Why was Germany in Turmoil after WW1?
SUMMARY:
At the end of the First World War, the Kaiser was kicked out of Germany, and in 1919 the Weimar Republic was set up. Before 1914, the government of Germany had been a military autocracy; after 1919, it was a parliamentary democracy.The Weimar Republic faced many problems. Perhaps the greatest danger was 'the weakness within' - the constitution gave the President, the states and the army too much power, whilst proportional voting meant that the Reichstag was divided and weak. In 1919-23, extremists on both the Left (especially the Spartacist revolt) and the Right (especially the Kapp Putsch) tried to overthrow the government.
The worst crisis occurred in 1923, when the French invaded to try to force Germany to pay reparations. This led to hyperinflation and a number of rebellions (particularly Hitler's Munich Putsch).
John Clare 2013
RECOMMENDED READINGS FOR THIS SECTION:
- Hoepper, B. et al. 1996 Inquiry 1. Jacaranda. Pp. 88-90.
- Clare, J. Weimar Constitution, Problems and Flourishes: LINK ; LINK ; LINK
Make Germany Pay - Weimar Republic (10min 53sec)
1) Click on the following link and follow the instructions in order to answer the above FOCUS QUESTION: Link to activity
2) Historical Skill Building: CORROBORATION
VIDEO SERIES: HITLER - THE RISE OF EVIL. As you watch the following clip(s), note the evidence that can be corroborated with the information you have studied above in the 'Introductory lesson Activity' and highlight it in your notes. Add any other information relevant to the topics studied in this activity.
VIDEO SERIES: HITLER - THE RISE OF EVIL. As you watch the following clip(s), note the evidence that can be corroborated with the information you have studied above in the 'Introductory lesson Activity' and highlight it in your notes. Add any other information relevant to the topics studied in this activity.
ACTIVITY: Learning through collaboration! (Flipped Lesson Opportunity)
- Click and open in one TAB the following link to the SHAMBLESPAD LINK and answer the questions collaboratively (you will see the answers of the whole class on the one collaborative pad).
- ALSO, click and open in another TAB the A Quirky view of Germany after WW1 with activity as stimulus to answer the questions on the ShamblesPad.
LESSON PREZI: Class discussions over the Treaty of Versailles and hyperinflation
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:
WEIMAR CRISIS DIAGRAM ACTIVITY: CLICK HERE LET'S ANALYSE THE EVIDENCE!
HISTORICAL SKILL BUILDING: HISTORICAL SOURCE ANALYSIS
The Weimar Constitution:
LINK 1
LINK 2
The Weimar Flourishes:
LINK 3
LINK 4
Weimar Problems:
LINK 5
LINK 6
TEST YOURSELF!
Here is a link to a cloze exercise that you can use to test your knowledge thus far. Don't stress, it has a hint facility built in!
Early Weimar Cloze Exercise: CLICK HERE
Weimar Problems Cloze Exercise: CLICK HERE
Do you think the Treaty of Versailles was fair for Germany in the post-WWI climate?
ReplyDeleteOnce NATO (led by the US and participated in by Australia) ousted the Taliban and Al Qaeda from Afghanistan, they helped to instill a democratic government led by Afghans for Afghans. They did not make Afghanistan reduce its armed forces (actually trained and enlarged it), reduce its geographical size and did not assign them responsibility for paying for the campaign (currently 13 years) UNLIKE THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES THAT WAS UNCONDITIONALLY PRESENTED TO GERMANY.
ReplyDeleteDo you think this was a fair and practical approach? Why/not? Do you think a treaty (like that in Versailles) would have been a better option? And, what are your general feelings about the Afghanistan campaign?
Homework task 1- I do not think that the Treaty of Versailles was fair, as it was crushing to an already defeated Germany. I find it interesting that despite the fact the treaty was decided by three men, it really only seemed to suit the desires of one, Clemenceau. Clemenceau asks for revenge and reparations to be paid, and that is exactly what happens however the other leaders wish for a peaceful treaty and that obviously did not transpire. I also find it interesting that the idea of the League of Nations came from America, however America was not willing to be apart of it. What I find most interesting out of everything is that not one of the leaders who wrote the treaty was happy with it's terms. If the people who wrote it are angry about the treaty how are the people who have to abide by it going to feel? Did they think of this? The American man (I can't remember his name right now) says that he wishes for a peaceful treaty, the Brit doesn't want Germany to be in poverty, so they do not fell anger, d. So we must question whether or not the treaty was thought through enough. If the allied powers are against it, how on earth would Germany agree with it?
ReplyDeleteExcellent Lillie. Woodrow Wilson (US president) was a man of vision though; he foresaw a future international system free of conflict if it was interconnected economically and he saw trade as the key to this with strong international institutions such as the League of Nations (later to become the UN) as a way of bringing Western democratic nations together. i particularly like your point about the contributing countries' dissatisfaction with the agreement and the US not joining though. The US after WWI pursued a policy of isolation - they retreated back to the Pacific and hoped to not become involved in other countries' conflicts. That is until Pearl Harbour forced their hand and they entered WWII over 20 years later.
DeleteNo, I do not think that the Treaty of Versailles was fair on Germany. After WW1, Germany was suffering a lot of poverty and many people were unemployed. On top of this, the country had to pay a lot of money in reparations because of the treaty, which made the situation even worse. I can understand why other countries wanted revenge, however it would have made more sense to me to try and implement some type of stability into the country so that another war would not happen again. Perhaps if the terms of the treaty were not as harsh on Germany as they were, WW2 may not have happened at all.
ReplyDeleteGood suggestion Cassie. I hope you take the Woodrow Wilson perspective in the simulation activity in class. You will then be given the opportunity to explore your idea of policies of stability further.
DeleteNo, I don’t think the Treaty of Versailles was fair in the post WW1 environment. I understand that Germany were defeated, however just because the victorious countries wanted revenge doesn’t mean they had to put the German people through such poverty and hardship. Many Germans were unemployed which just made it harder. The terms of the Treaty didn't make it any easier either, with Germany having to pay 6 600 million pounds in reparations leaving them feeling humiliated and defeated. I think that before implementing the terms of the treaty Germany should have been ensured some kind of stability, so that they were able to pay the reparations of the war and not be left with nothing.
ReplyDeleteGood point about the stability and, as I replied to Cassie, I suggest you take the Woodrow Wilson perspective in the simulation activity in class.
DeleteNo, I do not think the Treaty of Versailles was fair as Germany was already in poverty and then as a result of the Treaty the poverty was even worse because Germany had to pay reparations. I found it very interesting that the Treaty of Versailles was written to weaken an already defeated country into losing their armed forced so they cannot restart the war, pay for all the reparation and accept the responsibility of starting the war. In the end, everything was on Germany and the other countries just sat back and watch Germany, who was already in poverty pay for the damages
ReplyDeleteYes, very interesting strategy. But what would you have suggested be done? Place yourself in their shoes and think about how you might have handled the situation. You will get the opportunity to explore this in the simulation activity in class.
DeleteSteph, you have answered the question adequately. You have shown how Germany was in turmoil after World War 1, and you have given evidence into what sent Germany into poverty and what made them start World War 2.
DeleteNo, I do not believe the Treaty Of Versailles was fair in post WW1 environment. A reason for this is the fact that after the war Germany was already in poverty, with an increasingly number of people becoming jobless. As a result of the Treaty of Versailles, the allied countries wanted Germany to pay for the reparations of the damage that had been done and because they were already in poverty, this would have been proved to be difficult to do. With the treaty being decided by only three men, with different views on what the outcome for the treaty should be, I want to know how they came to the agreement of what Clemenceau wanted it to be. How did Wilson and George feel about the Treaty being more suited to Clemenceau's views? What could this possibly mean for their countries? I think that the Treaty could have allowed Germany to have a more stable environment in which they could be able to find their feet and become less poverty stricken, so they could manage to still work to earn a living to live as well as pay back some of the debt they owed.
ReplyDeleteThese are great questions Eleanor. These will be addressed in the simulation exercise today in class.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhy was Germany in Turmoil after WW1?
ReplyDeleteOn the 11th of November 1918 World War One ended when Germany signed an Armistice marking a victory for the Allies and a complete defeat for Germany. After that on the 18th of June 1919 the Allies had finally come up with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. The three main influences to the writing of the Treaty were Woodrow Wilson, Georges Clemenceau, David Lloyd George; all three men wanted to stop a war ever occurring again, but they did not agree about how to do this.
However the decision to sign the Treaty wasn’t actually Germany’s, they had no other choice than to sign it. This also meant that they had no say in what the terms of the Treaty were. When the Treaty was signed the people of Germany felt embarrassed and humiliated, they blamed the Weimar Republic for everything. One of the main terms of the Treaty was for Germany to pay all the reparations, since they were allowed to pay the allies back in Germany currency, the government simply thought they could print off more money to pay them with. However it was not as simple, when more money was printed out the value of that money was dropped; this subsequently sent the country into hyperinflation. The Treaty of Versailles had a huge impact on Germany’s economy as well as their national pride, it is because of this that the German people were so keen to believe Hitler and the Nazis when they said they would better Germany and make it like it was before the Treaty.
Very good, clearly states the feelings Germany had after the treaty was made public, more evidence would be good :)
DeleteYou answered the question well! You used evidence from the treaty and mentioned the big three and hyperinflation. The paragraph adequately answered the question. Good job! :)
DeleteWhy was Germany in turmoil after WW1?
ReplyDeleteAfter the armistice was signed and the war was deemed officially over, there was much debate as what to do with the defeated allied countries. After much discussion, the Treaty of Versailles was made. This was based on decisions made by Clemenceau, the French Prime Minister, Woodrow Wilson, the American President and Lloyd George the British Prime Minister, all of them wanting Germany to face different consequences of causing the war. Initially all of them wanted different things, Clemenceau wanted revenge and for Germany to be stripped of its armed forces, Wilson wanted a just and lasting peace and the start of the League of Nations (an international peace treaty to prevent such wars from occurring again). Finally Lloyd George was eager for revenge and wanted reparations to pay for all damage done. In the end all countries got what they wanted and Germany was forced to sign the treaty, admitting to be the sole cause of the war and paying 6, 600 million Marks in reparations huge reduction in their armed forces and loss of territories gained during the war. As Germany was a very nationalistic and military driven country, these terms stripped Germany of their national pride and caused mass anger and resentment towards the Weimar Republic for causing such humiliation. People were angered as the treaty was a diktat, Germany was forced to sign it and the people of Germany had no say in the matter. The war reparations caused Germany to go into turmoil as they had no money left and Germany went into hyperinflation. Money was worthless and prices of basic household items were skyrocketing. Many people burned money to fuel their fires as it was cheaper. As people grew desperate for wealth and a voice, a window opened up for new political parties to form This small window of opportunity was seized by the former soldier Adolf Hitler who promised that Germany would get its revenge and would make the country the strong and powerful nation it once was.
Great paragraph Natalie! :) You have included a good range of evidence- mentioning the people who created the Treaty and including the facts from the Treaty itself. You have answered the question well by including all the main factors contributing to Germany's turmoil. Good work!
DeleteMaybe use examples about hyperinflation, price of bread, burning money in fire, carrying money in wheel barrows. other than that very good :D
DeleteGermany was in turmoil after WW1 for a number of reasons. Firstly , WW1 had claimed many lives, caused poverty and unemployment to rise and created an overall feeling of devastation in Germany. Secondly,shortly after WW1 ended, Germany was then forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles , which required the country to pay a huge sum of money to the Allies, give up land, decrease their defense forces and to assume full responsibility for starting the war. These terms of the treaty sent Germany into an even greater state of turmoil, causing hyperinflation leading to increased poverty and unemployment and creating a great sense of humiliation througout the German population. The German people then blamed the Government for causing this chaos, which led to different political factions and organisations trying to assume power over the new Government.
ReplyDeleteGood paragraph, however, I thunk some more evidence could be included in this to make your points stronger. You have answered the question adequately, as you have included the major events that caused it. To make this even stronger, you could possibly talk about the struggle that Germany had with establishing a stable government.
Delete*think
Delete- Good use of evidence
Delete- Have answered the question adequently
- Could have explained the causes a bit more
Good paragraph, you have included evidence and answered the question. To make your paragraph even better, you could refer to more evidence or have more detail.
Delete"Why was Germany in turmoil after ww1?":
ReplyDeleteThe commencement of turmoil in Germany began with Kaiser signing the armistice. Although Germany had no real other option, the German people were angered by this, believing that Germany could have won the war and that the government was destroying the country and deeply humiliating it.The armistice also meant that Germany took responsibility for war and had accept the consequences that followed; the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles, a 'peace settlement' added to the frustration in Germany as the German government had no say in the terms which ultimately resulted as: reduction in army, loss of territory, pay reparations, and accept responsibility for war. The reparation added stress to the weak German currency which lead to hyperinflation. Germany was in state of panic and was in desperate need of a government that could relieve the country and rejuvenate it back to its original power.
Reflects the feelings that Germany felt very well, more could be included on the 'Big Three' but otherwise a very good paragraph :)
DeleteGreat paragraph, however it would be even better if you maybe included the three men involved in writing the treaty of Versailles, and how no one was completely happy with the outcome. :D
DeleteGermany was in turmoil after WWI due to multiple contributing factors. To begin with, the loss of the war and so many deaths and such widespread devastation was caused, it was hard for many to comprehend. The Treaty of Versailles' terms were harsh and for the German people- unacceptable. However, Germany was in no position to refuse and risk another war and so the treaty was signed, causing poverty in Germany due to hyperinflation, loss of national pride and strength due to the loss of military and land and therefor, hate began to spread among the people. The controversial government, the Weimar Republic was weak in the eyes of the people and was attacked many times by communist groups and right and left wing groups. Due to the poverty and unsteady government and the hatred among the people, Germany was in much turmoil after the war.
ReplyDeleteYou answered the question well, however you may need to make reference to more facts or use more evidence to make your argument stronger.
Delete- Have answered question adeqently
Delete- Need more evidence to support your argument
You answered the question well and evidence is there, however to improve or make your point stronger, you could provide more evidence or have more detail.
Deleteyou have answered the questions well but more evidence needed to support your point
DeleteWhy was Germany in turmoil after WW1?
ReplyDeleteGermany was in turmoil after WW1 for a number of reasons. After the Armistice was signed ending WW1, which included Germany taking the blame, there was much debate over what to do with Germany by the allied countries. This was followed by an ongoing dispute over what to do with Germany by three men - Lloyd George (Britain), Woodrow Wilson (USA) and George Clemenceau (France). They finally came to a number of agreements called the Treaty of Versailles. Germany had no choice but to agree with the Treaty, which meant accepting that they were defeated in a war that many Germans were led to believe they could have won. As Germany were forced to sign the Treaty, they had to abide to the reparations stated on the Treaty. This included Germany to pay 6,600 million marks in reparations to the allied countries they fought against in WW1, they were forced to give up territory to neighbouring countries, lose all its colonies and reduce their armed forces by a large amount. Without their armed forces, Germany would have felt the loss of power and humiliation as they were forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles and surrender in the war. As Germany had to pay so much money to the nations they fought against in reparations, this caused the economy to start to collapse, therefore causing a number of people, especially in the middle class, to lose their jobs. Poverty became obvious and Germans began to starve as the cost of food became so expensive as it was becoming minimal. This was due to the fact that Germany continued to print more money the more they needed it, which meant the value of it became less and less. Germany had gone into hyperinflation. As the Treaty was a diktat and Germans had no say in it, they became angry with the Weimar Republic as they were humiliated and angry with the Government because of the Treaty and how the Government dealt with it. Germany was in turmoil because of the reparations they had to pay, which lead to poverty, as well as the loss of their power and pride.
Arguments are well supported with evidence and you answered the question well.
DeleteThis is a good paragraph. There is a lot of good detail, however there is a lot on the treaty so in the exam be aware of the time. There is a lot of evidence included which is really great. You have answered the question well.
DeleteGermany was in turmoil after World War 1 due to a number of factors, but one of the main causes was the Treaty of Versailles. Germany was forced to sign the Treaty as they could not afford the war to be restarted. Germany had to pay 6,600 million marks in reparation, give up territory, colonies and armed forced. As a result of the 6,600 million marks of reparation, Germany's economy started to collapse which means that a number of people, especially in the middle class, were unemployed. This caused poverty and hyperinflation as the government printed more money. Also the people of Germany felt betrayed, humiliated and angry because they believe that the Government 'stabbed them in the back' by signing the Treaty which caused comotion within the country itself. Germany was in turmoil due to a number of causes, includig the Treaty of Versailles.
ReplyDeleteWhy was Germany in turmoil after world war one?
DeleteWorld war one ended on the 11th of November 1918 when Germany signed the Armistice agreeing that Germany lost the war. The Allies countries were in turmoil after world war one that the allies created the terms for the Treaty of Versailles. This was signed by Germans on the 18 June 1919; the three main influences in the treaty of Versailles were Woodrow Wilson, George Clemenceau and David Lloyd George. The three main Allies had different opinions on how the Germans should be punished due to each country having different disasters. When the final decision was made Germany had no choice to sigh it as they were in no position to restart the war. This implies Germany had no say and were deeply humiliated by the allied countries. Most Germans turned on the Weimar Republic and blamed them for signing the treaty. The treaty states that Germany must pay reparations so the government printed of more money which caused turmoil in Germany as inflammation started to rise. The value of Germany money decreased leaving the currency worth nothing. The government continued to do this which led to hyperinflation. By this point Germany could not trade with other countries as their economy was collapsing. Most of the German could not afford to pay for houses and food and became homeless and starving with many other problems arising. Germans national pride was gone which led Germany to go into turmoil. When Hitler and his Nazi party promised Germany her pride and to be powerful once more people believed him after the harsh punishments of the Treaty of Versailles.
You have included a good amount of evidence to support your opinion. You answered the question adequately. It's a great piece of work but you could've gone into more detail in some aspects.
DeleteLexy says...
DeleteSteph you answer the question adequately and have included some evidence to help answer the question. More explicit evidence could have been used, for example refer to section in the treaty of Versailles.
Lexy:
Delete- Spelling mistakes
- Have answered th equestion adequently
- Good use of evidence but more could be added
This is for Lexy:
DeleteOther than some horrible spelling mistakes, it was a good piece of writing that answered the question well and drew on some evidence. More evidence could've been used.