-
German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
The German Revolution took place at the end of World War I that ended with the replacement of the German federal constitutional monarchy with a democratic parliamentary republic. With a loss of support from the military and the revolution happening, Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced to abdicate, and fled from Germany
.
A mass demonstration march in Bellevuestrasse, Berlin. The sign displayed in this photo reads “We shall fight against any illegal seizure of power by Right or by Left.” -
Ebert-Groener Pact
An agreement between President Friedrich Ebert (SD) and Wilhelm Groener (Quartermaster General of the Germany Army), in which Groener assured Ebert with military loyalty. In exchange for the backing by the military, Ebert promised that the government would take actions against leftists uprisings and that the officer corps would retain its authority
Friedrich Ebert, who played a heavy role in the new Weimar Germany’s early years and was their first president of the Weimar Republic. -
Armistice ending WWI
The Armistice signed ended the fighting in World War I between the Allies and Germany. Germany was suffering from food shortages, the German Revolution, as well as the failure of the Spring Offensive earlier that year. Had Germany not agree to the Armistice, the Allies would invaded Germany, which the German military would not be able to defend well. The German delegation (left), as they arrive to sign the Armistice which would end the fighting in World War I in a train dining car. -
Spartacist Revolt
The revolt was by the communists (KPD) to establish a communist state in Germany and get rid of the Weimar Republic. Berlin was taken over by armed militias from the Spartacus League.The government’s response was to send the Freikorps to dispel the militias, and so the uprising soon fell apart. However, the public saw this as the president not being able to maintain control over Germany.
A Spartacist militia during the fight in Berlin -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
After the abdication from the Kaiser and the chancellor, Germany didn’t have a strong government. In January 1919, they held an election, in which most voted for the three parties that favored democracy. In February, the elected officials met in Weimar to make a constitution and coalition, creating the Weimar Republic. The official flag for the Weimar Republic -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
Created after the People’s State of Bavaria, it was created to establish a socialist soviet republic in Bavaria. However, it was soon overthrown by the German Army and Freikorps in May 1919. The darker red indicates the region of the Bavarian Soviet Republic from April to May 1919. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
The Treaty ordered Germany to reduce its military, take responsibility and action for World War I, relinquish some of its territory and pay reparations to the Allies. It prevented Germany from joining the League of Nations at that time. The treaty was unpopular in Germany. The German government also claimed that they were unable to pay the reparations. An article on the day the treaty was signed; which established the terms for peace at the end of World War; went into effect. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
The March Uprising was a left-wing workers revolt of the Ruhr region of Germany. It initially took place in support of a call of general strike by Social Democrat members, German government, unions, and other parties in response to Kapp Putsch in March 1920. This resulted in societal and economic policies. An arming of members of the Red Ruhr Army to repulse the Kapp Putsch, Ruhr area, March 1920 -
Kapp Putsch
In Berlin, An attempted coup and overthrow of the Social Democratic Party, carried out by officers and right wing nationalists. Named after leaders Wolfgang Kapp and Walther von Lüttwitz. The coup was prevented from being accomplished by public opposition, divisions, and misjudgements. Coups associated with German Empire on day of attempted overthrow -
Rapallo Treaty
Treaty of Rapallo, agreement signed between German Republic and Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Both renounced all territorial and financial claims against each other after the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and World War I. Chancellor of Germany Joseph Wirth (second from left) with Leonid Krasin, Georgi Chicherin and Adolph Joffe from the Russian delegation. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
A period of military occupation of the Ruhr region of Germany by France and Belgium. It contributed to German rearmament and growth of radical right-wing movements in Germany. The strike of Ruhr workers led to printing more money and hyperinflation, which led to a collapse of German economy. French soldiers and a German civilian in the Ruhr in 1923. -
Beer Hall Putsch
NSDAP-led coup, where around 2000 nazis attempted to overthrow the Weimar government by marching on the city of Munich. The coup was soon oppressed by the police force, and nazi leaders were arrested (including Hitler). This image shows NSDAP paramilitary forces arriving in munich, and emphasises the great amount of attention the putsch brought to the Nazi party, as seen through the crowds of onlookers -
Hyperinflation Crisis
Hyperinflation in Weimar Republic - the currency of Weimar Republic caused considerable internal political instability in the country, the occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium as well as misery for the general populace. The roots were WWI and Treaty of Versailles.
Germany, 1923: banknotes had lost so much value that they were used as wallpaper. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
The rentenmark was a new currency, issued under Stressemann, as a means of replacing the near worthless paper mark. This contributed to improving the hyperinflation crisis in early Weimar Germany This is an image of what the rentenmark looked like, showing that it came in multiple values such as 1, 2, 10, 50, and 100 -
Dawes Plan
An agreement between the Allies and Germany that re-negotiated, secured US loans to germany (to aid in the hyperinflation crisis), allowed for evacuation of the Ruhr, and allowed Germany entrance into the Leauge of Nations. This diagram shows how the Dawes plan was beneficial to all involved, suggesting that such mutual benefit may have been one of the factors in it’s acceptance. -
Weimar Golden Age
This refers to the period of years between 1924-1929 in which political and economic stability returned to Germany, and an increase in factories, infrastructure, and employment was seen. In addition, there was a social emphasis placed on modernism, and a flourishing of expressionist movements such as dadaism. This painting by Otto Dix (Three Prostitutes) reflects both the expressionist art which flourished during the era and social tensions concerning the role of women. -
Election of President von Hindenburg
After the death of President Ebert, elections were held under the Weimar constitution to elect a new president. Candidate Hindenburg, representative of the coallition of the right wing parties, won the election with 48% of votes. This image shows a photo of President von Hindenburg. -
Locarno Treaty
This treaty secured post-war territories, demilitarized the Ruhr, added Germany to the League of Nations, and stated that Germany was never to go to war with other countries. This political comic shows how the treaty was viewed as a careful step toward disarmament. -
German entrance into League of Nations
After the Locarno Pact restored some international trust in Germany, Germany under Stresemann was able to persuade the other nations to allow it to join the League of Nations. Germany was able to join the council. This further boosted the moderate parties of Germany. This picture emphasizes how Germany was able to once again gain some international power through the Council of the League of Nations. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
It reaffirmed the Treaty of Rapallo in that Germany and the Soviet Union agreed to neutrality if another country attacked one of them. It was popular in Germany and helped to repair German-Soviet relations (for a time). The picture shows how the Treaty helped to repair German-Soviet relations, even at the signing. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
The Center, SPD, and several moderate conservative parties joined together in a coalition. The year it was made, non-democratic parties only received 13% of the vote. However, though it was the longest lasting coalition in the Reichstag, it still only lasted 2 years. The calm picture of the Reichstag helps show how the Grand Coalition allowed some stability in the Weimar government, if only for a short time. -
Beginning of Great Depression
Due largely to the steep rise in unemployment, the Great Depression undid much of Stresemann’s work. Many Germans abandoned support for moderate or mainstream political parties and turned to radical parties. The NSDAP saw a huge increase in Reichstag seats, and notably Hitler was brought into the public eye. The photo emphasizes the increasingly poor conditions that Germans faced during the Depression- showing why many turned to more radical parties. -
Young Plan
It was an agreement between Germany and the US which reduced the total amount of required reparations by 20% and gave Germany 59 more years to pay them off. The US also continued providing loans. This resulted in lower taxes, whichlead to more spending power and employment. This contributed to France leaving the Rhineland in 1930. The picture emphasizes how the Young Plan was seen as one of the solutions to Germany’s problems, particularly its economic problems concerning reparations. -
Von Papen’s deal with Hitler
Von Papen was upset that Von Schleicher replaced him as chancellor, and he wanted to regain power. Thus, he secretly agreed that if he persuaded President Hindenburg to make Hitler chancellor, Von Papen could be vice chancellor. This photo emphasizes the secret nature of their agreement. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Von Papen convinced Hindenburg that making Hitler chancellor would make him and his Nazi party easier to control, and so Hindenburg allowed Hitler to become chancellor. This photo shows how Hitler becoming chancellor at first seemed like a way to control him, as well as how his rise to power was largely through political instead of directly violent means.