Question 1: When did the Weimar Republic officially begin?

Answer: 1919

Question 2: Who was the first President of the Weimar Republic?

Answer: Friedrich Ebert

Question 3: What was the significance of the Treaty of Versailles for Germany?

Answer: It imposed harsh reparations and territorial losses, leading to economic hardship and political unrest.

Question 4: Name one key challenge faced by the Weimar Government.

Answer: Hyperinflation, political extremism, or weak coalition governments.

Question 5: In which year did Germany experience hyperinflation, reaching its peak?

Answer: 1923

Question 1: Source: 'The German people felt betrayed by the Weimar politicians who signed the Versailles Treaty.' What might be the purpose of this source?

Answer: To persuade Germans that the Weimar politicians were responsible for Germany's problems and to fuel nationalist sentiments.

Question 2: Who is the intended audience of this source?

Answer: German citizens sympathetic to nationalist views or disillusioned with the Weimar government.

Question 3: Assess the reliability of this source. What biases might it have?

Answer: It likely reflects nationalist bias, portraying the Weimar politicians negatively; it may exaggerate the betrayal to rally support for extreme nationalist movements.

Question 1: Explain why hyperinflation occurred in Germany in 1923.

Answer: Hyperinflation was caused by the government printing excessive money to pay reparations and fund recovery efforts, combined with a loss of confidence in the currency, leading to rapidly rising prices.

Question 2: Describe how political extremism affected the stability of the Weimar Republic.

Answer: Political extremism from both the left and right, including Communists and Nazis, challenged the government’s authority, attempted coups, and increased political violence, undermining democracy.

Question 3: Explain the significance of the Beer Hall Putsch in 1923.

Answer: The Beer Hall Putsch was an attempted Nazi uprising that failed, but it brought Hitler national attention, and the subsequent trial allowed him to spread his ideas, boosting Nazi support.

Question 1: To what extent did economic problems contribute to the collapse of the Weimar Republic by 1933?

Answer: The economic problems, including hyperinflation, the Great Depression, and reparations, severely destabilized the Weimar Republic, causing widespread hardship and discontent. These issues undermined confidence in democracy and facilitated extremist movements like the Nazis, who exploited economic grievances to gain support. However, political instability, extremist violence, and the failure of democratic institutions also played critical roles, meaning economic problems were a major but not the sole factor.