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German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
Also known as the November Revolution lasting from October 28, 1918 until August 11, 1919, it marked the beginning of the democratic parliamentary republic which eventually turned into the Weimar Republic, and the end of a German federal constitutional monarchy in Germany. It also marked the end of WW1 as it was a civil conflict in the German Empire. I chose this picture to show the chaos that was distributed and seen throughout the revolution, and the beginning of wanting a communist empire. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
The formation originally began November 9, 1918 by Social democratic leadership. This era lasted from 1918-1933. It began in Weimar, which was a traditional center of German culture that was removed from the crisis of Berlin which marked it as a safe spot to draft the new constitution. The picture was chosen because it is necessary to show who was involved in the formation and the government structure formatting it. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
This was an agreement between Ebert and the Chancellor of Germany on November 10, 1918. The agreement or pact assured loyalty of the armed forces. The agreement was between Social democrat Ebert and Groener who was the chancellor at the time. Groener assured Ebert loyalty to the troops. These pictures were chosen in order to present both Ebert and Groener in order to have a full understanding of who was involved. -
Armistice ending WWI
The armistice was signed November 11, 1918 at Le Francport which is near Compiegne. The significance is that it ended all fighting on land, sea, and air in WW1 as this armistice ended conflict between the allies and the last ‘opponent’ being Germany. I chose this picture to show the event as it is happening and who is involved, as the people who are involved are important to understanding this. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
The Bavarian Soviet was a short-lived unrecognized social state during 1918-1919. It took place in Bavaria and during the German Revolution. They stood for a workers council republic. The picture was chosen in order to see what the people stood for, as well as how the union was organized. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
The Treaty of Versailles was a very controversial decision in 1919 Germany, being that they were forced to pay war reparations that they could not afford, their army was limited and all the blame of WWI was placed on them. This demolished German nationalism and also the economy eventually. This political cartoon displays how impactful the decision was on Germany, and how it quite literally ‘crushed’ them. -
Spartacist Revolt
The Spartacist revolt was a left-wing uprising from January 5,1919 until January 12, 1919. It was done in order to establish a communist state and its goal was to destroy the Weimar republic. It took place in Berlin and had leaders such as Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht. I had decided to chose this picture because it shows the true disorganization and chaos that this attempt of a revolt was. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
The Ruhr uprising lasted from March-April 1920 in Germany where thousands of industrial workers in the Ruhr area of Germany held an uprising for their rights in the name of communism, protesting the weak and unstable government that had resulted out of WWI. This image shows a grouping of the Ruhr army during this revolution. -
Kapp Putsch
This was an event that took place in 1920 Germany, where, led by Wolfgang Kapp, a group of communists tried to overthrow the German government through an attempted coup. This was one of the biggest events of the communist revolution that effected Germany during this unstable time period. This image shows the crowd that attempted to take over the government, showing the impact this had on Germany. -
Rapallo Treaty
Signed in 1922 between the Soviet Union and Germany, the treaty aimed to reduce tensions between the two countries and settle conflicts that arose between them during WWI, making them semi-allies. This image shows the meeting of leaders from both leaders to sign this treaty, showing the growing companionship between them. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
Beginning in 1923 and lasting until 1925, the French invaded the German industrial territory of the Ruhr in order to force them to pay war reparation debts that they had failed to uphold from the Treaty of Versailles due to their failing economy. This image shows some French soldiers in the territory. -
Beer Hall Putsch
In November of 1923, the Nazi Party, lead by Hitler, attempted and failed to take over the Munich government and city; this is the event in which Hitler was arrested and placed in jail for the first time. This image shows Hitler with part of his army during the event, showing his growing influence in Germany and how he was gaining support even during the time early beginnings of the Weimar republic. -
Hyperinflation Crisis
Beginning in 1923, German officials were advised to print more money in order to deal with the intense demand for war reparation payments that left their economy in shatters. Due to the increase in printed money, Germany fell under serious hyperinflation that destroyed their weak economy and seriously affected the well being of German citizens. This image shows just how terrible the crisis was, displaying a little girl playing with the Marks that her family has, showing how in excess they were. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
The Rentenmark was introduced following the hyperinflation crisis of Germany since the previous currency, the Reichsmark, had proved worthless after the intense overprinting of money. This was one of thee many improvements that had been implemented under Stresemann’s rule. The picture is a Rentenmark, which looked remarkably similar to the Reichsmark. -
Weimar Golden Age
This Golden Age was fully under the rule of Gustav Stresemann, who had died in the year that the age was considered to end. In this period, there was improvement in the economy of Germany and the well-being of those that lived there. The image is a picture of Stresemann, the one who implemented the improvement. -
Dawes Plan
Signed in Paris under Stresemann, this plan resolved Germany’s reparations that were asked for after the First World War. This is significant considering the poor economic condition of Germany and was a highlight of Stresemann’s time in power. The picture is of Charles Dawes, whose party was responsible for suggesting the idea of the Dawes Plan. -
Locarno Treaty
Negotiated in Locarno, Switzerland, this included settlement of territories among the European nations and peace treaties to prevent wars between them. This was a step for Germany to become a part of the League of Nations. The picture is of the main negotiators of the Treaty. -
Election of President von Hindenburg
Hindenburg was a member of the parties on the right, and his election was in an attempt to get rid of Weimar Germany. Hindenburg was also widely known for his efforts as a war hero, which had contributed to his win in the election. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
Also known as the German-Soviet Neutrality and Non-Aggression Pact, this was an agreement between the two nations to keep themselves from getting in a war against the other nation. The picture is of the Congress of Berlin. -
German Entrance Into League of Nations
On September 8th, 1926, Germany was admitted into the League of Nations through a resolution. This was significant because it shows post war plans other than Versailles having an impact on Germany. Although, we know Germany eventually withdrew from the league. This image is a political cartoon depicting a war damaged German soldier stating that he supports the League of Nations, displaying the idea they were forced into by their suffering. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
A coalition between the Social Democratic Party, The Catholic Centre Party, and the People's Party. Since typical ‘grand coalitions’ consisted of two parties, this was also referred to at the ‘great coalition’. It consisted of mainly center right parties and was able to gain power due to its large voter base. This image is of the leaders of the coalition. -
Young Plan
The young plan reduced Germany’s war reparations and made the payment plan more realistic for the economically unstable Germany. However this deal was controversial since it was in acknowledgement and cooperation with the treaty of Versailles, which was seen as anti nationalist. This photo is of Weimar propaganda which was anti Versailles and directly anti Young plan. -
Beginning of Great Depression
The US stock market collapses, taking the entire global economy with it. The golden age of Weimar was built on loans from the United States, which were abruptly halted by the great depression. The grown dependency on American loans resulted in the abrupt economic hardships that Germany faced which were worse than the hyperinflation crisis of 1923. This photo is of the hardships within America, which were similar to that within Weimar. -
Von Papen’s deal with Hitler
Franz Von Papen was a former chancellor and was good friends with President Hindenburg. Von Papen made a deal to speak well to Hindenburg which would help Hitler’s campaign for Chancellor, given Von Papen would become the Vice Chancellor. This photo is of Franz Von Papen and Adolf Hitler, the second to last and final Chancellors. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
As planned by Von Papen and Hindenburg, Hitler is nominated to the position of Chancellor which he gladly accepted. Hindenburg decided to promote Hitler to Chancellor with the hope that it would help keep Hitler in check. However this obviously did not last since the newly empowered Hitler would eventually claim control.