weimar republic
DESCRIPTION
From democracy to Nazism.TRANSCRIPT
The Weimar RepublicFrom Democracy to Nazism
End of WWI (1918-19)
• March - Germany offensive
• July - Allies stop German offensive
• November - Imperial fleet mutinies, Kaiser abdicates, Republic formed
• November - Armistice signed by civilian leaders (recommended by military)
Treaty of Versailles
• Brutal terms for Germans• $33 billion in reparations over 30
years• Article 231 (“war guilt” clause) • Germany loses land to France,
Poland, all of colonies• Prohibited to have offensive
military• League of Nations• “Stab in the Back” - Military
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 caused mass protests
Early 1920’s
• Far-left and right groups fight for control• 1922 - Munich (Beer Hall) Putsch• 1923 - French occupy Ruhr (industrial
heartland)• Hyperinflation
– Bad economic policies– Printed more money– Blamed allies, reparations
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
• Hyperinflation 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, dominate 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!"