HI136 The History of Germany Lecture 7 The Years of Crisis: The Weimar Republic, 1918-23.

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HI136 The History of HI136 The History of Germany Germany Lecture 7 Lecture 7 The Years of Crisis: The Years of Crisis: The Weimar Republic, The Weimar Republic, 1918-23 1918-23

Transcript of HI136 The History of Germany Lecture 7 The Years of Crisis: The Weimar Republic, 1918-23.

HI136 The History of HI136 The History of GermanyGermanyLecture 7Lecture 7

The Years of Crisis:The Years of Crisis:The Weimar Republic, The Weimar Republic,

1918-231918-23

BackgroundBackground From 1916 the German From 1916 the German

population became population became increasingly war-weary. increasingly war-weary.

Mounting casualties, falling Mounting casualties, falling living standards and food & living standards and food & fuel shortages led to growing fuel shortages led to growing labour unrest.labour unrest.

Mass strikes in Jan. 1918 Mass strikes in Jan. 1918 throughout Germany and throughout Germany and Austria-Hungary.Austria-Hungary.

The realisation of defeat a The realisation of defeat a profound shock to the German profound shock to the German people – all their suffering had people – all their suffering had been for nothing.been for nothing.

“The Times Are Hard but Victory Certain.”Poster by Bruno Paul (1917)

Constitutional Reform Constitutional Reform The High Command felt that the The High Command felt that the

allies would deal more leniently allies would deal more leniently with a parliamentary government with a parliamentary government so abandoned their resistance to so abandoned their resistance to domestic reform.domestic reform.

3 October 1918: Prince Max von 3 October 1918: Prince Max von Baden installed as Chancellor.Baden installed as Chancellor.

26 October: Reform of the 26 October: Reform of the Constitution announcedConstitution announced

The 3 class franchise in Prussia The 3 class franchise in Prussia abolished.abolished.

The Kaiser’s powers over the The Kaiser’s powers over the army and appointments severely army and appointments severely curtailed.curtailed.

The Chancellor and the The Chancellor and the Government made accountable to Government made accountable to the the ReichstagReichstag..

A ‘Revolution from above’?A ‘Revolution from above’?Prince Maximilian of Baden

(1867-1929)

The November The November RevolutionRevolution

3 November 19183 November 1918: Sailors at the naval base in Kiel mutiny. The unrest : Sailors at the naval base in Kiel mutiny. The unrest rapidly spreads to Wilhelmshaven, Hamburg, Bremen and Berlin. rapidly spreads to Wilhelmshaven, Hamburg, Bremen and Berlin. Dockworkers and Soldiers join the mutineers.Dockworkers and Soldiers join the mutineers.

6 November6 November: Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils established.: Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils established. 7-8 November7-8 November: Revolution in Munich – the Wittelsbach dynasty deposed : Revolution in Munich – the Wittelsbach dynasty deposed

and a republic proclaimed.and a republic proclaimed. 9 November9 November: The abdication of the Kaiser announced. Max von Baden : The abdication of the Kaiser announced. Max von Baden

resigns and Friedrich Ebert becomes Chancellor. A republic hastily declared resigns and Friedrich Ebert becomes Chancellor. A republic hastily declared by Philip Scheidemann.by Philip Scheidemann.

10 November10 November: Ebert-Groener Pact – the army agrees to support the new : Ebert-Groener Pact – the army agrees to support the new regime in return for assurances that its independence will be preserved. regime in return for assurances that its independence will be preserved. Council of Peoples’ Representatives formed.Council of Peoples’ Representatives formed.

16-21 December16-21 December: Meeting of the All-German Congress of Workers’ and : Meeting of the All-German Congress of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils.Soldiers’ Councils.

23-24 December23-24 December: Street fighting in Berlin.: Street fighting in Berlin. 29 December29 December: The USPD resign from the government.: The USPD resign from the government. 1 January 19191 January 1919: The : The Kommunistische Partei DeutschlandsKommunistische Partei Deutschlands (KPD) formed. (KPD) formed. 6-15 January6-15 January: Spartacist Rising – The KPD attempt a coup, only to be : Spartacist Rising – The KPD attempt a coup, only to be

crushed by the army and crushed by the army and FreikorpsFreikorps.. April-MayApril-May: The Munich : The Munich RRäterrepublicäterrepublic (Republic of Councils) crushed by (Republic of Councils) crushed by

regular troops and regular troops and FreikorpsFreikorps..

Revolutionary Sailors at Kiel, November 1918

The Split in the LeftThe Split in the Left April 1917: 42 SPD deputies broke away from the rest of the party April 1917: 42 SPD deputies broke away from the rest of the party

and formed the Independent Social Democratic Party (USPD), while and formed the Independent Social Democratic Party (USPD), while the remaining 68 SPD deputies reconstituted themselves as the the remaining 68 SPD deputies reconstituted themselves as the Majority Socialist Party (MSPD) with Friedrich Ebert as chairman.Majority Socialist Party (MSPD) with Friedrich Ebert as chairman.

The USPD committed to an immediate peace without annexations The USPD committed to an immediate peace without annexations and was loosely associated with the more radical and was loosely associated with the more radical SpartacusbundSpartacusbund (Spartacus League) and the Revolutionary Shop Stewards.(Spartacus League) and the Revolutionary Shop Stewards.

The German Left was therefore divided during the November The German Left was therefore divided during the November Revolution:Revolution: The MSPD upheld democracy, wanted moderate reforms and were The MSPD upheld democracy, wanted moderate reforms and were

opposed to soviet-style communism.opposed to soviet-style communism. The USPD wanted radical social, economic and political reform, but The USPD wanted radical social, economic and political reform, but

shied away from full communism. It was deeply divided and its influence shied away from full communism. It was deeply divided and its influence was curtailed by factional squabbles.was curtailed by factional squabbles.

The Spartacists and Revolutionary Shop Stewards campaigned for a The Spartacists and Revolutionary Shop Stewards campaigned for a socialist republic based on the Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils which socialist republic based on the Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils which would follow the same path as Bolshevik Russia.would follow the same path as Bolshevik Russia.

Friedrich Ebert (1871-Friedrich Ebert (1871-1925)1925)

The son of a tailor, Ebert became The son of a tailor, Ebert became a saddler and was active in the a saddler and was active in the trade union movement.trade union movement.

1905: Elected to the Central 1905: Elected to the Central Committee of the SPD.Committee of the SPD.

1912: Elected to the Reichstag as 1912: Elected to the Reichstag as an SPD deputy.an SPD deputy.

1913: Elected joint leader of the 1913: Elected joint leader of the SPD along with Hugo Haase.SPD along with Hugo Haase.

1918: Became ‘Imperial 1918: Became ‘Imperial Chancellor’Chancellor’

1919: Elected first president of the 1919: Elected first president of the Weimar Republic.Weimar Republic.

1925: Died of a ruptured appendix.1925: Died of a ruptured appendix.

Proclamation of the Republic, 9/11/1918

The November The November RevolutionRevolution

3 November 19183 November 1918: Sailors at the naval base in Kiel mutiny. The unrest : Sailors at the naval base in Kiel mutiny. The unrest rapidly spreads to Wilhelmshaven, Hamburg, Bremen and Berlin. rapidly spreads to Wilhelmshaven, Hamburg, Bremen and Berlin. Dockworkers and Soldiers join the mutineers.Dockworkers and Soldiers join the mutineers.

6 November6 November: Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils established.: Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils established. 7-8 November7-8 November: Revolution in Munich – the Wittelsbach dynasty deposed : Revolution in Munich – the Wittelsbach dynasty deposed

and a republic proclaimed.and a republic proclaimed. 9 November9 November: The abdication of the Kaiser announced. Max von Baden : The abdication of the Kaiser announced. Max von Baden

resigns and Friedrich Ebert becomes Chancellor. A republic hastily declared resigns and Friedrich Ebert becomes Chancellor. A republic hastily declared by Philip Scheidemann.by Philip Scheidemann.

10 November10 November: Ebert-Groener Pact – the army agrees to support the new : Ebert-Groener Pact – the army agrees to support the new regime in return for assurances that its independence will be preserved. regime in return for assurances that its independence will be preserved. Council of Peoples’ Representatives formed.Council of Peoples’ Representatives formed.

16-21 December16-21 December: Meeting of the All-German Congress of Workers’ and : Meeting of the All-German Congress of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Councils.Soldiers’ Councils.

23-24 December23-24 December: Street fighting in Berlin.: Street fighting in Berlin. 29 December29 December: The USPD resign from the government.: The USPD resign from the government. 1 January 19191 January 1919: The : The Kommunistische Partei DeutschlandsKommunistische Partei Deutschlands (KPD) formed. (KPD) formed. 6-15 January6-15 January: Spartacist Rising – The KPD attempt a coup, only to be : Spartacist Rising – The KPD attempt a coup, only to be

crushed by the army and crushed by the army and FreikorpsFreikorps.. April-MayApril-May: The Munich : The Munich RRäterrepublicäterrepublic (Republic of Councils) crushed by (Republic of Councils) crushed by

regular troops and regular troops and FreikorpsFreikorps..

Revolution in BavariaRevolution in Bavaria

Kurt Eisner (1867-1919), the leader of theBavarian Revolution;

And his assassin, the 22 year old Anton Grafvon Arco auf Valley (1897-1945)

Revolution in BavariaRevolution in Bavaria

The Revolutionary leaders Ernst Toller(above left) and Eugene Levine (aboveRight).

Right: Freikorps entering Munich, May 1919

Gustav Noske (1868-Gustav Noske (1868-1946)1946)

Born in Brandenburg & active in Born in Brandenburg & active in the trade union movement in the the trade union movement in the 1880s.1880s.

1906: Elected as an SPD 1906: Elected as an SPD ReichstagReichstag deputy. deputy.

The SPD’s spokesman on military The SPD’s spokesman on military and colonial affairs.and colonial affairs.

Nov. 1918: Negotiated an end to Nov. 1918: Negotiated an end to the Kiel Mutiny & elected the Kiel Mutiny & elected Chairman of the Kiel Workers’ and Chairman of the Kiel Workers’ and Sailors’ Council.Sailors’ Council.

Jan. 1919: Joined the Council of Jan. 1919: Joined the Council of Peoples’ Representatives.Peoples’ Representatives.

1919-20: Reich Defence Minister. 1919-20: Reich Defence Minister. His political career ended when His political career ended when

the the FreikorpsFreikorps he had helped he had helped create turned against the create turned against the government during the Kapp government during the Kapp Putsch.Putsch.

Gustav Noske (centre) addressing crowds in Berlin during the elections to the National

Assembly (Jan. 1919).

The The FreikorpsFreikorps

TheThe Freikorps Freikorps Paramilitary organizations of demobilised soldiers and Paramilitary organizations of demobilised soldiers and

officers 1918-1920.officers 1918-1920. Many soldiers felt disconnected from civilian life and Many soldiers felt disconnected from civilian life and

joined joined FreikorpsFreikorps in search of stability provided by a in search of stability provided by a military structure.military structure.

Fought in the Baltics against Red Army, in Silesia Fought in the Baltics against Red Army, in Silesia against Polish insurgents.against Polish insurgents.

Helped to put down communist uprisings.Helped to put down communist uprisings. Participated in Kapp putsch 1920.Participated in Kapp putsch 1920. Some Some Freikorps Freikorps members committed political members committed political

assassinations (Erzberger, Rathenau – seen as assassinations (Erzberger, Rathenau – seen as ‘November traitors’).‘November traitors’).

Some joined Nazi party.Some joined Nazi party.

Political PartiesPolitical Parties Sozialdemokratische Partei DeutschlandsSozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (German Social (German Social

Democratic Party, SPD).Democratic Party, SPD). UnabhUnabhängige ängige Sozialdemokratische Partei DeutschlandsSozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands

(Independent German Social Democratic Party, USPD).(Independent German Social Democratic Party, USPD). Kommunistische Partei DeutschlandsKommunistische Partei Deutschlands (Communist Party of (Communist Party of

Germany, KPD).Germany, KPD). Deutsche Demokratische ParteiDeutsche Demokratische Partei (German Democratic Party, DDP). (German Democratic Party, DDP). Zentrumspartei Zentrumspartei (Centre Party).(Centre Party). Deutsche VolksparteiDeutsche Volkspartei (German People’s Party, DVP). (German People’s Party, DVP). Deutschenationale VolksparteiDeutschenationale Volkspartei (German National People’s Party, (German National People’s Party,

DNVP).DNVP). Various smaller parties including the Various smaller parties including the Bayerische VolksparteiBayerische Volkspartei

(Bavarian People’s Party, BVP) and the (Bavarian People’s Party, BVP) and the Nationalsozialistische Partei Nationalsozialistische Partei DeutschlandsDeutschlands (NSDAP). (NSDAP).

The Weimar ConstitutionThe Weimar Constitution Germany a federal republic with Germany a federal republic with

the states represented in the the states represented in the ReichsratReichsrat..

Power derived from the people:Power derived from the people: The President elected by The President elected by

universal suffrage every 7 years.universal suffrage every 7 years. The The ReichstagReichstag elected by elected by

universal suffrage through universal suffrage through proportional representation ever 4 proportional representation ever 4 years.years.

The Chancellor and Cabinet were The Chancellor and Cabinet were appointed by the President, but appointed by the President, but required parliamentary support to required parliamentary support to pass legislation.pass legislation.

Established fundamental civil Established fundamental civil rights:rights:

Freedom of press, speech & Freedom of press, speech & assembly (Article 114)assembly (Article 114)

Equality before the law (Article Equality before the law (Article 109)109)

The right to economic justice The right to economic justice (Article 151)(Article 151)

Source: J. Traynor, Europe 1890-1990

The Kapp Putsch (1920)The Kapp Putsch (1920) The Government attempted to The Government attempted to

disband the disband the FreikorpsFreikorps in the in the Spring of 1920.Spring of 1920.

In response the Erhardt Brigade In response the Erhardt Brigade occupied Berlin and installed the occupied Berlin and installed the right-wing politician Wolfgang right-wing politician Wolfgang Kapp as Chancellor and General Kapp as Chancellor and General von Lvon Lüttwitz as head of the army.üttwitz as head of the army.

The government fled to Dresden The government fled to Dresden from where they called on workers from where they called on workers and civil servants to resist the and civil servants to resist the putsch.putsch.

The Reichswher refused to The Reichswher refused to intervene, but the coup lacked intervene, but the coup lacked popular support and was brought popular support and was brought down by a general strike.down by a general strike.

Punch’s take on the Kapp Putsch

Political Violence Political Violence The Republic was under pressure form forces on both the left and The Republic was under pressure form forces on both the left and

the right who were fundamentally opposed to democracy.the right who were fundamentally opposed to democracy. 1921: The ‘March Action’, an attempted Communist uprising in 1921: The ‘March Action’, an attempted Communist uprising in

Saxony.Saxony. 1923: Communist uprisings in Thuringia, Saxony and the Ruhr.1923: Communist uprisings in Thuringia, Saxony and the Ruhr. Political violence became endemic – around 300 political murders Political violence became endemic – around 300 political murders

between 1918 and 1922.between 1918 and 1922. Many of these committed by right-wing secret societies, paramilitary Many of these committed by right-wing secret societies, paramilitary

organizations or organizations or vvölkischölkisch groups such as the Bavarian groups such as the Bavarian EinwohnerwherEinwohnerwher (‘Home Guard’), the Orgesch or the Consul. (‘Home Guard’), the Orgesch or the Consul.

26 August 1921: Murder of Matthias Erzberger.26 August 1921: Murder of Matthias Erzberger. 21 July 1922: Murder of Walther Rathenau.21 July 1922: Murder of Walther Rathenau. The conservative judiciary had little sympathy towards the Republic The conservative judiciary had little sympathy towards the Republic

and tended to be lenient towards right-wing murderers.and tended to be lenient towards right-wing murderers.

‘‘Actually there was only one political common Actually there was only one political common denominator that held the whole “national denominator that held the whole “national movement” together at that time, and it was a movement” together at that time, and it was a negative one: it amounted to this: “We must make negative one: it amounted to this: “We must make an end to an end to Erfüllungspolitik, Erfüllungspolitik, to the policy of to the policy of accepting the Versailles Treaty and co-operating accepting the Versailles Treaty and co-operating with the West.” That was the one point on which with the West.” That was the one point on which all the groups and sub-groups were agreed, though all the groups and sub-groups were agreed, though they might and did argue about everything else. they might and did argue about everything else. We had no wish to become a political party with We had no wish to become a political party with mass support and all that that implies. . . . But we mass support and all that that implies. . . . But we did, from the beginning, desire basic change, a did, from the beginning, desire basic change, a “national revolution” that would free us from the “national revolution” that would free us from the material and ideological supremacy of the West as material and ideological supremacy of the West as the French Revolution had freed France from its the French Revolution had freed France from its monarchy. So our means had to be different from monarchy. So our means had to be different from those of the political parties. . . . in that case the those of the political parties. . . . in that case the only course open was to “eliminate” everyonly course open was to “eliminate” every Erfüllungs Erfüllungs politician. To eliminate in that context politician. To eliminate in that context is, of course, to kill. What other means was there is, of course, to kill. What other means was there at our disposal?’at our disposal?’

Ernst von SalomonErnst von Salomon

Victims of paramilitary violence: Matthias Erzberger (left) and Walther Rathenau (right)

The Munich ‘Beer Hall’ Putsch The Munich ‘Beer Hall’ Putsch (1923)(1923)

Inspired by Mussolini’s ‘March Inspired by Mussolini’s ‘March on Rome’ the previous year.on Rome’ the previous year.

8 November: Hitler held the 8 November: Hitler held the right-wing rulers of Bavaria right-wing rulers of Bavaria hostage in an attempt to hostage in an attempt to persuade to join him in a march persuade to join him in a march on Berlin to overthrow the on Berlin to overthrow the Republic.Republic.

Initially they agreed, but once Initially they agreed, but once free they turned their back on free they turned their back on Hitler and brought extra troops Hitler and brought extra troops into Munich.into Munich.

At a demonstration the next day At a demonstration the next day a Nazi shot a policeman and the a Nazi shot a policeman and the police returned fire, dispersing police returned fire, dispersing the demonstration.the demonstration.

Hitler, Ludendorff and other Hitler, Ludendorff and other leaders put on trial for high leaders put on trial for high treason but received lenient treason but received lenient sentences.sentences.

Defendants at the treason trial following the Munich Beer Hall Pustsch. Ludendorff is in

The centre. Hitler is on his left.

Economic CrisisEconomic Crisis Had its roots in the pre-war and wartime economy.Had its roots in the pre-war and wartime economy. Lack of capital investment, large trade deficit and difficulties in Lack of capital investment, large trade deficit and difficulties in

switching from a war-time to peace-time economy were made worse switching from a war-time to peace-time economy were made worse by the necessity of paying reparations to the victorious allies.by the necessity of paying reparations to the victorious allies.

The Government refused to either raise taxes or cut expenditure on The Government refused to either raise taxes or cut expenditure on political grounds – it was feared that both measures would lead to political grounds – it was feared that both measures would lead to unemployment and political unrest.unemployment and political unrest.

Default on reparations payments led to French and Belgian Default on reparations payments led to French and Belgian occupation of Ruhr (1923-24).occupation of Ruhr (1923-24).

Unable to collect taxes from the Ruhr and cut off from the supplies Unable to collect taxes from the Ruhr and cut off from the supplies of coal that powered German industry and exports, the of coal that powered German industry and exports, the

Government’s finances collapsed.Government’s finances collapsed.

Hyper-inflationHyper-inflation Germany already in an inflationary Germany already in an inflationary

crisis before 1923.crisis before 1923. But inflation spiralled out of control But inflation spiralled out of control

during the occupation of the Ruhr.during the occupation of the Ruhr. People on fixed incomes or People on fixed incomes or

welfare support (students, welfare support (students, pensioners, people on benefits pensioners, people on benefits etc.) were worst hit.etc.) were worst hit.

But landowners and businessmen But landowners and businessmen were able to pay off debts, were able to pay off debts, mortgages etc. with worthless mortgages etc. with worthless currency.currency.

Long term psychological effects – Long term psychological effects – increased crime and prostitution, increased crime and prostitution, undermined faith in the Republic, undermined faith in the Republic, increased nihilism and increased nihilism and materialism.materialism.

ConclusionConclusion German politics were radicalized by the experience of war and German politics were radicalized by the experience of war and

defeat.defeat. But the vast majority of Germans were primarily concerned with But the vast majority of Germans were primarily concerned with

their material well-being, not political reform.their material well-being, not political reform. The circumstances of its birth hampered the Weimar Republic – The circumstances of its birth hampered the Weimar Republic –

revolution and counter-revolution, economic crisis and the bitter revolution and counter-revolution, economic crisis and the bitter legacy of defeat all helped to undermine faith in the new democracy.legacy of defeat all helped to undermine faith in the new democracy.

The Weimar constitution achieved much (a democratic system, The Weimar constitution achieved much (a democratic system, welfare state etc.), but did little to solve deep divisions within welfare state etc.), but did little to solve deep divisions within German society and left key institutions unreformed.German society and left key institutions unreformed.

But the Republic weathered the storm – which should indicate that it But the Republic weathered the storm – which should indicate that it had more popular support and stronger institutions than has had more popular support and stronger institutions than has sometimes been suggested.sometimes been suggested.