-
German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser Wilhelm II resigns
The German Revolution began in November 1918 as widespread unrest, strikes, and mutinies forced the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the collapse of the German Empire. On 9 November 1918, Wilhelm II fled to the Netherlands, and Germany was declared a republic.
I chose this photo to represent the fleeing of Wilhelm to the Netherlands, showing how he ran away from the German Republic. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
On 10 November 1918, Chancellor Friedrich Ebert and General Wilhelm Groener made a secret agreement to protect the new republic from communist revolution. In return, the military would remain a powerful institution under the new government. I chose this photo because it represents a secret, as this agreement was. It shows how it was kept from the public, creating a potential distrust. -
Armistice ending WWI
The armistice between Germany and the Allied powers ended fighting on the Western Front in World War I. It was signed on 11 November 1918, effectively marking the end of the war.
I chose this photo because it represents peace, which was the overarching goal of the armistice. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
A short-lived socialist state declared in Bavaria in April 1919 by leftist revolutionaries inspired by the Russian Revolution. It was overthrown by the Freikorps in May 1919, restoring conservative control in the region.
I chose this photo because red flags are commonly used to alert for danger, which is what was happening in Bavaria. It symbolizes communist revolution and urban unrest. -
Spartacist Revolt
In January 1919, the communist Spartacist League, led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, launched an uprising in Berlin to establish a socialist state. The revolt was brutally crushed by the army and Freikorps, and its leaders were killed. This photo I chose depicts defeat, exactly what happened in the revolt. Once the Spartacists up rose, they were crushed in their steps. -
Treaty of Versailles and the results for Germany
Signed June 28, 1919 ended World War I between Germany and other world powers. The treaty of Versailles blamed Germany for causing WW1 in the war guilt clause (Article 231) and forced Germany to pay mass reparations. These reparations and the war guilt clause influenced extremist parties as well as economic hardship for Germany. This image was chosen because it demonstrates the results of the treaty, which was an extreme amount of reparations that Germany was forced to pay. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
Following the Kaiser’s abdication, Germany transitioned into a democratic republic known as the Weimar Republic. Its liberal democratic constitution was officially adopted on 11 August 1919, establishing a parliamentary system. I chose this photo because it is a direct picture of the Weimar Constitution, and a picture of the symbol, showing how it now had the overarching power in the state of Germany. -
Kapp Putsch
March 1920. Failed coup d'état by Wolfgang Kapp and Walther von Luttwitz. They wanted to overthrow the Weimar Republic to form right-wing government. The coup d'état allowed Kapp and Luttwitz to have control over Berlin, but there was a strike held by the public to prevent Kapp and Luttwitz from being successful. I chose this image because it demonstrates the streets of Germany in Berlin during the Putsch. It demonstrates the public unrest that was present during the Kapp Putsch. -
Weimar Golden Age
I chose this image because it shows the arrow improving throughout as the data goes on. This ultimately shows the economic and social improvements for the society as the Weimar Golden Age was an ultimate improvement for living conditions in Berlin. -
Dawes Plan
I chose this image because it shows how the money is declining and the person is representing Germany. The Dawes Plan represents this image as it allowed Germany to get their financial reparations to be reduced, which is demonstrated as the money is going down as the arrow shows, and the individual is Germany who is wantng for the money to go down. -
Locarno Treaty
I chose this image as it shows how Streseman acceoted German borders as the figure is shown pointing to the check mark, meaning that they accepted it. However, they also agreed to not decide to use force although it will still be the case in terms of self - defense which is why the "X" block is still in this image as it still lingers but was not chosen to occur.