, Adolf Hitler was proclaimed chancellor of Germany. The election of Adolf Hitler as chancellor constituted a watershed moment for Germany and, eventually, the globe. The image shows Hitler being appointed. This was significant as his objective, which was endorsed by a large portion of the German populace, was to eliminate politics and transform Germany into a powerful, unified one-party state.