1. Weimarer Republik

2. A German Republic
Wilson demands representative gov’t in Germany prior to Armistice
Kaiser Wilhelm II (grandson Queen Victoria) abdicates November 9, 1918
June 1919 Treaty of Versailles signed and creates the Weimar Republic
Most Germans upset with government signing the treaty; riots and rebellions all over Germany

3. Weimar Republic
A national assembly adopts new constitution after meeting at Weimar, Germany from Feb. 6 to Aug. 11, 1919
No name for the new country gains any widespread acceptance
Commonly called “Deutsches Reich”; the pre-1918 Imperial name (German Reich)
After 1933 called Weimar Republic

4. Weimar Republic Lasted 14 years
Head of state: president, elected for seven years
Nominate Chancellor
Dissolve Reichstag
Veto Reichstag laws
Commander of armed forces
Declare state of emergency and rule by decree
Reichstag
Large number of political parties, 20 different coalition governments over 14 years
Von Hindenburg elected President 1925 (served until death 1934, influential in Hitler’s rise to power)

5. Political Parties Republic Left Right 4 main
SPD-Social Democrats, largest
Zentrum-set up in 1870 to defend Catholic interests, in every government until 1933
Left
2 main
KPD-Communists
Right
NSDAP-founded 1919, at first violent, eventual works within government, 1930 won 18% vote, 1932 largest party in Reichstag

6. Hyperinflation
Extremely rapid price increases and erosion of the value of the local currency
April 1919 it costs 12 Marks to buy 1 US dollar, December 1923 it costs 4.2 trillion marks
Early 1919 a loaf of bread costs 1 mark, by 1923 the same loaf of bread is 100 billion marks

7. Gustav Stresemann
Chancellor August 1923, Foreign Minister November 1923-October 1929
Germany had defaulted on reparations; he set up with GB, Fr, and US a revision of the reparation terms
Massive loans for next five years from US, allowed reparation payments and eased inflation

8. Depression 1929 to 1939 Stock market crash October 1929
Banks need capital, loans called in
33% unemployment
People turn to Nazi and Communist parties, they both win big in 1930 election
Inflation returns (not quite as bad)

9. Heinrich Bruning Chancellor 1930-1932
Increased taxes, reduced salaries, reduced unemployment assistance
Many laws had to be enacted under emergency powers
Bruning replaced as chancellor 1932
Election of 1932 saw rise of Communists in Reichstag, alarms many in govt and industry
January 30, 1933 Adolph Hitler apptd Chancellor by President Hindenburg