europe in 1919 maimed german ww i veteran the “stabbed-in-the-back” theory disgruntled german...
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The “Stabbed-in-the-Back” Theory
The “Stabbed-in-the-Back” Theory
Disgruntled German WWI veteransDisgruntled German WWI veterans
The Spartacist LeagueThe Spartacist League
Rosa Luxemburg[1870-1919]
murdered by the Freikorps
Rosa Luxemburg[1870-1919]
murdered by the Freikorps
Karl Liebknecht[1871- 1919]
Murdered by the Freikorps
Friedrich Ebert:First President of the Weimar
Republic
Friedrich Ebert:First President of the Weimar
Republic
The Parliament
• Constitution established a two house parliament– – Lower house= Reichstag – Allotted seats to the parties in direct proportion
to the percentage of votes they polled in the election
– Positive: assured representation to minor parties– Negative: encouraged the development of a
multi party system which made it impossible for anyone party to have a majority
The Parliament cont…
– Upper house: Reichsrat– Consisted of representatives elected by
the parliaments of the eighteen German states
– It had the power to delay the passage of legislation but could not permanently block bills favored by the Reichstag.
Mein Kampf [My Struggle]Mein Kampf [My Struggle]In the book Hitler: gives a semifictionalized account of his lifeExpresses his ideas of:
• German racial superiority•German nationalism•Anti- Semitism•Anti- Marxism
Set forth what German foreign policy should beGermany was vigorous and growing country that needed lebensraum (living space
The Dawes Plan (1924)The Dawes Plan (1924)
Main Points1. The Ruhr area was to to be evacuated by Allied occupation troops2. Reparation payments would begin at “one billion marks the first year and increase to two and half billion annually after five years”3. The German Reichsbank would be reorganized under Allied supervision4. The sources of reparation money would include
transportation, and taxes
Main Points1. The Ruhr area was to to be evacuated by Allied occupation troops2. Reparation payments would begin at “one billion marks the first year and increase to two and half billion annually after five years”3. The German Reichsbank would be reorganized under Allied supervision4. The sources of reparation money would include
transportation, and taxes
Results1.Short term economic benefits to the German economy2.Softened the burden of war reparations3.Stabilized the currency4.Brought increased foreign investment and loans to the German market5.Made the German economy dependent on foreign markets and economy
The Young Plan (1930)The Young Plan (1930)
For three generations, you’ll have to slave away!
$26,350,000,000 to be paid over a period of 58½ years.
For three generations, you’ll have to slave away!
$26,350,000,000 to be paid over a period of 58½ years.
Timeline
1925- Paul von Hindenburg wins presidential election in Germany
1930- World Depression strikes Germany (Banks fail, foreign trade declines, factories close, millions are unemployed)
1930- von Hindenburg names Heinrich Bruning chancellor (Reichstag majority disagrees and Hindenburg invokes article 48 of the constitution which authorizes him to rule by decree)
1930- extremist parties make substantial gains (Nazis & communists)
Weimar Germany: Political Representation
[1920-1933]
Weimar Germany: Political Representation
[1920-1933]
Political Parties in the Reichstag
May 1924
Dec. 1924
May1928
Sep.1930
July1932
Nov.1932
Mar.1933
Communist Party (KPD)
62 45 54 77 89 100 81
Social Democratic Party (SDP)
100 131 153 143 133 121 120
Catholic Centre Party (BVP)
81 88 78 87 97 90 93
Nationalist Party (DNVP)
95 103 73 41 37 52 52
Nazi Party (NSDAP)
32 14 12 107 230 196 288
Other Parties
102 112 121 122 22 35 23
Nazis
• Fascist Party of Germany
• Won the support of the lower middle class and peasantry
• Voters were strongly nationalistic in their political views
• Most Nazi supporters were Protestant (German Catholics remained loyal to the Catholic Center Party)
Washington Naval Conference[1921-1922]
Washington Naval Conference[1921-1922]
U. S. Britain Japan France Italy 5 5 3 1.67 1.67U. S. Britain Japan France Italy 5 5 3 1.67 1.67
Locarno Pact: 1925Locarno Pact: 1925
GustaveStresemann(Ger.)
GustaveStresemann(Ger.)Aristide
Briand(Fr.)
AristideBriand
(Fr.)
Austin Chamberlain (Br.)Austin Chamberlain (Br.)
Guaranteed the common boundaries of Belgium, France, and Germany as specified in the Treaty of Versailles of 1919.
Germany signed treaties with Poland and Czechoslovakia, agreeing to change the eastern borders of Germany by arbitration only.
Guaranteed the common boundaries of Belgium, France, and Germany as specified in the Treaty of Versailles of 1919.
Germany signed treaties with Poland and Czechoslovakia, agreeing to change the eastern borders of Germany by arbitration only.
Kellogg-Briand Pact: 1928Kellogg-Briand Pact: 1928
15 nations committed to outlawing aggression and war for settling disputes.
Problem no way of enforcement.
15 nations committed to outlawing aggression and war for settling disputes.
Problem no way of enforcement.
The Great Depression [1929-1941]
The Great Depression [1929-1941]
Paris in 1930Paris in 1930
London in 1930London in 1930