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German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
October 29, 1918 - August 11, 1919: Began after Germany’s military failures in WWI. Was sparked by a naval mutiny in November 1918. The insurgency evolved into a revolution against the monarchical system by workers and soldiers. The revolution was headed by the Social Democratic parties. Kaiser Wilhelm II resigned as a result on the 9 of November 1918. The picture displays an image of the revolution in Berlin. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
Agreement made between the SD Friedrich Ebert (chancellor of Germany ) and Wilhelm Groener (Quartermaster general of the German army). Groener promised Ebert German army loyalty + Ebert assured Groener the govt would take action against leftist uprisings. Ebert promised to keep “state within the state” status. Gave the govt the ability to protect itself from the left threats. Created a division between Ebert’s SDP + other socialist groups. An image of Quartermaster general Wilhelm Groener. -
Armistice ending WWI
Armistice signed at le Francport that ended all fighting in WWI (land, sea, and air) between the Allies and Germany. The picture depicts the German delegation signs the armistice ending the fighting of WWI. -
Spartacist Revolt
Jan 5th - Jan 12th, 1919: A left-wing uprising with the purpose of attempting to establish a communist state in Germany and eradicate the Weimar Republic. The uprising was headed by a group within the Communist party called the Spartacist League. It was improvised and quickly crushed by the government’s troops. A group of Spartacists pictured during the uprising. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
The Bavarian Soviet Republic is established with the aim of creating a socialist soviet republic in Bavaria. It was short-lived and unrecognized, and the German Army and Freikorps quickly defeated it after less than a month of its establishment. A crowd gathering on the Karlsplatz in Munich at the start of the Bavarian Soviet Republic in 1919 -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
The Treaty of Versailles was one of the treaties imposed onto Germany to end WW1. It dictated Germany as the cause for the war and dealt them harsh blows, including land loss and reparation costs. This treaty was the driving factor for the division in Germany’s political system. This picture shows the land Germany lost to the Treaty of Versailles, one of the main points of anger amongst Germans. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
On December 1918, elections were held for a National Assembly that would create the Weimar Constitution. February 6, 1919: The National Assembly met in the city of Weimar to form the Weimar Coalition. On August 11, 1919 the Weimar constitution was signed into law by the President of the Weimar Republic, Friedrich Ebert. The picture depicts the Weimar Republic Parliament's inaugural gathering, signifying the beginning of the new governmental system. -
Kapp Putsch
A coup d’état attempt to overthrow the Weimar Republic (specifically by taking over Berlin). It’s main reason for failure was the lack of proper support developed, but it revealed the tensions between civilian and military authority within the Weimar. The picture shows the armed resistance with a sign translating to “Stop! Whoever goes further will be shot,” showing the intensity of the military situation between both groups (and how quickly control was taken over, even momentarily). -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
Mar 13-April 12, 1920--This was one of the largest armed worker uprisings in Germany’s major industrial area. It resulted from previous calls for a general strike by the SPD. The lack of production in that area as a result of the uprising counteracted and left Germany in a financially deficient state since no economic advancements were being made. The picture depicts numerous armed workers in preparation for their resistance, depicting the large scale of Germans this uprising appealed to. -
Rapallo Treaty
The treaty was an agreement between Germany and Russia, in which both parties agreed to renounce all territorial and financial claims against each other from the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in WW1. This treaty marked the beginning of Germany’s equality with other European countries. The picture depicts German chancellor Joseph Wirth and Russian politician Georgi Chicherin on equal footing with one another, showing Germany’s increasing approval amongst Europe. -
Hyperinflation Crisis
The hyperinflation crisis was a direct result of France’s occupation of the Ruhr, specifically due to the claims to take care of the workers on strike. The German government began mass printing money in order to support the workers’ cause, which led to extreme hyperinflation making the worth of a mark nearly useless. Picture shows the govt. mass printing money for numerous people. A large amount of money printed mirrors mass printing to support the workers, causing severe hyperinflation. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
Jan 11, 1923-Aug 25, 1925. France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr as a means to address the lack of reparations payments. The German government responded to this by calling for passive resistance amongst the workers there, claiming the government would support their needs financially. The political cartoon shows how Germany is forced by the French to pay the reparations accordingly--the lack of free will is what made many Germans angry at their circumstances. -
Beer Hall Putsch
An attempted coup d'état by the Nazi Party. Hitler + associates plotted to seize power by kidnapping Gustav von Kahr+ two other conservative politicians. The Munich police force clashed with Nazi stormtroopers and killed more than a dozen of Hitler's supporters. The picture depicts Hitler's stormtroopers in the back of a truck before the coup. -
Introduction of the Rentenmark
In order to curb the severe hyperinflation problem, Gustav Stresemann introduced a new form of currency, known as the Rentenmark, that was valued significantly higher than the previous currency. This was one of his many reforms that allowed for the Weimar Golden age to occur. -
Weimar Golden Age
1923-1929 - A period of time in Weimar Germany when the economy boomed and cultural life flourished. The golden age saw the elimination of hyperinflation, the introduction of cabarets, and improvements to living standards. The picture depicts a cabaret, a common establishment during this time period -
Dawes Plan
The Dawes Plan reduced Germany's overall reparations and allowed for Germany to receive loans from U.S. banks in order to build up their own economy to pay off debts. This significantly helped in Germany's ability to pay reparations, but it also created a dependency on U.S. economy The picture depicts a chart describing the relationship between the key players in the Dawes Plan. -
Election of President von Hindenburg
After the death of Friedrich Ebert, Hindenburg was elected the republic's second president through two rounds of voting. His renown as a military general in WW1 helped aid his popularity in the election. Hindenburg was the candidate of a broad coalition of the right-wing, but his policies were not as extreme as the Nazi Party. The picture depicts a news article after Hindenburg's success, showing the extent of his popularity at the time. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
This was a treaty where Germany and the Soviet Union pledged neutrality in the event of an attack by other parties. Stresemann signed this treaty to confirm and extend the friendly relations at Rapallo. The picture shows an overview of the map in Germany and Berlin, which countries the treaty extended to. -
Locarno Treaty signed
A series of seven treaties signed from Oct. 5-Oct. 16. The treaty aimed to secure the borders of the nations of Europe after the First World War, for Germany to agree to the border with France, and as a result France agreed that they would be in a state of peace with Germany and to ensure the permanent demilitarisation of the Rhineland in order to prevent another world war. The political cartoon shows how although the Locarno Treaty was put into place, other peace measures were difficult. -
German entrance into League of Nations
As a result of Stresemann’s policies and a promotion of Germany’s interests, Germany was able to enter the League of Nations as an equal member alongside the Allies. It was given great power and respect with an increased political influence, ultimately changing the perception of Germany in the European nations overall. A local newspaper writes about the news with Germany joining the League of Nations to spread awareness and nationalism. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
4/6 parties of Weimar Germany joined to form Grand Coalition, led by Hermann Muller. Parties include the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Centre Party (Z), the Democratic Party (DDP) + People’s Party (DVP). Main plan = steer the Young Plan through the Reichstag. However, amidst the growing Great Depression crisis and the increased divisions between the parties, the Grand Coalition broke up in 1930. An image showing members of several different political parties to form the Grand Coalition. -
Young Plan
A plan was introduced by an American banker, Charles Young, as an attempt to bring Weimar Germany out of its hyperinflation crisis and stabilize the economy. It ultimately reduced the amount of reparations Germany needed to pay and allowed for them to reschedule their payments as they were failing to meet the requirements. 59 years more was given to Germany to pay off their debts. News article from NYT, discussing the success of solving Europe’s greatest problem through the Young Plan. -
Beginning of Great Depression
The Great Depression started due to a stock market crash in late 1929, sending Wall Street into panic and wiping out millions of investors. This time was the worst economic downturn in the world, causing consumer spending and investments to drop significantly, unemployment to rise, and a large existential crisis of workers being laid off. The image displays a very long and extended line of people waiting for food and resources from one tent during the Great Depression. -
Von Papen’s deal with Hitler
Since Von Papen wanted revenge on Schleicher for taking his position as chancellor, he made a deal with Hitler to have his position removed. Von Papen made the deal that if Hitler became chancellor, he would be vice chancellor with a cabinet full of his Nazi Party members. President Hindenburg only agreed as he thought he would be able to keep Hitler under control and was already frustrated with Von Schleicher. Image shows a picture of Hitler and Von Papen side by side. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
As a result of Von Papen’s deal with Hitler, Hitler was able to acquire his role as chancellor. His rise to power leads to the outbreak of the Second World War and the gaining support for the Nazi Party in his one-party state government. His emergence as chancellor marked a crucial turning point for Germany where the Nazis were fully in power. Hitler shakes the hand of a high commander, accepting his very important role as a chancellor.