Weimar Republic

Germany During World War I

• During WWI, Germany suffers– Blockade– Chaos– Influenza outbreak– Communism grows in popularity

November, 1918

• After a last attempt to end the war, Germany is forced to admit defeat– Begin negotiations for peace

• Agree to surrender on November 11, 1918

• Kaiser Wilhelm II forced to abdicate the throne (Nov 9)– Plans for a new government begin

Germany surrenders

• German people are shocked by loss of the war

• Most feel they had been cheated by crooked politicians had negotiated the surrender

• “Stab in the Back”

Weimar Republic

• Germany’s government created after WWI is known as the Weimar Republic– Takes time to develop

• As plans for govt. continue, German society is still torn apart

• Freikorps- para-military group used to restore order– Use violent tactics– Put down Communist uprisings

Weimar Republic

• By March, 1919, the Freikorps had restored order

• Germans still waiting for a peace treaty to officially end the war– Blockade continues until treaty is signed

Peace???

• Germans sign Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919.– Shocked by harsh penalties

• Feel betrayed– Believed the treaty would negotiate a fair

peace BUT– Germany receives harsh punishments they

believed were unfair

Social Problems in Germany

• Following the war, Germany deals with several social problems– Labor shortages– Food and housing shortages– Disease epidemics (flu, TB, etc)– Loss of lives in the war, millions dead

Economic Problems in Germany

• German economy also in trouble• Reparations • Government prints more money to pay for the

war• Result: MASSIVE inflation.• German currency becomes virtually worthless

– November, 1923- ONE U.S. dollar was worth the equivalent of 4.2 trillion Marks (German Currency)

Weimar Constitution

• Weimar Constitution created a Republic– Type of democracy in which officials are

elected and speak on behalf of the citizens

• Very similar to the U.S. Constitution– 3 Branches of Government– Protection of Individual Freedoms

Weimar Constitution

• Legislative Branch– Power to make laws given to a bicameral

legislature– Reichstrat (upper house)

• Represents the interests of the states (lander)

– Reichstag (lower house)• Represents the will of the citizens

Reichstag

Weimar Constitution

• Executive Branch:– Executive power given to a President

• Serves 7 year term• Elected by popular vote

– President appoints a Chancellor– President also assisted by Ministers in various

departments

Weimar Constitution

• Article 48:gives president power to suspend the constitution and utilize military to restore order in times of crisis– Reichstag must support the President for this

clause to be used!• However, President has power to dissolve

Parliament and call for new elections.

Weimar Constitution

• Judicial Branch:– Supreme Court created to uphold rights of the people

• Personal Freedoms:– Freedom of speech, petition, assembly, press– Freedom of religion guaranteed– All citizens are equal in the eyes of the law

• All nationalities, races, and genders are equal

• Constitution also institutes compulsory education laws

Successes of Weimar Republic

• Weimar Republic did achieve great cultural things

• Golden Age for Intellectual and artistic development– Cultural development

• Arts• Literature• Film

– Women’s equality, etc.

Failures of the Weimar Republic

• Weimar Republic was very weak– Created in chaos

• No one truly supports it

– Politicians who create the government are blamed for Germany’s defeat

– Economic Problems• Communism grows in popularity

– Assassinations common– Revolts common

Rise of Nazis

Opportunity for Nazis

• National Socialist German Workers Party aka Nazis see times of crisis as opportunity

• Begin to formulate plans to launch a coup to overthrow the government

• Hitler learns of a meeting to take place at a local beer hall

Beer Hall Putsch

• November 8, 1923

• Hitler gathers SA and enter beer hall

• Declares that a revolution has begun and tells crowd that troops were marching to overtake the government

• People in beer hall believe him and flee without resistance

Beer Hall Putsch

• Next day, Hitler and 3,000 SA attempt to attack govt. headquarters in Munich

• Hitler and Nazis defeated, he flees

• Later arrested and put on trial for treason

Hitler on Trial

• Hitler sees the trial as yet another opportunity– Gain recognition

• Trial lasts 24 days, Hitler represents himself

• Judge and jury lenient with him– Even give him standing ovations after he

speaks

Hitler on Trial

• Appeals to national pride of Germans

• Does admit to being responsible for the attempted revolution

• Sentenced to five years in prison– Will only serve 8 months

Hitler in Prison

• Treated like honored guest

• Private room with a view

• Door rarely locked

• Frequent visitors, gifts delivered to cell

• Secretary Rudolf Hess allowed to join him in prison– Dictates his auto-biography while in prison

Hitler’s Life

• Hitler’s life and beliefs are discussed in his book Mein Kampf

• Mein Kampf (My Struggle) was published in two volumes– Published in 1925, 1927, 1930– English translation published in 1931

• Makes him a millionaire