Scribd
Upload
250 views7 pages

Consequences of The First World War For Germany

Germany was in a desperate political and economic situation following World War 1. The Kaiser had abdicated, leaving no established government. The Treaty of Versailles imposed massive reparations on Germany that crippled its economy. It also blamed Germany solely for the war. This caused unemployment, hyperinflation, and extremism as the unstable Weimar government struggled to provide stability and recovery in the face of such punitive terms. Animosity grew towards those who signed the treaty.

Uploaded by

plahhhhh
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
250 views7 pages

Consequences of The First World War For Germany

Germany was in a desperate political and economic situation following World War 1. The Kaiser had abdicated, leaving no established government. The Treaty of Versailles imposed massive reparations on Germany that crippled its economy. It also blamed Germany solely for the war. This caused unemployment, hyperinflation, and extremism as the unstable Weimar government struggled to provide stability and recovery in the face of such punitive terms. Animosity grew towards those who signed the treaty.

Uploaded by

plahhhhh
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

Consequences of the First

World War for Germany


Germany 1918-1933

By Mr Moorhouse
www.SchoolHistory.co.uk www.SchoolsHistory.org.uk

Germany after the First World


24/02/10 War 1
The Situation
The Kaiser has abdicated and left Germany
A power vacuum has been created as there is
no established form of government
Millions of German workers have been killed or
seriously injured during the war
Germany has become an international pariah
(outcast)
Germany is subject to an imposed peace
settlement

Germany after the First World


24/02/10 War 2
What does this mean in
reality?
Political instability. There are uprisings against
the fledging republic even before it is properly
formed.
Economic ruin. The war has devastated the
economy and further problems occur as a
result of the Peace settlement.
Unemployment. Millions of soldiers have
returned home to find no jobs available.

Germany after the First World


24/02/10 War 3
The Treaty of Versailles
Terms of the Peace treaty
Massively reduced military capability
‘War guilt’ clause imposed
Reparations fixed at a very high level

Which leads to…

Germany after the First World


24/02/10 War 4
Problems 1919-1924
Anger directed at the government for signing
the Treaty of Versailles
Economic problems as all profit is sent directly
to the Allies as reparations pay-outs
Valueless currency as economic crisis leads to
hyper-inflation
Rise of extremist groups attempting to wrestle
power from the de-stabilised government
(Freikorps, Spartacists etc.)

Germany after the First World


24/02/10 War 5
Other factors…
Government established in difficult
circumstances
Mistrust of government and
animosity towards it from it’s
inception
Refusal of the rest of the World to
accept Germany

Germany after the First World


24/02/10 War 6
Summary
Germany in a desperate situation. The terms of the
Treaty of Versailles cripple the economy and prevent
German recovery after the war. This in turn leads to the
new, Weimar, government being unable to restore pre-
war conditions. Animosity towards those who signed the
treaty grows and many German people look for people
to blame for the crisis, leading to theories of ‘the stab in
the back’. The new government, already under fire, is
likely to fail in it’s duty to provide security, prosperity
and comfort given the conditions that it has inherited.

Germany after the First World


24/02/10 War 7

You might also like