THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC 1919 1933 THE TREATY OF

THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC 1919 -1933

THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES (1919) Massively reduced military capability Germany loses disputed land on borders Germany loses all their colonies ‘War guilt’ clause (Article 231) imposed Reparations fixed at very high levels All of this led to BIG problems from 1919

THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES (1919)

o The Constitutional THE REPUBLIC’S Monarch Kaiser Wilhelm II FOUNDATIONS abdicates o Paul Von Hindenburg, commander of German forces, and others who signed treaty called the “November Criminals” o Generals didn’t set record straight (Stabbed in the Back) theory develops o New government called Weimar Republic was

SETTING UP WEIMAR GOVERNMENT Reichstag - German parliament President - chose among candidates by public Members of Reichstag - choose a party and party chooses members Called proportional voting Majority Party in Reichstag chooses Chancellor, or Prime Minister Whenever there was controversy, could call for new election 14 years - 20 different elections

GERMANY’S CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY Kaiser Wilhelm II (hereditary monarch) appoints Government Chancellor Ministers Calls/dismisses controls Reichstag (elected) which can stop laws proposed by the government, but can’t make laws Electors Men over 25 can vote The Army

THE WEIMAR CONSTITUTION OF 1919 Bill of Rights promises all Germans equality before the law and political and religious freedom safeguards Freidrich Ebert (elected President) The Army Electors All men and women over the age of 20 can vote elect Reichstag (elected) from which is selected Government Chancellors and Ministers must have a majority in the Reichstag and do as the Reichstag says

WEIMAR CONSTITUTION 56 articles that spelled out rights Freedom press, speech, religion Gave women right to vote and hold office Many laws discriminated against gays and Gypsies (Roma and Sinti) Article 48 - allowed the President to suspend the Reichstag in times of national emergency Article 109 - All Germans equal in front of the law Article 111 - All Germans enjoy the freedom to move and settle anywhere Article 118 - Every German can express opinion

POLITICAL THREATS TO THE REPUBLIC Putsch – Uprising/Overthrow 1920 Berlin Putsch Attempted by Wolfgang Kapp & Genral Walther Luttwitz Military Refuses to Join & Fight FAILED 1920 NAZI PARTY Formed National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) Nov. 8, 1923 Munich Beer Hall Putsch Led by Hitler & the Nazis FAILED

ELECTION 1928