Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Kaiser Abdicates Leaves Germany without leader. He escapes with dignity in tact and many later yearn for him back again. Armistice and End of World War One Army furious at end of war as thought could still win. New government given the nickname “the November Criminals” as they “stabbed the German army in the back”. Germany devastated by hunger, disease on the home front. New Government forms constitution (mention PR & Article 48) Treaty of Versailles Military, economic and War Guilt clauses all have long lasting implications for new Weimar Government. Not only are they saddled with indignity of signing Treaty but also the long term consequences. Spartacists Revolt Left wing revolutionaries put down brutally by the Friekorps. Shows weakness of Weimar both in terms of the fact someone would attempt a coup and the fact that they relied on the Freikorps to put it down. Kapp Putsch Freikorps led by Dr Wolfgang Kapp highlight weaknesses further by another staged revolutions. This time workers put it down by General Strike which brings Munich to a halt! Ruhr Crisis Weimar unable to repay Reperations so French and Belgian troops invade rich, industrial Ruhr area to reclaim goods for themselves. Weimar put in difficult position and advise workers to strike so that they cannot get any goods. At the same time they pay strikers by printing money. Hyper-inflations ensues. Munich (or Beer Hall Putsch) Adolf Hitler now launches attach on Weimar when he tries to sieze power in Munich. He fails and is given a very lenient sentence (during his prison sentence he has time to plan and gather thoughts). He used court case to further his views on the weakness of the German government. Golden Age of Weimar- Stresemann Era Gustav Stresemann stabalises Germany through loans from America (Dawes and Young Plans) and then making a new currency (Rentenmark). For a while Germany respected again and even gets a place in the League of Nations. Wall Street Crash American economy collapses and USA is forced to call in loans. Results in chaos in Germany and rise of support for extreme parties opposed to Weimar- Communists (KPD) and Nazis (NSDAP) Von Papen replaces Bruning as Chancellor Von Paper misuses Article 48 and becomes very unpopular. He later tries to get Hitler into his camp as Vice Chancellor but Hitler refuses to be associated with such a failure. Von Paper later ousted by Von Schliecher in 1932. Hitler appointed as Chancellor by Hindenburg With previous Weimar Chancellors looking weak Hindenburg invites Hitler to become chancellor. Hitler has earlier struck a deal with Von Paper to enter into a coalition against Von Schliecher. Reichstag Fire Hitler stages massive smear campaign on Communists. Blames Communists and is able to gain support from President Hindenburg at this time. Emergency Powers handed to Hitler by President Hindenburg As a result of Reichstag Fire Hitler is given Emergency Powers under Article 48. He takes away personal rights, censors newspapers, bans public meetings, checks letters and phonecalls etc. Enabling Act passed The Enabling Act finally gives Hitler total power and dissolves the power of the Reichstag. It is passed with Catholic Centre Party support. Communists were either imprisoned or could not form a strong anti-Nazi vote at this time. Communists, Trade Unionists and other enemies are imprisoned (by the end of 1933 150,000 are in concentration camps. Night of the Long Knives Fearful of the growing strength of his own bodyguards Hitler stages a night of violence. Over 400 are killed including their leader Ernst Rohm. Death of Hindenburg In August 1934 President Hindenburg died. The final democratic institution died with him. Hitler merged the posts of President and Dictator into Der Fuhrer (he was now in total command and dictated over Germany until 1945). The Oath of Loyalty By August 1934 all members of the armed forces had sworn loyalty to Hitler personally. (Remember Weimar could not rely on support from its armed forces- Hitler ensured this early on which helped him secure power).