Weimar Germany 1919-29
How far do the early problems of the Weimar Republic suggest that it was doomed from the start?
The origins of the Weimar Republic; the armistice and the effects of the Treaty of Versailles.
Political problems, constitution, consequences for government and instability
Challenges to Weimar, 1919–1923: the Spartacists; attempted takeovers by the right-wing: the Freikorps;
Kapp Putsch; Munich Putsch Economic problems leading to hyperinflation; the invasion of the Ruhr.
How far did the Weimar Republic recover under Stresemann?
The role of Stresemann, as Chancellor and then Foreign Minister
The recovery of the economy: new currency; the Dawes and Young Plans
Developments in international relations: Locarno Pact, League of Nations, Kellogg-Briand Pact
The extent of recovery – politically, economically and culturally.
How far did the Nazi Party develop its ideas and organisation up to 1929?
Early career of Hitler; German Workers’ Party under Drexler; early development of the Nazi Party
The Munich Putsch and its consequences; Mein Kampf. Decline in support in the Stresemann years;
consolidation of Nazi organisation in the later 1920s.
How far do the early problems of the Weimar Republic suggest it was doomed from the start?
Origins of Weimar Republic
Germany facing defeat in autumn of 1918, British naval blockade meant country facing severe food shortages
at home and in army/navy. Coal supplies running short leading to power cuts. German Generals realised that
they could not win war and sought to negotiate an armistice (end of fighting) based on Woodrow Wilson’s 14
points before Germany was invaded by Allies. Sailors at Kiel mutinied when ordered out to sea to fight last
battle.
Groups of socialists were taking control in many cities similar to Russia 1917 . Kaiser Wilhelm II forced to
abdicate in November 1918. Armistice signed with Allies. Hitler labelled Politicians who signed it “November
Criminals”. Army stabbed in back by politicians Army still fighting on Allied soil.
Constitution
Jan 1919 elections were held which gave the Social Democrat the most seats in Reichstag but not an overall
majority. Ebert elected as first President with Scheidemann as the first Chancellor.
Feb 1919: new constitution agreed in peaceful city of Weimar away from political violence in Berlin
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President controlled army, administration and made emergency laws if government in crisis
Chancellor responsible to the Reichstag.
Reichstag made laws, controlled the government and foreign policy
Elections held using system of Proportional representation made it extremely difficult for one party to
get overall majority, led to coalitions and lots of elections and extremist parties getting members in
Reichstag.
Treaty of Versailles
Expected not to be treated as harshly (despite Treaty of Brest Litovsk) and to be based on Woodrow
Wilsons 14 points
War Guilt Clause – Article 231 blamed for war Germans did not believe they alone were to blame for war.
Being blamed allowed Allies to claim reparations (compensation)
Territorial Losses. Lost 13% of its land and 6 million German speakers living in foreign countries. Germany
split in two by Polish corridor. Eupen and Malmedy to Belgium, Northern Schleswig to Denmark.
Military restrictions Army reduced to 100,00 men, navy 6 battleships and no submarines. No airforce.
Rhineland demilitarized
Extremist groups/ Uprisings
Spartacists/ Left Wing Communist Rebellions Communists wanted world revolution/hated idea of
democracy & new government. Led by Rosa Luxemburg & Karl Leibknecht . Workers Councils seized power
across Germany/ Communists took power in Munich, Bavaria. Government unable to put down uprisings so
called on Freikorps (still armed ex soldiers) to put down uprisings which they did brutally killing leaders.
1920 Kapp Putsch - rebellion in Berlin led by Freikorps. Army refused to attack the rebels. Uprising stopped
by workers general strike. Nationalist terrorists murdered politicians (Erzeberger a politician who had signed
armistice and Rathenau 1922)
Munich Putsch
Background Nazis grown in strength in southern German city Munich. (see below) Hitler hoped to exploit
weaknesses of the Weimar government. Stresemann called off the strike in the Ruhr – seemed like another
surrender. Copied Mussolini’s ‘march on Rome’ in 1922. Hitler had support of First World war veteran
Ludendorff. Hitler also expected support of Bavarian leader von Kahr and German army.
Events Nov 1923 – Hitler stormed into political meeting where von Kahr speaking. Tried to force von Kahr to
support him. Stormtroopers took over official buildings. Nazis marched on the city. Police shot at and rounded
up Stormtroopers/ 16 Nazis killed, 3 policemen. Hitler was arrested and imprisoned.
Results: Uprising failed Hitler arrested, At trial Judge allowed Hitler to make nationalist speeches, for of lightly,
sentenced to 5 years but only served 9 months. Nazi party banned. Hitler vowed to seek power by legal
means.
Occupation of Ruhr
Causes- Germany fell behind with reparations payments. In summer 1922 Britain and France agreed to 6
month postponement of reparation payments.
Events In January 1923 French and Belgian troops entered German industrial area Ruhr to seize goods and
also force Germans to pay reparations. Germans responded with campaign of passive resistance. Workers
also went on strike French expelled 150,000 workers. 132 German workers shot French soldiers killed violence
at funerals.
Hyperinflation
Triggered by Government printing money to pay reparations, paying striking miners in Ruhr, loss of coal
production in Ruhr had to buy foreign supplies of coal.
Bread prices 4 marks in 1921 cost 200,000 million marks in November 1923
Losers Old people living on fixed incomes. People relying on savings/ pensions
Winners: People who had taken out loans or owed money. Young people encouraged to spend
Workers especially those who paid weekly, had to paid daily not too badly affected as wages went up but had
to spend money quickly
People who had lots of property and possessions could barter, farmers had produce to barter
How far did the Weimar Republic recover under Stresemann?
Gustav Stresemann – Leader of German Peoples Party Chancellor in 1923 Foreign Minister 1924-1929
Economic Recovery
Passive resistance called off in the Ruhr. Not popular with some in Germany as felt giving in to France.
However only realistic approach to get Germany to recover
Dawes Plan 1924 – US politician loans from USA 800 million gold marks to rebuild German factories and kick
start economy to create wealth. Reorganised reparation payments, linked payments with ability to repay.
Young Plan 1929 arranged by US businessman reduced total amount of reparations and extended deadline
for another 59 years. However Wall Street Crash occurred before time to take affect
Foreign Affairs Recovery
Locarno Pact 1925 – Germany accepted borders with France and Belgium as set out in Treaty of Versailles.
Britain and Italy guaranteed to protect France if Germany attacked. Accepted Rhineland remained
demilitarised. Germany settle disputes through League of Nations
League of Nations 1926 Locarno had paved way for Stresemann to negotiate Germany being accepted into
League of Nations
Kellogg Briand Pact 1928 signed by 65 nations including Germany. Disputes between countries should only
be settled by peaceful means
Cultural Recovery
Encouragement and freedom for artists to express themselves as wished
Clubs and cafes became part of Berlin culture
Cabaret artistes and singers such as Marlene Dietrich came to work in Berlin
Artists such as George Grosz and Otto Dix created works that crtiticised German society
Author Erich Remarque wrote anti war novel All Quiet on Western front.
Films: Nosferatu and Metropolis part of Expressionsist movement. The Blue Angel showed breaking down
barriers in society
Plays Three Penny Opera criticised capitalist society
Bauhaus school of architecture break down barriers between craftsmen and artists Munich Putsch
More open minded about sexuality and issue such as abortion
Hitler dismissed period “Fourteen years a junkyard!” as it challenged his ideas of traditional culture of
Germany.
How far did the Nazi Party develop its ideas and organisation up to
1929?
Early career of Hitler.
Soldier in great war. Stayed in army. Spy monitoring political parties which had sprung up all over Germany
including Bavaria . Sat in on meeting of German Workers’ Party under Anton Drexler. Liked underlying politics
became member number 555. Hitler put in charge of propaganda and political ideas organised meetings put
adverts in local papers.
25 point programme announced in 1920 set put aims. Treaty of Versailles abolished , expel anyone not ‘true’
German/ anti-Jewish /nationalise large industries/ generous old age pensions/ strong central government.
Swastika emblem adopted also in 1920 .
Stormtroopers (SA ) Brownshirts set up to keep order at meetings and to disrupt opponents who were mainly
Communists
Munich Beer Hall Putsch
Background Nazis grown in strength in southern German city Munich. Hitler hoped to exploit weaknesses of
the Weimar government. Stresemann called off the strike in the Ruhr – seemed like another surrender. Copied
Mussolini’s ‘march on Rome’ in 1922. Hitler had support of First World war veteran Ludendorff. Hitler also
expected support of Bavarian leader von Kahr and German army.
Events Nov 1923 – Hitler stormed into political meeting where von Kahr speaking. Tried to force von Kahr to
support him. Stormtroopers took over official buildings. Nazis marched on the city. Police shot at and rounded
up Stormtroopers/ 16 Nazis killed, 3 policemen. Hitler was arrested and imprisoned.
Results: Uprising failed Hitler arrested, At trial Judge allowed Hitler to make nationalist speeches, became
nationally known. Let off lightly, sentenced to 5 years but only served 9 months in Lansberg Prison in comfort .
Nazi party banned. Hitler not allowed to speak in public . Hitler vowed to seek power by legal means.
Mein Kampf written in prison, set out both life story and ideas National socialism & loyalty to Germany/
Racism; all races inferior to Aryans/ Lebensraum (living space in Poland & Russia)/ Obedience to Fuhrer/ Use
of armed force.
Reorganization of Nazi party
Refounded in February 1925
SS set up as Hitler’s elite bodyguard
Propaganda in hands of Josef Goebbels from 1928. Propaganda (posters, leaflets, radio, films, rallies)/
businessmen finance Hitler (fearing Communism)/
Network of local organisations with Gauleiters in charge of each area Nazi teachers Doctors and Lawyers
organisations set up. Also Hitler youth
Gregor Strasser in charge pf building up party organization to prepare for responsibility of looking after key
areas of running country
Poor performance in elections 1924-1929 (still only 12 seats in 1928)/ Less support because of improved
conditions in Germany.
Membership had increased from 27,000 in 1925 to 100,000 in 1928.