Weimar Republic

The Weimar Republic From Democracy to Nazism

End of WWI (1918-19)
March - Germany offensive
July - Allies stop German offensive
November - Imperial fleet mutinies, Kaiser abdicates, Republic formed
November - Armistice signed by civilian leaders (recommended by military)

Treaty of Versailles
Brutal terms for Germans
$33 billion in reparations over 30 years
Article 231 (“war guilt” clause)
Germany loses land to France, Poland, all of colonies
Prohibited to have offensive military
League of Nations
“ Stab in the Back” - Military

Weimar Constitution
President elected popularly
Chancellor appointed by President
Legislators elected through proportional representation to Reichstag
Article 48 - Temporary dictatorship to solve crises

Weimar Culture
Berlin became center of European culture
Conservatives opposed changes
All Quiet caused mass protests

Early 1920’s
Far-left and right groups fight for control
1922 - Munich (Beer Hall) Putsch
1923 - French occupy Ruhr (industrial heartland)
Hyperinflation
Bad economic policies
Printed more money
Blamed allies, reparations

Hyperinflation - 1923

Hyperinflation
Most workers were paid daily and given time to shop before the value of their wages fell further.
Depositors received letters from their banks informing them their life savings were worth less then the administrative costs of maintaining their accounts.
Young women who had been setting aside money for their dowries saw their savings evaporate, thus making a traditional German marriage impossible.
A concert pianist would be paid with a suitcase of bills for his performance and exchange half of the bills for several sausages.

Hyperinflation

Late 1920’s
Hyperinflation recovery based upon American loans
1929 Stock Market crash, Depression
Taxes raised, wages and social programs cut
6 million unemployed workers

Political Crisis
Coalitions collapse
Parties unwilling to compromise
President Hindenburg and Article 48
Extremists gain power
Paramilitary groups roam, dominate cities

1932
Four parties vying for power
Nazis receive 37% of vote - 2nd
Hitler demands to be appointed Chancellor
President Hindenburg believes it would keep him in check

1933-34
Feb. 1933, Reichstag burned
Consolidates power
Nazis gain control
Hindenburg dies
Hitler declares himself Fuhrer

"Comrades, we stand firmly together for Germany, and we must stand firmly together for Germany. I am handing you the new insignia, knowing I place it in the most loyal hands in Germany. In the past you have proven your loyalty to me a thousand times. In the future it cannot and will not be any different!"

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Weimar Republic

by Dan McDowell on Jan 25, 2007

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