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German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
The German Revolution was a conflict in the German Empire at the end of the WW1 that resulted in the replacement of the German federal constitutional monarchy with the Weimar Republic. Wilhelm resigned because he lost the support of the military while the German revolution was still going on. I chose this picture because it displays the chaos and violence that went about during the revolution. -
Ebert–Groener pact
The Ebert–Groener pact was an agreement between the Social Democrat Friedrich Ebert, at the time the Chancellor of Germany, and Wilhelm Groener, Quartermaster General of the German Army. The agreement gave the government the means to defeat the challenge posed to its authority by those on the political left. I chose this picture as it clearly depicts the growing relationship and the union of two parties, creating this agreement/ -
Armistice ending WWI
By the end of 1917, the Bolsheviks were negotiating peace with Germany. In 1918, the infusion of American troops and resources into the western front allowed the allies to agree. Germany signed an armistice agreement with the Allies on November 11, 1918. I chose this picture because it shows peace between everyone, which came with the ending of a violent world war. -
Spartacist Revolt
The Spartacist uprising, also known as the January uprising, was a general strike and the accompanying armed struggles that took place in Berlin from January 5 to 12, 1919. This picture was chosen as it shows how passionate -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
The Bavarian Soviet Republic was a short-lived unrecognized socialist state in Bavaria during the German Revolution. It took the form of a workers' council republic. It was established in 1919 by Max Levein. It sought to establish a socialist soviet republic in Bavaria. I chose this picture as it is the Bavarian Soviet Republic flag, which displays the great pride they took in it. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
The Treaty of Versailles was a pact after WWI which made Germany accept their defeat in the war, and take responsibility for the start of WWI. It reduced Germany’s territory and their military, also demanding she pay reparations to the Allied Powers. Overall, Germany was extremely unhappy with the treaty as they believed they weren’t responsible and didn’t lose the war.
I chose this picture because it represents Germany’s (right) response to the Treaty of Versailles. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
Friedrich Ebert, a member of the Social Democratic Party and the provisional president of the German Reichstag government, signed a new constitution, known as the Weimar Constitution, into law, officially creating the first parliamentary democracy in Germany. I chose this picture because it shows how the formation of the Weimar Republic affected a mass amount of people. -
Kapp Putsch
The Kapp Putsch was a failed uprising from the right-wings against the Social Democratic Party (SPD) which was shut down by a general strike and poor organization of the right-wings.
I chose this picture as it illustrates the Kapp Putsch in action. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
The Ruhr Uprising was a response to the general strike against the Kapp Putsch where communist workers held a strike demanding for their right to bear arms (in case of another Kapp Putsch); however, it was shut down by German militia.
I chose this picture as it illustrates the Ruhr Uprising during the time period. -
Rapallo Treaty
The Treaty of Rapallo was signed between Germany and Soviet Russia on April 16, 2022 and ended all territorial and financial claims between the two nations, and allowed for friendly diplomatic relationships. It allowed military cooperation, like allowing Germany to produce weapons in Russia, which let Germany avoid the Treaty of Versailles’ conditions and Germany’s later growth in strength and power. -
Hyperinflation Crisis
The German government caused the hyperinflation crisis through printing more money to pay back striking workers in the Ruhr (due to the Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium), and destroyed the value of the German papiermark. As the money was not backed by gold, the prices and wages increased heavily (bread went from 250 to 250,000,000.)
I chose this picture because it highlights the increase in money in Weimar Germany after the start of the hyperinflation crisis. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
In response to Germany’s lack of coal and coke reparations to France and Belgium after WWI, France and Belgium (who believed Germany was lying about not having the resources to repay them) occupied the Ruhr region. This led to the Dawes Plan.
I chose this picture because it demonstrates the way that France and Belgium controlled the Ruhr valley temporarily. -
Beer Hall Putsch
The Munich Putsch was a failed coup d’etat involving Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party, where he unsuccessfully attempted to overthrow the German government. It showed Hitler that an armed revolution wouldn’t help him obtain power.
I chose this picture because it depicts Hitler and the Nazi Party during the Beer Hall Putsch. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
The Rentenmark was a currency issued on 15 November 1923 to stop the hyperinflation of 1922 and 1923 in Weimar Germany, after the currency become almost worthless. It was a temporary German monetary unit used for banknotes issued to stabilize the currency, made equivalent to one billion inflated imperial marks, and superseded by the reichsmark.
I chose this photo because it is the actual Retenmark which enhances the understanding of what the Retenmark was. -
Dawes Plan
The Dawes Plan was a plan in November 1924 that successfully resolved the issue of World War I reparations that Germany had to pay by US banker and vice president of the chair, Charles Dawes. It ended a crisis in European diplomacy following World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. It reduced the annual payments to 1000 million.
The image is useful to the understanding of the Dawes Plan as it shows the process of what the Daws Plan did -
Weimar Golden Age
1924-1929, the years were known as the 'Golden Years', as foreign relations improved and the economy prospered through Stresemann working to improve Germany's international relations by revaluing Germany's currency which stopped the Hyperinflation crisis.
I chose this photo because Stresemann was the political figure that brought Weimar Germany into its Golden Years, which enhances the understanding of the events since it is the person who brought Weimar to this standing point. -
Locarno Treaty
A series of 7 treaties were brought together in Locarno, Switzerland. Germany renounced the use of force to change its western frontiers but agreed only to arbitration as regards its eastern frontiers. Great Britain promised to defend Belgium and France but not Poland and Czechoslovakia.
I chose this photo because it shows the three main figures of the Locarno Treaty, this enhances the understanding of the Locarno Treaty as it shows the people who signed it. -
Election of President von Hindenburg
The first President, Friedrich Ebert, who had died on 28 February 1925, had been elected by the National Assembly, but the Weimar Constitution required that his successor be elected by the "whole German people". Paul von Hindenburg was elected as the second president of Germany in the second round of voting.
I chose this picture because it showcases Paul von Hindenburg, the president of this election, which enhances the understanding of the event through the figure being the president. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
a treaty signed on 24 April 1926 in which Germany and the Soviet Union pledged neutrality if a third party attacked them for five years.
I chose this photo because it represents the event where the leaders are signing the treaty with relaxed expressions instead of tense which enhances the understanding of the event as it suggests that the parties involved approved it. -
German entrance into League of Nations
Due to negotiation for the Locarno Treaty which improved Germany’s relations with the rest of Europe, it was admitted to the League of Nations on September 8th, 1926. This was significant to Germany as it showed resolution and support after WWI. I chose this picture because it shows Gustav Stresemann addressing the General Assembly of the League soon after invitation to join. -
Young Plan
Written in 1929 and formally adopted in 1930 to revise the Dawes plan, the Young Plan was a renegotiation of Germany’s reparation payment from WWI, lowering the payment from £6.6billion to £2 billion. Overall, it made the reparations easier for Germany to pay considering the extended time frame. I chose this picture because it is Owen Young, the US banker that oversaw the plan and the plan is named after. -
(Collapse of) Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
The Grand Coalition was formed in 1923 by the main pro-democratic parties: SPD, Centre, DDP, and DVP. The reason for its collapse is commonly debated as options for blame are the economic depression causing difficulty to agree, Germany’s methods of repaying reparations (loans > taxes), mistakes by Hindenburg and Bruning, and extremist parties. I chose this photo because it shows how the coalition started with major support and gradually lost power. -
Beginning of Great Depression
Germany was already in an economic deficit as the Wall Street Crash, or American stock market crash, caused the US to recall loans in 1929. Yet the collapse of Credit Anstalt in May of 1931, where it had lost more than half of its capital, was the turning point. I chose this photo because it shows chaos by the German people outside of a bank since they are upset after constant economic failure. -
Von Papen’s deal with Hitler
After failure as Chancellor, Von Papen went to Hitler for support as he had the largest party. He made the deal that, if Hitler was appointed Chancellor by President Hindenburg, then Von Papen would become Vice Chancellor and use Hitler as a “puppet.” I chose this picture as it shows how the “puppet” plan was actually unsuccessful and Hitler was able to achieve what he wanted in office while President Hindenburg did not. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Hitler became Chancellor due to his agreement with Von Papen. This would then pave the way for Hitler to become president when Hindenburg passed in 1934 and form dictatorship. I chose this picture because it shows Hitler and Hindenburg after Hindenburg asked Hitler to become Chancellor due to negotiation with Von Papen.
