4.2 Germany becomes a republic

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• Leerjaar 3

4.2 Germany becomes a republic

At the end of this lesson...

• You will be able to explain how the Republic of Weimar came to be.
• You will be able to explain the Stab-in-the-back-myth.
• You will be able to explain what happened after France occupied the Rhineland.

Republic

• After Wilhelm II fled to the Netherlands, the German liberal and socialist parties decided to turn Germany into a democratic republic.
• Other parties didn't agree with this and riots broke out as soon as the truce was signed in 1918.

The communists even try to seize power (the Spartacist Uprising).

Nevertheless... Germany becomes a republic (The Republic of Weimar)

Stabbed in the back

• Far-right parties, nationalists and veterans were unhappy. They felt betrayed, because of the truce.
•  Those in command of the army had asked for the truce, but this was kept a secret.
• The Stab-in-the-back-myth was born. 

Hit hard

• Germany was hit hard by the war and the Treaty of Versailles made things worse.
• Germany  had to make reperations even though their economy was in a terrible state.
• When Germany was unable to pay France occupies the Rhur. They take everything they can find in the factories.

The German workers in the Rhineland go on strike

The German government supports them and decides to keep paying their wages.

Extra money is printed

Money loses its worth

Germany suffers hyperinflation

Homework

Paragraph 4.2 exercise 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5