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Ebert-Groener Pact
The picture portrays a revolt during November 9th, 1918, the day before the pact was made. This pact allowed the government to suppress voices from left-wing supporters and political parties, and it connects to this picture as people were protesting the unfairness of the pact. The pact sparked controversy between the German citizens as many thoughts it was a betrayal of their democratic principles. -
German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
This picture is a portrait of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The German Revolution of 1918 was an uprising by the workers and soldiers during the last days of WWI. This uprising established the Weimar Republic, gaining support from workers at first. In contrast to the sudden increase of support for the republic, Kaiser Wilhelm II lost his support from the military and citizens. Losing support declare him to be unruly for Germany and he resigned at the end of November 1918. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
This picture is significant as it entails a courtroom full of people. It signifies how the Weimar Constitution and the Weimar Republic created a new impact Germany, creating a federal semi-presidential republic. Due to the establishment of the Weimar Republic, it was Germany’s first try on a democratic government. It laid the groundwork for democratic influences in the future. This captures the moment that Germany was moving on after WWI. -
Armistice ending WWI
This image is significant due to showing a picture of a newspaper with the headline “World War Over; Armistice Signed.” The Armistice is an important document that ended the First World War as it was an agreement with the Allied powers. The document is significant as it ended the war for many citizens and impacted their lives. The press played a part of delivering that message where it got its recognized quote “The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.” -
Spartacist Revolt
This picture depicts the feelings of the Spartacist Revolt after WWI. The Spartacist Revolt was caused by workers from their discontent and their desire for a radical change. From over the Weimar Republic, people believed that the communist ideals were more fulfilling than the Weimar’s revolutionary promises. The picture portrays the Spartacist Revolt due to the use of guns on the right side, representing the emotions that were felt at the time by the government over these revolts. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
This picture represents the Soviets in Munich, where they are holding guns and standing in the middle of the road in line like a barrier. Before the establishment of the Bavarian Soviet Union, there was unrest and violence that occurred in Munich, causing leaders and people to flee the city. It made the city weaker, and Bavarians wanted to bring their voice up after having to subject under the unrest and the violence happening in Germany. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
This picture represents the making of the Treaty of Versailles in the Hall of Mirrors with many country leaders. The picture includes country leaders coming together at the Paris Peace Conference to finally declare the end of war with Germany and the Allied Powers. As they were creating the treaty, they proposed many reparations that hurt Germany with economic hardships and political standing in their global outlook. -
Hyperinflation Crisis
This image shows children in Germany playing with money as though it had no vale and was a toy. This demonstrates how the insignificant the overprint of money in Germany was to support its economy over time. This illustrates how the realistic value of the over print money was perceived as inefficient to serving the economy. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
This picture depicts 4 members of the Red Ruhr Army in Dortmund. The Ruhr Uprising was a part of the reactions to the Kapp Putsch, the revolutions during 1917-1923, and the general political violence in Germany. The Red Ruhr Army played a part in revolting against the Germany government, specifically overthrowing the Weimar Republic as the 4 people in the picture are handling their weapons casually to create a divergence in the political view of Germany. -
Kapp Putsch
This picture depicts the Marinebrigade Ehrhardt in Berlin during the Putsch as the Kapp Putsch was part of the political violence in Germany. The Kapp Putsch was created to undo the effects of the German Revolution of 1918-19, creating a huge revolt with nationalist and monarchists factions. Even though the coup failed for a few days, large sections of German citizens show up in a general strike just like shown in the picture, representing the general revolts caused by the German population. -
The Rapallo Treaty
This image is significant because it demonstrates how the Rapallo Treaty brought 2 distant nations together after the Treaty of Versailles. This image shows how the Soviet Union representatives and the German representative were cordial with each other. To help provide the tools for beneficial gain for both countries. This highlights the importance of diplomacy through the connections of different countries. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
This image shows the use of force from the French and the Belgians to get reparation payments from the German government. Although the image only illustrates the intimidation from man to man rather than a massive army of military force to enforce the reparations on Germany. Although the image demonstrates the use of militarism with armory and weapons to intimidate the opposition. -
Beer Hall Putsch
This picture demonstrates the significant power Hitler had to leading a group of people. This demonstrates the increase of influence that Hitler gained overtime after the failed coup. -
Introduction of the Rentenmark
This image is significant because it demonstrates the monetary value of the Rentenmark. This image is also significant because of the monetary value and the respect of its background, the value helped increase the value in the German economy. -
Weimar Golden Age
This image represents the golden age through the revival of the economy. In the image people are happy and thriving, and this can be seen as an impact of the Weimar golden age through the recovery of the German economy and increased international relations. -
Dawes Plan
This image represents the significance of the reparations from WW1 and the negative impact the reparations had on the German economy. This demonstrates the need for international assistance and loans to ease the stress from the reparations on Germany. -
Election of President von Hindenburg
The image of Hitler bowing his head while shaking President von Hindenburg’s hand clearly symbolizes their political relationship. Von Hindenburg – respected WWI general, symbol of conservative Germany – was seen as a stabilizing figure during Weimar’s stormy years. This captures the tension between old Germany and the rising radical right (relation gives legitimacy). This foreshadows von Hindenburg’s crucial role in appointing Hitler as Chancellor, marking the beginning of the Nazi’s rise. -
The Locarno Treaty
This image demonstrates the international diplomacy and connections through different powers. the shaking of hands in the image represents how every party was in agreeance for the plans. This is reflected through the European power’s signing the Locarno treaty to enter an era of peace. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
The image of German and Soviet leaders signing the treaty captures the formal and diplomatic nature of the Berlin Treaty (1926). It visually represents Germany’s efforts in maintaining neutrality with the USSR while branching its Western relations. This moment repeated earlier ties from the Rapallo Treaty and clearly shows Germany’s strategy to avoid isolation and reassert itself as a sovereign player in post-war diplomacy. -
German entrance into League of Nations
The image of the League of Nations’ leaders symbolizes Germany’s formal return to the international stage. This represents Germany’s acceptance into the League in 1926 (under Stresemann’s leadership), marking a shift from isolation to global diplomacy. This gathering of world leaders highlights the success of Weimar’s foreign policy and Germany’s restored credibility after WWI and the Treaty of Versailles. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
The image of party leaders sitting around a table with papers shows the collaborative nature of the Grand Coalition. It reflects one of the last functioning democratic alliances of the Weimar Republic, uniting centrist and left-leaning parties. This moment represents political cooperation during a fragile period and highlights the Republic’s attempt to maintain stability before extremist parties gained control. -
Young Plan
The cartoon of Germany crushed under a massive money bag labeled "$55,000,000,000" captures the burden of the reparations from WWI. This visualizes the Young Plan’s intent to restructure payments but also the continued economic strain. Despite being more lenient, the plan remained controversial. This is reflected in the cartoon use of exaggeration (GIANT money bag) to show economic pain and humiliation, which directly connects to nationalist outrage (growing anti-Weimar sentiment). -
Beginning of Great Depression
The cartoon of a broken tractor labeled “economic breakdown” being pulled in opposite directions perfectly symbolizes Germany’s economic collapse. The elephant labeled “Depression” shows the overwhelming force of the global crisis, while opposing political forces struggle over control. It highlights Germany’s reliance on US loans and the political gridlock that followed, which deepened instability and public desperation. -
Von Papen’s deal with Hitler
The image of Von Papen looking at Hitler, who appears taller and dominant, reflects their power imbalance. This reflects Von Papen’s mistaken belief in that he could control Hitler by helping him become Chancellor. This moment directly led to the Nazi’s rise in power and shows how conservative elites underestimated Hitler’s ambition and ability to dismantle the Weimar Republic from within. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
The image of Hitler seated at his desk with arms crossed conveys authority, confidence, and control from the moment he was appointed Chancellor. His body language symbolizes the shift from democratic governance to authoritarian power. The visual reflects how Hitler was already asserting dominance, foreshadowing the collapse of the Weimar Republic and the rise of a totalitarian state.