Starter What problems did the Weimar government have to deal with?

Did the government manage to address the problems it faced? Why was the period 1919-1923 a period of crisis for the Weimar government? Did the government manage to address the problems it faced? Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the 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

Sparticist uprising In January 1919 (even before the Weimar Government was officially constituted), the Spartacists led a communist uprising. They were led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht. Much of the army had been disbanded. So groups of ex-soldiers formed themselves into private armies called Freikorps. With the help of the regular army they brutally put down the Spartacists. Thousands of Spartacists were captured and shot, including Luxemburg and Liebknecht were killed. The uprising was not supported or planned well to have any success. Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the problems of the Weimar government

Kapp Putsch In March 1920 the Freikorps rebelled. The putsch was led by a right-wing nationalist called Wolfgang Kapp. The rebels took over Berlin and tried to bring back the Kaiser. The army refused to attack the rebels. The Kapp Putsch came to an end when the workers of Berlin called a general strike and brought the city to a standstill which made it impossible for Kapp to rule. The uprising lasted 4 days before the government returned. Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the problems of the Weimar government

Munich (Beerhall Putsch) Hitler was convinced he had a good chance of a successful Putsch (rebellion) as the public anger was at its highest due to the French invasion of the Ruhr, hyperinflation and the economic crisis. Hitler was supported by General Ludendorff, a First World War veteran. He also expected to be supported by the German army and the right-wing Bavarian government… Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the problems of the Weimar government

Invasion of the Ruhr Germany found it hard to pay substantial reparations as their economy was destroyed, and felt it was unfair! In 1923 French, Belgian and French troops had to invade the Ruhr (an industrial region of western Germany) in order to force the Germans to agree to pay reparations. Problems this caused: Workers that went on strike received money from the government to support their families. This cost the government money when there was none coming in. The government responded by printing more money which caused even more problems. Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the problems of the Weimar government

Effects of hyperinflation The government printed so many notes that an egg cost 80 million marks, 1 dollar: 200 billion marks. People on fixed incomes suffered the most. While prices rose, their earnings stayed the same. Many of these people were pensioners and they now faced starvation. People with savings in the bank also suffered, as the money they had saved became worthless. Some Germans did well out of hyperinflation. Those who had debts or had taken out loans could now pay the money back easily. People turned to crime because life was so hard. Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the problems of the Weimar government

Evaluation technique Rank the problems of the Weimar government in order of importance. Explain which was the most important problem. Explain which was the least important problem. Can you identify any links between the two…? Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the problems of the Weimar government

Examination technique How was proportional representation important? (4) How important was the invasion of the Ruhr amongst other factors in causing problems to the Weimar government between 1919-1923? (12) Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the problems of the Weimar government

Children playing with money during the Hyperinflation crisis. Source work How useful are the Sources for understanding the problems that faced the Weimar government? Use the sources and your own knowledge (8) Sparticist uprising, 1919 Children playing with money during the Hyperinflation crisis. Aim: To explain (B) or evaluate (A) the problems of the Weimar government