Reasons for the Problems of The Weimar Republic in 1918 - 1923

Economic problems were evident before the new constitution was even drawn up, and already the new republic faced a host of problems upon proclamation. These turbulent initial years would predict the Republic’s downfall, with the stigma of being a republic born out of defeat. The Weimar Republic’s first act was to sign the armistice with the allies. Germany had suffered greatly as a result of the war, and many German’s saw the signing of the armistice as an act of treason, and blamed the new government for the loss of the war. The Republic saw minimal allegiance or support from nationalist groups who viewed the new government with contempt.

Since the German nation was used to being ruled, rather than ruling itself, it was a hard transition to accomplish. Democracy was a new concept within Germany and many people were willing to look to the left and right wings for political leadership. Also World War One had created an unsettling influence on the people of Germany and the establishment of Weimar, with its wish for freedom and democracy hoped to settle this. In essence Weimar faced many problems from the outset; it had to cope with not only political challenges, but economic problems, structural weaknesses and the legacy of World War One. Weimar had also inherited the ruins of a conquered autocracy, a ruined economy and two ruthlessly anti-democratic political extremes The Weimar Republic did not start on a good footing, since the first president was not democratically elected; instead Friedrich Ebert took the first oath of constitution on Prince Max’s command.

When answering how the Nazi party came to rule in Germany, one must look at foreign policy in respect to the Versailles Treaty during the Second Reich. Economically, due to the settlement at Versailles, Germany would be hit by massive inflation as well as a crippling depression under the Weimar Republic. This made many people distrust the newly created Weimar Republic. Socially, Germans generally blamed the government, as well as the Treaty of Versailles for the hard times that they suffered after the First World War. This social environment gave rise to the Nazi movement and many other parties that opposes the treaty and the Weimar Republic alike.

The Reasons for Early Weaknesses of the Weimar Republic Germany suffered a great tragedy during its clash with various European countries, which became the First World War, the biggest war of its time. An unanticipated defeat led the Germans leading them into an age of darkness. A government was formed under the umbrella of democracy at this time when huge opposition, anger and division were rampant in German society: due to the defeat of WW1. Germany was torn apart due to the political penalty left by defeat. The old government who fled in fear handed over the power of governance to the new government, later known as the Weimar republic.

Hyperinflation set in, the Weimar government lost support from the classes hit worst: Middle class and working class. Many riots and uprisings broke out which had to be put down with force. On ... ... middle of paper ... ...on Papen and Hindenburg hadn't made Hitler chancellor he wouldn't have come into power, or maybe he would have. The main reason why Hitler came into power was because of the economic problems, which Germany was suffering from after the war. If there hadn't been any problems, then the people wouldn't have been so desperate to find a way out.

Hitler's Rise to Power In 1919 The Weimar Republic encountered harsh economic, social and political problems. After the new Democratic Republic signed the armistice it put Germany not only into an economic crisis, it also caused Ebert’s Republic to get off to an unpopular start. The new government were branded ‘The November Criminals’ even though they weren’t to be blamed, and were left little choice. Some people felt the government should be based on communism, and the Spartacist uprising in 1919 caused major political problems. In 1923 problems became more difficult, and it was seen as a major success to maintain political stability under these circumstances.

The parliament is responsible for the death of democracy and the rise of a dictatorship in Germany. They did not fulfill their duty thus making them lose the support of the people, which later transferred to Hitler. The parliament was then subjected to please Hitler by putting him in power and with the fear he installed in the members there was nothing holding him back to become ultimate ruler of Germany or better known as the Furheer. The parliament should have done their job properly postwar and perhaps democracy could have been saved. Yet, perhaps, the entire experience that Germany endured with its government system suggests that democracy is only a dream.

This through Germany into humiliation, as well as having many parts of Germany, taken away and given to other countries. The German army, who were very important to Germany as they represented t... ... middle of paper ... ...le and helped him gain many votes. The weakness of the democratic system, and the Weimar Republic. From the very beginning, Hitler had a reason to pick on the Weimar, it was clear that it would not last. The strength and mass growth of the Nazis helped Hitler.

This helped Hitler because many Germans resented this clause and he could use this to his advantage by protesting Germanys innocence to the masses at Nazi rallies. Another important factor is the reparations clause. This is an important factor because it stated that Germany had to pay £660 Million for the war and when Germany couldn't pay the instalments led to the French taking over the Ruhr region of Germany which in turn led the government ordering a strike. This strike meant Germany didn't have any money to pay the allies. To solve this problem the government printed more money but without the economy to support it caused massive hyperinflation and the first German depression.

It seems as though Hitler and the Nazi Party were the main crisis behind the demise of the Weimar state but there were many conditions and events, which contributed to allow Hitler’s party to emerge into German politics and gain control. Post war Germany 1918, was under severe economic and cultural damage after a humiliating defeat against the allies. This further worsened as the people of Germany had been led to believe that they were winning the war due to the use of government propaganda. The German army collapsed in the autumn of 1918 when the allies launched their final attack on German lines. However the blame was shifted to the weak politicians rather than the military exhaustion, also known as the ‘stab in the back theory’ or the ‘Dolchstosslegende’.