Weimar Germany
Weimar Republic was founded in 1919 after Kaiser Wilhelm fled to Holland.
There was a communist (Spartacist) revolution in 1919. The Freikorps (ex-soldiers) were armed and fought off the revolution.
Year of Crisis- 1923
The Freikorps themselves went on to attempt a revolution in 1920. The army refused to attack them but the revolution was foiled by a workers strike.
Hyperinflation hit Germany and money became pretty much worthless.
The French and Belgians invaded the Ruhr after the Germans fell behind on their Treaty of Versailles reparations.
Beer Hall/Munich Putsch
Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party attempted to take over Germany, starting with Munich. They took a beer hall, which had senior figures of Bavaria , Von Lossow, Von Seisser and Von Kahr, in it.
The three men agreed to help Hitler, along with General Ludendorff but they later betrayed him and when they marched on Munich the Nazis were stopped, which was not in Hitler's deal with the men.
HiItler was sentenced to five years in prison, but only served nine months.
Germany's Saviour- Gustav Stresemann
Stresemann took Germany out of hyperinflation, and also persuaded the French to leave the Ruhr.
He accepted the Dawes plan to help Germany get back on track with reparations, based on US loans.
He helped Germany to join the League of Nations in 1926 and signed the Kellog-Briand pact later on to solve world issues by peaceful means.
Died in 1929, shortly after Germany once again fell to its knees.
Golden Age of Weimar and the end.
Golden Age of Weimar.
The End of Weimar Germany.
This was from 1924-1929.
As the Dawes plan came into force Germans started to enjoy their lives and the arts, especially Bauhaus (architecture) flourished.
Ended in 1929 when the Wall Street crash happened and Americans wanted loans back.
The Wall Street crash was the start of the end for the Weimar Republic.
Hitler gained in popularity more and more and it showed in the Reichstag.
He won 107 seats in 1930, 230 seats in July 1932 , 196 in November 1932 and 288 seats in March 1933.
Hitler had demanded the Chancellorship for some time and was finally given it in January 1933.
He used the SA to intimidate members in the Reichstag to vote for the Enabling Act. This meant that Hitler had complete control and the Nazis were the only legal party. Hitler declared and election and, as they were the only party, the Nazis won all 661 seats.
In the Night of the Long Knives Hitler removed all opposition, killing Rohm and other SA leaders.
Hindenburg died in August 1934 and Hitler declared himself the Fuhrer. Weimar Germany was over.