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German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser resigns
Towards the end of 1918, there was unrest in Germany. People were disillusioned with the harsh conditions and outcome of WWI, and many supported extremist parties. This led to the German Revolution (Oct. 1918-Aug. 1919) which 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. This image was chosen because it is of the last Kaiser, Wilhelm II. -
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 depicts Ebert consulting with military allies. -
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. This, along with 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 was taken shortly after reaching 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 workers protesting on the streets during the revolt. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
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 Republic’s flag. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
This picture was chosen because it is a photograph of a newspaper describing the Treaty of Versailles being signed. 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. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
After the 1918 Revolution, the Weimar Constitution was made law on Aug. 11, 1919, by President Freidrich Ebert, who was previously the 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 of President Freidrich Ebert. -
Kapp Putsch
This picture was chosen because it is a photograph of the 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. -
(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. -
Rapallo Treaty
This was an agreement between Germany and Russia, which allowed the establishment of diplomatic relations between the both of them. This allowed Germans to improve economic relations and test military equipment. I chose this image because it depicts world leaders agreeing to the treaty of rapallo - a monumental moment -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
Germany ceased paying reparations, and these nations took to occupy the Ruhr and its factories to compensate for the unpaid dues I chose this image because it shows soldiers coercing workers into doing their jobs and no longer going on strike - this was to collect resources -
Weimar Golden Age
Definition: A time period when the economy and cultural life in Germany boomed. This was mostly due to Gustav Stresemann and Charles Dawes This image is chosen because it highlights the economic prosperity of the time -
Hyperinflation Crisis
The government printed more money to pay striking workers in the Ruhr - more money printed, more price rises. What was worth 250 marks Jan 1923 was worth 200,000 million marks Nov 1923. I chose this image because it shows how much the currency was valued. -
Beer Hall Putsch
Definition: Failed coup attempt against the Weimar government by the Nazi Party leader Adolf hitler - led to split between Hitler and Ludendorff. I chose this image because it is a picture of a beer hall. A similar one to this was where this Putsch originated -
Introduction of the Rentenmark
Definition: Backed by the gold standard - supported by businesses and German people - allowed currency to stabilize and supported by Dawes Plan. I chose this image because it is a representation of the rentenmark, meaning this is what the currency looked like. -
Dawes Plan
Definition: Proposed by the Dawes Committee and Charles Dawes - helped resolve issues with WW1 reparations. Reparations = reduced Germany’s annual payments, would pay over larger time I chose this image because it was a good visual representation of the dawes plan -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
Treaty of Berlin also called the German-Soviet Neutrality and Nonaggression Pact of April 1926, was a treaty under which Germany and the Soviet Union each pledged neutrality in the event of an attack on the other by a third party for the next five years. The non-aggression treaty reaffirmed the German-Soviet Treaty of Rapallo signed previously in 1922. This image shows an agreement going on with all of the countries in Berlin. -
Election of President Von Hindenburg
Hindenburg, former military chief, did almost no campaigning himself but he was vigorously supported by right-wing nationalist parties, particularly the German National People’s Party (DNVP). The elections were held on April 26th, 1925. Hindenburg won the presidency, securing 900,000 more votes than Centre Party candidate Wilhelm Marx. The election of the former World War I commander-in-chief triggered shock and outrage around the world. This image shows Paul Von Hindenburg himself -
Locarno Treaty
Definition: Germany, Italy, Britain, France, Belgium were part of treaty - to secure borders in Europe after WW1 -> brought state of peace between France and Germany I chose this image because it represents what this did for Germany -
German entrance into the League of Nations
Germany had applied for and been rejected from the membership to the League of Nations, but with Stresemann's help and the implications of the Locarno Treaty, Germany was admitted to the League of Nations and had a seat on the council. Germany’s entrance to the League of Nations allowed for sovereignty and fair representation so long as they followed international rules. This image shows how the signing of the Locarno Treaty that allows Germany's entrance into the LoN -
Grand Coalition of Weimar
Ending in 1930, the Grand Coalition was the joining of 4 major German political parties and marked the return of the SDP to German politics. Under Chancellor Mueller, the GC allowed for a moderate government and the last "democratic" version of the Weimar Republic before the disassembly of the Reichstag and the consequential rise of authoritarianism. This image represents each of the political parties involved in the Grand Coalition. -
Beginning of Great Depression
Ending in 1939, the Great Depression was caused primarily by the US stock market crash which resulted in a ripple effect of economic disaster across the industrial world. After the US economy fell, world economics shifted to accommodate the massive loss. For Europe, reparations post WW1 were impossible to navigate, and global trade nearly halted. This image represents the lack of people not cooperating well in this time of Weimar Germany. -
Young Plan
The Young Plan was an effort to reduce German reparations, reduce foreign market control on the German economy, and establish an international bank. While the plan failed due to the Great Depression and lack of resources worldwide, it represented a shift in US priorities in which they reinserted themselves into European politics after trying to create distance. This image shows an announcement being made about the Young Plan in Germany. -
Von Papen's deal with Hitler
After being ousted from his position as Chancellor of Germany, von Papen wanted revenge against his successor Chancellor Schliecher. To do this, he enlisted the help of Adolf Hitler. He agreed to convince Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor so long as von Papen would have some political agency. Eventually, Hitler sort of betrayed von Papen and attempted to assassinate the entire SA. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
While very complicated, Hitler essentially utilized his wit and political connections to rise through the ranks and eventually achieve Chancellorship. As the head of the authoritarian Nazi party, Hitler was extremely popular with his nationalist rhetoric and determination to put Germany first. This picture represents Hitler being welcomed as the new Chancellor.
