Germany 1918 to 1945 Depth Study: Part 1 - Was the Weimar Republic Doomed from the Start?

Overview

• This is a three-part series focusing on Germany from 1918 to 1945, covering the Weimar Republic and its challenges.
• The first key question explored is whether the Weimar Republic was doomed from the start.
• Examines problems faced by the Weimar Republic and the Weimar Golden Age.
• Important for those studying Paper 4 or coursework on this topic.

Legacy of the First World War

• Impact on Germany:
  • Significant death toll: Over half of the 11 million Germans who fought were casualties.
  • Increase in government debt due to war costs and reparations.
  • Food shortages due to blockades led to civil unrest.
• Political Unrest:
  • Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates and flees.
  • The new government signs the Armistice, leading to resentment and political instability.
  • Germany's military was not fully defeated, contributing to the "stab in the back" myth.

The Weimar Constitution

• Structure:
  • President (elected for 7 years) with significant powers including appointing the Chancellor and emergency powers (Article 48).
  • Chancellor and cabinet propose laws, dependent on the Reichstag for a majority.
  • Reichstag elected by proportional representation, leading to coalition governments.
• Strengths:
  • Democratic with full suffrage for men and women.
• Weaknesses:
  • Many small parties lead to unstable coalition governments.
  • Article 48 used frequently, undermining democracy.
  • Presence of anti-Weimar parties in Reichstag.

Challenges and Uprisings

• Spartacist Revolt (1919):
  • Led by the Spartacist League, significant threat due to takeover of Berlin.
  • Crushed by the Freikorps, a paramilitary group of ex-soldiers.
• Kapp Putsch (1920):
  • Attempted coup by the Freikorps, failed due to general strike by workers.

Political Violence and Assassinations

• 376 assassinations from 1919 to 1922, mostly by right-wing nationalists.
• Right-wing assassins often not convicted due to sympathetic judges.

Economic Crisis: 1923

• Occupation of the Ruhr:
  • French troops occupied the Ruhr to extract reparations.
  • Led to passive resistance and worsened economic conditions.
• Hyperinflation:
  • Government printed money to pay striking workers and debts, leading to runaway inflation.
  • Drastic devaluation of the German Mark, severe impact on savings and pensions.

Weimar Golden Age

• Gustav Stresemann's Role:
  • Chancellor briefly in 1923, then Foreign Minister until 1929.
  • Stabilized currency with Rentenmark and ended hyperinflation.
• Economic Achievements:
  • Dawes Plan (1924): U.S. loans helped industrial recovery.
  • Young Plan (1929): Reduced reparations and extended payment period.
• International Relations:
  • Locarno Pact (1925) improved Germany's international standing.
  • Germany joined the League of Nations in 1926, gaining a permanent Council seat.
• Political Stability:
  • Moderate parties gained support; decrease in extremist popularity.
  • Continued, albeit decreased, political instability with frequent changes in government.

Cultural Achievements

• Women's Rights:
  • Political representation and employment opportunities improved.
• Art & Cinema:
  • Flourished with advances in design, architecture, and film.
• Science:
  • Significant achievements, with many Nobel Prizes awarded to German scientists.
• Social Tensions:
  • Backlash against cultural changes, particularly from right-wing groups.

Conclusion

• The Weimar Republic faced significant challenges from the start due to economic, political, and social issues.
• The period of recovery and cultural flourishing in the late 1920s was significant, but not without limitations.
• Continued political opposition and economic dependence on foreign loans left the Republic vulnerable to future crises, such as the Great Depression.