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1919-1933
Replaced the “Second
Reich” 1870-1914 (the
states united by Bismarck
in 1870 – see map)
(First Reich = Holy Roman
Empire defeated and re-
organized by Napoleon)
Had to deal with territorial
and economic
repercussions of Versailles
Treaty.
First true democracy in
German history.
Holy Roman Empire
German Unification
Germany Divided
Republic declared in 1918 but bitterly divided into
left, moderate, and right wing factions.
The right (junkers, industrialists, military
leadership, nationalists) despised democracy and
feared communism.
“Stab in the back” myth
Considered liberal/social elements “un-German”
Hated the Versailles Treaty – were top critics of
Stresemann’s “fulfillment”.
Ex-soldiers and other wayward nationalists joined para-
military groups called the Freikorps.
These armed gangs were designed to “protect”
Germany from communists. Were often independent of
the government.
The left was also divided. The most radical
communists joined the Soviet supported KPD or the
Spartacist League.
Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxembourg were the
most famous communists. They called for the
formation of soviets and a Bolshevik style
revolution.
The heart of the Weimar Republic were the
moderate parties, especially the left leaning SPD
that split with the KPD.
They wanted a liberal constitution and social reform.
However Germany was in chaos.
In order to maintain power, the SPD made an
agreement with the right wing military to protect the
government and allow for elections (the Ebert-
Groener Deal).
The freikorps were unleashed – crushing Sparticast
revolts in major cities and overthrowing a brief
Soviet government that had taken power in Bavaria.
Liebknecht and Luxembourg were murdered.
President Ebert believed it was a necessary evil to
secure the new government and have elections.
Weimar Government
Jan. 1919 – elections were held and the new
Reichstag was formed.
Aug. 1919 – a new constitution was adopted. It was
a mix of liberal and social policies. It was the most
freedom Germans had ever had.
There were two parts:
1) “rights and duties” of Germans.
○ Contained fundamentals like freedom of speech,
association, religion, expression.
○ Legalized unions and built on social insurance system.
○ Vague references made to end the exploitation of the
working classes.
○ The right to private property was enshrined in law.
2) structure of government and elections (see handout)
PROBLEM: For some the constitution went too far left,
for others it did not go far enough left.
Weaknesses of the Weimar Republic
1) Structure
People voted for parties and not deputies – result
was they often had no link to constituents
Seats were awarded via proportional
representation –very difficult to achieve a majority
government because of the large amount of parties.
In order to rule there needed to be coalitions
(alliances between parties) – see handout pg. 62
Positive – parties worked together and had to
compromise leading to fair mix of policies
Negative – very unstable, especially during crisis.
Chancellor continually changing.
Article 48 allowed the President to exercise
extreme authority and override the constitution.
State governments ran services within their
borders but had little ability to challenge the
authority of the federal government.
This allowed the President significant power. Would be a
problem later.
2) Strength of Opposition
Strength of radical groups (right or left) was
always strong, especially during economic crisis.
Many people in the government bureaucracy had
served under the Kaiser – had questionable
loyalty to the Weimar Gov. (see handout pg. 70)
3) Reaction to Social
Experimentation
1920s were a time of
social and cultural change
supported by the new
democracy.
radio and theatre boomed
– desire for “material”
comfort.
Cabarets and dance clubs
were popular – openness
about nudity and sexuality
increased – birth control
etc.
Women challenged stereotypes in the work place and in relationships.
Many (esp. right wing) saw this as evidence of the collapse of traditional German values and decried the “lazy and self serving” nature of the new middle class – blamed Weimar Republic
4) International Isolation and Reparations
Weimar was weakened by diplomatic isolation
and the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
Reparations hampered them. They were blamed
for signing the Versailles Treaty.
Challenges to the Weimar Republic
1) From the Left
After being suppressed in 1919 the extreme left
continued to agitate for a Marxist Germany.
Were a powerful political force but never seriously
attempted to overthrow the government.
There was a brief communist government in
Saxony in 1923 during inflation crisis.
2) From the Right
Much more organized and attempted to overthrow
the government by force.
Kapp Putsch – March 1920
The government was attempting to reduce the military and
disband the Freikorps in compliance with Versailles.
Radicals opposed to this organized and marched to Berlin
under the leadership of Wolfgang Kapp – the leader of the
“Fatherland Party”.
The government was forced to flee to Dresden – Kapp forms
a new government.
Kapp government did not last.
The army opposed Kapp because of the Ebert-
Groener deal.
The left organized massive strikes in Berlin and
elsewhere to paralyze the cities. Support for Kapp
eroded and they disbanded.
However, very few were punished for this. This
showed the weakness of the Weimar Gov.
Kapp died shortly after.
The courts were sympathetic to the right. The
Weimar government feared alienating the military
by punishing right wing elements too much. Might
need them again against the communists.
Beer Hall Putsch – Nov. 1923
The German Workers Party, a relatively obscure
group formed in 1920, attempted to overthrow the
government.
One of their leaders is Adolf Hitler.
See handouts pg. 52-55
3) From Economic Problems
The peak of anti-Weimar periods surrounded
economic crisis:
1918-1920 – end of the war and extreme poverty (German
Revolution, Kapp Putsch)
1923 – Hyperinflation (Beer Hall Putsch)
1929-33 – Depression (Rise of Hitler)
1924-29 were the most stable years for the Weimar
Republic (prosperity in Germany, peace and
“fulfillment” internationally).
Collapse of the Weimar Republic
WHY?
1) Economic Collapse (Depression)
Farmers were hit by low commodity prices and high
interest rates on loans. 18 000 bankrupt by 1932.
Working class hit by high unemployment – 6 million
out of work by 1932.
Middle classes also hit – 50 000 businesses
bankrupt between 1930-32.
Government did not do anything because they
feared causing inflation.
Votes for extreme parties increased greatly.
2) Failure of the Reichstag
Conservative parties had lost faith in the process
(too many coalitions, elections, political games)
Many hoped for a more authoritarian system where
the President would make regular use of Article 48.
The Reichstag would only be for consultation.
By 1930, under Chancellor Bruning, Article 48 was
being used increasingly.
Street violence between left and right increased.
Extremists on both sides saw the need for a “strong
man” to take control and bring stability.
Chancellors began to court the support of the Nazi
Party (they had won 37% of vote in 1932) to achieve
a Reichstag majority. (see handout).
3) Rise of Hitler and the Nazis
Gained support from 1930 onwards (see election
results pg. 63)
In 1932 Hitler ran for President. He was defeated by
Hindenburg who was supported by the moderate left
and centre. However he won 37% of the vote.
Franz Von Papen (Z)
believed that he could
use the Nazis to create
a majority coalition on
the right wing.
Papen (Z) believed
Hitler could be
controlled as
Chancellor. Papen
would be “Vice-
Chancellor”.
This would turn out to
be a poor judgement!
Strength of the Nazi Party
Their message was popular. Preached the importance of
the Volksgemeinschaft (national community) over the
individual.
Created an “us” vs. “them” mentality
(Versailles/Marxism/Jews/Democracy as outside evils,
tainting German values – “make Germany great again”)
Seen as the ones to bring stability and protect from
Communist threat. Use force through para-military SA
(Brown shirts) and later the SS an Gestapo (secret
police).
Effective use of propaganda – all encompassing in
society – also the “Hitler Myth”
Economic policies seemed to be working (though Nazis
got more credit for this than deserved)
Use of Propaganda
Hitler won converts with his oratory skills. Propaganda
encouraged the “Fuhrerprinzip”, the creation of a cult
of personality.
Joseph Goebbels became head of the propaganda
machine. Music, posters, public speeches, and
especially radio were infiltrated.
Nazis had “speaker schools” to train members.
They developed youth groups.
Each region (gaue) had a “Gaueleiter” in charge of
party activities and directly subservient to Hitler.
Nazis went door to door inviting people to rallies.
Use of Force
The SA (Storm detachment) were formed in 1920 to
protect Nazi speakers, pass out leaflets, and battle
with communist forces in the street.
Over half were drawn from the working classes and
unemployed – very nationalist but also left leaning
Some were ex troops, some wanted free food and
a place to stay, many were simply bullies
Nicknamed “brown shirts” because of their
uniforms
Were led by Ernst Rohm – a friend of Hitler.
The SA had grown to 500,000 by 1933 and
impressed many with their discipline and order but
struck fear in others for their violence
The power of the SA lent credibility to Hitler and
was effective propaganda
The army detested the SA – Rohm hoped the SA
would become the regular German army if Hitler
gained power.
The SS (protection squad) was created in 1929
and swore a personal oath to Hitler – were elites
and wore black uniforms
Leader – Heinrich Himmler (The SS would later be responsible for some of the worst atrocities – see handout)
When the Nazis were in power they increased their control with the Gestapo (the secret police).