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German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
Towards the end of 1918, there was unrest in Germany. People were disillusioned with the harsh conditions and outcome of WWI, and many supported extremist parties. This led to the German Revolution (Oct. 1918-Aug. 1919) which resulted in the replacement of the constitutional monarchy (leading to the abdication of the Kaiser on Nov. 09, 1918) with a democratic parliamentary republic that later became known as the Weimar Republic. This image was chosen because it is of the last Kaiser, Wilhelm II. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
The Ebert-Groener Pact was an agreement with then-Chancellor Friedrich Ebert and Wilhelm Groener, a German general. Groener promised Ebert the loyalty of the armed forces. Ebert promised Groener that the government would suppress leftist uprisings and that the government wouldn’t interfere with the Reichswehr (armed forces). This ensured the safety of the Republic in its early days from leftist opposition. This picture was chosen as it depicts Ebert consulting with military allies. -
Armistice ending WWI
Towards the end of WWI in 1918, Germany’s domestic situation had been deteriorating due to socioeconomic issues, such as disillusionment from the war and food shortages, and overall discontent. This, along with the failure of the Spring Offensive in March 1918 and the loss of its allies led to Germany surrendering and signing an armistice with the Allies on Nov. 11, 1918. This picture was chosen as it was taken shortly after reaching the agreement for the armistice that ended WWI. -
Spartacist Revolt
During the Spartacist Revolt, Berlin was taken over by the Spartacus League, a left-wing Communist group that wanted to take control of Germany and create a Communist government similar to Russia's. The Weimar Republic found this situation to be difficult to control and called in the Freikorps, which stabilized the situation. However, many Germans saw the Freikorps as a sign that the Weimar Republic was incompetent. This picture shows workers protesting on the streets during the revolt. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
The Bavarian Soviet Republic was an extremely “short-lived” unrecognized socialist state in Bavaria, during the German Revolution of 1918-19. It was formed in April 1919 and sought to establish a socialist soviet republic in Bavaria but was overthrown a short while later by the German Army and the Freikorps. This picture is of the Republic’s flag. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
This picture was chosen because it is a photograph of a newspaper describing the Treaty of Versailles being signed. The treaty ended WW1, but also forced Germany to surrender colonies, cede territory to other nations, reduce its military, pay war reparations, and accept blame for WW1. This clearly angered Germany and humiliated them, all while taking a large toll on their economy. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
After the 1918 Revolution, the Weimar Constitution was made law on Aug. 11, 1919, by President Freidrich Ebert, who was previously the Chancellor of Germany. The Constitution was controversial, largely because of Article 48, which gave the president the ability to suspend civil rights during an emergency and which many feared had the potential to be abused. This picture was chosen as it is of President Freidrich Ebert. -
Kapp Putsch
This picture was chosen because it is a photograph of the Kapp Putsch. The Kapp Putsch was a coup in Berlin that attempted to overthrow the Weimar Republic and replace it with an autocratic government. The immediate cause of the coup was the government trying to demobilize two Freikorps brigades. The coup leaders were Wolfgang Kapp and Walther von Lüttwitz. The coup failed after a few days. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
This picture was chosen because it's a photo of the red Ruhr Army, who conducted the uprising. The uprising was when left-wing workers revolted in the Ruhr, Germany’s largest industrial area. There was fighting between workers, army, and Freikorps units. It all started to show support for calls of a general strike issued by the government. It was mainly a reaction to the Kapp Putsch. -
Rapallo Treaty
This picture was chosen because it shows members of the German and Russian delegations meeting at the Rapallo negotiations. The treaty was signed between Germany and the Soviet Union. It was an agreement where both nations renounced their territorial and financial claims against each other after the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and WW1. -
Hyperinflation Crisis
This picture was chosen because it shows piles of newly printed money during the hyperinflation crisis. Before hyperinflation, Germany had inflation caused by effects of war, war reparations, and increasing government debt. Germany also had striking workers to pay due to French occupation of the Ruhr. Since Germany was in debt and could not pay the strikers, Germany printed more money to pay them. This created the hyperinflation. As the more money was printed, the more prices rose. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
The Rentenmark was a new currency issued by the Rentenbank (created by Stresemann). The aim of the Rentenmark was to replace the old Reichsmark which had become worthless due to hyperinflation. The Rentenmark was supported by businesses and the German people because the new currency was tied to the value of gold which meant that it would hold its value. This marked the end of the hyperinflation era that Germany was experiencing. This image is justified due to it being the actual Rentenmark. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
This picture was chosen because it shows French soldiers and a German civilian in the Ruhr in 1923. The occupation was when troops from Belgium and France invaded the Ruhr, which was the most industrial part of Germany at the time. The French had invaded as a result of Germany’s unpaid reparations, so the French wanted to control Germany’s key industry and resources. Germany responded by telling the Ruhr workers to go on strike rather than to help the French. -
Beer Hall Putsch
This picture was chosen because it shows early Nazis during the putsch, hence the swastikas on their arms. The putsch was a failed coup conducted by Hitler and his early followers. It took place in Munich, Bavaria. The putsch was a plot to seize power of the Bavarian state government by kidnapping Gustav von Kahr - who was state commissioner of Bavaria - and 2 other conservative politicians. -
Weimar Golden Age
The period between 1924 - 1929 which life became much calmer and more prosperous for Germany due to the different policies that Stresemann made like new currency that aided in the inflation or foreign policies that restored Germany’s reputation. He was able to improve Germany's situation at home and abroad. The image chosen is a representation of Weimar Culture/Golden Age painted by one of the communist painters during that time showing how lavish Germany was becoming. -
Dawes Plan
An agreement between the Allies and Germany created by U.S. Banker Charles G. Dawes. The plan was to make it easier for Germany to pay reparations. Reparations were reduced in the short term. The U.S. gave loans of $25 billion to Germany to help rebuild its industrial capacity (which would make it easier for Germany to generate the tax revenues needed to meet reparations). As a result, it helped to improve the German economy. The image chosen is displaying how the U.S.loans helped Germany. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
Treaty of Berlin also called the German-Soviet Neutrality and Nonaggression Pact of April 1926, was a treaty under which Germany and the Soviet Union each pledged neutrality in the event of an attack on the other by a third party for the next five years. The non-aggression treaty reaffirmed the German-Soviet Treaty of Rapallo signed previously in 1922. This image is representative of this event as it showing Germany and the Soviet Union signing the treaty. -
Election of President Von Hindenburg
Hindenburg, former military chief, did almost no campaigning himself but he was vigorously supported by right-wing nationalist parties, particularly the German National People’s Party (DNVP). The elections were held on April 26th, 1925. Hindenburg won the presidency, securing 900,000 more votes than Centre Party candidate Wilhelm Marx. The election of the former World War I commander-in-chief triggered shock and outrage around the world. This image chosen is President Von Hindenburg himself. -
German Entrance into the League of Nations
Germany had applied for and been rejected from the membership to the League of Nations, but with Stresemann's help and the implications of the Locarno Treaty, Germany was admitted to the LoN and had a seat on the council. Germany’s entrance to the LoN allowed for sovereignty and fair representation so long as they followed international rules. They did not. This picture represents the signing of the Locarno Treaty which allowed for Germany's entrance into the LoN. -
Locarno Treaty
The Treaty was between Germany, Belgium, France, Great Britain, and Italy and marked the end of war and a new era of peace. The Treaty guaranteed that Germany's western frontier will never be threatened by bordering states. As a result, Britain and Italy agreed to dismiss any armed aggression over the frontier. In 1926, the treaty was officially established after Germany had a seat with the council in the League of Nations. The image is representative of the countries in agreement. -
The Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
Ending in 1930, the Grand Coalition was the joining of 4 major German political parties and marked the return of the SDP to German politics. Under Chancellor Mueller, the GC allowed for a moderate government and the last "democratic" version of the Weimar Republic before the disassembly of the Reichstag and the consequential rise of authoritarianism. It fell under the Great Depression, and Chancellor Mueller resigned. This picture is the figureheads of each political party in the GC. -
Beginning of the Great Depression
Ending in 1939, the Great Depression was caused primarily by the US stock market crash which resulted in a ripple effect of economic disaster across the industrial world. After the US economy fell, world economics shifted to accommodate the massive loss. For Europe, reparations post WW1 were impossible to navigate, and global trade nearly halted. The Nazis took advantage of this to criticize the liberal government. This picture represents the economic hardship and lack of job security worldwide. -
The Young Plan
The Young Plan was an effort to reduce German reparations, reduce foreign market control on the German economy, and establish an international bank. While the plan failed due to the Great Depression and lack of resources worldwide, it represented a shift in US priorities in which they reinserted themselves into European politics after trying to create distance. The plan was also cited for worldwide debt forgiveness but the US rejected it. This picture represents the US' good intentions. -
Von Papen's Deal with Hitler
After being ousted from his position as Chancellor of Germany, von Papen wanted revenge against his successor Chancellor Schiecher. To do this, he enlisted the help of Adolf Hitler. He agreed to convince Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor so long as von Papen would have some political agency. Eventually, Hitler sort of betrayed von Papen and attempted to assassinate the entire SA. After escaping, von Papen became an ambassador of Germany. This picture is Papen conspiring with Hitler. -
Hitler Becomes Chancellor
While very complicated, Hitler essentially utilized his wit and political connections to rise through the ranks and eventually achieve Chancellorship. As the head of the authoritarian Nazi party, Hitler was extremely popular with his nationalist rhetoric and determination to put Germany first. Utilizing von Papen to convince President Hindenburg to appoint him, Hitler became Chancellor and invoked Article 48 to rise to Ruler. This picture is one of Hitler's rallies showcasing his personability.
