Germany, 1890-1945 (HT1 - Germany and the growth of democracy) From the spec; Kaiser Wilhelm II; The Social Democratic Party (SPD); • Kaiser Wilhelm and the difficulties of ruling Germany: the growth of parliamentary government; the In 1888, Wilhelm's father • Wilhelm II did not have complete power as Germany had an elected Reichstag, which was needed to pass legislation influence of Prussian militarism; industrialisation; social reform and the growth of socialism; the domestic succeeded as Frederick III. He (laws). Wilhelm could however, dismiss the Reichstag (which he often did), but the elections were freely held so he could importance of the Navy Laws. died shortly afterwards, making not directly influence the vote. • Impact of the First World War: war weariness, economic problems; defeat; the end of the monarchy; post- Wilhelm Kaiser at the age of 29. • The growth of socialism and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) was particularly concerning for the Kaiser. The SPD war problems including reparations, the occupation of the Ruhr and hyperinflation. He was a strong believer in frequently voted against the legislation the Kaiser wanted. The socialists thought that wealth should be shared equally • Weimar democracy: political change and unrest, 1919–1923, including Spartacists, Kapp Putsch and the increasing the strength of the between everyone in society. The idea became more popular in Germany in the 1900s and by 1912 the SPD was the Munich Putsch; the extent of recovery during the Stresemann era (1924–1929): economic developments German armed forces, biggest party in the Reichstag! including the new currency, Dawes Plan and the Young Plan; the impact of international agreements on particularly the Navy. His recovery; Weimar culture. policies towards Britain were Causes of World War One contradictory. He alienated Basic knowledge; Wilhelm pursued a policy that he wanted to make Germany powerful and well respected by other nations. This was Britain with his naval expansion Germany became a country in 1871 after they beat the French in a short war (1870-71). called Wilhelm’s Weltpolitik (world politics). (Naval Race) and a policy of They had a Chancellor (Prime Minister) and a parliament (Reichstag). Germany formed an alliance (remember these from Year 9!) with Austria-Hungary in1882. There ended up being two aggressive German colonial The Kaiser (King) could overrule the Reichstag and made ALL the decisions about the Army, Navy alliances, Triple Entente (Britain, France and Russia) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy). expansion (Weltpolitik – ‘A and agreements with other countries = Too much power for one man! This led to a build-up of armies and navies. Germany brought in its Navy Laws which meant that the Kaiser ordered place in the sun’), and also The new Kaiser on 1888 (Wilhelm II) wanted to make Germany a very powerful country as powerful Admiral Tirpitz to enlarge the Germany Navy to rival the British Navy (then the best and biggest in the world). supported the Boers in their as Britain (with huge industries too), so Germany industrialised so by 1913 Germany was producing A new super-warship was created called the ‘Dreadnought’. fight against the British. But he more iron and steel than Britain, and dominated the European market in terms of electrical goods This table shows you how quickly both countries were building their navies. and chemicals. was also closely related to the Wealth increased amongst the landowners and business people, but not amongst workers so they British royal family and was created trade unions and believed that power and wealth should be more equal across Germany particularly fond of his (This is called Socialism). This was a threat to Kaiser Wilhelm’s power. grandmother, Queen Victoria. The German government trying to prevent a workers’ revolution brought in state education and pensions for older workers, and promised Germans more wealth, power and a big empire. Year Great Britain (Built that Germany (Built that year) year) 1907 1 0 1909 3 4 1912 11 5 Total (by 1914) 34 22 Germany, 1890-1945 (HT1- Germany and the growth of democracy) Why did the Germans hate the Treaty of Versailles? Challenges from the left; Weimar Constitution; Land Who were the Spartacists? - Left-wing revolutionaries who Strengths • Alsace-Lorraine returned to France wanted to get rid of the Kaiser. They wanted a social revolution All Germans had equal rights, including the right to vote • West Prussia and Posen (Polish Corridor) lost to Poland like the Russian Revolution (1917). Proportional representation made sure parties had the same percentage of • Saarland taken over by the League of Nations for 15 years Reasons for failure of Spartacist Uprising (1919). They were seats in parliament as they did in the election • Germany’s colonies were handed over to the League of Nations, poorly organised and the Spartacists failed to capture many Provided a strong leader to keep control over the country in an emergency who gave them to Britain and France to run buildings in Berlin. They lacked support of other left-wing groups. Each state had its own assembly to represent local interests The Government had support of the Friekorps. The Spartacist Weaknesses Army leaders were murdered. It was too radical an experiment given the volatile nature of German society • Air force was disbanded after the war • Army limited to 100,000 soldiers Challenges from the right; PR encouraged lots of small parties so no one party ever had enough seats to • Navy limited to 15,000 sailors, six battleships and no submarines form a majority government • Rhineland occupied by the Allies for 15 years Who were the Freikorps? - Former soldiers in the German Army. The president could use Article 48 to become a dictator • No German troops allowed in this area They were a right-wing, conservative organisation who hated the Local states could resist the authority of central government Treaty of Versailles (1919) - many had been forced to leave the Money Army. They helped President Ebert put down Spartacist Uprising To Give an Example • As Germany was held responsible for the war, the allies could claim (1919). (1) For example (2) for instance (3) in particular, particularly (e.g. particularly reparations for the damage caused Reasons for failure of Kapp Putsch (1920) - Putsch centred on important, was...) (4) specifically (e.g. Hitler bombed St Paul’s Cathedral specifically to • In 1921 a special commission fixed a sum of £6,600 m. to be paid in Berlin – and didn’t spread to rest of Germany. The Weimar destroy British morale) (5) this is shown by (e.g. this is shown by the fact that...). annual instalments Government continued and was able to relocate to Dresden. The • The Treaty also took away 10% of Germany’s industry and 15% of its German people were tired of revolution - Spartacist Uprising 1923 – A crisis year Invasion of the Ruhr Hyperinflation Munich Putsch agricultural land occurred 1919. The workers went on strike which halted the putsch. Why was this a Germany did not keep German govt. printed extra November 1923, right-wing Blame problem? up with reparations banknotes to cover costs of extremists plot a putsch • Article 231 of the Treaty stated that Germany was to blame for German outrage; reparations against the Reich government causing the war. When the Germans heard about the Treaty of Versailles, they January 1923, French felt ‘pain and anger’. They felt it was unfair. It was a 'Diktat' an and Belgian troops Value of money goes down and Led by Ludendorff & Adolf IMPOSED (DIKTAT)settlement. They had not been allowed to marched into the Ruhr - prices rise to compensate Hitler’s National Socialist (Nazi) Key articles take part in the talks – they had just been told to sign. legal under the Treaty Party launch an attempted of Versailles Pensions and savings lost revolution in Munich, the 1‐26: The Covenant of the League of Nations ‐ Germany was not allowed capital city of Bavaria. Question 1; How does Interpretation B differ from to join. Factories & industrial Wages lost all value Interpretation A about _____________ ( 4 marks) 42: The Rhineland was demilitarised ‐ the German army was not allowed production ground to a to go there. halt People blamed new Weimar Question 2; Why might the authors of Interpretation A and B 45: The Saar, with its rich coalfields, given to France for 15 years. government, which had agreed to have a different interpretation about ____________ (4 marks) 51: Alsace‐Lorraine returned to France. The Germans reparations under the Versailles 80: Germany forbidden to unite with Austria. responded with passive Treaty Question 3; Which interpretation do you find more convincing 87: Lands in eastern Germany ‐ the rich farmlands of Posen and the resistance, but this about ________________ (8 marks) Polish corridor between Germany and East Prussia ‐ given to Poland. made Germany even 100: Danzig made a free city under League of Nations control. poorer 119: All Germany's colonies taken and given to France and Britain as Question 4; Describe ______ (4 marks) 'mandates'. 160: The German Army restricted to 100,000 men. Question 5; In what ways did _________ Explain your answer. Fun fact; Words to include; 181: The German Navy restricted to six battleships and no submarines. (8 marks) Germany did not pay off the reparations bill until 2010. 198: Germany not allowed to have an air force. Repayment was interrupted by Hitler during his time in • Therefore…. 231: Germany was responsible for causing all the loss and damage Question 6; A factor question. You will be given two bullet power, which delayed the final pay off to 1996. However, • Consequently… caused by the war. points. You need to write a paragraph on each bullet point and a clause in the agreement said that Germany would have to • Moreover… 232: Germany would have to pay reparations, to be decided later ‐ then a paragraph in conclusion.