-
German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
The German Revolution began in November 1918 as widespread unrest, strikes, and mutinies forced the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the collapse of the German Empire. On 9 November 1918, Wilhelm II fled to the Netherlands, and Germany was declared a republic.
I chose this photo to represent the fleeing of Wilhelm to the Netherlands, showing how he ran away from the German Republic. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
On 10 November 1918, Chancellor Friedrich Ebert and General Wilhelm Groener made a secret agreement to protect the new republic from communist revolution. In return, the military would remain a powerful institution under the new government. I chose this photo because it represents a secret, as this agreement was. It shows how it was kept from the public, creating a potential distrust. -
Armistice ending WWI
The armistice between Germany and the Allied powers ended fighting on the Western Front in World War I. It was signed on 11 November 1918, effectively marking the end of the war.
I chose this photo because it represents peace, which was the overarching goal of the armistice. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
A short-lived socialist state declared in Bavaria in April 1919 by leftist revolutionaries inspired by the Russian Revolution. It was overthrown by the Freikorps in May 1919, restoring conservative control in the region.
I chose this photo because red flags are commonly used to alert for danger, which is what was happening in Bavaria. It symbolizes communist revolution and urban unrest. -
Spartacist Revolt
In January 1919, the communist Spartacist League, led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, launched an uprising in Berlin to establish a socialist state. The revolt was brutally crushed by the army and Freikorps, and its leaders were killed. This photo I chose depicts defeat, exactly what happened in the revolt. Once the Spartacists up rose, they were crushed in their steps. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
Signed June 28, 1919 ended World War I between Germany and other world powers. The treaty of Versailles blamed Germany for causing WW1 in the war guilt clause (Article 231) and forced Germany to pay mass reparations. These reparations and the war guilt clause influenced extremist parties as well as economic hardship for Germany. This image was chosen because it demonstrates the results of the treaty, which was an extreme amount of reparations that Germany was forced to pay. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
Following the Kaiser’s abdication, Germany transitioned into a democratic republic known as the Weimar Republic. Its liberal democratic constitution was officially adopted on 11 August 1919, establishing a parliamentary system. I chose this photo because it is a direct picture of the Weimar Constitution, and a picture of the symbol, showing how it now had the overarching power in the state of Germany. -
Kapp Putsch
March 1920. Failed coup d'état by Wolfgang Kapp and Walther von Luttwitz. They wanted to overthrow the Weimar Republic to form right-wing government. The coup d'état allowed Kapp and Luttwitz to have control over Berlin, but there was a strike held by the public to prevent Kapp and Luttwitz from being successful. I chose this image because it demonstrates the streets of Germany in Berlin during the Putsch. It demonstrates the public unrest that was present during the Kapp Putsch. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising-
. In the Ruhr region of the Weimar Republic, Communist workers participated in a mass strike during the Kapp Putsch. Initially it was to protest the coup d’etat, but it turned into an armed rebellion to attempt to create a council republic. The workers formed the Red Ruhr Army, but were taken down brutally by the Freikorps. This image was chosen because it is a picture of members of the Red Ruhr Army, which demonstrates the resistance used by the communist workers. -
Hyperinflation
During crisis, millions of Germans were starving, and bankrupt. Striking workers had no income, government of the Weimar financed them by printing more money. Hyperinflation came as a result, causing the German mark to greatly depreciate in value. Hyperinflation was used as propaganda for the Nazi’s and gave way to an uprising of extremist groups. Image was chosen because it represents how devalued money was during the crisis. Many people needed hundreds and thousands of marks to afford bread. -
Rapallo Treaty
Agreement between Germany and The Soviet Union to establish a diplomatic relationship with one another. Germany and the USSR renounced territorial and financial obligations they once had with one another. They violated the treaty of Versailles as it allowed Germany to help build its military, which was initially restricted by the Versailles treaty. This image was chosen because it is a picture of representatives of Germany and Russia helping form the treaty of Rapallo. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
As a result of the hyperinflation crisis, the Rentenmark was introduced by Gustav Stresemann to increase the value of German currency. The Rentenmark was based upon limited resources, which helped increase the value of the currency. The rentenmark introduction was successful at the end. This image was chosen because it is an actual image of the Rentenmark used to help the hyperinflation crisis be alleviated. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
French and Belgian troops overtake the Ruhr region due to Germany’s failures to meet the reparation requirements. The troops wanted to force Germany to provide coal and other materials as a part of the reparation requirements. Ultimately, the Ruhr citizens passively resisted the French and Belgian troops, causing the Ruhr region to suffer economically. This image is of a French soldier and German civilian during the occupation, which was chosen because it actively shows French occupation of Ruhr -
Beer Hall Putsch
Failed coup done by Hitler Nazi party in Munich to overthrow Weimar government. Coup ultimately failed, leading to the arrest of Hitler. However, it brought attention upon Hitler, and he used his trials to promote his extremist views ideologies. This is an image of Nazis in the Munich during the Putsch. It was chosen because it actively demonstrates the Coup. -
Weimar Golden Age
I chose this image because it shows the arrow improving throughout as the data goes on. This ultimately shows the economic and social improvements for the society as the Weimar Golden Age was an ultimate improvement for living conditions in Berlin. -
Dawes Plan
I chose this image because it shows how the money is declining and the person is representing Germany. The Dawes Plan represents this image as it allowed Germany to get their financial reparations to be reduced, which is demonstrated as the money is going down as the arrow shows, and the individual is Germany who is wantng for the money to go down. -
Locarno Treaty
I chose this image as it shows how Streseman acceoted German borders as the figure is shown pointing to the check mark, meaning that they accepted it. However, they also agreed to not decide to use force although it will still be the case in terms of self - defense which is why the "X" block is still in this image as it still lingers but was not chosen to occur. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
I chose this picture because it represent the Treaty of Berlin with the Soviet Union where the guy sitting in the middle in the red chair is being neutral and not engaging in any of the other attacks around him, and that was the agreement that Germany and the Soviet Union had for the Treaty of Berlin where they would both remain neutral if either one were attacked by a third - party. -
German entrance into League of Nations
I chose this picture because the man who is entering the room is being portrayed to be Germany as the rest of the individuals at the table are the League of Nations where Germans were now admitted into the League of Nations due to efforts from the Weimar Republic. -
Election of President Von Hindenburg
I chose this image because the election of President Von Hindenburg occured due to the death of President Freidrich Ebert of the Weimar Republic. Because of his death, this caused for a re-election where Von Hindenburg ended up winning that election and taking over as President. -
Grand Coalition of Germany
The Grand Coalition of Germany consisted of the DDP, Z, BVP, DVP, SPD. This coalition covered the political sides of left-leaning to right leaning. The image provided shows which political parties originated from each side. The Grand Coalition shows some sort of political stability as the diverse parties were able to work together and lasted for two years. However, it can also be argued that the coalition was also unstable they weren't able to achieve much of their goals when working together. -
Young Plan
I chose this image because it portrays two individuals about to have a conversation with one another. This shows the Young Plan as the man on the left is Germany and the other man on the right is Owen Young. This image shows a negotiation being made where Young is willing to cooaperate with Germany in terms of limiting their reparations from WW1. -
Beginning of Great Depression
The Wall Street Crash in New York had severe consequences on America's economy. At the time, Germany relied on America's financial support and since they didn't rely on any other foreign exports that assisted their economy. America stopped sending loans and put up tariffs and Germany lost their biggest consumer. The image used here is propaganda in favor of Hitler who used this devastating time to rally support for his campaign by appealing to those affected by the Great Depression. -
Von Papen's Deal with Hitler
Kurt von Schleicher replaced Franz von Papen as chancellor of Germany. Von Papen, feeling the loss of power, schedules meetings with Hitler to negotiate with him. Knowing he still has Hindenburg's support, he promises Hitler the position of chancellor while he would be the vice chancellor while convincing Hindenburg that making Hitler chancellor would let them have more control over him. This image shows how Von Papen manipulated both sides to regain power for himself playing double agent. -
Hitler Becomes Chancellor
Hitler becomes chancellor of Germany. He ended up being the last chancellor as he gradually ascended to power and took control over Germany. Though Von Papen assured Hindenburg that Hitler would be a "chancellor in chains", Hitler's power was underestimated, which eventually led to the demise of Weimar Germany. This image symbolizes Hitler as he never led on what his plans were once he gained control of Germany, but instead kept a "mask" to hide his intentions.