-
German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
The political cartoon was chosen because it illustrates that the German people did not want the Kaiser any longer, especially the Communists (KPD), and wanted a new form of government to be established in the Kaiser's place, either a Republic or a Communist one-party State. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
The image was chosen because it depicts, in simple terms, the new style of government that Germany would now follow since the abdication of the Kaiser. The Reichstag would be given power, and people would have political power, the chancellor would be chosen by the president, and the president would have the ability to circumvent the Reichstag with Article 48. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
The image was chosen because it depicts the negotiations between the leader of the Reichstag and SPD, Friedrich Ebert, and General of the German Army, Wilhelm Groener, about the loyalty of the German Army. Some of the results of this pact was that the German army would pledge loyalty to the new Republic, but maintain its "state within a state" status as well. -
Armistice ending WWI
The image was chosen because it is a newspaper clipping from The Times depicted a news report shortly after the Armistice was signed between the Entente powers and Germany. From the clipping, it's clear that peace was essentially guaranteed, and even though the terms were not made public, many already knew what most would be. -
Spartacist Revolt
The image was chosen because it depicts a newspaper clipping reporting on the death of the two KPD leaders, Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, which essentially spelt the end of the Spartacist revolt and Bloody Week, along with 150-200 other deaths, mostly consisting of insurgents. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
This political cartoon was chosen because it represented what the people felt during the Bavarian Soviet Republic. Many Germans during the Republic were treated so poorly by the Communists that the region turned to right-wing extremism after the Republic fell as a result of living under the Communists and enduring the poor living conditions. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
The political cartoon was chosen because it depicts the orthodox historical perspective of how the Treaty of Versailles, and the devastation that came as a result, paved the way for the NSDAP to rise to power and for Hitler to ascend to chancellor and Führer of Germany by 1933. -
Ruhr Uprising
This photo was chosen because it shows the atmosphere present during the uprising. The men in the photo seem like they are having a regular conversation in the street; however, they are holding rifles. This really puts into perspective that it was regular men who were participated in the uprising. -
Kapp Putsch
This photo was chosen because it shows the violence caused by the Putsch. The sign says “stop! If you continue, you will be shot”, showing the violence exerted by the military, who supported the new government. -
Hyperinflation Crisis
This photo shows a woman using the money as fuel for a fire to cook with. This shows how drastic the effects of hyperinflation were. The money became so worthless that the people resorted to using it as fuel rather than buying goods with it. -
Treaty of Rapallo
This photo was chosen because it shows the façade Germany and Russia put on during the treaty. We clearly see representatives from each nation smiling; however, Russia was Bolshevist while Germany was more aristocratic. The whole point of the Bolshevik revolution was to get rid of aristocracy in Russia While Germany was the opposite, seeking to maintain aristocracy and quell communists. Despite this difference in ideals, the two nations still agreed to sign the treaty. -
Ruhr Occupation
This photo was chosen because the photo makes the German worker on the left seem like an innocent, normal person while the solider on the left who is pointing a gun at him, seems like an agressor. The hyperinflation crisis, along with the occupation of the Ruhr, helped Germany gain international sympathy, especially from Britain and the US. The sympathy generated was a factor in ending the occupation. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
This photo was chosen as it shows what the new currency looked like. -
Beer Hall Putsch
This photo shows Hitler on trial after the Beer Hall Putsch. The trial gained a lot of publicity, with press from around the world of crowds of thousands of Germans watching the proceedings. Hitler utilized this focus to assert his right-wing ideas (ultranationalism, blaming the Jews, Marxists, and French for the country’s problems, etc.). This allowed him to gain a lot of support and helped him with his rise of power. -
Weimar Golden Age
This photo was chosen as it shows many people gathered in a friendly nature. Their clothing demonstrates how they have recovered from financial difficulties in Germany, and are now doing well. -
Dawes Plan
This diagram was chosen because it explains the new financial plan devised in order to relieve Germany's reparations in simple terms. -
Election of President von Hindenburg
This image was chosen as it shows the firm and unyielding demeanor of Hindenburg as a leader, which is prevalent through history. -
Locarno Treaty
This image was chosen as it demonstrates the peaceful diplomatic relations among the representatives of each country involved in the Locarno Treaty. -
Treaty of Berlin with the Soviet Union
This photo was chosen due to it demonstrating each representative of the nations that were necessary to sign this treaty- highlighting the significance. -
German Entrance into League of Nations
This image was chosen because it is an actual photograph of the end of the negotiations that led to this event, making it a valuable primary source. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
This image was chosen because it is a real photograph depicting the members of the grand coalition, hence it is valuable in that it depicts the members of the four major parties involved. -
Beginning of Great Depression
This image was chosen because it is a photograph depicting German citizens waiting outside a bank, illustrating the profound economic downturn. -
Young Plan
This image was chosen because it is a real photograph of the officials behind the Young Plan at the time, making it a valuable source as it depicts the makeup of those behind the plan. -
Von Papen’s Deal With Hitler
This image was chosen because it is a photograph of Hitler and Papen conversing secretly, valuable in that it illustrates the clandestine nature of their deal. -
Hitler Becomes Chancellor
The image was chosen because it is a photograph of Hindenburg shaking Hitler's hand giving him the chancellor position, valuable in that it shows it was ultimately Hindenburg's final decision to put Hitler in power.
