Weimar Republic
Germany During World War I
• During WWI, Germany suffers
– Blockade
– Chaos
– Influenza outbreak
– Communism grows in popularity
November, 1918
• After a last attempt to end the war,
Germany is forced to admit defeat
– Begin negotiations for peace
• Agree to surrender on November 11, 1918
• Kaiser Wilhelm II forced to abdicate the
throne (Nov 9)
– Plans for a new government begin
Germany surrenders
• German people are shocked by loss of the
war
• Most feel they had been cheated by
crooked politicians had negotiated the
surrender
• “Stab in the Back”
Weimar Republic
• Germany’s government created after WWI
is known as the Weimar Republic
– Takes time to develop
• As plans for govt. continue, German
society is still torn apart
• Freikorps- para-military group used to
restore order
– Use violent tactics
– Put down Communist uprisings
Weimar Republic
• By March, 1919, the Freikorps had
restored order
• Germans still waiting for a peace treaty to
officially end the war
– Blockade continues until treaty is signed
Peace???
• Germans sign Treaty of Versailles on June
28, 1919.
– Shocked by harsh penalties
• Feel betrayed
– Believed the treaty would negotiate a fair
peace BUT
– Germany receives harsh punishments they
believed were unfair
Social Problems in Germany
• Following the war, Germany deals with
several social problems
– Labor shortages
– Food and housing shortages
– Disease epidemics (flu, TB, etc)
– Loss of lives in the war, millions dead
Economic Problems in Germany
• German economy also in trouble
• Reparations
• Government prints more money to pay for the
war
• Result: MASSIVE inflation.
• German currency becomes virtually worthless
– November, 1923- ONE U.S. dollar was worth the
equivalent of 4.2 trillion Marks (German Currency)
Weimar Constitution
• Weimar Constitution created a Republic
– Type of democracy in which officials are
elected and speak on behalf of the citizens
• Very similar to the U.S. Constitution
– 3 Branches of Government
– Protection of Individual Freedoms
Weimar Constitution
• Legislative Branch
– Power to make laws given to a bicameral
legislature
– Reichstrat (upper house)
• Represents the interests of the states (lander)
– Reichstag (lower house)
• Represents the will of the citizens
Reichstag
Weimar Constitution
• Executive Branch:
– Executive power given to a President
• Serves 7 year term
• Elected by popular vote
– President appoints a Chancellor
– President also assisted by Ministers in various
departments
Weimar Constitution
• Article 48:gives president power to
suspend the constitution and utilize
military to restore order in times of crisis
– Reichstag must support the President for this
clause to be used!
• However, President has power to dissolve
Parliament and call for new elections.
Weimar Constitution
• Judicial Branch:
– Supreme Court created to uphold rights of the people
• Personal Freedoms:
– Freedom of speech, petition, assembly, press
– Freedom of religion guaranteed
– All citizens are equal in the eyes of the law
• All nationalities, races, and genders are equal
• Constitution also institutes compulsory education
laws
Successes of Weimar Republic
• Weimar Republic did achieve great
cultural things
• Golden Age for Intellectual and artistic
development
– Cultural development
• Arts
• Literature
• Film
– Women’s equality, etc.
Failures of the Weimar Republic
• Weimar Republic was very weak
– Created in chaos
• No one truly supports it
– Politicians who create the government are
blamed for Germany’s defeat
– Economic Problems
• Communism grows in popularity
– Assassinations common
– Revolts common
Rise of Nazis
Opportunity for Nazis
• National Socialist German Workers Party
aka Nazis see times of crisis as
opportunity
• Begin to formulate plans to launch a coup
to overthrow the government
• Hitler learns of a meeting to take place at
a local beer hall
Beer Hall Putsch
• November 8, 1923
• Hitler gathers SA and enter beer hall
• Declares that a revolution has begun and
tells crowd that troops were marching to
overtake the government
• People in beer hall believe him and flee
without resistance
Beer Hall Putsch
• Next day, Hitler and 3,000 SA attempt to
attack govt. headquarters in Munich
• Hitler and Nazis defeated, he flees
• Later arrested and put on trial for treason
Hitler on Trial
• Hitler sees the trial as yet another
opportunity
– Gain recognition
• Trial lasts 24 days, Hitler represents
himself
• Judge and jury lenient with him
– Even give him standing ovations after he
speaks
Hitler on Trial
• Appeals to national pride of Germans
• Does admit to being responsible for the
attempted revolution
• Sentenced to five years in prison
– Will only serve 8 months
Hitler in Prison
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Treated like honored guest
Private room with a view
Door rarely locked
Frequent visitors, gifts delivered to cell
Secretary Rudolf Hess allowed to join him
in prison
– Dictates his auto-biography while in prison
Hitler’s Life
• Hitler’s life and beliefs are discussed in his
book Mein Kampf
• Mein Kampf (My Struggle) was published
in two volumes
– Published in 1925, 1927, 1930
– English translation published in 1931
• Makes him a millionaire