The Weimar Government formed after World War 1 was a weak coalition government that faced significant opposition. It struggled to maintain stability and law and order due to opposition from left-wing communists and right-wing nationalist groups. The government was further weakened by having to accept the punitive terms of the Treaty of Versailles, including war guilt and territorial concessions. It struggled to effectively govern amid economic crisis and hyperinflation in the early 1920s. This created favorable conditions for Hitler and the Nazis to rise to power.

1. Focus: The Weimar Government

3. - What was the result of WWI as far as Germany
was concerned?
- What happened to Germany at the end of WWI?

4. - Was the Weimar Government too weak for
Germany?

5. Rise of Hitler
(1) Favourable Circumstances
WR was a coalition government
Opposition from left and right wings
WR made bad decisions
Lost a capable leader/ Great Depression
(2) Hitler’s own abilities
Excellent speaker & charismatic leader
Reorganized the Nazi Party
Used propaganda
Made deals with politicians

6. German soldiers suffered
This source shows German solders in WW1.
What can you infer from this source?

7. German people faced shortages
– food, jobs, basic necessities

8. Unfair terms of the TOV

9. Decisions made at the Paris Peace Conference
1919
1. Punishment for Germany
• Military cuts
• Territorial cuts
2. War Guilt Clause: GR to
accept total blame for WW1
and pay compensation to
devastated countries

11. Towards the end of WW1
No more German
emperor
The Weimar
Republic was
formed
Reasons for the Rise of Hitler Weakness of the Weimar Republic

13. Do you think such a
government would be strong?
Reasons for the Rise of Nazis Weakness of the Weimar Republic

14. Reasons for the Rise of Nazis Weakness of the Weimar Republic
Weakness of the Weimar Republic:
(a) It was a coalition government
One Party
Rule
Bi-party
Rule
Multiple
Party Rule
Coalition
Government
What do you think are some of the
weaknesses of a coalition government?

15. National Party: 15 Seats Social Democratic Party: 20 Seats
Communist party: 17 Seats
Centre Party: 12 Seats
DNV party: 8
Seats
BV party: 3
Seats
REICHSTAG: 100 seats total
Reasons for the Rise of Nazis Weakness of the Weimar Republic

16. Reasons for the Rise of Nazis Weakness of the Weimar Republic
Weakness of the Weimar Republic:
(a) It was a coalition government
Allowed many parties
to gain seats
No single party could
gain dominance
Governments did not
last long
Parties spent more
time forming coalitions
instead of governing
country

17. Reasons for the Rise of Nazis Weakness of the Weimar Republic
Weakness of the Weimar Republic:
(b) Faced opposition from other
political groups
Opposed
by the left
Opposed
by the right
Lost
support of
middle
class

18. Ultra
nationalistic
(Right Wing)
Being excessively proud
of your country
Socialism/communism
(Left Wing)
Ownership of all things in a
country should be public.
Moderates
(Middle)
Elements of socialism
in democratic
countries

20. Reasons for the Rise of Nazis Weakness of the Weimar Republic
Weakness of the Weimar Republic:
(b) Faced opposition from other
political groups
Opposed
by the left
• Communists wanted to turn
Germany into a communist
country and thus opposed the
WR.
SPARTACISTS

21. Reasons for the Rise of Nazis Weakness of the Weimar Republic
Weakness of the Weimar Republic:
(b) Faced opposition from other
political groups
Opposed
by the right
• Upset that WR signed the TOV
• Thought that army could have
fought on
FREIKORPS (Free Corps)

22. Reasons for the Rise of Nazis Weakness of the Weimar Republic
1920 Kapp Putsch
1919 Spartacist Rebellion
The WR faced
opposition from Left
and Right Wing
Groups and it was
hardly able to
maintain law & order

23. Reasons for the Rise of Nazis Weakness of the Weimar Republic
1919 Communist Revolt
• Spartacists (communists) took
part in revolutions in Berlin,
Munich and Kiel
• Opposed by the Freikorps
• Brought rebellion to an end

24. Rosa Luxemburg
Karl Liebknecht

25. Reasons for the Rise of Nazis Weakness of the Weimar Republic
1920 Kapp Putsch
• Freikorps (anti-communists) tried to
overthrow the government by marching
into Berlin
• Failed because workers in Berlin called a
general strike

26. The civil service, judiciary and even big
businesses were mostly under the
influence of advisors who had worked for
the Kaiser and wished for his return
• Effect on Weimar Government’s support?