2. Today’s lesson – The Weimar Republic
We are developing our knowledge and understanding of
the Weimar Government that was introduced in 1919.
By the end of today’s lesson I should be able to:
1) Explain why some people resented the Weimar republic
Today’s lesson involves:
Note taking
Debate task
Explain question
3. The Weimar Republic
The Weimar system of government was very
different from life under the Kaiser.
Some people said it was genuine democracy,
although others disagreed.
Either way, Weimar faced various problems due
to it’s constitution.
The Weimar Government also signed the treaty
of Versailles & was resented for that.
TASK 1:
Without looking at your notes right down as
many things as you can remember about the
Weimar constitution.
4. Was Weimar Government a true democracy?
Opinion 1: ‘It was a
democracy’
- All Germans given an equal
vote.
- Reichstag and President
both elected.
- Small parties elected,
meaning more voices heard.
- Various rights guaranteed in
law
Opinion 2: ‘It was not a democracy’
- Voting rights were not completely
equal for all groups.
- Chancellor appointed by the
President, not elected buy the
people.
- President could pass laws without
Reichstag support in an
emergency.
Extension: Answer the question ‘Was Weimar
Government a true democracy - giving at least two
reasons to support your answer’
5. Mind-map task
Take a new mind-map in the middle of your jotter:
Discontent with the
Weimar
Government
7. The Political System
One problem with the Weimar
Government was that using PR for
elections meant that no-one ever won a
majority.
This led to coalitions and they often fell
apart with new elections required every
couple of months. Germans were
frustrated by this.
PR also made it easier for smaller
parties to get elected – which meant
extremist parties such as the Nazis
were more likely to be represented and
build up a national profile.
8. Political System
Between 1920 – 1933 there were 13 Chancellors of Germany, an
average of more than 1 per year.
During the same time there were 8 elections to the Reichstag
showing political instability.
1932 was a clear example of political problems in Weimar Germany.
- There were three different men in the position of Hitler (Bruning,
Von Papen & Schleicher).
- Hitler was eventually next in line.
9. View of Political Parties
Many Germans had a negative view of mainstream political parties
such as the SPD in Germany.
They often seemed more interested in arguing amongst themselves
than taking actions to improve people’s lives.
Extremist parties however offered simple solutions.
10. Powers of the President
The powers of the President also caused
political problems in Weimar Germany.
The President often had to use Article 48
to pass laws even if the Reichstag did not
support the action. They made some
question the Reichstag’s value.
11. Political Violence
The violence in the all-too present
political protests caused problems for
Weimar.
The Spartacist Revolt, Munich Putsch
and other events led to some Germans
to think that Weimar was unstable and
could not keep them safe.
12. Reason 2 – Economic Problems
Germany suffered from extreme economic crises,
especially hyperinflation and the Depression.
Many of them blamed the Weimar Government
for these events and so were attracted instead to
extremist parties.
The actions taken by the Weimar Government at
these times also caused concern for Germans –
such as when they cut public spending during the
Depression and stopped pensions given to war
widows.
13. Reason 3 – The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed before the start of the Weimar
Republic (August 1919).
However many Germans were still angry and felt that Weimar political
were responsible for agreeing to the treaty.
Nationalist Germans such as Hitler wanted the Republic to refuse to
follow the treaty’s rules – and felt Weimar politicians who refused to do
this were called traitors.
This anger grew when Weimar allowed France to invade the Ruhr
without a fight.
14. Task 1
You have been asked to write a speech to present at an upcoming
public meeting declaring how you feel about the Weimar republic. You
have three options to choose from.
1) Abolish the Weimar Republic (Get rid of it).
2) Keep the Weimar Republic.
Your speech must include
- 3 reasons to support your answer
- An introduction giving a short history of the Republic.
