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German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
having lost the support of the military, and with a revolution underway at home, Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced to abdicate his throne and flee Germany for Holland. Power was handed to a government led by the leader of the left-wing Social Democratic Party, Friedrich Ebert.
picture: a portrait of Kaiser Wilhelm II -
Ebert-Groener Pact
The Ebert-Groener Pact was an agreement with then-Chancellor Friedrich Ebert and Wilhelm Groener, a German general. Groener promised Ebert the loyalty of the armed forces. Ebert promised Groener that the government would suppress leftist uprisings and that the government wouldn’t interfere with the Reichswehr (armed forces). This ensured the safety of the Republic in its early days from leftist opposition.
picture: Ebert consulting with military allies. -
Armistice ending WWI
Towards the end of WWI in 1918, Germany’s domestic situation had been deteriorating due to socioeconomic issues, such as disillusionment from the war and food shortages, and overall discontent. This, along with the failure of the Spring Offensive in March 1918 and the loss of its allies led to Germany surrendering and signing an armistice with the Allies
picture: officials leaving armistice meeting -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
The treaty was lengthy, and ultimately did not satisfy any nation. The Versailles Treaty forced Germany to give up territory to Belgium, Czechoslovakia and Poland, return Alsace and Lorraine to France and cede all of its overseas colonies in China, Pacific and Africa to the Allied nations.
picture: treaty of versailles (english version) -
Spartacist Revolt
During the Spartacist Revolt, Berlin was taken over by the Spartacus League, a left-wing Communist group that wanted to take control of Germany and create a Communist government similar to Russia's. The Weimar Republic found this situation to be difficult to control and called in the Freikorps, which stabilized the situation. However, many Germans saw the Freikorps as a sign that the Weimar Republic was incompetent.
picture: workers protesting in the streets -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
The Bavarian Soviet Republic was an extremely “short-lived” unrecognized socialist state in Bavaria, during the German Revolution of 1918-19. It was formed in April 1919 and sought to establish a socialist soviet republic in Bavaria but was overthrown a short while later by the German Army and the Freikorps.
picture: Bavarian soviet republic flag -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
Friedrich Ebert, a member of the Social Democratic Party and the provisional president of the German Reichstag (government), signs a new constitution, known as the Weimar Constitution, into law, officially creating the first parliamentary democracy in Germany.
picture: gathering of the Weimar Reichstag -
Kapp Putsch
The Kapp Putsch was a coup in Berlin that attempted to overthrow the Weimar Republic and replace it with an autocratic government. The immediate cause of the coup was the government trying to demobilize two Freikorps brigades. The coup leaders were Wolfgang Kapp and Walther von Lüttwitz. The coup failed after a few days.
picture: photo of the Kapp Putsch -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
The uprising was when left-wing workers revolted in the Ruhr, Germany’s largest industrial area. There was fighting between workers, army, and Freikorps units. It all started to show support for calls of a general strike issued by the government. It was mainly a reaction to the Kapp Putsch.
picture: ruhr army who started the uprising -
Rapallo Treaty
The Treaty of Rapallo was an agreement signed on 16 April 1922 between the German Republic and Soviet Russia under which both renounced all territorial and financial claims against each other and opened friendly diplomatic relations.
picture: an image of a newspaper with the statements of the treaty of rapallo -
Hyperinflation Crisis
Hyperinflation affected the German Papiermark, between 1921 and 1923, primarily in 1923. It caused considerable internal political instability in the country, the occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium as well as misery for the general populace. The Weimar government's main crisis occurred in 1923 after the Germans missed a reparations payment late in 1922.
picture: a woman going through money in the bank since it is now worthless -
Beer Hall Putsch Nov 8, 1923 – Nov 9, 1923
The Beer Hall Putsch had several significant consequences. First, it led to a split between Hitler and Ludendorff; the general considered Hitler a coward for sneaking away after the police had begun to fire. Second, Hitler decided that armed revolution was not the way to obtain power in Weimar Germany.
picture: beer hall putsch in the streets -
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. The process of stabilization was painful but was pushed through with determination by Hjalmar Schacht The aim of the Rentenmark was to replace the old Reichsmark which had become worthless due to hyperinflation.
picture: intro of rentenmark currency -
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 World War I reparations that Germany had to pay. It ended a crisis in European diplomacy following World War I and the Treaty of Versailles.
picture: Charles G. Dawes -
Weimar Golden Age
The period from 1923 to late 1929 is often described as the 'Golden Age of Weimar'. It is a time when the Weimar Republic enjoyed greater stability, economic security and prosperity, as well as improved living standards, at least in relation to previous years.
picture: portrait of Stresseman -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium - Jan 11, 1923 – Aug 25, 1925
occupation of the industrial Ruhr River valley region in Germany by French and Belgian troops. The action was provoked by German deficiencies in the coal and coke deliveries to France required by the reparations agreement after World War I.
picture: french soldiers in the streets -
Locarno Treaty
Also known as the Locarno Pact, guaranteed Germany's western frontier, which the bordering states of France, Germany, and Belgium pledged to treat as inviolable. As signatories of the agreement, Britain and Italy committed themselves to help to repel any armed aggression across the frontier.
picture: men who signed locarno treaty -
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. Germany demand to join in hopes of restoration to equality with other great powers, and admission would enable Germany to share in the general management of international affairs.
picture: a political cartoon labeling the upset when Hitler pulled out of the LoN -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
This treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union pledged neutrality in the event of an attack on the other by a third party for 5 years. The Treaty of Berlin reaffirmed all the principles of Rapallo The Treaty of Berlin added new clauses to Rapallo: the two powers guaranteed neutrality towards each other for five years. This photo is significant in showing the signing of the treaty and the members that were signing. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
In 1928, in Germany, four of the top six parties the Social Democratic Party, (SPD), the Catholic Center Party, and the liberal parties Democratic Party, (DDP) and People's Party, (DVP) formed what was called the "Grand Coalition".
picture: This photo is significant as it is portraying the united coalition for democracy against the extremists' political parties. -
Young Plan
The Young Plan was plan agreed between Germany and the Allies and was named after the US Banker who oversaw the plan (Owen Young). It cut Germany’s total reparations from £6.6billion to £2 billion. In addition, the Young Plan also gave 59 years to pay reparations meaning Germany would be paying reparations until 1988.Whilst this agreement made it easier for Germany to pay reparations, the deal did not please everyone
picture: a political cartoon discussing the young plan -
Beginning of Great Depression
the effects of the Great Depression had reached Germany causing widespread unemployment, starvation, and misery. The German people had no money for food, heating a home, clothes, etc.; therefore, they turned to the more extreme political parties in Germany – the Nazi and Communist Parties.
This photo is significant as it shows the negative effects of the great depression. People are unemployed and do not have money for food and they are malnourished. -
Von Papen’s deal with Hitler
Hitler made a deal with Papen to work together with him and urge President Hindenburg to make him the chancellor. After so many failed attempts, Hindenburg accepted Hitler's demand and appointed him to be Germany’s Chancellor. However, Von Papen was to become the Vice-chancellor and any laws or rules must go through President Hindenburg.
picture: This photo is significant in understanding Hitler’s success as it shows him and Von Papen on friendly terms. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany in 1933 following the Nazi Party's series of electoral victories. He ruled absolutely until his death by suicide in April 1945. His emergence marked a crucial turning point for Germany and, ultimately, for the world.
picture: This photo is significant because it shows the leader being elected, who is Hitler. -
Election of President von Hindenburg
Paul von Hindenburg had support from right-wing nationalist parties. The elections were held on April 26th 1925. Hindenburg won the presidency, securing 900,000 more votes than Center Party candidate Wilhelm Marx. The election of the former World War I commander-in-chief triggered shock and outrage around the world. During his administration, Hindenburg struggled almost continuously to create and maintain cabinets that could remain in power and effect change. 12 May 1925
portrait of Hindenburg