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German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
Oct 29, 1918 – Aug 11, 1919
Due to the discontent faced at the end of WWI, the population of Germany sparked a revolution against the imperial government and higher elites, resulting in the resignation of Kaiser Wilhelm II on November 9, 1918, and the establishment of the more liberal Weimar Republic. The Weimar National Assembly held on January 19, 1919 adopted the Weimar Constitution, ending the revolution.
The image above shows a barricade that was made during the Spartacist Uprising in 1919 -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
November 9, 1918 / August 11, 1919
After the imperial government was driven out, the liberal political parties of Germany banded together to form the Weimar Republic, which contrasted with the previous autocratic government. In order to impose its policies and end the current revolution, a constituent assembly in 1919 established the Weimar Constitution, which outlined the social, political, and economic policies of the Weimar Republic.
The image is the republic’s coat of arms -
Ebert-Groener Pact
An agreement was reached between SDP Chancellor Friedrich Ebert and Quartermaster General Wilhelm Groener, in which Groener guaranteed the loyalty of the armed forces. In return, Ebert promised that the government would promptly react against leftist uprisings, and ensure that the military would remain free from government influence. This agreement ultimately created a solution towards potential uprisings.
The two images depict Ebert in 1925 and Groener in 1917 -
Armistice ending WW I
The agreement’s terms included the surrender of all conflicts and military equipment, the withdrawal of German forces back towards the Rhine, and several limitations regarding prisoners and the naval blockade on Germany. This angered the German army, who believed that the signing of the armistice was a “stab in the back” by the country’s Social Democratic Government.
The image above is the last page of the Armistice agreement -
Spartacist Revolt
January 5-12, 1919
An uprising was erupted by left and right-wing militias in Berlin. Mainly a conflict between the democratic SPD and communist KPD political parties, the revolt was a battle to dictate the future for Germany’s government. The SPD wanted to maintain a democratic state, while the KPD wanted a communist state similar to Bolshevik Russia. The uprising was ultimately put down by the Friekorps at the government’s command.
The image depicts a Spartacist militia during the fighting -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
April 6 -- May 3, 1919
A minor, unrecognized socialist state was established during the 1918-1919 revolution and sought to establish a socialist soviet state in Bavaria. Its reign was quickly diminished when the German Freikorps assisted the People’s State of Bavaria in fighting against the BSR in Munich, leading to its end and the creation of the Free State of Bavaria
The image is the BSR flag -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to give up all of it’s imperial possession and to pay huge reparation payments to the Allies. It also forced Germany to accept guilt for starting World War I, which was largely debated and disagreed by the Germans. Ultimately started the Hyperinflation Crisis due to Germany failing to meet reparation payments to the French.
The image above displays the Allies working on the Treaty of Versailles, and ultimately excluding Germany from the peace talks. -
Kapp Putsch
The Kapp Putsch was an attempted military coup against the Weimar Republic. It was supported by nationalist and monarch factions that did not support the largely centrist and democratic government. Was largely put down due to the efforts of the centrist government to suppress protests.
Image displays the nationalist forces taking part in the protests of the Kapp Putsch, ultimately displaying the effectiveness of the central government in putting down such a large revolt. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
March 13, 1920 - April 12, 1920
The Ruhr Uprising was an attempted worker coup against the Weimar Republic. It was supported by the leftist and socialist factions that was against the democratic Reichstag and wanted greater support for the worker parties. Was put down due to the successful efforts of the democratic leaders within the Weimar Republic.
This image displays the large military forces utilized to successfully put down the Ruhr Uprising -
Rapallo Treaty
Agreement between the Weimar Republic and the Russian Socialist Republic to renounce all territorial and financial claims against each other to pursue a closer friendship. Ultimately allowed Germany to put itself on the global scale again and ultimately assert itself into the global powers list.
Image displays the meetings between the Russians and the Germans, ultimately showing the successes in the Weimar Republic’s ability to establish their foreign relations. -
Hyperinflation Crisis
1921-1923, much worse in 1923 following occupation
The Hyperinflation Crisis was a period of time in which the German government started printing large amounts of money to account for the poverty within the government and the German citizens. Ultimately, to pay for the reparation payments within the Treaty of Versailles. Caused huge inflation within Germany that made the German currency relatively useless.
Image displays the large amounts of money needed to pay for relatively trivial goods -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
January 11, 1923 - August 25, 1925
France and Belgium were forced to occupy the Ruhr region of Weimar Germany due to Germany not meeting the quota for reparation payments regarding the Treaty of Versailles. Ultimately caused Germany to enter a recession due to low payments, indirectly starting the Hyperinflation Crisis within Weimar Germany.
Image displays the vast areas taken by France and Belgium in the occupation of the Ruhr -
Beer Hall Putsch
A failed coup by Hitler and other leaders of the Nazi party. The Munich police force clashed with Nazi “Stormtroopers”. Police ended up killing about a dozen Nazi supporters, increasing political and social unrest in the country.
Image displays the scenes present at the time. -
Beer Hall Putsch
A failed coup by Hitler and other leaders of the Nazi party. The Munich police force clashed with Nazi “Stormtroopers”. Police ended up killing about a dozen Nazi supporters, increasing political and social unrest in the country.
Image displays the scenes present at the time. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
The Rentenmark was a new currency with a limited quantity introduced in 1923 in an attempt to resolve the massive hyperinflation crisis that resulted from the policy of passive resistance in the Ruhr. The currency was introduced by Stresemann with other economic policies thus stabilizing Germany.
Image is a Rentenmark -
Introduction of Rentenmark
The Rentenmark was a new currency with a limited quantity introduced in 1923 in an attempt to resolve the massive hyperinflation crisis that resulted from the policy of passive resistance in the Ruhr. The currency was introduced by Stresemann with other economic policies thus stabilizing Germany.
Image is a Rentenmark -
Weimar Golden Age
This time period was considered the Weimar Golden Age. The republic had greater economic and international stability during this era. Although, many historians criticize the era for its underlying problems. The country still experienced great social and political unrest with the great divide in political ideology, often resulting in violence.
Image is a painting created during the Weimar Golden Age, depicting the happiness and stability the populous felt. -
Dawes Plan
The Dawes plan was an economic plan passed by Gustav Stresemann in an attempt to solve the issue of paying repetitions post-WW1 through the Treaty of Versailles. This plan proved effective, for it reduced the amount of reparations Germany had to pay to the Allies as well as gave Germany an extended period to pay off the reparations. It resulted in a more stable German economy.
Image depicts the basics of the Dawes Plan. -
Weimar Golden Age
This time period was considered the Weimar Golden Age. The republic had greater economic and international stability during this era. Although, many historians criticize the era for its underlying problems. The country still experienced great social and political unrest with the great divide in political ideology, often resulting in violence.
Image is a painting created during the Weimar Golden Age, depicting the happiness and stability the populous felt. -
Election of President von Hindenburg
After elections, Paul von Hindenburg was declared President of Germany. He represented the political right. He would go on to be a poor leader for the republic, reintroducing economic turmoil as well as constantly abusing Article 48, an article that allowed the president to bypass the Parliament when passing laws.
Image is Paul von Hindenburg -
Locarno Treaty
Negotiated October 5-16, 1925. Signed December 1, 1925
The Locarno Treaty aimed at solidifying the borders of nations in Europe after WW1 and ensuring the demilitarization of the Rhineland all in an attempt to reduce tensions in Europe. It was praised as a success in international relations at the time. The treaty eventually failed when Germany sent troops into the Rhineland 11 years later.
Image depicts the negotiation of the Treaty in Locarno, Switzerland. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
The Treaty of Berlin asserted that the Germany and Soviet Union would be closer politically and would be neutral if one were to attack a third party. It strengthened relations between the two countries, laying the groundwork for their alliance in WWII.
Image shows the two nations on a map. -
German entrance into League of Nations
September 8 1926
Germany entering into the League of Nations represented the changing attitude around the country. It was now seen as an equal along with Britain and France, rather than some entity meant to be ignored and put down. Furthermore, it also gained political influence from the joining.
Picture shows a newspaper at the time with the headline of Germany joining the League. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
1928-1930
In this period, four of the six largest parties came together to form a coalition. It was a period of stability. It was dissolved by President Hindenburg in 1930, resulting in extremists gaining more power.
Picture shows several leaders of the coalition's parties. -
Young Plan
The Young Plan was an attempt to support the Weimar economy by reducing war reparations. Because Germany was failing its war reparation payments, allied nations agreed to lowered payments. Reparations would be reduced to 112 billion Gold Marks paid over 59 years.
Picture shows Owen Young, head of the committee that assessed the reparations issue. -
Beginning of Great Depression
The great depression led to US banks recalling German loans. This collapsed the German economy, and resulted in unemployment and poverty significantly increasing. Conditions in Germany overall worsened greatly.
Picture shows a crowd lining up for food in Germany during the great depression -
Von Papen’s deal with Hitler
Von Papen convinced President Hindenburg to appoint Hilter as chancellor under the guise that it would allow them to control him and the German population. Von Papen wanted revenge for Von Schleicher succeeding him as chancellor. Under the plan, Von Papen would be appointed vice chancellor.
Picture shows Von Papen. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Following Von Papen’s deal, Wilhelm II appointed Hitler as chancellor. Under Hitler, Germany would become a one-party state accompanied by significant military expansion. Eventually, Hitler’s policies would lead to the outbreak of WWII.
Picture shows Hitler being appointed as chancellor.