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Ruler abdicates
Kaiser Wilhelm; emperor of Germany and King of Prussia, was
forced to abdicate and he escapes to the Netherlands. -
Signing of the Armistice
2 German leaders sign an armistice with the Allies, ending the fighting and the war. -
Freikorp Formation
Formation of the first unit of Freikorps- a militia made up of ex-soldiers. -
Treaty of Versaille talks begin
The Versailles Palace in France was chosen as the location for an international conference on how Germany should be punished for WWI. -
Period: to
Spartacist Uprising
Uprising by the Spartacists, defeated by the Freikorp; who are supported by the Ebert regime. -
Communists attempt takeover
Communists/Spartacists try to take over Berlin but are defeated by the Freikorps -
Treaty of Versailles ratified
The Treaty of Versailles is ratified by German reichstag despite opposition from the public. -
Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Versailles is signed by all parties -
Weimar Government declared
Proclamation of new Weimar Constitution, creating a new political system and transforming them from a monarchy to a liberal-democratic society. -
Kapp Putsch
Attempted coup by parts of the military and conservative, nationalist, and monarchist factions. They wanted to overthrow the government and replace it with a right-wing autocratic government -
Period: to
Inflation crisis
Germany experiences inflation, with becomes hyperinflation after the Government prints even more money to support workers on strike who are protesting the French occupation of the Ruhr. On the 22nd of July in 1922, 670 marks was equal to one US dollar. One month later, one US dollar was equivalent to 2,000 marks. -
French occupation of the Ruhr
France and Belgium invade with 60,000 soldiers and occupy the Ruhr; an industrial area, after Germany fails to continue paying their reparation payments. Germany responds by funding a 'passive resistance' of the workers which only serves to deepen the hyperinflation crisis.