The belief that Germany was going to win the war,
but were betrayed by politicians so Germany refused
to accept that they had been been defeated.
Hitler really liked this idea
and used it to gain support.
strengths and
weaknesses of new
constitution.
president- elected every
7years. power to
appoint chancellor.
article 48 says can
make laws without
going through reichstag,
Annotations:
CHANCELLOR-elected by president. equivalent of British prime minister. had to have support of majority of Reichstag.
the reichstag- power to pass or reject changes in laws. elected by proportional representation every 4 years. german people- over age of 20 could vote for president and reichstag. equal rights including: free speach, travel freely, hold political meetings, freedom of religious belief.
Proportional representation
made sure parties given fair share of seats in
reichstag, also weakened government by: too
many small parties, parties often joined together
to form a coalition governments- these were
weak and short lived.
new constitution
gave opposition
groups freedom to
criticise/attack
new gov.
1919- Germany forced to sign
Treaty of Versailles
Lost land- alsace lorraine returned to France.
Reparations- victorius powers demanded
compensation from damage caused by war- in 1921,
reparations made to be £6,600million to be paid in
annual instalments.
War guilt- Germany was to blame for war,
Germany believed other countries caused war and
they went in as self-defence.
Military terms-
Germany no longer
allowed military
aircraft& no
submarines, navy
reduced-6
battleships &
15,000 sailors.
army reduced to
100,000
why was there opposition in germany to the versailles treat?