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!"