Scribd
Upload
4K views2 pages

IGCSE HISTORY Depth Studies REVISION NOTES

The document summarizes some of the key impacts of World War 1 on Germany. Economically, Germany experienced a reduction in national income, high war pension costs, reduced industrial production, food shortages, and disease. Politically, there was increased fighting between left and right wing groups, revolution due to an unstable democratic republic, and the abdication of the Kaiser created a power vacuum. Socially, there were growing gaps in living standards, unemployment among demobilized soldiers, and anger over losing the war. The Weimar Republic was established but faced opposition from left-wing communists who wanted revolution and right-wing Kaiser supporters who wanted to restore the German Empire.

Uploaded by

Shwetint Tal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
4K views2 pages

IGCSE HISTORY Depth Studies REVISION NOTES

The document summarizes some of the key impacts of World War 1 on Germany. Economically, Germany experienced a reduction in national income, high war pension costs, reduced industrial production, food shortages, and disease. Politically, there was increased fighting between left and right wing groups, revolution due to an unstable democratic republic, and the abdication of the Kaiser created a power vacuum. Socially, there were growing gaps in living standards, unemployment among demobilized soldiers, and anger over losing the war. The Weimar Republic was established but faced opposition from left-wing communists who wanted revolution and right-wing Kaiser supporters who wanted to restore the German Empire.

Uploaded by

Shwetint Tal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Depth Studies

Effect of WW1 on Germany


Economic impacts

- Reduction of national income


- War pensions of left-over widows and fatherless children
- Industrial production is reduced
- Shortage of food due to blockage
- Starvation and hypothermia (diseases)
- Farming was disrupted

Political impacts

- Fighting between right wings and left wings


- Revolution arises due to unstable democratic republic
- Weimar become unpopular ex-soldiers and civilian
- Abdication of Kaiser → Power vacuum

Social impacts

- Gap between living standards


- Unemployment due to demobilized soldiers
- Angry about losing the wars

Birth of Weimar republic


- Allies won the war
- Kaiser should abdicate and fled to Netherland
- Political power assumed by Friedrich Ebert (Social Democratic Party)
- New constitution was drawn up
- It faces oppositions
- Unpopular between right wings and left wings
- Right wings → Kaiser’s former advisers restrict what Weimar republic could do
Hate Ebert for defeat and stabbed back
- Left wings → Want communist revolution
- January 1919, election was held and Ebert won

Weimar constitution

- Democracy
- Over age 20 could vote (regardless of gender)
- Use proportional representation
o Disadvantage
extreme government gain power
coalition governments couldn’t make effective decisions
- Chancellor is responsible for day-to-day government (But need the support of Reichstag)
- President hold emergency power according to Article 48
o Effect democracy
Revolutions in danger
Threat from left

o 1919 – Spartacists
o Leader – Rosa Luxemberg and Karl Liebknacht
o Objective – overthrown of Weimar and set up of communist government
o Defeated by Freikorps
o Formed by ex-soldiers who are anti-communist
o Street fighting between Freikorps and Spartacist followed
o Leaders are murdered

Significant

- show weakness of the Weimar


- Lead to more communist rebellions
1919 → Bavaria crisis
1920 → Ruhr industrial area

Threat from right

o Kaiser’s supporters - wanted empire, hate treaty of Versailles and wanted powerful industry
o Kapp Putsch 1920
o Leader – Wolfgang Kapp
o Objective – overthrown of Weimar republic
o 5,000 Freikorps marched
o Reason – Allies told the Freikorps are count in 100,000 men; Ebert forced
o Army refuse to fire them
o Ebert flees to Dresden
o Defeated by – general strike in Berlin
(Transports, civil services halted)

Depth Studies Effect of WW1 on Germany Economic impacts - Reduction of national income - War pensions of left-over wido
Revolutions in danger Threat from left o 1919 – Spartacists o Leader – Rosa Luxemberg and Karl Liebknacht o Objectiv

You might also like