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German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
The German Revolution of 1918 (– Aug 11, 1919) had the result of replacing the German federal constitutional monarchy with a democratic parliamentary republic (Weimar). At the end of WWI, there was immense civil conflict from Germany's social and economic downfall. Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated 11/9 and fled due to the lack of support and continual unrest leading to revolution. From there, Friedrich Ebert (pic) overtook power and attempted to reunite Germany with the Weimar Republic (until 1933). -
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Weimar Republic
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Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
The Weimar Republic was formed through Friedrich Ebert, representing the SDP and president of the Reichstag, as he signed a new constitution to create a parliamentary democracy known as the Weimar Republic (formally known from 1919-1933). The formation of the constitution and its guidelines derived from the contribution of the national assembly (February-Date of Signature). The image represents a meeting between the elected delegates of the national assembly. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
This agreement between Friedrich Ebert and Wilhelm Groener (chancellor of Germany, quartermaster general of army, and member of Reichswehr high command) essentially recognized the weakness of the German government. Fearing communism, they attempted to have the army not only support the new government but to maintain exiting officers' authority (support for support). Endorsing the Reichswehr officers contributed to defeating the Spartacist revolt. The image represents Wilhelm Groener in 1917. -
Armistice ending WWI
Signed at Le Francport, near Compiègn, was the peace agreement to conclude hostilities between the Allies and Germany on the Western Front, ending most of the conflict and was a huge initiative towards ending the entire war. The Treaty of Versailles was the concluding element, signed on June 28, 1919. The image represents a newspaper article from the event. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
In the Weimar Republic of 1919 to 1933, the term "grand coalition" was used for a coalition that included the Social Democratic Party, SPD, the Catholic Centre Party and the liberal parties Democratic Party, DDP and People's Party, DVP. A "grand coalition" occurs when the top two parties in a parliamentary system form
a ruling coalition together
Justification: All of the party leaders sitting together representing unity. -
Spartacist Revolt
The uprising was a large protest in the center of Berlin, featuring about 100,000 workers on strike until Spartacist leadership overtook this demonstration. They tried to replicate actions similar to the Russian Revolution, violently overthrowing the government, but were communists advocating for Germany to be run by the working classes and that power/wealth should be distributed equally among the population. The image represents a leader making a speech to workers.
Ended January 12th, 1919. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
The Bavarian Soviet Republic was a socialist republic formed throughout the German Revolution of 1918. This was located in Bavaria and represented a council for workers. Although it is debated whether or not this was formed for the working class, but rather the Independents and anarchists. This state was shortly dismantled by the German Army and the paramilitary Freikorps, lasting less than a month (ended May 3rd, 1919). Image represents their (basic) flag. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28th, 1919 and concluded the peace terms between countries involved in WWI (mainly the allies and Germany). Germany faced many of the repercussions documented in the treaty, such as reparations, loss of territory, and it overall humiliated Germany in their loss. Through this, Germany released many colonies and territories, reduced their military, and accept the guilt as they continually paid their financial debts. Image represents a newspaper article. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
This uprising in the Ruhr region (of Germany) consisted of a left-wing workers' revolt intended to act as a response to the Kapp Putsch. It was one of the largest workers' uprisings in the nation, advocating in an extremely industrial area. The Ruhr "army" defeated the Freikorps and right-winged nationalists/forces, but the government had sent troops to finally shut this down on April 12th, 1920. The image displays the memorial casted in Hagen for the lives lost (1000+ for Ruhr, 250 for Kapp). -
Kapp Putsch
Kapp Putsch was an attempted coup d'état directed towards overthrowing the SDP government (Weimar Republic). This was carried out by Right-Wing nationalists and Freikorps members, also rallying support from army officers. Ultimately, this was unsuccessful as the people of Berlin strived for peace and could not support such a movement, ending on the following 18th of March. Image displays Wolfgang Kapp, the leader of the short-lived movement. -
Rapallo Treaty
The Rapallo Treaty was signed on April 16th, 1922 between Soviet Russia and the German Republic in order to resume friendly but diplomatic, peaceful relations. All financial, military, and territorial debts were renounced, and this began the initiation on how to resolve and compromise with each other. The image displays the German chancellor greeting Russian Delegation on a newspaper article. -
Weimar Golden Age
1923-1929: was a time when the economy boomed, cultural life flourished in Germany.
1923: Organized the Great Coalition of moderate, pro-democracy parties in the Reichstag. At last, Germany had a government that could make laws. German Reichsbank was reformed
Justification: Displays German people very happy an socializing representing the good times during the Golden Age -
Hyperinflation Crisis
This crisis started after the Germans missed a reparation payment in 1922, creating a chain reaction of events to follow. Despite the already high inflation from the war and government debt, the government continued to just print more money, decreasing the value even more and still raising prices. Factory workers weakened the economy more, not manufacturing goods. Overall, the value of money declined and everything was increasingly expensive. The chart displays the trend (price v year) -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
France and Belgium had occupied the Ruhr River valley region in order to obtain raw materials and goods, as this was a response and an alternative to Germany's lack of reparation payments. Eventually, inflation began to occur due to the shortages in these items, increasing prices. Soldiers had finally departed on August 25, 1925. The image features Belgian and French troops marching into the region. -
Beer Hall Putsch
Nov 8th - 9th, 1923: The Beer Hall Putsch, also known as the Munich Putsch, was a failed coup d'état by Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler, Generalquartiermeister Erich Ludendorff and other Kampfbund leaders in Munich, Bavaria.
Justification: Image of the leaders mentioned above -
Introduction of Rentenmark
A new currency, the Rentenmark, was introduced on November 20, 1923, in strictly limited quantities. It was backed by a mortgage on the entire industrial and agricultural resources of the country.
Justification: This is an image of the new currency, a single Rentenmark -
Dawes Plan
The Dawes Plan (as proposed by the Dawes Committee, chaired by Charles G. Dawes) was a plan in 1924 that successfully resolved the issue of WWI reparations that Germany had to pay. It ended a crisis in European diplomacy following World War I and the Treaty of Versailles.
Justification: This is a photo of Charles G. Dawes the person who conjured the 'Dawes Plans' -
Election of President von Hindenburg
Hindenburg had been elected to the office in 1925 with the support of a coalition of several parties on the right who hoped that he would overturn the Weimar Republic (48.3% to Marx's 45.3%). (Reelected in 1932)
Justification: Image of von Hindenburg, who was elected -
Locarno Treaty
Locarno Pact improved the relations between European countries up until 1930. It led to the belief that there would be peaceful settlements to any disputes in the future. This has often been called the spirit of Locarno. This was further re-enforced when Germany joined the League of Nations in 1926. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
The Treaty of Berlin (German-Soviet Neutrality and Nonaggression Pact) was a treaty under which Germany and the Soviet Union 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 (1922).
Justification: Image of the leaders signing the treaty of Berlin. -
German entrance into League of Nations
Germany was not an original member of the League of Nations when it was established in 1920. Germany joined in 1926 and remained a member until Adolf Hitler withdrew the country from the League in 1933.
Justification: Although its not a real newspaper, it represents the excitement and inclusivity Germans felt when admitted into the League -
Young Plan
The Young Plan was a program for settling Germany's World War I reparations. It was written in August 1929 and formally adopted in 1930. It was presented by the committee headed (1929–30) by American industrialist Owen D.
Justification: Image of Owen D. Young -
Beginning of Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression between 1929 and 1939 that began after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagion began around September 4, 1929, and became known worldwide on Black Tuesday, the stock market crash of October 29, 1929.
Justification: Image of people standing outside a free food organization for unemployed people -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Following several backroom negotiations—which included industrialists, Hindenburg's son, the former chancellor Franz von Papen, and Hitler—Hindenburg acquiesced and on 30 January 1933, he formally appointed Adolf Hitler as Germany's new chancellor.
Justification: Hitler is being appointed chancellor by Hindenburg -
Von Papen’s deal with Hitler
Von Papen wanted revenge on von Schleicher. He plotted with Hitler to have him ousted. Hindenburg was already frustrated with von Schleicher, so when a new government was proposed with Hitler as Chancellor, von Papen as Vice-Chancellor and a cabinet largely composed of non-Nazis, he asked von Schleicher to resign. The new government was appointed on 30th January 1933.
Justification: Hitler and von Papen walking together