IGCSE History Edexcel: Germany 1918-1945 - Part 1

Establishment of the Weimar Republic and its Early Problems

Effect 1: Armistice and Peace Treaty
- Following the Kiel mutiny, revolutions occurred among sailors, soldiers, and citizens.
- Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated on November 9, 1918.
- The US agreed to negotiate an armistice; WWI ended on November 11, 1918.
- Led to the Treaty of Versailles signed on June 28, 1919.
Effect 2: Establishment of a Democratic Republic
- Weimar Republic and its constitution were set up.
- Secured freedoms: speech, religion, press. Introduced proportional representation, allowing everyone, including women, to vote.
- Friedrich Ebert elected as President.
- Weakened by the Treaty of Versailles; the government was accused of stabbing Germany in the back.

Effect 1: Introduction of Democracy
- Citizens could vote for Reichstag members every four years; President every seven years.
- Proportional representation meant unstable coalitions; leading to 11 governments from 1919 to 1923.
Effect 2: Rise in Extremism
- Article 48 allowed the President to make laws without Reichstag; used 66 times in 1932.
- Middle-class disliked liberal culture (e.g., gay bars); wanted Kaiser back.
- Kapp Putsch in March 1920: Wolfgang Kapp tried to overthrow the Weimar government.

Effect 1: Weakened and Humiliated Germany
- Germany forced to pay 132,000 million marks in reparations.
- Army limited to 100,000 troops; lost significant land, e.g., West Prussia, Alsace Lorraine.
- Lost 50% of iron reserves.
- Article 231: War Guilt Clause blamed Germany for the war.
Effect 2: Loss of Popularity for Weimar Government
- Government officials labeled as “November Criminals.”
- Loss of 60+ seats in June 1920 elections; rise in extremism.
- Hitler used this dissatisfaction in his campaigns against the Treaty of Versailles.

Effect 1: Weakened Government Authority
- January 1919: 100,000 communists of the Spartacist League took over Berlin.
- Ebert had to rely on right-wing Freikorps to suppress the revolt, showing governmental weakness.
- Loss of 60+ seats in June 1920 elections.
Effect 2: Inspired Extremist Parties
- Political parties grew their own militias, leading to 376 political deaths from 1919-1923.
- Inspired other takeover attempts like the Kapp Putsch in March 1920.
- Communists (KPD) started participating in elections.

Effect 1: Weakened Government Authority
- March 1920: 120,000 Freikorps members tried to reinstate the Kaiser.
- Army refused to fire on former comrades; the government had to rely on a general strike.
Effect 2: Inspired Extremist Parties
- Increased political violence; government lost seats in June 1920 elections.
- Wolfgang Kapp temporarily overthrew the government, inspiring events like Hitler’s Munich Putsch.

Effect 1: Government Paid Striking Workers
- France and Belgium invaded the Ruhr in January 1923 after Germany failed to pay reparations.
- German government paid workers to strike, defying French authorities.
Effect 2: Hyperinflation
- Economic struggles due to war costs, reparations, and the Ruhr crisis.
- Printing more money led to hyperinflation; prices skyrocketed.
- Example: Bread price rose from 1 mark (1919) to 100,000 marks (1923).

Effect 1: Increased Prices and Shortages
- Mark became worthless; less foreign trade and imports.
- Severe food shortages and poverty.
- Example: Money carried in wheelbarrows; people burned money for heat.
Effect 2: Decreased Popularity of Weimar Government
- Savings became worthless; middle class especially affected.
- Led to discontent and distrust towards the government.
- Chancellor Stresemann introduced the Rentenmark in 1923, stabilizing the economy temporarily.

Understanding these impacts is crucial for answering B and C questions in exams.
Knowing specific events and their effects will aid in exam preparation.
Stay tuned for more in-depth videos on hyperinflation, Treaty of Versailles, and the Munich Putsch.