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Year 11 - History

The putsches of 1919-23

Germany 1890–1945, Democracy and dictatorship

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils undergo a period study that provides an unfolding narrative which tells a story about a period that shaped the world we live in today. They look at the key events, developments, people and stories that defined the chosen period.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the political threats to the early Weimar Republic that emerged from both the left and right.

Key Notes

  • The Weimar Republic faced violent threats from both sides of the political spectrum.
  • In January 1919, the Spartacist Uprising rebelled in Berlin but was crushed by the Freikorps.
  • When the Freikorps were ordered to disband, they launched a failed attempt to take over Berlin: the Kapp Putsch.
  • The army refused to attack and it was only defeated by a workers' strike in Berlin.
  • Other rebellions took place during the 1923, most notably an attempted putsch in Munich by a group called the Nazis

Vocabulary To Learn

  • nationalism: devotion and loyalty or showing strong support to one's own country or nation
  • authoritarian: demanding total obedience to those in positions of authority
  • freikorps: meaning 'free corps'; a private army formed by ex-soldiers from the First World War
  • paramilitary: a group which is organised like an army, but is not official

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The Weimar Republic's reliance on the Freikorps might suggest that the government supported right-wing ideologies.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

The Weimar Republic faced violent threats from both sides of the political spectrum. In January 1919, the Spartacist Uprising rebelled in Berlin but was crushed by the Freikorps.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'nationalism'

devotion and loyalty or showing strong support to one's own country or nation.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: The Weimar Republic's reliance on the Freikorps might suggest that the government supported right-wing ideologies. Correction: The Weimar Government used the Freikorps out of desperation to suppress left-wing uprisings, but this reliance highlighted its inability to maintain order independently, rather than an alignment with right-wing ideologies.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 11 History guide library.