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German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
Kaiser abdicated as German emperor and as the King of Prussia on November 9 and was announced by Prince Maximilian of Baden due to the loss of his support from the military. He then fled Germany to Holland. This picture presents the different leaders around this time. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
Friedrich Ebert, who was a member of the Social Democratic Party and the president of the provisional Reichstag created a constitution creating the first democratic government in Germany. This picture presents them meeting to form the Weimar Republic. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
This ensured the loyalty of the military and armed forces to the social democrat Friedrich Ebert, the Chancellor of Germany, and William Groener. This is a picture of Friedrich Ebert -
Armistice ending WW I
After four years of war, the Armistice was signed at Le Francport near Compiegne which ended WW1 between the Allies and Germany. This is a picture presenting the newspaper to celebrate Germany's surrender. -
Spartacist Revolt
This was a revolt to be able to establish a communistic state in Germany and ultimately destroy the Weimar Republic. This is an image presenting the revolt. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
AKA the Munich Soviet Republic was a short lived and un-recognized socialist state in Bavaria during the German Revolution taking the form of a workers council republic This picture presents a map of the Bavarian Soviet Republic. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
On June 28th of 1919, a treaty was signed after WWI. This treaty established peace terms for the allies and Germany. The treaty held GErmany responsible for starting the war and it established reparations, demilitarization, and the loss of land. Germany did not feel that the Treaty of Versailles was correct and they felt it wronged them. I chose this photo because it represents the force that Germany felt as Germany felt they were treated unfair within the treaty thus, the hand holding Germany. -
Kapp Putsch
On March 13th of 1920 the Kapp Putsch attempted a coup that focused on overthrowing the Social Democratic Party. It was carried out by the army officers as the overthrow was attempted. I chose this picture because it reflects the violence involved with the Kapp Putsch as the sign translates to "Stop! Whoever goes further will be shot" indicating the violence and passion that is associated with this event and group. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
This was also known as the March uprising. It occurred from March 13th of 1920 to April 12th of 1920. The uprising was a left-winged worker revolt that was in response to the Kapp Putsch. There was a lot of socialist support for this movement. I chose this photo because it shows the idea of organization and violence that was involved with the uprising itself, which is reflected by the militaristic posing within the photogrph itself. -
Hyperinflation Crisis
In 1921-1923 Germany the government printed more money in response to the workers that were on strike. This printing caused the money to lose its value. The prices of goods shifted with the shift in currency value. This picture presents the excessive amount of money being printed, which led to lowering the value of money; the rise in prices for items and overall, the hyperinflation crisis -
Rapallo Treaty
On April 16th of 1922, the German republic and Soviet Russia signed the treaty as an agreement where both sides declared abandonment of each other's territory and financial ties. This also established open relations between the two groups as well. This photo reflects this instance because it shows the German and Russian meeting that happened for the treaty itself. The image of both sides being at a table together also acts as a humbling reminder and powerful image of equality between the nations -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
From January 11th of 1923 August 25th of 1925, France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr River Valley Region. This was a militaristic occupation of the Ruhr Valley. This militaristic approach was due to Germany not fully following the Treaty of Versailles with the reparations. I chose this photo because it shows the militaristic methods that were used in this occupation of the Ruhr as the man on the right has a weapon in hand facing the man on the left. -
Beer Hall Putsch
Nov 8, 1923- Nov 9, 1923 – also called the Munich Putsch – attempted coup d’etat led by the Nazi Party with Adolf Hitler as their leader and help from Generalquartiermeister Erich Ludendorff – ended in failure and split between Hitler and Lundendorff – Lundendorff was upset by Hitler left went the police began attacking them – resulted in Hilter decided to choose peaceful means of obtaining power. This picture presents them meeting in Beer Hall Putsch. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
new currency in an attempt to stabilize the economy since the Reichsmark was now worthless because of hyperinflation – this new currency was encouraged by businesses since it was tied to the value of gold. This is a picture of the Rentenmark -
Weimar Golden Age
1924-1929 period were Germany flourished economically and culturally (improved living conditions, greater economic stability, better security, and overall prosperity)– by the help of its leaders Gustav Stresemann and Charles Dawes – through establishing trading links and getting loans from the US. This picture presents the people throughout the Weimar Golden Age -
Dawes Plan
negotiation between Germany and the US government to assist Germany with their reparation payments from World War I – reduced their overall payments and would increase as the Germany economy improved. This is a picture to them meeting as they organize the Dawes Plan -
Election of President von Hindenburg
April 1925 – Hindenburg was elected as the republic’s second president – after Friedrich Ebert’s death – he prioritized nationalism over the party’s politices – later won another seven year term against Adolf Hitler. This is a picture presenting Hindenburg in the presidential desk. -
Locarno Treaty
5-16 October 1925 – treaty negotiated at Locarno, Switzerland – signed in London December 1st officially – guaranteed the Germany frontier (France, Belgium, Germany treated this frontier as unbreakable) – Britain and Italy helped repeal attacks across the frontier. This is a picture of the Locarno Treaty. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
Signed by Germany and the Soviet Union who pledged neutrality in the event of an attack on the other by a third party for five years. The treaty reaffirmed the German-Soviet Treaty of Rapallo. This image of a map presents the Treaty between Great Britain and Ireland, Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire, for the Settlement of the Affairs of the East. -
German entrance into League of Nations
Germany was admitted into The League of Nations in 1926, where it's important to note that they were not an original member. It was necessary for Germany to enter in order to initiate the Locarno pact in action. They remained a member until Adolf Hitler expelled their country in 1933. This picture was selected as it presents the representatives at the league of nations meeting. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
The "Grand Coalition" was coined to refer to the Social Democratic Party, The Catholic Centre Party, and the Liberal's Democratic Party and this was significant as Weimar Germany brought these parties to work together in a time of crisis. This picture presents the Grand Coalition meeting in 1928. -
Young Plan
The Young Plan was an attempt from former warline members to support the Weimar Government through reducing Germany’s reparations. In doing this, they would attempt to stabilize the economy and social workers. This political cartoon depicts the Young Plan’s Programme Settlement German Reparations. -
Beginning of Great Depression
In August of 1929, the Wall Street Crash led to a worldwide depression. Germany was the most impacted due to the withdrawal of U.S loans, which crashed the country's economy. Unemployment rates went through the roof, consequently putting many Germans in poverty. This picture presents the people’s desperation for money and the methods they had to resort to in order to survive. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Hitler was appointed Chancellor. With this power, he would be able to work his way towards the top of the government and become the leader of Germany leading up to WW2. This picture presents Adolf Hitler being appointed as chancellor. -
Von Papen’s deal with Hitler
Van Popen's deal with Hitler entailed letting him become Chancellor, allowing him to get power, however, this event would lead to Germany falling apart. This picture presents Hilter and Von Papen meeting with each other.
