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German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Willhem resigns
Germans were upset with the harsh conditions and outcome of WWI, and many supported extremist parties. This led to the German Revolution which consequently resulted in the replacement of the constitutional monarchy (leading to the abdication of the Kaiser on Nov. 09, 1918) with a democratic parliamentary republic that later became known as the Weimar Republic. The picture chosen is Wilhem II, last kaiser. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
After the 1918 Revolution, the Weimar Constitution was made law on Aug. 11, 1919, by President Freidrich Ebert (previous Chancellor of Germany). The Constitution was controversial, largely because of Article 48, which gave the president the ability to suspend civil rights during an emergency and which many feared had the potential to be abused. This picture was chosen as it is the symbol of the weimar. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
The Ebert-Groener Pact was an agreement with then-Chancellor Friedrich Ebert and Wilhelm Groener, a German general. Groener promised Ebert the loyalty of the armed forces. Ebert promised Groener that the government would suppress leftist uprisings and that the government wouldn’t interfere with the Reichswehr (armed forces). This ensured the safety of the Republic in its early days from leftist opposition. This picture was chosen as it reveals Groener himself as he is of importance to this pact. -
Armistice ending WWI
Towards the end of WWI in 1918, Germany’s domestic situation had been deteriorating due to socioeconomic issues, such as disillusionment from the war and food shortages, and overall discontent. The failure of the Spring Offensive in March 1918 and the loss of its allies led to Germany surrendering and signing an armistice with the Allies on Nov. 11, 1918. This picture was chosen as it illustrates the aftermath of the agreement for the armistice that ended WWI. -
Spartacist Revolt
During the Spartacist Revolt, Berlin was taken over by the Spartacus League, a left-wing Communist group that wanted to take control of Germany and create a Communist government similar to Russia's. The Weimar Republic found this situation to be difficult to control and called in the Freikorps, which stabilized the situation. However, many Germans saw the Freikorps as a sign that the Weimar Republic was incompetent. This picture shows spartacist attacks. -
Bavarian Soviet Republicc
The Bavarian Soviet Republic was an extremely “short-lived” unrecognized socialist state in Bavaria, during the German Revolution of 1918-19. It was formed in April 1919 and sought to establish a socialist soviet republic in Bavaria but was overthrown a short while later by the German Army and the Freikorps. This picture is of the propoganda used. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
The treaty ended WW1, but also forced Germany to surrender colonies, cede territory to other nations, reduce its military, pay war reparations, and accept blame for WW1. This clearly angered Germany and humiliated them, all while taking a large toll on their economy. THe picture is a drawing of the signing. -
Kapp Putsch
The Kapp Putsch was a coup in Berlin that attempted to overthrow the Weimar Republic and replace it with an autocratic government. The immediate cause of the coup was the government trying to demobilize two Freikorps brigades. The coup leaders were Wolfgang Kapp and Walther von Lüttwitz. The coup failed after a few days. Image chosen shows members attempting the seize. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
This picture was chosen because it's a photo of the red Ruhr Army, who conducted the uprising. The uprising was when left-wing workers revolted in the Ruhr, Germany’s largest industrial area. There was fighting between workers, army, and Freikorps units. It all started to show support for calls of a general strike issued by the government. It was mainly a reaction to the Kapp Putsch.c -
Hyperinflation Crisis
From 1921-1923, Germany suffered the Hyperinflation Crisis. The crisis was largely rooted in Germany's inability to pay the reparation costs from WWI. Because of the crisis, many rebellions and strikes occurred which furthered by Germany's choice to print more money. This severely hurt their economy. Picture shows the outcome to Germany's excessive money printing. -
Rapallo Treaty
The Rapallo Treaty was between the Soviet Union and Germany in order to restore relationships between the two nations. Financial claims were cancelled as well as a strengthen in their economic and military ties. The treaty was signed in Rapallo, Italy. Picture shows the Chancellor of Germany meeting with delegates from Russia to finalize this agreement. -
Weimar Golden Age
From 1923-1929, Germany was in it's golden age. Their economy was booming, foreign relations were improved, and Germany was overall very prideful. A lot of credit went to mainly Gustav Stresemann and some to Charles Dawes who largely turned around German as a whole. This era, though, ended around the death of Stresemann. Picture shows Stresemann, man who benefited Germany. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
From 1/11/1923-8/25/1925, the industrial Ruhr River valley region (Germany) was occupied by France and Belgium. This occupation occurred because of Germany's deficiencies, generally in coal, after the reparation demands after WWI were not able to be filled by Germany. The Ruhr occupation only hurt Germany's economy more. Picture shows a group of French soldiers in the Ruhr. -
Beer Hall Putsch
On November 8-9, 1923, the Beer Hall Putsch was an attempt made by Erich Ludendorff and Adolf Hitler, along with his followers, to insurrect Germany against the Weimar Republic. Although the attempt did not succeed, it still highly promoted German nationalism, anti-Semitism, and anger against the Treaty of Versailles. Image shows a variety of Hitler's followers involved in the Beer Hall Putsch. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
The Rentenmark was introduced to Germany as a new currency that would help minimize the outcome of the Hyperinflation Crisis. The Rentenmark was extremely limited unlike the overproduced past currency in Germany. This was very painful for Germany society, but was still highly beneficial. Picture shows the Rentenmark that was used as Germany currency up until late 1924. -
The Dawes Plan
The Dawes Plan was an agreement between the Allies and Germany that was made to make the reparation costs easier for Germany. They were severely reduced in the short term. The U.S. gave loans of $25 billion to Germany to essentially rebuild Germany's industrial capacity which would also benefit the German economy. The image shows the flow of the Dawes Plan. -
Election of President von Hindenburg
President von Hindenburg was elected for his first 7 year term in 1925, winning with 48.3% of the votes. Hindenburg had political ideologies that were largely right-wing; thus being said, many hoped that he would remove the Weimar Republic but never did (though he had minimal interest to maintain it). Hindenburg was a good, nationalist leader for Germany. He was later reelected after his initial term ended. The Image shows Hindenburg, the newly elected president of Germany in 1925. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
The Treaty of Berlin was a treaty signed on 24 April 1926 under which Germany and the Soviet Union pledged neutrality in the event of an attack on the other by a third party for five years. This treaty had ended on November 9, 1989, when crowds of Germans began dismantling the Berlin Wall. I chose this picture because it shows the Germains taking down the Berlin wall and the end of the treaty. -
German entrance into League of Nations
Under the Weimar Republic, Germany was admitted to the League of Nations through a resolution passed on 8 September 1926. An additional 15 countries joined later. and then in 1933, Germany ended up leaving the League of Nations. I chose this picture because it was the first League of Nations meeting with Germany. -
Locarno Treaty
The Locarno Treaty was a treaty between Germany, Belgium, France, Great Britain, and Italy; created to mark the end of the war and a start to peace between the nations. The treaty confirmed that Germany's western frontier was never to be threatened again. This essentially forced Britain and Italy to dismiss and violence surrounding the frontier. The image is representative of the countries in agreement. Picture shows delegates during the Locarno negotiations. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
In the Weimar Republic of 1919 to 1933, the term "grand coalition" was used for a coalition that included the Social Democratic Party, SPD, the Catholic Centre Party and the liberal parties Democratic Party, DDP and People's Party, DVP. I chose this picture as it shows all the leaders of the Grand Coalition. -
Young Plan
In 1929, the committee, under the chairmanship of Owen D. Young, the head of General Electric and a member of the Dawes committee, proposed a plan that reduced the total amount of reparations demanded of Germany to 121 billion gold marks, almost $29 million, payable over 58 years. I chose this picture as it shows the creator of the Young Plan: Owen Young. -
Beginning of Great Depression
The Depression was the longest and deepest downturn in the history of the United States and the modern industrial economy. The Great Depression began in August 1929, when the economic expansion of the Roaring Twenties came to an end. The decline was interrupted by a succession of financial crises. The great Depression then ended in 1939. I chose this picture as it shows the causes of the Great Depression. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
On January 30, 1933, President Paul von Hindenburg names Adolf Hitler, leader or führer of the National Socialist German Workers Party (or Nazi Party), as chancellor of Germany. I chose this picture because it shows Hitler being appointed as Chancellor -
Von Papen’s deal with Hitler
On 1 February 1933, Hitler presented to the cabinet an Article 48 decree law that had been drafted by Papen in November 1932 allowing the police to take people into "protective custody" without charges. It was signed into law by Hindenburg on 4 February as the "Decree for the Protection of the German People". I chose this picture as it shows Hitler and Von Papen discussing.
