weimar republic
Post on 24-Jun-2015
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The Weimar RepublicFrom Democracy to Nazism
On the back…
• Based upon what you know about World War II, the Holocaust, and Adolf Hitler - how did he take over Germany?
“Stab in the Back”
• Nov. 1918 - Weimar Republic formed
• Nov. 1918 - Armistice signed by civilian representatives
• Versailles Treaty inflicted brutal punishment
Weimar Constitution
• President elected popularly
• Chancellor appointed by President
• Legislators elected through proportional representation to Reichstag
• Article 48 - Temporary dictatorship to solve crises
Weimar Culture
• Berlin became center of European culture
• Conservatives opposed changes
• All Quiet banned
Early 1920’s
• French occupy Ruhr
• Far-left and right groups fight for control
• Munich (Beer Hall) Putsch
• Hyperinflation
Hyperinflation - 1923
Hyperinflation
• Most workers were paid daily and given time to shop before the value of their wages fell further.
• Depositors received letters from their banks informing them their life savings were worth less then the administrative costs of maintaining their accounts.
• Young women who had been setting aside money for their dowries saw their savings evaporate, thus making a traditional German marriage impossible.
• A concert pianist would be paid with a suitcase of bills for his performance and exchange half of the bills for several sausages.
Hyperinflation
Hyperinflation
Hyperinflation
Hyperinflation
Late 1920’s
• Recovery based upon American loans
• 1929 Stock Market crash, Depression
• Taxes raised, wages and social programs cut
• 6 million unemployed workers
Political Crisis
• Coalitions collapse
• Parties unwilling to compromise
• President Hindenburg and Article 48
• Extremists gain power
• Paramilitary groups roam cities
1932
• Four parties vying for power
• Nazis receive 37% of vote - 2nd
• Hitler demands to be appointed Chancellor
• President Hindenburg believes it would keep him in check
1933-34
• Feb. 1933, Reichstag burned
• Consolidates power
• Nazis gain control
• Hindenburg dies
• Hitler declares himself Fuhrer
"Comrades, we stand firmly together for Germany, and we must stand firmly together for Germany. I am handing you the new insignia, knowing I place it in the most loyal hands in Germany. In the past you have proven your loyalty to me a thousand times. In the future it cannot and will not be any different!"
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