Ch. 26—Political Experiments in the 1920’s

 Created out of the “German Revolution” of November 1918 (Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates)  New German constitution was signed in Weimar, Germany in August 1919  While the constitution was being debated, Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles.

 Parliamentary republican for of government  President (7 year term) oversaw the country but did not “run” it  Chancellor “ran” the country and was chosen by the majority party in the Reichstag (or appointed by the President)

 #1—Its first act was agreeing to an armistice on November 11, This was really a surrender  #2—Accepting the terms of the Treaty of Versailles (after a threat of invasion)  #3—Ultra-inflation of 1923 (Not the government’s fault)

 This gov’t never had popular support  German army remained suspicious of it after the Versailles treaty  March 1920—Kapp Putsch—revolt of civil servants and military  November 1923—Munich Beer Hall Putsch (Gen. Erich Ludendorff, Adolf Hitler and the Nazis)

 —Weimar Republic functions fairly well  Economy stabilizes  Germany enters the League of Nations  Moderate parties thrive  1929—the Great Depression hits—gives rise to the “misery parties,” Hitler and the Nazis