Germany 1890-1945 (1)

Created by: TabithaP2019
Created on: 09-10-19 16:44

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Germany 1890-1945 (1)
- Germany before WWI
  - Ruled by totalitarian Kaiser Wilhelm II
    - There was a Reichstag (parliament) but its power was limited as Kaiser made all main decisions
      - Germany before WWI
        Ruled by totalitarian Kaiser Wilhelm II
        There was a Reichstag (parliament) but its power was limited as Kaiser made all main decisions
        
        Rapidly industrialising, led to poor living/working conditions
        By 1914 it produced more steel, iron and coal than UK
        
        This led to increase in support for SPD
        1/3 of voters supported the SPD
        
        Trade unions were common - by 1914 over 3 million workers were in trade unions
        Socially unstable
        Rapidly industrialising, led to poor living/working conditions
        By 1914 it produced more steel, iron and coal than UK
        
        This led to increase in support for SPD
        1/3 of voters supported the SPD
        
        Trade unions were common - by 1914 over 3 million workers were in trade unions
        Socially unstable
        
        Weltpolitik - Kaiser wanted Germany to be a global power by building up the navy to get more colonies
        Germany's 'place in the sun'
        
        Kaiser passed Naval laws 1898 - 1912 to build up the navy
        This increased patriotism and support for Kaiser
        Over 1mil joined the Navy League & campaigned for more Naval spending
        
        This also increased taxes, national debt and opposition from Reichstag
  - Weltpolitik - Kaiser wanted Germany to be a global power by building up the navy to get more colonies
    - Germany's 'place in the sun'
    - Kaiser passed Naval laws 1898 - 1912 to build up the navy
      - This increased patriotism and support for Kaiser
        Over 1mil joined the Navy League & campaigned for more Naval spending
    - This also increased taxes, national debt and opposition from Reichstag
- Germany during WWI
  - Patriotism increased as they thought the war would be a success
  - Food shortages began in 1915 due to the blockade of German ports
    - By 1916, 10k were protesting against this
  - War weariness began in 1917, with protests about the war by 1918
    - e.g. Mutiny at Kiel Naval Base
    - Protests caused by food/power shortages & a flu epidemic took 100s of thousands of lives
  - When defeat was certain, Kaiser tried to avoid blame by passing responsibility to politicians - 'revolution from above'
    - He then abdicated on 9th Nov. 1918
- The Treaty of Versailles
  - Dictated peace - Germany had no say in the treaty
    - Signed in June 1919 by the other major nations
  - Terms and contents of the treaty
    - Blame - Germany must take responsibility for the war (War Guilt Clause)
    - Reparations - Germany must pay £6.6bn for war damage
      - This was a major cause for hyperinflation
    - Armed forces - Germany must reduce her army to 100k soldiers, 6 battleships and no air force
      - Rhineland was demilitarised as French feared an invasion
    - Territory - They lost 13% of their land (10% of population) and all overseas colonies
    - Not allowed to unite with Austria or join the League of Nations
  - German reaction to the Treaty
    - Hated by most Germans
      - They expected a fair treaty - Kaiser was gone and their new democratic government needed support
        It made the Weimar government very unpopular
        e.g. had to raise taxes to pay reparation
      - They were defenceless and humiliated
      - They could not afford the reparations payments due to WWI effect on economy

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Germany 1890-1945 (1)

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