To what extent did economic problems contribute to the collapse of the Weimar Republic?

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The collapse of the Weimar Republic can not be seen as solely indebted to the severe economic problems faced during the period of its rule, but consequently it was the economic issues that became a footstep to the ultimate demise of the Republic. Subsequent to Germany’s defeat in the First World War and German Emperor Kaiser’s abdication from power, the Weimar Republic was proclaimed. The Republic that had emerged from the German Revolution of November 1918 would inevitably fall as a result of numerous issues. However, the extent of which economic problems had in the dissolution of the republic, and how these issues caused or came about due to separate concerns faced by the new democratic system became a major contributing factor.

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. Germany had no tradition of democracy, and its people yearned for a dictatorial government and a strong leader. This was dismissed by the new democratic system. Discontent continued to heighten in face of the outcomes of the war that had seen the loss of two and a half million German soldiers, four million wounded German soldiers, increasing prices and unemployment,...

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...r, and began to plot against him. He persuaded Hindenberg to appoint Hitler as chancellor as the government was made up of mostly Von Papen supporters. Hitler began his rule of the 30th of January, and this marked the dissolution of the Republic.

The ultimate demise of the Weimar Republic was largely due to the economic issues faced. Many other contributory factors such as political extremists, competing parties, lack of consensus, parliamentary members, and the discontentment of the German people worked together to ensure this demise. Ultimately however, it was the economic conditions of the period that made the nation ripe for revolution and change. The economic issues weakened the overall power of the new republic, and allowed other factors to dissolve the republic. To this extent the collapse of the Weimar Republic was mostly as a result of economic problems.

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