The Legacy of the First World War and the Weimar Constitution's strengths, weaknesses and popularity

This mindmap covers the legacy of the First World War on Germany. What was the impact of this war on Germany? What happened when Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated? How was the new republic formed? What was the armistice?

Then, it looks at the Weimar Constitution and its strengths and weaknesses? What was proportional representation? What was Article 48? What was the job of President?

Then, it uncovers why the new Republic was so unpopular. What was the Treaty of Versailles and how did this impact Germans? What was so significant about Article 231? What was the Stab in the Back Theory?

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  • The Legacy of the First World War
    • The First World War ended in 1918
      • Germany defeated by the combined forces of Britain, France, Russia, Italy and the USA.
      • What was the impact of WW1 on Germany?
        • 2million Germans died and over 4 million were wounded.
          • These left many people with no option other than to revolt by striking and rioting
            • Government debt increased to 150billion marks
        • More than 750,000 Germans died because of food shortages.
          • These left many people with no option other than to revolt by striking and rioting
            • Government debt increased to 150billion marks
      • The abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II
        • 9th November 1918
          • The Kaiser's ministers tried to persuade him to abdicate
            • He refused. So, the army generals refused to support him.
              • He had no option but to abdicate
          • 10th November 1918
            • The Kaiser fled to Holland
        • Declaration of the Republic
          • 9th November 1918
            • 10th November 1918
              • Friedrich Ebert suspended old practices and formed the Council of People's Representatives as a temporary measure.
                • He was the leader of the Social Democrat Party and went on to become the first President of Germany
            • Philipp Scheidmann declared the new Republic to the crowds
              • He was from the Social Democrat Party, the largest party in the German government
    • The abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II
      • 9th November 1918
        • The Kaiser's ministers tried to persuade him to abdicate
          • He refused. So, the army generals refused to support him.
            • He had no option but to abdicate
        • 10th November 1918
          • The Kaiser fled to Holland
      • Declaration of the Republic
        • 9th November 1918
          • 10th November 1918
            • Friedrich Ebert suspended old practices and formed the Council of People's Representatives as a temporary measure.
              • He was the leader of the Social Democrat Party and went on to become the first President of Germany
          • Philipp Scheidmann declared the new Republic to the crowds
            • He was from the Social Democrat Party, the largest party in the German government
    • Weimar and Nazi Germany
      • The Weimar Constitution
        • This is what the Weimar Constitution looked like:
          • President
        • The Chancellor
          • Head of the government
          • Chose all government ministers
          • They were usually the leader of the party with the most votes / majority
        • Reichstag and Reichsrat
          • Reichstag
            • Elected every 4 years.
              • Reichsrat
                • Represented the regions of Germany
                • Each region sent a certain number, depending on its size.
            • The more powerful of the two.
            • Controlled taxation
          • Reichsrat
            • Represented the regions of Germany
            • Each region sent a certain number, depending on its size.
        • The Electorate
          • Consisted of all men and women aged 21 or over.
        • Strengths and Weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution
          • Weaknesses
            • Proportional Representation led to too many political parties and no majority, which meant coalition governments had to be formed. These were often weak and made decision making difficult.
            • Article 48 needed to be used to make decisions.
            • Article 48 didn't specify what counted as an 'emergency', which was open to abuse.
            • Many Germans didn't want a new system and just wanted the Kaiser back.
          • Strengths
            • Proportional Representation meant that everyone could have what they wanted.
            • Women could vote too.
            • Voting age reduced from 25 to 21.
            • No one group could have too much power
            • An election for President every 7 years.
            • Central government was more powerful than before
            • The Reichsrat could regulate the power of the Reichstag by delaying new laws.
        • The President
          • Meant to be politically neutral
          • Elected by the electorate every 7 years
          • Head of the Weimar Republic
          • Chose the Chancellor
          • Article 48: They had emergency powers to rule without laws being passed democratically
      • Why was the Republic so unpopular?
        • The Treaty Of Versailles
          • LAMB: Land , Army, Money, Blame
            • Land
              • 13% of total land lost
              • Lost all colonies
              • Rhineland demilitarised
              • Alsace and Lorraine were lost to France
              • The Polish Corridor was lost, diving East Prussia from the rest of Germany
            • Army
              • Army limited to 100,000
              • Only allowed 6 battleships
              • Not allowed any submarines
              • No air force allowed.
              • No military allowed in the Rhineland (which bordered France)
            • Money
              • Germany had to pay reparations for the damage caused by the war. This was set at £6600 million to be paid in yearly installments.
            • Blame
              • Article 231 (The War Guilt Cause)
                • This blamed Germany entirely for the war and demanded reparations to be paid for the Allies.
          • How did Germans feel?
            • Upset
            • Angry
            • Resentful
            • Betrayed
              • The Stab in the Back Theory
                • Many people believed that Germany could have won the war and were betrayed by politicians who forced them to surrender when they could have won.
                  • The leaders of the new German Republic were named the 'November Criminals' because they surrendered in November 1918.
                  • They wouldn't have won. The armistice was signed just before the Allies were going to invade Germany and win.
                • Why was the Republic so unpopular?
                  • The Treaty Of Versailles
                    • LAMB: Land , Army, Money, Blame
                      • Land
                        • 13% of total land lost
                        • Lost all colonies
                        • Rhineland demilitarised
                        • Alsace and Lorraine were lost to France
                        • The Polish Corridor was lost, diving East Prussia from the rest of Germany
                      • Army
                        • Army limited to 100,000
                        • Only allowed 6 battleships
                        • Not allowed any submarines
                        • No air force allowed.
                        • No military allowed in the Rhineland (which bordered France)
                      • Money
                        • Germany had to pay reparations for the damage caused by the war. This was set at £6600 million to be paid in yearly installments.
                      • Blame
                        • Article 231 (The War Guilt Cause)
                          • This blamed Germany entirely for the war and demanded reparations to be paid for the Allies.
                    • How did Germans feel?
                      • Upset
                      • Angry
                      • Resentful
                      • Betrayed
                        • The Stab in the Back Theory
                          • Many people believed that Germany could have won the war and were betrayed by politicians who forced them to surrender when they could have won.
                            • The leaders of the new German Republic were named the 'November Criminals' because they surrendered in November 1918.
                            • They wouldn't have won. The armistice was signed just before the Allies were going to invade Germany and win.
    • The Armistice
      • The Treaty of Versailles signed on 11th of November 1918
        • First major decision by Ebert

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