IGCSE Development of dictatorship: Germany, 1918-45

IGCSE Development of dictatorship: Germany, 1918-45 IGCSE History: the establishment of the Weimar Republic and early problems The German Revolution [1918] ● Situation by August 1918: ○ Germans being starved out of the war by British blockades ○ July: the Spring Offensive had failed, and a counter attack by the Allies brought them to the brink of defeat ○ August: Public suffering increased by an influenza sweeping through Europe * 29th Oct: German sailors refuse to set sail -> Influenced by the Russian revolutions in 1917 -> German revolution begins Nov 4th: 40,000 join, setting up a worker and soldier s’ council, who take over the dockyard Revolutions across Germany Nov 7th: thousands, led by Kurt Eisner, march into Bavaria’s state capital Local ruler flees Workers and peasants’ council set up Bavaria declared a people’s state Other parts of Germany – monarchy fled Nov 9th: Germany nears defeat in war. The Allies call for the Kaiser to leave Nov 10th: Kaiser abdicates The largest political party, the Social Democrats (SDP), form a new government Chancellor: Friedrich Ebert 11pm, Nov 11th: Armistice. Germany withdraws from al land conquered The Weimar Republic [1918-33] Feb 1919: set up in the town of Weimar, because of social unrest in Berlin How it was set up: Council of People’s Representatives – temporary government formed by six social democrats Organized elections for a national assembly Aug 1919: drew up a new constitution Terms of the new constitution Local government run by the 18 regions of Germany, with local parliaments Central government given more power than before Reichstag: dominating house in parliament ● Members elected every 4 years Proportional representation: political parties given Reichstag seats in accordance to the percentage of votes received Laws could only be passed with two thirds of votes in favor from the Reichstag Chancellor: head of the government Chose ministers and ran the country Appointed by president Needed majority support from the Reichstag to pass laws President: elected every seven years Did not take part in political activity Was a powerful figure Could dismiss Reichstag and call new elections Article 48 enabled the president to suspend constitution and pass laws by decree Strengths Germany became more democratic – all had the right to vote Weaknesses In 1919 the Republic had many enemies. It was not wise to give equal rights to those who wanted to destroy it PR meant political parties got the Reichstag seats they earned according to votes – this was fair PR meant that there were many small parties, who had to form uncooperative coalitions – unstable and indecisive government Strong president necessary to keep control of the Reichstag and protect the country in crises The president had too much power and Article 48 effectively made him a dictator It was right that each state should have control over its own affairs The states could be hostile and try to overthrow the government Power balanced between the Chancellor and President so that no single person had all power This made decisions difficult to make in times of crises Treaty of Versailles [June 1919] Terms: Germany to make £6600 million in reparations Lose all 11African colonies Armed forces restricted to 100,000 men Germany to lose land to France, Belgium, Denmark, and Poland How did it affect the Weimar Republic? Many felt betrayed by the government They believed Germany could have continued to fight, had they not been ‘stabbed in the back’ by the ‘November criminals’ who signed the treaty Political problems [1918-23] The start of the Weimar Republic was marked by political unrest because of extremist left and right wing political groups Right wing (Fascists, Capitalists, Nazis) Want to keep society stable Strong government dominated by powerful leaders Importance of family unit, law, order, and traditional values Nationalist: placing interests of the nation over the individual Left wing (socialists, communists) Want to change society Brotherhood – all are equal, workers given political power Nationalize private businesses ands put these in the hands of workers Internationalist – stress on cooperation of nations Wanted: ● ● ● ● A revolution like the 1917 Russian revolution Empower workers more than the Weimar Republic Government by councils of workers or soldiers Abolish land-owning powers and the army What the Germans were dissatisfied with: The Weimar leaders’ decision to admit defeat in 1918 The Treaty of Versailles Unemployment and inflation Social hardship in Germany persuaded many to support extremist groups; The workers supported the left wing (who would empower workers) The army, business class, and land owners supported the right wing (because the left wing would abolish the army and any private businesses) This all led to violent political unrest Political parties had private armies ● Left wing: Red Front Fighters ● Right wing: the Steel Helmets 1919-22: 376 political murders (mostly of left-wing and moderate politicians) The Spartacist Uprising (left-wing movement), winter 1918-19 Led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht left wing movements set up local councils, with a Central Council of Commissars claiming to be the true government 100,000 Communists demonstrated in Berlin, taking over key buildings The army was unable to crush the rebellion Weimar Republic forced to seek help from 250,000 Freikorps Violent anti-communists Demobilized ex-servicemen who had refused to return arms The movement was crushed Thousands of supporters arrested or killed Luxemburg and Liebknecht both murdered The Kapp Pustch (right-wing revolt), March 1920 5000 right-wing supporters march to Berlin to bring back the Kaiser The rebels took control of the city and the government fled Workers, who were left-wing supporters, went on strike and halted essential services Kapp realized he could not govern and fled The Munich Pustch (right-wing movement), Nov 1923 Unrest subsides, 1923: Stresemann became Chancellor and inflation was brought under control The WR, however, was permanently weakened: ● Now relied on the violence of the Freikorps and the workers’ strikes to keep control ● Extremist parties gathered strength, had private armies, and believed they could win through military strength Economic Problems [1918-23] WR was bankrupt – all gold spent on war Treaty of Versailles deprived Germany of wealth-earning areas, e.g. coalfields in Silesia Unable to pay reparations France refused reductions of reparations, as they needed to pay war debts to the USA 1923: Germany no longer able to pay Occupation of the Ruhr, Jan 1923 In retaliation to Germany being unable to pay reparations, the French sent troops into the German industrial area of Ruhr Confiscated raw materials, manufactured goods, and industrial machinery The government urged passive resistance, but the French arrested them and sent in their own workers Germans resented the French and also the failure of the Weimar Republic to resist (though they had no choice) 80% of German coal and iron based in the Ruhr – disruption increased debts, unemployment, and shortage of goods Hyperinflation, 1923 Shortages à inflation Government needed money to pay taxes, however ● Unemployment ● Failing factories ● This meant they received less from taxes 1919-23: government income only 25% of what was required Government printed more money 1923: 300 paper mills and 2000 printing shops to print money Made inflation even worse ● More money printed every time prices rose ● 1923: a loaf of bread went from being 1 mark in 1919 to 100,000 million marks ● Hyperinflation Some benefited from the hyperinflation: ● Farmers benefited from rising food prices, though they also had to pay higher prices for other goods ● Some businesses were able to pay off loans, as the loans lost real value. Others were able to buy up smaller, failing businesses very cheaply ● Borrowers returned money of less real value Most suffered: ● Shortages – German money became worthless and foreign suppliers refused to trade ● Difficult to buy necessities – people had to transport money in wheelbarrows because inflation was so rapid that their wages could not keep up with soaring prices ● Pensions and life savings all lost because they were made worthless ● Middle class hardest hit * Sept 1923: Stresemann appointed Chancellor ~ Cancelled the old mark and issued the Retenmark ~ Period of stability ~ Middle class now blamed the Weimar Republic rather than being the basis of support