Birth of Weimar Germany: Year of Crisis, 1918-1923

November 18, Week 8

Reforms of October 1918

3 October: Prince Max von Baden installed as Chancellor. Coalition of Centre Party, Liberals and SPD.26 October: Reform of the Constitution announcedThe 3 class franchise in Prussia abolished.The Kaiser’s powers over the army and appointments severely curtailed.The Chancellor and the Government made accountable to the Reichstag.

Philipp Scheidemann proclaiming the new

Republic on November 9, 1918

Political Parties in Weimar Germany

Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (German Social Democratic Party, SPD), cont

Unabhängige Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (Independent German Social Democratic Party, USPD, merged 1922).

Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands (Communist Party of Germany, KPD, founded 1919).

Deutsche Demokratische Partei (German Democratic Party, DDP). Zentrumspartei (Centre Party), cont. Deutsche Volkspartei (German People’s Party, DVP). Deutschnationale Volkspartei (German National People’s Party, DNVP). Various smaller parties including the Bayerische Volkspartei (Bavarian People’s

Party, BVP) and the Nationalsozialistische Partei Deutschlands (NSDAP).

Fighting Spartacists

Freikorps Soldier

New political parties Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (German Social Democratic Party,

SPD) – cont. Unabhängige Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (Independent

German Social Democratic Party, USPD). Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands (Communist Party of Germany, KPD). Deutsche Demokratische Partei (German Democratic Party, DDP). Zentrumspartei (Center Party) – cont. Deutsche Volkspartei (German People’s Party, DVP). Deutschnationale Volkspartei (German National People’s Party, DNVP). Various smaller parties including the Bayerische Volkspartei (Bavarian

People’s Party, BVP) and the Nationalsozialistische Partei Deutschlands (NSDAP).

The Treaty of Versailles

Stab in the back myth

Stab in the back, cont.

Walter Rathenau (1867-1922)

French occupation of the Rhineland

Hyperinflation: exchange rates Mark to US $

Children playing with the currency