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German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II Resigns
Also known as the November revolution, it was a revolt led by the people of Germany after the ending of the first world war. It resulted in the German government scraping their monarchy and replacing it with a democracy. After the revolution, the president at the time Wilhelm II was forced to flee to the Netherlands due to the unrest and violence within Germany. The photo chosen demonstrates the civil protests that occurred during the revolution as the people took to the streets against the gov. -
Formation of the Weimar Republic/Constitution
The newly founded Weimar Government was officially established on August 16th 1919 within the german town conveniently named Weimar. The constitution set up within the Weimar Republic was more focused on a new democratic way of life for the people with things such as voting as well as a bill of rights for the people. The photo chosen to represent this time frame is the flag for the Weimar Republic which is depicted with a falcon in a fighting position. Like the germans were ready to fight. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
It was a pact that was established between one of the leaders of the SPD party within Germany and the newly founded German chancellor. The agreement took place directly after Ebert was elected into power within the Weimar Republic. The pact effectively said that the military would back the already weak government as well as which means that the government cannot disband or truly disrupt the direct actions of the military. The photo chosen is simply Ebert who was a part of the signing of the act -
Armistice Ending WW1
The armistice itself was signed on November 11th 1918 in Compiegne and basically concluded the fighting on the land sea and air between the allies and their remaining opponent of Germany. The document became official after Germany had negotiated with Woodrow Wilson who was president of the United States at the time The picture chosen to represent this event is a picture of a newspaper article that would have been realized shortly after the signing of the armistice to let the general pop. know -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
The Bavarian Soviet Republic was an unofficial socialist state within the area of Bavaria. This state existed from the beginning of the German Revolution in 1918 but ended soon thereafter in 1919. It was simply another group of divided people within the devastated Germany. The picture chosen simply demonstrates where the Bavarian Soviet Republic occupied during its short time alive within German politics and history. -
Spartacist Revolts
The revolts are also known as the January revolution were a relatively peaceful protest where communist workers within Berlin took to the streets to protest, however, they were also armed. Eventually, the Fricorps were called in to put a stop to the strike and due to that action, 100 peaceful protestors were killed. However, the fricorps were able to subdue the revolt after some time. The picture shows peaceful communist protestors during a strike within their country or even city. -
Treaty of Versailles and the Results for Germany
The Treaty of Versailles harshly affected many areas of Germany. Including, reducing her industry, population, and land by a significant amount. The most significant effect on Germany was the amount of money requested to be paid in reparations, the reparations would eventually lead to substantial economic issues during the duration of Weimar Germany. Furthermore, the war guilt clause placed unending blame on Germany for WWI. The picture visualizes the effects of the treaty on Germany. -
Kapp Putsch
Kapp Putsch was a coup that was thrown in an attempt to overthrow the Weimar Republic. Named after its leaders, Wolfgang Kapp and Walther von Luttwitz, the coup attempted to undo the German revolution and establish an autocratic governmental system. It was mainly supported by nationalist factions. The German government was forced to remove themselves from the city however the coup failed after a couple of days. The picture shows the number of people involved in the coup during the few days. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
The Red Uprising consisted of left-wing workers, in a revolt in the Ruhr region. It initially happened in support of the call for a general strike by social democrat representatives in the government. Both were in response to the Kapp Putsch revolt. The communists and socialists had plans to overthrow the dictatorship and win political power, but, the government had sent their "red' army to stop unrest. The photo shows the region where the uprising took place. -
Rapollo Treaty
The treaty was signed by the German Republic and Soviet Russia to undo the territorial and financial claims they had set against each other. It was a major victory for Russia and held benefits for Germany. However, the treaty was a disappointment to the UK and France. It was ratified in the league, but no military cooperation was official in the treaty, but military compromising was done in secret going, against the league. The photo shows the compromise between the two countries. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
France and Belgium occupied the industrialized region of Ruhr in response to Germany's lack of reparation payments being realized. The occupation severely damaged the German economy and worsened the economic crisis. German citizens engaged in passive protests and civil disobedience and during that time, around 130 citizens were killed. France and Belgium, facing economic pressure agreed to the Dawes Plan to extend the reparation payments. The photo shows the violent nature of the occupation. -
Hyperinflation Crisis
Primarily in 1923, the hyperinflation crisis affected the Weimar Republic's mode of currency. In an effort to pay for the reparations set by the Treaty of Versailles, the German government decided to print more paper currency rather than raising taxes on civilians. These actions caused the value of the paper currency to decrease immensely destroying the German economy. Furthermore, Germany refused to accept any form of assistance in the mode of loans. The photo shows the increase in paper money. -
Beer Hall Putsch
The Beer Hall Putsch was a failed coup orchestrated by the Nazi party, led by none other than ADOLF HITLER BABY LETS GO. Around 2,000 Nazis marched by were met by police force resulting in 16 deaths. Hitler (as he should) escaped, but after two days was arrested and charged with treason. The Putsch ended up bringing Hitler attention in the newspapers, making headlines. He was charged with 5 years in jail but was released after 9 months. The picture shows the nature of the putsch. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
In November, the new currency of Rentenmark was introduced as a way to attempt to counteract the hyperinflation that took place with the old currency. Since there was no gold to back upt his currency, the Rentenmark was backed by investments on land in the industrial sector. The picture attached shows the new Rentenmark as it was introduced originally. -
Weimar Golden Age
The golden age was a period of time, rather than a specific event, in which political stability and economic growth peaked in Weimar Germany. This lead to political sides in extremist views being curbed as many people did not have much to complain about, and many lived their lives without worrying about politics, which lead to an increase in quality of life and economy. The picture attached is an artistic representation created during the period that demonstrates the vibe. -
Dawes Plan
The Dawes plan was a plan that came out of the Dawes committee, which was urged by the United States and other countries to find a solution to German World War I reparations and debt that had to be paid, which was around 132 billion gold marks at the time. The plan essentially relied on borrowing money from the United States in order to fund reparations by Germany, and was come up by 10 individuals. The picture shown is the Dawes group. -
Election of Paul von Hindenburg
The election of Paul von Hindenburg took place in 1925 and as a result, Paul Von Hindenburg became the next president of Germany, and was able to win two 7-year terms. Many people who voted for Paul von Hindenburg were those on the right side of politics, and hoped that he would, once elected into power, destroy the politics of Weimar democracy in their favor. The picture shown is a portrait of Paul von Hindenburg. -
Locarno Treaty
Within the Locarno Treaty, or pact, the main purpose was to ensure peace within Europe at the time. In essence, Germany and signing countries would agree not to use force in order to expand their frontiers. The United Kingdom promised that it would defend Belgium and France from any attacks, but would not defend Poland and Czechoslovakia. The picture attached is a scene of the signing members of the treaty. -
German Entrance in LoN
While Stresemann was in office, he created a plan to rebuild Germany's economy and reputation. During the Golden Years, he found the opportunity to invite his nation into the League. He did this initially to set up his plans for the Locarno Treaty. The United States supported Germany's entry and assisted them with reparation payments by supplying loans. Germany was given the power of other board members within this League. Pictured is a newspaper announcing entry, as this was worth celebration. -
Treaty of Berlin
The treaty of Berlin was a treaty between the Soviet Union and Germany, in which both parties agreed that, in the event of an attack by any other country on either Germany or the Soviet Union, for a period of five years, that both Germany and the Soviet Union would remain neutral. This was a continuing effort to improve the Germany-Russia relationship, and was unanimous in Weimar Democracy. Picture attached is signing members of both states. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
The SPD, Centre Party, DVP, and DDP all joined forces to create a Grand Coalition within Germany. These pro-democratic parties worked together to decide the fate of Germany. They called off the Ruhr invasion because Stresemann united them all the join forces together. He convinced them all to make up with each other for the sake of Weimar's well-being. The picture is of Weimar leaders during the Coalition. -
Young Plan
The Young Plan followed WWI and the reparations Germany was required to pay to the Allies were settled within this plan. American Owen Young (pictured below) met with German leaders to discuss reducing payment requirements, since Germany was struggling to keep up with the cashflow. The Allies agreed to attend as well, since they were disgruntled with the lack of reparations being received. Though Germany was in its Golden Years, it still struggled. -
Beginning of Great Depression
The Great Depression within the United States triggered a global depression. Since Germany had to pay reparations, they continued to borrow from America, which further destroyed both economies. Germany decided to cut its spending to avoid inflation, which counteracted the main point. Because so many Germans lost their jobs, they turned to Hitler for guidance. The picture is of the Great Depression within Germany. -
Von Papen's Deal with Hitler
Von Papen had been Germany's chancellor in 1932. He resigned, and president Hindenburg appointed Von Schleicher in his place. Von Papen then arranged for Hitler to become chancellor. Hindenburg did not want to follow through with this, but Von Papen promised that if he was appointed, Von Papen would become vice chancellor and control Hitler from there. Von Schleicher agreed to this, since they all despised Hindenburg. The picture is Von Papen and Hitler scheming. -
Hitler Becomes Chancellor
Von Papen, the former chancellor of Germany, convinced president Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as chancellor of the National Socialist German Workers Party. Hitler gained fame in 1932 by promising citizens that he'd create real change. Hindenburg was at first reluctant to appoint Hitler as chancellor because he was intimidated by his growing popularity. Von Papen promised that if Hitler became chancellor, he would control Hitler from the sidelines. The picture is of him becoming chancellor.
