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German Revolution of 1918 & Kaiser Wilhelm II Resigns
U.S. newspaper released after Kaiser Wilhelm II's abdication, caused by German Revolution after the public is disillusioned to the harsh military and political conditions of WWI. -
Formation of the Weimar Republic/Constitution
Arms of the assembly which appointed Friedrich Ebert (SPD) President of Germany's Weimar Republic. Ultrademocratic Weimar Constitution signed August 11th, 1919 (including policies like proportional representation, universal suffrage age 20+, Article 48). -
Ebert-Groener Pact
Image of the Reichswehr, Germany's military. Army's loyalty necessary for Weimar survival --> agreement between Ebert and right-wing General Groener promising to keep conservative officers in power for protection from leftist uprising. -
Armistice Ending WWI
Image of what came to be known as Armistice Day, the end of Germany's fight in WWI after the SPD government reached armistice with the Allied nations expecting terms to be negotiated alike Wilson's 14 Points. -
Spartacist Revolt
Image of the disorganized demonstrations comprising the Spartacist Challenge against the democratic Weimar government; led by KPD and quickly defeated by Freikorps. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
Red area shows territory of the Weimar Republic claimed by KPD and USPD as the Bavarian Soviet Republic, demonstrating continuity of left-wing challenge to democratic government. Reclaimed by Freikorps brigades in May. -
Treaty of Versailles and the Results for Germany
Image shows political cartoon published 1930 illustrating the traditional historiography perspective that the Versailles Treaty enabled Hitler and the Nazi party's rise to power (depiction of emerging soldier alludes to vengeful + efficient Reichswehr developed by Weimar government is accordance with Versailles' restrictions, which eventually became Hitler's Wehrmacht). -
Kapp Putsch
Image depicts excitement for the return of the democratically elected government on March 20th, marking the failure of the Kapp Putsch due to lack of popular support. Although Reichswehr soldiers refused to fire on Freikorps brigade, the illegitimate government was forced to resign after a strike of 12 million+ workers organized by the SPD and trade unions. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
Image highlights the bloody conflict between the Reichswehr (supported by Freikorps) and the Red Ruhr Army of communist workers. -
Rapallo Treaty
Image depicts the main negotiators of the bilateral Rapallo Treaty ending Germany and the Soviet Union's isolation from international diplomacy. Namely, Chancellor Joseph Wirth of Germany (second from left) and Georgi Chicherin from Russian delegation (second from right) agree to settle mutual debts and permit secret German military development on Russian territory. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
Yellow region shows area of the Ruhr (Germany's industrial heartland) that was occupied by French and Belgium troops between 1923-1925, despite the Versailles Treaty ordering demilitarization of the Rhineland. -
Hyperinflation Crisis
Depicts a banker counting stacks of German marks, reflecting the surplus of currency in circulation in Weimar Germany caused by the governments policy of continuously printing more money to fund WWI, pay reparation payments ordered by Versailles Treaty, pay striking workers during French/Belgian occupation of the Ruhr. Most significant cause of hyperinflation due to loss in international value. -
Beer Hall Putsch
Depicts the Bürgerbräukellar (beer garden) where Hitler proclaimed his plan of national revolution of overtaking the Bavarian government and leading a Nazi march through Munich to express his hatred of the "November Criminals" of Weimar who recently promised to recommence reparation payments in accordance with Versailles Treaty (angered ultraconservative groups like NSDAP who viewed this as offensive to German nationalism). However, ring-wing coup quickly suppressed by Freikorps. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
The stacks of worthless money represents the dire need of a new currency which highlights the introduction of the Rentenmark -
Weimer Golden Age
This picture depicts art of the Weimer Republic which represents the flourishing culture and art during the Weimer golden age -
Dawes Plan
This is a picture of Gustav Stressmann since he played the largest role in implementing the Dawes plan and setting new reparations for Germany -
Election of President Von Hinderburg
This is a picture of president von hinderburg who was the second president of Germany -
Locarno Treaty
This pictures depicts their meeting of resolving their international conflict and guaranteeing Germanys western frontier -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
This picture depicts Germany and the Soviet Union pledging neutrality in the event of an attack and it shows this alliance. -
German entrance into League of Nations
The image of two hands being shaken represents Germany with the allied groups. Because of Germanys enterence into the league, there was a new level of trust between Germany and the allies. The handshake represents this mutual agreement and trust. -
German entrance into the League of Nations
This photo depicts a letter from Gustav Stresseman trying to get Germany membership into the League of Nations -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
This image of teamwork represents the different centerist groups of the Grand Coalition working together to make sure the left and right were both happy. The smiling faces of the people represents the sucess of the Grand Coalition, as it was the longest-lasting coalition in the past 5 years of coalitions. -
Young Plan
A person running with his money deteriorating represents how Germanys reparations were being reduced as a result of the Young Plan. The person running symbolizes Germany running with this opportunity and running towards a world with less reparations, while the money represents the reparations deteriorating into less than half of what they once were. -
Beginning of Great Depression
The image of a buisnessman holding out a cup and holing onto a sign that says "give" represents the United States during the Great Depression. The United States went through extreme economic struggles due to the crash on Wall Street and made Germany pay back their reparations because they needed the money. This is seen through the sign that says "give" because it was more demanding than asking. -
Von Papen’s deal with Hitler
The image of two men shaking hands under a table represents the underground deal that Von Papen made with Hitler, ensuring that Von Papen would convince Hindenburg to let Hitler be chancellor if Von Papen could be vice-chancellor. The handshake represents the benifit of both people involved in the deal. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
The photo of a person in chains represents how Hitler was able to become chancellor. Because Von Papen convinced Hindenburg that having Hitler as chancellor, and having him close to the government, would be benificial because they could keep an eye on him, Hitler was able to be chancellor. Their ideas were to have him as a "chancellor in chains," represented by the person in chains.