Aim: Why did German democracy fail after World War 1? Weimar Republic: 1919-1933 Aim: Why did German democracy fail after World War 1? Objectives: (SWBAT) -Identify impact of the great depression (poor economy) on human decision making -Evaluate impact of individual human agency vs. larger local dynamics in creating changes in a society

I) Background After WW1 the victors (U.S., France, UK) argued on what would be the fate of Germany Woodrow Wilson of the U.S. argued for a more lenient position where Germany could once again join Europe. Wilson’s 14 points also called for self-determination along cultural lines in Germany. Many Germans deluded themselves into thinking this would be the case despite the Brest-Litovsk treaty of 1917. The position taken by Clemenceau of France was one that punished Germany harshly. This was the ultimate path that the victors of WW1 took. The treaty details provoked huge protests in Germany and those that agreed to it would be labeled “back stabbers” In reality the treaty created the conditions that would lead once again to the rise of Germany as a world power

II) Creation of the Weimar Republic The name “Weimar Republic” comes from the town where the new Constitutional assembly created a new German constitution after WW1. This is a historical name however and not a contemporary one The Republic was declared by Philipp Scheidemann-a member of the Social Democrats. This was done to counter a declaration by more left wing socialists. The first President of the Weimar Republic was Friedrich Ebert. Ebert made a pact with the army to suppress any communist uprisings.

III) Inflation in the Weimar Republic The Versailles treaty inflicted huge indemnities on the Germans. The Germans were forced to pay massive reparations to the French. As this became more and more impossible the Germans attempted to cease payments. The French responded by occupying the Ruhr region of Germany (Germany’s main industrial area). In response strikes were called and production stopped. The government was still paying the workers despite no goods being produced. This led to the start of inflation. The government continued to print money because it feared unemployment and a possible communist revolution more than a devaluation of the currency By 1923 it took 1 trillion marks to equal 1 dollar and the currency had to be totally discarded and replaced with a new currency. All previous cash savings were wiped out

IV) Temporary improvement and cultural shifts and the depression In 1923 new leadership in the German government led to a stabilization of the Germany money supply. The Retenmark first and eventually the Reichsmark became the established as the official currency of Germany and was “based on the wealth” of Germany. Little of it was issued and this created its wealth The Dawes Plan by the Americans also helped to further stabilize the economy as foreign loans poured in to Germany Culturally the 1920 like in other parts of the world saw a movement of cultural liberation. Western film, music and dress became popular. Conservative elements in German society however saw this as a negative

IV) Political instability and the Great Depression The Weimar republic was never politically stable and this was largely due to the fact that so many elements in German society did not like it. The military and many in German society believed that democratic politicians had “stabbed Germany in the back”. Most could not understand how Germany had lost the war. The Communist elements saw the government as an affront to their aims for a communist revolution and the ultra-nationalists saw the government as weak for not refusing the treaty of Versailles and for abandoning the Monarchy The Great Depression had a strong negative impact on the economy. Leaders of the Reichstag commonly ruled through presidential decree in this period This instability helped allow for the rise of leaders which previously had not been well received such as the Nazi party. Led by Adolf Hitler, they had earlier in 1923 attempted a revolt which failed horribly. By 1930 the Nazi party had gained over 18% of the vote. Their calls for the abolition of the Versailles treaty and the institution of social unity and order resonated with much of Germany. The turn away from democracy had started.

Phillip Scheidemann

Gustav Stresemann