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Summary Weimar and Nazi Germany
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- The Weimar republic - Hitler's rise to power - Nazi controls and dictatorship - Life in nazi Germany
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History Nazi Germany 1918 - 1939,The Weimar republic 1918 - 1929
World war 1
The First World War affected Germany socially, economically, and politically. German
society expected a quick victory and the war had lasted longer than expected. By
1918, German society was exhausted. The war caused many deaths and crippled
the German economy, making it difficult to recover. 2 million troops died and 4 million
wounded.
On the 29th of September 1918, it was clear that Germany would be defeated. Field
Marshall Hindenburg and General Ludendorff told Kaiser Wilhelm II that Germany
could not win the war. Hindenburg and Ludendorff said that a democratic
government was needed for a favourable peace settlement with the Allied Powers.
On the 3rd of October 1918, Hindenberg informed the Reichstag of the decision to
create a more democratic government. The German military leaders handed over
power to the civilian government just in time for them to take the blame for the loss of
World War 1. On the 11th November 1918, Ebert admitted defeat and signed the
armistice (truce) with the Allies. Some Germans felt that Germany could have won
the war and that the treaty was unfair. They felt ‘stabbed in the back’ by Ebert and
his government. Ebert and the politicians who negotiated peace became known as
the ‘November Criminals. Berlin became a hotbed for revolt (rebellion).
The Weimar republic
At the head of the Republic was the President. The President was elected every 7
years. The President had the power to choose key ministers, such as the Chancellor.
Using Article 48, the President could overrule his government and make laws by
decree. Beneath the President was the government. The Cabinet made political
decisions. The Chancellor led the Cabinet. Beneath the government was parliament.
This was formed by the Reichstag and the Reichsrat. In parliament, parties were
given ‘proportional representation. This meant that the party’s seats reflected the
number of votes it received. The Reichstag and Reichsrat were elected every 4
years. The Reichstag was more powerful and controlled tax. The Reichsrat
represented each region of Germany. Beneath the parliament was the electorate.
According to the constitution, all men and women over 20 were eligible (had the
right) to vote in elections.
According to the constitution, all men and women over 20 were eligible to vote in
elections. The new constitution was drawn up by a Jewish man named Hugo Preuss.
The constitution was strong because no one person or group could hold too much
power. But you could argue that the Weimar Constitution’s weaknesses outweighed
(were greater than) its strengths. Proportional representation meant that weak
coalitions were the only way to gain power and lead Germany. Article 48 was a
weakness because it meant that the President could bypass (avoid and go around)
, democracy. The Constitution was weak because strong German states, such as
Prussia, still held power through the Reichsrat.
Early challenges to the Weimar republic
The terms of peace were agreed in the Treaty of Versailles, in 1919. The German
people believed the treaty was diktat (a dictated peace) and that it was unfair.
General terms of Versailles: Germany accepted blame for the war (Article 231, the
‘War Guilt Clause’). Germany must pay £6.6 billion in reparations (payments to the
victors) to the Allies. The loss of land in Europe and all German colonies. Germany
lost 10% of its land and 12.5% of its population. Military restrictions included having
a maximum of 100,000 soldiers, 15,000 sailors, 6 ships, 0 submarines and 0
armoured vehicles. The demilitarisation (removing the military from an area) of the
Rhineland. Not being able to join with Austria.
Some Germans felt that Germany could have won the war and so were ‘stabbed in
the back’ by Ebert and his government that signed the armistice. These politicians
were known as the 'November Criminals’.
Challenges from the left - Spartacist Uprising
● The Spartacists were a Communist group supported by the Soviet Union.
They were led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht.
● In January 1919, the Spartacists staged a revolt (rebellion) in Berlin and
hoped to lead a general strike. The ultimate aim was to overthrow the Weimar
Republic.
● Ebert used a right-wing (conservative) group of former soldiers, called the
Freikorps, to stop the uprising. He recognised the need to use political
extremist (holding extreme views) groups against one another.
Key challenges from the right - Kapp Putsch
● In March 1920, the Freikorps in Berlin staged a rebellion. Wolfgang Kapp was
the leader of the Freikorps in this rebellion. The aim was to seize control and
stop the Weimar democratic system.
● The putsch failed because German workers went on strike. This forced Kapp
to flee.
● Wolfgang Kapp was a nationalist German civil servant. Some people believe
that Kapp was a puppet for General Ludendorff, although this is unconfirmed.
● One unit in the Kapp Putsch had swastikas on their helmets.
Background of the Munich Putsch
The second challenge from the right was the Munich Putsch in 1923. The National
Socialist German Worker’s Party (NSDAP), also known as the Nazi Party, staged the
Munich Putsch. Hitler had been introduced to Ludendorff by Rohm, the leader of the
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