weimar republic

The Weimar RepublicFrom Democracy to Nazism

End of WWI (1918-19)

• March - Germany offensive

• July - Allies stop German offensive

• November - Imperial fleet mutinies, Kaiser abdicates, Republic formed

• November - Armistice signed by civilian leaders (recommended by military)

Treaty of Versailles

• Brutal terms for Germans• $33 billion in reparations over 30

years• Article 231 (“war guilt” clause) • Germany loses land to France,

Poland, all of colonies• Prohibited to have offensive

military• League of Nations• “Stab in the Back” - Military

Weimar Constitution

• President elected popularly

• Chancellor appointed by President

• Legislators elected through proportional representation to Reichstag

• Article 48 - Temporary dictatorship to solve crises

Weimar Culture

• Berlin became center of European culture

• Conservatives opposed changes

• All Quiet caused mass protests

Early 1920’s

• Far-left and right groups fight for control• 1922 - Munich (Beer Hall) Putsch• 1923 - French occupy Ruhr (industrial

heartland)• Hyperinflation

– Bad economic policies– Printed more money– Blamed allies, reparations

Hyperinflation - 1923

Hyperinflation

• Most workers were paid daily and given time to shop before the value of their wages fell further.

• Depositors received letters from their banks informing them their life savings were worth less then the administrative costs of maintaining their accounts.

• Young women who had been setting aside money for their dowries saw their savings evaporate, thus making a traditional German marriage impossible.

• A concert pianist would be paid with a suitcase of bills for his performance and exchange half of the bills for several sausages.

Hyperinflation

Hyperinflation

Hyperinflation

Hyperinflation

Late 1920’s

• Hyperinflation recovery based upon American loans

• 1929 Stock Market crash, Depression

• Taxes raised, wages and social programs cut

• 6 million unemployed workers

Political Crisis

• Coalitions collapse

• Parties unwilling to compromise

• President Hindenburg and Article 48

• Extremists gain power

• Paramilitary groups roam, dominate cities

1932

• Four parties vying for power

• Nazis receive 37% of vote - 2nd

• Hitler demands to be appointed Chancellor

• President Hindenburg believes it would keep him in check

1933-34

• Feb. 1933, Reichstag burned

• Consolidates power

• Nazis gain control

• Hindenburg dies

• Hitler declares himself Fuhrer

"Comrades, we stand firmly together for Germany, and we must stand firmly together for Germany. I am handing you the new insignia, knowing I place it in the most loyal hands in Germany. In the past you have proven your loyalty to me a thousand times. In the future it cannot and will not be any different!"