The early challenges to the Weimar Republic, 1919–23 Flashcards

All 10 cards in this deck

What was the 'stab in the back' theory?

The belief that the German army had not been beaten but was betrayed by the politicians (the 'November Criminals') who signed the armistice.

How much did the Treaty of Versailles order Germany to pay in reparations?

£6,600 million (132 billion gold marks), which caused economic hardship and resentment of the government.

True or false? The Treaty of Versailles took away 13% of Germany's land.

True. Germany also lost all of its overseas colonies.

Who were the Spartacists and what did they do in January 1919?

Communists led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht; they seized key buildings in Berlin and were defeated by the Freikorps.

Who were the Freikorps?

Right-wing paramilitary groups of ex-soldiers; Ebert's government used them to crush the Spartacist uprising in 1919.

What was the Kapp Putsch (March 1920)?

5,000 Freikorps seized Berlin and put the nationalist Dr Wolfgang Kapp in charge; it collapsed after a few days when the government called a general strike.

Why did French and Belgian troops occupy the Ruhr in January 1923?

Germany had failed to make its reparations payments, so they took goods and raw materials instead.

What was the immediate cause of the hyperinflation of 1923?

The Weimar government printed more money to pay the Ruhr workers who were on strike, making the mark worthless.

True or false? Every German lost out because of the hyperinflation of 1923.

False. People with large debts or loans could pay them off easily; savers, the middle class and workers lost most.

What was the 'war guilt' clause (Article 231) of the Treaty of Versailles?

It forced Germany to accept the blame for starting the First World War. The Allies used this to justify demanding reparations, and many Germans bitterly resented it.