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German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
Known as the November Revolution in Germany that was brought on at the end of WWI and caused the end of the German federal constitutional monarchy and the beginning of a democratic parliamentary republic (turning into the Weimar Republic). I chose this picture as it represents the large scale of the revolution as well as the eagerness of the people to enact change in Germany, uniting to change the government. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
This was a secret pact made between social democratic President Ebert and the Chancellor of Germany to get the military to back up the government. When the public found out, the left was mad as moderates were pleased. I chose this image because it shows Ebert talking to others about the pact, showing the communication between different sides. -
Armistice ending WWI
The armistice that ended all fighting in WWI: stopping the fighting between Germany and the allied powers. It was completed in a rush as Germany was also forced to agree or they would’ve been attacked. I chose this picture as it depicts all the nations coming together to resolve the peace, as well as the overruling stance of the allies as Germany is forced to stand and listen to their demands. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
December 1918, elections were held for a National Assembly tasked with creating a new parliamentary constitution but it officially went through on August 18, 1919. Brought on by massive revolt, government power was given to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as they made the Weimar Constitution that created the first parliamentary democracy: created the Weimar Republic. I chose this image as it shows all the people involved in the making of the constitution, showing the different figures. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
The phrase "grand coalition" was used during the Weimar Republic of 1919 to 1933 to describe a coalition that comprised the SPD, the Catholic Center Party, and the liberal groups Democratic Party, DDP, and People's Party, DVP. This picture was chosen because it shows the Grand Coalition meeting in 1928. -
Spartacist Revolt
Also known as the January uprising, this revolt was brought on by a general strike by leftists in order to make a communist state and take down the republic. Freikorps would shut down the strike over 7 days. I chose this image to show the power of the Freikorps as they would quickly attack the leftists, taking them down with their force. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
This was an attempt from USPD members to make a post-war socialist government in Germany, as members tried to create their own new state. Although, they were quickly defeated by Reichswehr soldiers. I chose this image as it shows how they were following communist ideals as well as the number of people in their group, being organized and unified. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
The Treaty of Versailles was the document signed by the Allied Powers and Germany to signify the end of WWI. Germany felt wronged by this document because of the “extortionate” reparations and the unfair “war guilt” clause. I chose this political cartoon because it shows how the Germans perceived the Treaty of Versailles as being forced on them by the Allied Powers. -
Kapp Putsch
A failed coup against the German government in an attempt to overthrow the Weimar Republic that lasted from March 13-18. This later led to a strike by the German population and led to the Ruhr Uprising. I chose this photo because it shows that despite its failing, the coup had widespread support as evidenced by the later strike. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
A workers’ uprising in the Ruhr region by the left-wing “Red Ruhr Army” to offset the right-wing Kapp Putsch. This had a lot of socialist support and lasted from March 13-April 12 of 1920. I chose this memorial statue because it shows the societal impact of both the Kapp Putsch and the Ruhr Uprising as the real victims were the women and children who continued to experience loss even after the end of WWI. -
Rapallo Treaty
Treaty between USSR and Germany to reestablish friendly relations after WWI. This treaty absolved all financial claims between the two and upset the Allied Powers. I chose this political cartoon because it shows the tension between Britain and France vs Germany and the USSR. This piece depicts the relationship between Germany and the USSR as a married couple. The treaty canceled their debts to one another and united them, but it upset Britain and France as represented by the man eavesdropping. -
Hyperinflation Crisis
The government was struggling to pay back reparations (which had to be paid in gold marks), repairs after the war, money from war bonds, and other expenditures. In order to lighten this load, they printed more money to pay their workers. This led to massive hyperinflation and made paper marks virtually worthless. I chose this image because it shows how worthless the paper marks had become. It was cheaper to let kids play with stacks of cash than actually buying toys. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
France and Belgium occupied the German Ruhr after Germany failed to pay reparations. Lasted from January 11, 1923-August 25, 1925. I chose this image because it shows the juxtaposition between the German Worker and French soldier. Just because their government was unable to pay reparations, the German public had to put up with these controlling soldiers. -
Beer Hall Putsch
The Beer Hall Putsch was a failed coup held by over 2000 Nazis in Munich lasting from November 8th to November 9th 1923. Since Hitler had led the coup, he was later arrested for treason. The Beer Hall Putsch was significant since it gave Hitler the attention he desired which in turn helped the Nazi Party grow.
This image displays the Nazis that stormed Munich. The photo is effective at showing their level of intimidation to the public which gave them power. -
Introduction of the Rentenmark
The Rentenmark was issued to replace the previous Papier marks and to put an end to the hyperinflation. Instead of having the marks backed by gold, the Rentenmark was backed by mortgaged land that was used for businesses.
“When the wind blows right, the Rentenmark also falls! That’s why Social Democrats vote!” is what the poster translates to in English. This addresses how the Rentenmark falls in value when the right-wing is in charge and why Germany experienced hyperinflation in the past. -
Weimar Golden Age
The Golden Age that Germany had experienced was after they recovered from the hyperinflation crisis. Germany was able to experience this period of economic wealth due to the implementation of the Rentenmark. In 1929 the Great Depression struck which caused the Golden Age to collapse.
The chosen picture represents the care free attitude that German's had now that their country had recovered economically. -
Dawes Plan
The most beneficial aspects of this plan were the ones to change the payment plan of reparations for Germany as well as ending France and Belgium's occupation of the Ruhr. This relieved some of the stress that Germany endured after WWI. The creators had even won a Nobel Peace prize for their work.
The picture I chose is of an edition of Time Magazine that displays Charles Dawes. Making it onto the cover of this magazine is significant since one usually does something important earn it. -
Election of President von Hindenburg
Paul von Hindenburg officially became Germany’s second president at the end of the 1925 elections. Hindenburg had formed an alliance with the DNVP, DVP, and BVP to reach 50% of the Reichstag votes. It can be noted that Hindenburg and his allies were of the right-wing.
This picture is significant since this is of a campaign that brought von Hindenburg notoriety among the German people which would ultimately lead to his win. -
Locarno Treaty
Through the Locarno Treaty, Germany’s Rhineland had been demilitarized and it had been agreed that the Western Front should be respected by the countries who had signed the treaty. Britain and Italy had specifically agreed to protect the Western Front while Belgium and France stayed idle.
This picture is significant since it shows how the treaties were eventually being used to the Nazi's advantage long after they had been implemented. This hints that the treaty might have been too generous. -
German Entrance Into League of Nations
When the League of Nations was founded in 1920, Germany was not a founding member. Germany joined the League in 1926 and remained a member until Adolf Hitler expelled the country in 1933. This picture was chosen because it shows the League of Nations meeting. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
The Treaty of Berlin, signed on April 24, 1926, committed Germany and the Soviet Union to five years of neutrality in the case of a third-party assault on one of them. The Rapallo Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union was renewed in this treaty (1922). This picture was chosen because it shows the two leaders in solidarity. -
Young Plan
Young, the chairman of General Electric and a member of the Dawes committee, offered a scheme that would lower Germany's entire reparations demand to 121 billion gold marks ($29 billion), payable over 58 years. Another loan for $300 million would be issued on international markets. This picture was chosen because it is a political cartoon that sheds light on the Weimar Republic's unstable economic system. -
Beginning of Great Depression
As a result of the Wall Street Crash in 1929, which triggered a worldwide slump, Germany suffered more than any other country as a result of the recall of US loans, causing its economy to collapse. Unemployment skyrocketed, poverty levels skyrocketed, and Germans grew desperate. This picture was chosen because it is the most famous representation of the Great Depression and was a universal situation. -
Hitler Becomes Chancellor
After lengthy backroom talks involving businessmen, Hindenburg's son, former chancellor Franz von Papen, and Hitler, Hindenburg acquiesced and named Adolf Hitler as Germany's next chancellor. This picture was chosen because it shows an average family saluting Hitler which is very alarming. -
Von Papen's Deal With Hitler
Hitler presented the government with an Article 48 decree legislation issued by Papen in November 1932, which allowed police to take individuals into "protective custody" without charges. On February 4, Hindenburg signed the "Decree for the Protection of the German People" into law. This picture was chosen because it shows Hitler and Von Papen side-by-side.
