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Origins of the Republic 1918-19 (World War 1 (German people were starved…
Origins of the Republic 1918-19
World War 1
Germany went to war with Austria-Hungary and Turkey as allies
Fought against the allied powers
On
11th November 1918
, Germany signed an armistice as they were defeated by the allies
German people were starved by the allied powers after stopping food supplies from getting into Germany
People ate animals such as horses in 1918 as they were that hungry
Why the Kaiser abdicated
Why he left
Political
Germany politicians were unhappy with the way Germany was run
US president made it clear that he would not negotiate a peace deal with the Kaiser.
He would only negotiate a peace deal with Germany's politicians
Military
Germany was losing the war on land
Germany soldiers were unhappy
German soldiers refused to attack the British Navy
Social
German people were starving from the food shortages as the allies stopped all food supplies
German people were extremely unhappy, and blamed the Kaiser for the defeat in WW1
Weimar Republic
Main parts
Reichstag
Elections every 4 years
Makes laws
Contains deputies (MPs)
Election based on proportional representation
Chancellor
Leader of Reichstag
In charge of running the country (like prime minister)
Leader of the political party
President
Elected every 7 years by German people
Chooses chancellor
Can make any emergency law under article 48
Weimar Constitution
Advantages
Equality - People treated more fairly. Men and women could vote
If a political party received 10% of the votes at an election, then they would get 10% of the deputies in the Reichstag. This was called ‘proportional representation’.
Disadvantages
Powerful enemies :New constitution was disliked by Army and judges
Article 48 contained too much power and this gave president too much power
Weak governments: No one ever got over 50% seats so coalition governments were formed and they often fell out with each other
Because the coalitions fell apart so easily, the president kept on having to pick a new Chancellor. This also gave the president lots of power - because he could choose who should be Chancellor The German people didn’t know who was in charge.
Main political parties
SPD (Socialist party)
Left wing
Wants Germany to have better rights and to be fair
Supported by the working class
Led by Friedrich Ebert
KPD (Communists)
Let by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht
Wants equality as a whole, despite the class
Supported by the poor
0% votes in 1919
Far left party
NSDAP (Nazis)
Led by Hitler
Racist , anti semitic
Opposed Treaty of Versailes
Far right party
Centre party
Create a safe and stable country
Supported by middle class
Led by Matthias Erzberger
Supported Treaty of Versailes