Political Problems in Weimar Germany (1919-1922)

Overview

• Examination of political issues in Weimar Germany (1919-1922).
• Focus on threats from different political spectrum sectors.

Left-Wing Threats

• SPD (Social Democratic Party): Pro-Weimar, supported parliamentary democracy.
• KPD (German Communist Party): Wanted collapse into a communist state similar to Soviet Union.
• USPD (Independent Social Democratic Party): Supported socialism within parliamentary democracy, more left-wing than SPD.
• Division among left on governance strategies.

Right-Wing Threats

• Rejection of Weimar system's revolutionary and progressive nature.
• Conservative Right: Desired restoration of monarchy; supported DNVP (German National People's Party).
• Radical Right: Nationalistic, anti-democratic, anti-Semitic, with growing support for NSDAP (Nazi Party).
• NSDAP was minor at the time but gaining influence.

Political Landscape

• Extremist parties (KPD and NSDAP) seen as fringe by majority.
• Majority of electorate supported central parties like SPD.
• Extremist support not as high as it would later become.

Weak Government & Justice System

• Judiciary was biased, favoring right-wing over left.
• Assassinations: 376 total, with 22 by left and 354 by right.
• Left-wing assassins faced death sentences; right-wing did not.

Systemic Issues

• Coalition government from 78% to 45% voter support.
• Treaty of Versailles blamed for government problems and "stab in the back" myth.
• Partisan coalition led to legislative gridlock in Reichstag.

Treaty of Versailles Impact

• Detrimental to government stability.
• Coalition parties struggled to implement policies.

Attempts at Revolution

• Kapp Putsch (March 1920): Attempted government overthrow by Wolfgang Kapp and General von Lüttwitz.
  • Protest against disbanding of Freikorps as per Treaty of Versailles (limit of 100,000 troops).
  • Failure Reasons: Lack of support from Reichswehr and government bureaucrats; protests diffused without submission.

Upcoming Topics

• Future lectures will cover Munich Putsch, hyperinflation, and economic crises.