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).