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In November of 1918, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated the throne. At the end of the war, while allied troops began to advance, the German Imperial Navy started a mutiny. Along with the unstable condition of Germany as it was clear that they would lose the war, Wilhelm II resigned and fled to Holland. The picture represents the large impact the resignation of the Kaiser and the German Revolution had globally. -
The Ebert-Groener Pact was an agreement between Friedrich Ebert, the Chancellor of Germany, and Wilheim Groener on November 10, 1918. This was a secret deal was made at the end of the World War, which agreed to allow the army to deal with German communists, specifically the Spartacists, however they’d like. This image is a picture of Friedrich Ebert and Wilheim Groener, the two main figures that were in charge of this new agreement and with the new trajectory of Germany's politics. -
The Armistice of November 11, 1918, ended fighting on the Western Front and began the process towards ending WW1. The armistice was signed at Le Francport to end the war between the Allies and Germany while the terms for peace were discussed. This image displays a discussion of the armistice that ended the carnage and losses that hurt many countries internationally. -
The Spartacist Revolt was a strike that took place in Berlin from January 5th to the 12th, 1919, triggered by the remaining Allied blockade in Germany. The Spartacists took over government and communications centers. However, the Freikorps put down the protest within a week. This picture conveys the widespread violence that both the Freikorps and Spartacists utilized during the revolt. -
The Bavarian Soviet Republic was a socialist state Bavaria during the German Revolution in April 1919, however, did not last for too long, as it was overthrown by the Freikorps. The Bavarian Soviet Republic was a workers’ council republic. Many of the people who were apart of the republic later joined the Nazis after the party’s overthrow. This image shows the state of Bavaria, signifying the instability within Germany with many internal conflicts that threatened a collapse of the country. -
The Treaty of Versailles was signed in June 1919, at the end of World War I. The Treaty of Versailles’ terms demanded reparations from Germany after their actions during the war. Germany also lost land, their colonies, population, and products. This picture displays the signing of the treaty, which conveys the global impact the treaty had as there were many people in attendance. -
In August of 1919, Friedrich Ebert and the provisional president of the German government signed the Weimar Constitution, which established the first parliamentary democracy in Germany. This new form of government worked to grant power to all Germans. This picture shows the delegation that formed the new republic and constitution. The picture conveys how this marked a new beginning for Germany post-WWI. -
The Kapp Putsch was an attempt to overthrow the SPD, on March 13, 1920, led by Wolfgang Kapp, along with the Freikorps and right-wing nationalists in Berlin. The Kapp Putsch failed when the German population went on strike and refused to cooperate with the Kapp members. This picture displays some armed members of the Kapp Putsch, signifying the force they used throughout Germany. -
In March 1920, the Ruhr Uprising was known as a left-wing workers’ revolt throughout the Ruhr of Germany. The Red Ruhr army defeated the Freikorps and other army units while paramilitary forces killed around 1,000 workers to suppress the revolt. This picture depicts the violence, and the many losses of the Ruhr Uprising as Germany was facing instability across the nation. -
The Treaty of Rapallo was signed April 16, 1922, between Germany and the Soviet Union, in Rapallo, Italy. It allowed for the resumption of diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and Germany while renouncing their reparations on each other. France and the United Kingdom opposed the treaty. This picture depicts the leaders of the treaty meeting, conveying that this treaty is a positive moment shared by the USSR and Weimar Germany. -
It was a period of more stability, economic security, and prosperity, as well as higher living conditions, for the Weimar Republic, at least in comparison to prior years. In Germany, this was a moment when the economy was booming, and cultural life was thriving. Gustav Stresemann and Charles Dawes, two men who saved Germany, were responsible for this spectacular turnabout. The picture is of German leader Stresemann who supported and led Germany through her most glorious years. -
After Germany had many reparations to pay, Germany refused to raise taxes and only claimed to pay workers even further. In combination with their war debt and reparations, Germany instead printed more money, decreasing the value of their money. Other nations would not accept their inflated currency while Germans could not afford necessities at home. This picture depicts the alarming amount of paper marks printed that cost very little, with people having millions of marks that are worth nothing. -
Throughout 1923-1925, the Ruhr River valley was occupied by French and Belgian troops as Germany refused to send exports to France as a part of their reparations of the Treaty of Versailles, especially since the Ruhr was a big industrial area. This led to a collapse of the Germany economy, as troops took resources instead to make up for their lost reparations. This image displays French and Belgian troops forcing German workers out of the Ruhr, signifying the force used against Germany. -
The Beer Hall Putsch took place from November 8 to 9 of 1923. The Beer Hall Putsch was a failed coup, led by Adolf Hitler, against the Weimar Republic. 2,000 Nazis took over the city center of Feldherrnhalle. The coup was an armed revolution that split Hitler and Ludendorff. This picture shows the Beer Hall Putsch and its leader, Adolf Hitler, showing the commitment and fear they instill as they have numerous members part of the coup gathering support for the group. -
A temporary German monetary unit that was used for banknotes was created in 1923 to stabilize the currency and was made comparable to one billion inflated imperial marks before being replaced by the reichsmark. Because only a limited quantity was printed, prices were stabilized, and money gained value. This aided in the re-establishment of German economic confidence. The picture depicts the dire situation of inflation with the exponential inflation due to mainly war debt and paying wages. -
Germany's annual reparation payments would be decreased under the Dawes Plan, increasing over time as the country's economy improved; nevertheless, the total sum to be paid remained unknown. Berlin's economic policymaking would be reformed under international supervision, and a new currency, the Reichsmark, would be introduced. The picture is a flow chart of the outlines of the Dawes plan and what it means for international relations between the countries. -
In March 1932, the incumbent Hindenburg, who was backed by pro-democratic parties, faced Hitler and the Communist Ernst Thälmann in presidential elections. In April, Hitler garnered about a third of the vote and was defeated by Hindenburg, who won a slender majority in the second round. The image shows that even though Hindenburg was of higher authority than Hitler, he was still the reason Hitler ever rose to power. They had agreements and back workings throughout Hindenburg's bid. -
Post- WWI, The Locarno Treaty guaranteed Germany's western frontier, which France, Germany, and Belgium agreed to treat as inviolable. The United Kingdom and Italy agreed to assist in repelling any armed aggression across the border. As a result of Germany's agreement on the border with France, France committed to living in peace with Germany. To assure the Rhineland's permanent demilitarization. The picture represents the diplomatic peace provided by the borders of the Locarno treaty. -
The Locarno Pact could not be implemented without membership in the League. As a permanent member of the League's Council, Germany was given tremendous influence, including the ability to veto decisions. Germany was persuaded to join the League by Werner Dankworth, and Germany became the League's fifth permanent member in 1926. The picture is representative about the German attitude of a better future for Weimar and their diplomatic power after joining the League of Nations. -
A five-year treaty where Germany and the Soviet Union agreed to remain neutral in the event of a third-party attack. In fear, Russia, weakened by the recently concluded war with Turkey and without the support of Germany, was obliged to consent to the congress' convening, forced by the envy and suspicion with which the great European countries viewed each other's aspirations for colonial expansion in Africa. The picture represents pride in Soviet and German solidarity since Rapallo in 1922. -
The Social Democratic Party, SPD, the Catholic Centre Party, and the liberal parties, Democratic Party, DDP, and the People's Party, DVP, formed a partnership. This picture depicts a chart of the many political parties of Weimar Germany, showing that the Grand Coalition mainly comprised of left-leaning within Germany. -
Germany's total reparations have been reduced from £6.6 billion to £2 billion. Furthermore, the Young Plan provided Germany with 59 years to pay reparations, implying that Germany would not have to pay until 1988. Former wartime allies attempted to back Weimar Germany's government through the Young Plan. The picture is a visualization of the less stress Germany was under with their time extension from the Young Plan. -
It all started after the October 1929 stock market crash, which plunged Wall Street into a frenzy and wiped out millions of investors. Consumer spending and investment fell sharply during the next few years, resulting in significant drops in industrial output and employment as failing businesses, and laid-off workers. The picture represents German's poverty while The face of the man represents Germany's surprise of not being supported by the 'golden land' of the US after their investments. -
The Great Depression was a major factor in Hitler's election as Chancellor of Germany in January 1933. Hitler combined the Chancellorship and the Presidency to become Germany's Führer. In retrospect, Hitler's ascent to power was facilitated in part by his willingness to use violence to further his political goals, as well as his ability to recruit party members who were willing to do the same. This picture is of Hitler's Pride after he gained the power he had been yearning for during Weimar. -
German statesman and diplomat who was instrumental in the dissolution of the Weimar Republic and the election of Adolf Hitler as German chancellor in 1933. The picture is of Hitler and Von Popen in cahoots after their backroom dealings to put Hitler in power after backstabbing Hindenburg.