-
German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
October 29, 1918 - August 11, 1919
The German revolution of 1918 started because German citizens were angry at the conditions they suffered through during WWI. Furthermore, they were not happy about the reparations they would have to pay to the Allies, and thought that it would put a large strain on their economy. Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated the throne on November 9, 1918, and power was given to Friedrich Ebert of the Social Democratic Party. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
This pact was between Friedrich Ebert, Weimar Germany’s first president, and Wilhelm Groener, quartermaster general of the German Army. The pact confirmed that the German Army would be loyal to the Weimar Republic. This would later become significant, as the armed forces were relied on to suppress and stop uprisings. -
Armistice ending WW I
This armistice was signed at Le Franceport and was signed between the Allies and Germany, who was their last opponent. It ended fighting on air, sea, and land. This came after Germany was struggling due to Allied blockades and a series of battle losses. -
Spartacist Revolt
January 5, 1919 - January 12, 1919
The Spartacists were communists who were inspired by the Russian Revolution of 1917. The revolt happened when 100,000 workers went on strike and demonstrated in Berlin. However, it was taken over by Spartacists and they seized newspaper companies and were armed. Ultimately, the Freikorps were used to stop the revolt, killing over 100 people in the process. Afterwards, the relationship between the SDP and KPD was more strained. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
The Bavarian Soviet Republic was a socialist state in Bavaria. It came after the fall of the People’s State of Bavaria, and was overthrown in less than a month by the German Freikorps. After only six days in power, on the 12th, the Bavarian Soviet Republic was taken over by the Communist Party. The effect of the unsuccessful republic was that the people of Bavaria were further opposed to left-wing politics and rules, and it ultimately helped the Nazi Party’s rise to power. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
The Treaty of Versailles brought an end to WWI in Europe. Article 231 of the treaty is known as the war guilt clause, in which Germany is blamed for WWI. Germany was expected to pay 132 billion gold marks to the Allied powers for the damage caused during the war. Their army was also limited to 100,000 men, and the military was heavily restricted in what they could have. German citizens denounced the treaty, as it went against the nation’s honor. Resentment towards it influenced the Nazi's rise. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
The Social Democratic Party proclaimed the start of the Weimar Republic on November 9, 1918. However, the conference that met in Weimar, Germany to draft their constitution did not happen until 1919. The new constitution was signed on August 11, 1919. -
Kapp Putsch
The Kapp Putsch was an attempt by the Freikorps, army officials, and right-wing nationalists to overthrow the government of the SPD. It came after the government of Friedrich Ebert suggested the implementation of reform and restrictions to the Freikorps in order to ensure they would be loyal to Weimar. While it failed within a matter of days due to the general strike; and there was no change in power, it unveiled the weakness of the Weimar government and the disunity within the country. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
Occurred March 1920 - April 1920
Armed left wing and KPD workers rose up in protest of the right-wing Kapp Putsch, and they were able to control large portions of the industrial Ruhr Valley by March 22nd, 1920. The government made an agreement with the workers to punish the leaders of the Kapp Putsch and would avoid sending troops to the Ruhr. But, the government took advantage of this by ignoring it and sending troops to the Ruhr during the beginning of April to suppress the revolt forcefully. -
Rapallo Treaty
Occurred during the Genoa Conference between the Weimar Republic and the Russian Soviets, creating a diplomatic relationship between them, which renounced compensation for costs from WWI and created agreed borders. They used this treaty to improve their economies and trade, and it was a sign of Germany finally regaining rights after WWI restrictions on the country. The western world hated this treaty. -
Hyperinflation Crisis
Occurred Jan 1923 - Nov 1923
Germany was suffering from the French occupation of the Ruhr, so they called on their workers to heed working. Germany printed more money, which led to massive inflation. This caused the middle-class to get poorer, and overall made complications to the Germany system. By November 1923, Germany halted hyperinflation and developed a new mark under Stresemann. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
Occurred January 1923 - August 1925
Caused by Germany’s failure to ship raw materials to France as a part of WWI agreement. Germany, as a result, called a state of emergency and asked Germans in the Ruhr to stop working. The French started using force, which caused global public opinion to go against the French. Britain organized the London Conference to end the Ruhr Valley Crisis where the French agreed to leave the Ruhr and end payments from Germany. France didn’t achieve any of its goals. -
Beer Hall Putsch
Occurred Nov. 8, 1923 - Nov. 9, 1923
Hitler and his followers attempted to take over the government in Bavaria. Hitler was upset of the results of the Treaty of Versailles, and found his place in the anti-Semitic policies of the Nazi Party, which he was elected leader of in July 1921. Inspired by Mussolini and his March on Rome in Oct. 1922, Hitler attempted to take over many buildings in Munich with the Nazi Party, but ultimately failed and was put in prison for 5 years for treason. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
The Rentenmark - introduced by Gustav Stresemann - replaced the extremely inflated Reichsmark due to the hyperinflation. This ended the issue of hyperinflation. -
Dawes Plan
Caused by Germany’s issue of hyper-inflation, unemployment in Germany, and the French invasion of the Ruhr. This plan, organized by the U.S., reduced Germany’s reparation plans, accepted their new mark, and loans $200 million worth to the Ruhr Valley after France’s invasion of it. These loans helped Germany pay their reparations to France and Britain, and these countries used the payments to repay the U.S. -
Weimar Golden Age
Occurred 1924 - 1929
The golden age was a high point for Germany politically, socially, and economically. There was strong economic security, improved living standards, and better stability in the country. Germany improved industrially and with social reforms and workers rights. Gustav Stresemann helped the Golden Age through his instatement of the Rentenmark, along with negotiations of the Locarno Treaty, the Treaty of Berlin, the Kellogg-Briand Pact, and introduction to the League of Nations. -
Election of President von Hindenburg
First elected in 1925- his campaign focused on social justice, equality of religion, and peace, both abroad and at home. He got support from the BVP party, and he took office on the 12th of May in 1925. The first election was held on March 29th, 1925, and The second runoff election was held on April 26th of 1925 confirmed him as president. These were the first direct elections for the office of president of the Reich. Hindenburg was president until 1933. -
Locarno Treaty
Occurred October 5, 1925 - October 16, 1925
Treaty between mainly Britain, Germany, and France, but others as well. Meant to make peace between the countries. Through this treaty, Germany’s western borders were agreed upon, but the east wasn't. For Germany, this treaty was one of increased hope as it gained them U.S. loans and was an improvement from the Treaty of Versailles. For France, it forbid invasion of Germany, was threatening, a loss of power, and gave the nation a sense of insecurity. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
Germany (stresemann) and the Soviet Union (Krestinski) signed a treaty in Berlin where they pledged mutual neutrality- if one of these countries was attacked by another party, the other country would remain neutral in that fight. This was supported by all of the German political parties. Ratification for this occurred on 29th of June, 1926. The treaty was valid for 5 years, and it extended some terms from the 1922 treaty of Rapallo. Germany granted them a credit that was 300 million marks. -
German entrance into League of Nation
This came as a result of the Locarno treaty, where negotiations occurred to allow Germany to join. This was honorable for Germany and boosted the confidence of the power of Germany in moderate German citizens, as well as the view of foreign powers on Germany- their confidence in Germany was boosted as well. Extremist parties, which were losing votes in Germany at this time, were not happy with this as it was viewed as similar to the Treaty of Versailles, and embarrassing. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
This coalition was formed by 4 pro democratic parties in 1923- the SPD, Center party, DVP, and the DDP. This coalition held the majority of delegates in the constitute assembly. It was in power from 1928 to 1930. -
The Young Plan
It was an attempt at supporting the Weimar government. This was headed by Owen Young; a committee appointed from the “allied reparations committee”, where Americans were abundant. The plan reduced Germany’s reparation payments to 112 billion Gold marks (about 8 billion in that time). The payments were spread out over 59 years. Germany only had to pay ⅓ of their 473 million per year payments per year to fulfill the requirements of the treaty. The terms were officially accepted in January 1930. -
Beginning of Great Depression
The Wall Street crash in the USA resulted in a worldwide depression- Germany had been reliant on loans from the United States for their economy, so this crash led the German economy to collapse. Unemployment and poverty increased drastically, and many Germans resorted to extremism after this because of their anger with the current government. -
Von Papen’s deal with Hitler
Hitler was in power in the Reichstag in 1933, but he wanted to be chancellor. Hindenburg refused his request multiple times. Von Papen was replaced by Van Schiller by Hindenburg, which angered Papen, and resulted in his plan to become vice chancellor. Papen persuaded Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as chancellor by claiming that he could be controlled and used as a ‘puppet’ In this secret deal, Hitler had to appoint Von Papen vice chancellor once he gained the position of chancellor. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
This occurred as a result of Von Papen’s deal, and the NSDAP’s presence in the Reichstag in both support from the public and elected members. He appointed Von Papen as his vice chancellor.