Starter What problems faced the Weimar government in the aftermath of World War One? Which problems were the most problematic? - Remember to justify your opinion with as many reasons as possible

Was Weimar doomed from the start? Early problems of the Weimar government Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the early problems of the Weimar government

What problems faced the Weimar Republic between 1918–23? Positive features Weaknesses The November Criminals The Weimar Constitution Hyperinflation Invasion of the Ruhr What problems faced the Weimar Republic between 1918–23? The Spartacists The Treaty of Versailles Kapp Putsch Political Violence Effects Terms LAMB Munich Putsch

Was Weimar doomed from the start? In 1918 the war effort had collapsed: At home Germans were starving. Army was demoralized. On 9th November, the Kaiser abdicated and fled to Holland. On 11th November, Germany signed the armistice with the allies – the war was over! Friedrich Ebert = leader of the Social Democratic Party. The SDP was the largest party in the Reichstag (German parliament). Ebert declared a republic. His government... Signed the armistice. Signed the Treaty of Versailles. Organised the constitution of the new republic. Organised the elections for the first Reichstag of the new era. Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the early problems of the Weimar government

Early problems of Weimar The Weimar constitution was a model of democracy; however it created instability in the new republic. Proportional representation bought lots of tiny parties, representing every possible viewpoint into the Reichstag. No party had a majority, so coalitions had to be formed. Political Extremists had the right to publish their ideas. Before 1919 Germany had been ruled by a strong monarchy. Many didn’t like this democracy and freedom the Weimar Republic was trying to establish. Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the early problems of the Weimar government

Effects of the Treaty of Versailles During the 1920s right-wing politicians, including Adolf Hitler, spread the idea that the German army had not been defeated in the war. Instead Germany had been ‘stabbed in the back’. These were the traitors who had signed the armistice and the hated Treaty of Versailles. The treaty angered the Germans: sparking rebellions from 1920 – 23. Reparations damaged the German economy: prompting the French invasion of 1923. In the long term the anger led to the support of Hitler, who promised to destroy the Treaty of Versailles. The culmination of Hitler’s campaign to destroy the Treaty of Versailles was the Second World War. Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the early problems of the Weimar government

German reactions to the Treaty Germans were outraged by the unfairness of the Treaty. They had not been included in negotiations. Instead, Germany had been presented with the Treaty as a diktat (a dictated peace). As a result: Germans felt resentful to foreign nations and wanted revenge. [Hitler used this resentment and channelled it into support for his racism and aggressive foreign policy.] The Germans were furious that the Treaty of Versailles blamed them for starting the war. Reparations ruined the German economy. In 1923, the country experienced economic meltdown which led to riots and rebellions. Later the USA propped the German economy up with huge loans, which led to further disaster with the Wall Street Crash. Hitler used this to criticise Weimar. Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the early problems of the Weimar government

Evaluation task Rank the problems of the Versailles treaty in order of importance. Explain why each of these were significant. How far was the new government to blame for Germany’s problems? Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the early problems of the Weimar government

Exam technique Why was the new government important? (4) How important was the formation of the new government, amongst other factors in causing problems for Germany? (12) Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the early problems of the Weimar government

Source work Using source A and your own knowledge explain why the Treaty of Versailles caused problems for the Weimar government in the early 1920s? (8) Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the early problems of the Weimar government