Weimar Republic Overview

Weimar Republic

• The Weimar Republic was the name for Germany's government from 1919 to 1933.
• It was named for the town of Weimar, where the constitution was created.
• The Weimar Republic experienced widespread disillusionment and collapse of morale after World War I.
• Military defeats led to strikes and dissent, including the refusal of sailors at the Kiel naval base to fight the British.
• Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated and fled to the Netherlands.

Key Government Features

• Twenty separate coalition governments led to instability, with no single party holding a majority.
• The shortest coalition governments lasted a mere two years.
• Germany's parliamentary system, the Reichstag, handled law-making and oversight.
• A proportional voting system contributed to the multitude of parties and unstable governments.

Key Figures

• Friedrich Ebert was the first Chancellor and leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). He was not Jewish.
• General Ludendorff, a key figure in WWI, blamed the Weimar Republic for the 'stab-in-the-back' legend and joined the Nazi Party.
• The 'stab-in-the-back' legend falsely blamed politicians, socialists, communists, trade unionists, and Jews for Germany's defeat.

Essential Concepts

• Chancellor: The head of government, comparable to a prime minister.
• President: Elected every 7 years.
• Article 48: Allowed the president emergency powers to rule by decree.
• Proportional Voting: This voting system led to numerous parties, complicating the formation of a stable government.
• Coalition: A government formed by multiple parties working together which was common.

Weimar Economic and Political Challenges

• Reparations: Harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles demanded large financial payments from Germany, igniting resentment and economic hardship.
• Hyperinflation: Rampant inflation caused by the printing of money to meet reparation obligations, eroding the value of German currency. The Great Depression (starting in 1929) and the collapse of the stock market had a negative impact, causing severe unemployment in Germany.
• Unstable Political Climate: Multiple rebellions (left-wing and right-wing) plagued the Weimar Republic. Germany lacked a history of democracy and was accustomed to strong leadership.

Explore the unique characteristics and challenges of the Weimar Republic, Germany's government from 1919 to 1933. This quiz covers key features, significant events, and notable figures that shaped this tumultuous period in German history. Test your knowledge and understanding of how the Weimar Republic laid the groundwork for future political developments.