·         Treaty of Versailles; Germany had to give £6.6 billion in reparations

·         Germany had to print off more money, led to hyper inflation

 

·         Germany fell behind on paying reparations so France invaded the Ruhr 

·         German workers went on strike in 1923 (passive resistance)

·         German workers continued to get paid (sometimes multiple times a day) 

·         Dawes plan (1924): US loan also increased the amount of time German had to pay reparations

·         Young plan (1929): Reduced the total amount of reparations Germany had to pay, by 75%, only had to pay 1/3 of the payment each year and the other 2/3 if they could afford to do so.

·         Germany were trying to become self-sufficient by creating substitute materials 

 

·         Stresemann became chancellor in 1923 

·         A new currency was introduced to try and deal with hyperinflation (Rentenmark 1923)

·         Germany only had 1.8% unemployment 

 

·         Monthly rate of inflation passed 50%

·         Price of goods 14 times the price in 1913

 

·         Golden years: whilst Stresemann was chancellor inflation improved, fell below 0 in 1926, and industry grew

·         ‘turnip winter’ of 1916 to 1917 due to the failure of potato crops in 1916

The Treaty of Versailles said Germany had to pay £6.6 billion in reparations , which they couldn't afford. This led to Hyperinflation and the invasion of the Ruhr. To try and help Streseman introduced the Dawes plan (1924) and the Young plan (1929) along with the introduction of a new currency. The 'golden years' of the 1920's saw inflation fall and industry grow.

·         Stresemann chancellor August 1923 – formed coalition of the DVP to Zentrum and SPD parties

·         Resigned in November 1923, became foreign minister – ‘Political cement’ of Weimar

·         Appointment of Schacht – introduced Rentanmark, brought inflation down

·         Young plan 1929 – reduced German reperations by 75% plan opposed by DNVP, referendum lost by 14% - gave Hitler and opportunity

·         Two elections in 1924 – increase from 61% republican vote to 67.5% between elections

·         Reichbanner – Paramilitary group of more liberal parties who defended parliamentary democracy

·         Ebert died Feb 1925, Hindenburg became second president of Weimar (reluctantly)

·         1923-1928 increased dominance from the right. Zentrum weakened, SPD didn’t hold gvmt

·         ‘Grand coalition’ in 1928 brought together SPD, Zentrum, DVP, and DDP – constand disagreements

·         Traditional elites retained power, no reform of right-inclined governmental bodies – democracy scarcely greater after 1924 than ever before 

·         Extremist parties no influence (NSDAP only 2.6% vote 1928)

·         Grand coalition fell 1930 due to the Wall Street Crash of 1929

·         4 key figures in NSDAP 1924 onwards – Hitler, Goebbles, Himler, and Strasser

·         Fuhrerprinzie – fundamental of politiocal authority, Fuhrer’s word is above all written law

Summary:
Before 1873 the economy grew at an annual rate of 5%. The first and second stage industry (1890) flooded into Germany, the first stage industry was interested in the ‘old industries’, such as coal, textiles, iron and steel whereas the second stage focused on ‘new industries’ like electricals, chemicals, machinery, motor cars and textile. German economy was prosperous, by 1870’s it appeared strong enough to oppose foreign competition, even being able to withstand a worldwide ‘long depression’ between 1873-1896. The economy thrived, trading, chemicals, coal, textiles, metal goods and machinery with Asia, Africa, America and Europe and in turn payed for raw materials and food for the growing population.

The post war government was formed by Frederik Ebert comprising of 3 SPD members and 3 USPD members, this was named the council of people’s commissars to appease the workers and ensure they continued to work and help in the rebuild effort.

Many civil servants, military generals, teachers and other proffesions were allowed to keep their jobs in order to maintain stability within the country (even though they held strongly anti-republic views).

Ebert made deals with many right-wing operators in order to ensure the stability of Germany. General William Groener was “employed” by Ebert to put down an attempt at an uprising from the far left whilst Hugo Stinnes developed business in the Rhur to maintain employment and German economic worth.

These deals with the right wing lost Ebert the support of his USPD compatriots in the Reichstag and in December 1918 the Cabinet broke up with the 3 USPD members leaving to form the militant Spartacist groups under the KPD.

Before the January 1919 elections could take place, the Spartacists attempted a coup due to too feeling horribly betrayed by the SPD forces in control of the government. This lead Ebert to turn to general Hoske to use the Freikorps, right wing fighters who hated the communists to put down the revolt.

After the initial rebellion of Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg had been put down there was still significant resistance from the far left, the KPD went so far as to boycott the 1919 January elections still feeling the Weimar government were to ready to compromise with the right.

The right wing then staged their attempt at a coup, in February of 1920 the Kapp putsch was

 

Summary of German politics in 1914-1916 

World War 1's impact on Germany 

 To many at the time, this war was said to be quick and end before the winter. The could not have been more wrong. The German high command after winning 3 small skirmish wars against , Austro-Hungry, Denmark and even France, believed that the tactics used back then were still relevant. In many ways so did the French but not Germanys greatest threat, the British.  

The Germans in acted a plan called the "Schlieffen plan". This involved a frontal assault on the French controlled, Alsace-Lorraine of at least 20 divisions to hit the French defences head on. However whilst the French focus on the massive assault another 10 divisions will approach through Belgium in order to encircle the French forcing a surrender and ending the war. This would have given the Germans a hotly disputed area Alsace-Lorraine which was rich with natural resources.     

However the Germans did not expect that violating Belgium's neutrality and using it as a staging area, would antagonize the British to delacre war on them. This would be to the determent as the British expeditionary force (or Britain's main fighting force) was 200,000 professional soldiers strong. This means that professional soldiers met the German conscripts and managed to halt their massive offensive until the Germans were finally able to hold their ground again almost being pushed completely out of France. This resulted in the creation of the entrenched western front of world war 1 which is often referred to when people think of world war 1.     

This therefore created the war of attrition that resulted in nothing but millions of deaths. Despite this in 1915 the 'buzz' of patriotism was still very relevant. German propaganda spoke about the opportunities offered by victory. A.K.A "Siegfriede". 

August 1916  

 

"Turnip Winter"- only crop that grew in an already starving Germany in the winter of 1916 was the turnip which claimed many deaths to starvation.  

July 1917 

'Peace resolution'- Matthias Erzberger (Zentrum party) 

1918 

The great 'Spring offensive' which saw more progress made in one week than ever happened in four years until the allies stopped the massive attack before it reached Amiens which was a major railway hub for the allies and was vital to their war effort. This led to the eventual surrender of Germany.  

·         Blackbourn states that:” From 1890 the central figure in German politics was the emperor” This is convincing. 

·         Wilhelm employed straw doll chancellors in this period after Bismark and Caprivi got in his way and tried to dominated the political system eg. Holenhoe 

·         SDP grew after anti socialist laws were withdrawn, (110 seats in 1912) Zentrum stabilised (106, 1890 – 91, 1912), Conservatives support fell as Junker influence was challenged (100, 1893 – 57, 1912)

·         Wilhelms closest advisors had greater influence than the chancellors did, Zu Eulenberg and Baron von Holstein 

·         Wilhelm tried to replicate great naval nations such as Britain, who he had always been jealous of 

·         Pressure groups became more prominent such as the Navy League with 500,000 members, the Agrarian league with 330,000 members and the Army league with about 300,000 members

·         Bulow was the first chancellor Wilhelm really trusted and despite being groomed for the role, he could make changes such as introducing new rules for industrial disputes

·         The Daily Telegraph 1908 interview damaged Wilhelms reputation whilst worsening relations with the UK, meaning he needed a code of conduct to abide by

·         The Zabern affair and excessive use of the military intervention showed his disregard for public opinion as there was an outcry from the Reichstag and the general public

·         On the left wing the SPD grew to the biggest socialist party in Europe

·         The centre and Zentrum were on a quiet quest to protect the church

·         The right wing supported the Kaisers policies and the German conservatives were the largest right wing party by this point

·         The Kaiser was disabled and had a deformed arm but he tried to hide it in order not to show weakness

·         His grandmother was Queen Victoria but he rejected her British ideologies

 

·         Economic protection- The 'Central Association of German Manufacturers' was formed to campaign for the introduction of tariffs on imports in Germany.  

 

·         The struggle against socialism- in 1875 the first socialist party was created- Social Democratic Party. In 1877, they gained 500,000 voted and won 12 seats.

 

·         National minorities- Bismarck adopted a mixed policy to national minorities, the only language for education, commerce and in the law-courts was German.

 

·         Bismarck was a very manipulative and controlling person as we see when he just used Kaiser Wilhelm I to get what he wanted and if that didn’t work he would just throw a temper tantrum until he got what he wanted.

 

·         Wilhelm I was very relaxed and apathetic, he wasn’t bothered about the leading side of being the Kaiser instead he enjoyed the ceremonial side of leading, for example the parades.

 

·         The 1871 elections were in favour of Bismarck, they gave him a sizeable majority in the Reichstag. National liberals shared Bismarck’s beliefs in German unity, he was also able to rely on the support of the free conservatives whom represented the landowners and industrialist.

 

·         The national liberal leader- Rudolf Van Bennigson was willing to cooperate with Bismarck. He wanted greater unification- promote economy and develop trade. The Reichstag introduced over 100 new laws which brought economic and administrative unity- some laws included: The 1876 establishment of the state bank and the new currency for the whole empire (the Mark) 

 

·         At first Wilhelm I was lukewarm to the policy, in 1873- the Pope Pius IX wrote to the Kaiser complaining about it. The letter also added that anyone who’s baptised should obey the pope.

 

·         The results of the kulturkampf were: The relationship with the Papacy improved, this lead to an alliance with Austria in 1879. The Zentrum party became fully religious and helped the empire strengthen unity. Bismarck as a result was freed from the dependence on the National Liberals which enabled him to make policy changes that he wanted.