History Revision Notes. Key Topic 1: The Weimar Republic 1918-1933.

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History Revision Notes.

Key Topic 1: The Weimar Republic 1918-1933.

The Treaty of Versailles.

The Diktat.

On 11 November 1918, two days after the Kaiser had abdicated, Matthias Erzberger representing the new government, signed the armistice. The three allied leader David Lloyd George(Britain), George Clemenceau(France) and Woodrow Wilson(USA), drew up a peace treaty.

The terms of the Treaty of Versailes.

  • Germany had to pay reparations to the allies – Reparations was fixed, in 1921 at 6600 Million.
  • Germany lost all of its Colonies in Africa and the Far East was given to victorious countries as Mandates.
  • German Military forces were limited
  1. The army was limited to 100,000 men and could only be used internally.
  2. The Navy was limited to 6 battleships, 6 cruisers, 12 destroyers and 12 torpedo boats. No Submarines.
  3. No air force was allowed.
  4. The Rhineland was demilitired – the German army was not allowed in the Rhineland, which bordered France.
  • Germany lost Land.
  1. Alsace Lorraine was lost to France.
  2. Posen and West Prussia were lost to Belgium.
  3. Eupen and Malmedy were lost to Belgium.

The Loss of Eupen and Malmedy and West Prussia divided Germany in two, cutting of East Prussia from Germany.

  Altogether Germany lost:

About 13% of European territory and almost 50% of its iron and 15% of its Coal reserves!

Dolchstoss – The stab in the back.

The treaty of Versailles was very unpopular because the German army had never been defeated in war. Critics of the treaty claimed that the army had been ready to fight on.

The politicians who signed the treaty were blamed for its harsh terms. These politicians became known as the “November Criminals”, and resentment followed the new republic all the way to Failure in 1933.

The Weimar Republic- a new constitution.

The terms of the Constitution:

  • The constitution was more democratic that government under the Kaiser. German people had more control. Because men and women could vote.
  • Local Governments was run by the 18 regions of Germany they kept local Parliaments.
  • Central government was given more power than before.
  • The Reichstag was the dominant house of the new German parliament.
  1. Members of the Reichstag were elected every 4 years.
  2. All men and women over 20 years could vote using a secret ballot.        
  3. Proportional Representation was used. This meant the number of                                                 Reichstag seats were given depended on the Percentage of votes was gained.
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  • The chancellor was the head of the government.
  1. The chancellor chose ministers and ran the economy and ran the country.
  2. But to pass laws, he needed majority support in the Reichstag.
  • The president was the head of the state.
  1. The president was directly elected by the people every 7 years.
  2. He chose the Chancellor.
  3. He Could Dismiss the Reichstag, call new elections and assume control of the army.
  4. The president took no part in day to day elections.

Weakness of The constitution.

Firstly, proportional representation meant that even a party with ...

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