Problems facing the Weimar Republic
Hyperinflation
Communists
Various putches and uprisings
The Wiemar Republic tried to remain central in their policies. However, various extremist groups opposed the government, and tried to instate a government of their own, with their own views and policies.
French Occupation of the Ruhr
Spartacists
After the Russian Revolution, some people started favouring a communist government as opposed to the Wiemar Republic. The Spartacists were a group of communist extremist led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg.
The Wiemar Republic had to get the Freikorps to deal with the attempted revolution.
The Freikorps put down the revolution quickly, killing hundreds. Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg were brutally killed. Although the Wiemar Government were successful, they came across as very weak and reliant on the Freikorps.
They led an uprising in Berlin in January 1919. Workers went on strike, and armed protesters seized media buildings.
During the First World, Germany had to borrow money to fund its war effort. After it ended, inflation levels rose as the government tried to pay off its debt.
Worker's strike
During the French occupation of the Ruhr, the government tried to pay the workers by printing off more money. This obviously led to a decrease in the value of the German mark
People on fixed rate salaries were left penniless, they money they earnt was worth practically a millionth of what it did
People with money in saving accounts lost it all as its value plummetted
People began burning the money notes instead of firewood, as it burnt for longer than the firewood it could buy.
Eventually, it cost more money to print a note than what the note was then worth
Some people did come out on top due to hyperinflation
Businessmen could pay off their loans easily
People on non-fixed wages were able to renegotiate prices daily as the cost of things rose.
Farmers coped well, as the prices they were getting for their product rose
Freikorps
Nazis
When Ebert disbanded the Freikorps, they refused to comply in disgust and betrayal.
Along with a politician - Wolfgang Kapp, they led a putsch, and planned to seize Berlin and make Kapp the chancellor.
Their plan worked, they marched on Berlin and seized it easily. The Weimar Republic fled to Dresden, and then Stuttgart. They asked the army to put down the putsch, but they refused, saying they wouldn't fire on their own soldiers.
The Weimar Republic had to ask the civil servants and key workers in Berlin to not support the putsch or the Freikorps.
They all supported the Government, and when they went on