WEIMAR REPUBLIC From Democracy to Nazism

Friedrich Ebert First leader of the Republic of Germany 1919

Weimar Constitution written in Weimar, Germany 6 February - 11 August 1919

Political Problems

Political Mess Left Wing Communists – believed a Russian style revolution was what Germany needed Spartacists – led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht Were shot and killed by the Freikorps Attempted revolution in 1919 and were defeated by the Freikorps 1920s saw more Communist rebellions (Ruhr) and remained an anti-government force Right Wing Former loyalists to Kaiser Remained in army, judicial and civil service (administrative) positions Established Freikorps (anti-communist and ex- soldiers) Believed in autocratic rule Origin of the myth that Ebert had “stabbed Germany in the back” Wanted a strong army Led rebellions against the Republic 1920 Kapp Putsch (failed) 1923 Munich Putsch (led by Hitler and failed)

Rosa Luxemburg

EBERT’S ECONOMIC DISASTER

The Ruhr First payment of £50 million was made in 1921, but Germany paid no reparations in French and Belgian troops invaded the Ruhr to begin taking payments in the form of raw materials.

The Ruhr After invasion, German government ordered passive resistance German workers went on strike, which resulted in no industrial production, which in turn caused the collapse of the Germany currency. French and Belgian troops killed more than 100 workers and expelled 100,000 protesters from the region.

Hyperinflation Germany currency became useless Prices ran out of control - a loaf of bread, which cost 250 marks in January 1923 had risen to 200,000 million marks in November 1923.

Hyperinflation People had to use suitcases to collect their wages. Famous story of a man who had collected his wages in a suitcase and then had the suitcase stolen, but not the money. Rebellions against the government continued – most famous was the Munich Putsch organized by Hitler.

Nazi Party 1920s

Origin of Nazi Party Began as German Worker’s Party in 1919 Tried to increase party membership by focusing on lower socio-economic groups (urban working class) Exploit nationalism and blame Germany’s problems on the Allies, Versailles, Jews, Communists 1920 changed name to National Socialist German Worker’s Party (Nazi) and introduced 25 point plan 1923 Hitler organized the Munich / Beer- Hall Putsch – failed attempt to overthrow the Weimar government

Key Ideas of Nazi Platform (25 points) Abolish Treaty of Versailles Unite Germany and Austria (Anschluss) Only “real” Germans (white Aryans) would be allowed to live in Germany Large industries and businesses were to be nationalized Generous pension for retirees Strong central government Rebuild Germany’s military Living space (Lebensraum) for expansion of the Master Race

Popularity 1920 s Prior to 1929 Great Depression, Nazis did not have large popular appeal. Political opponents tried to disrupt their meetings. Failed coup attempt in Munich Couldn’t fully gain support of German Workers (who tended to be sympathetic to Communists and who economically began to improve under Stresemann) Nazi aims did not appeal to most Germans – although there was some early appeal among German peasants/farmers who did not directly benefit from Stresemann’s economic policies.

Origins of the SA Sturmabteilung (Storm Detachment) Brown Shirts / Stormtroopers Created in 1921 and many came from the Freikorps, ex- soldiers or unemployed men Protected Nazi Party meetings and disrupt other political party meetings - especially Communist.

Growth of the SA Grew rapidly in size under Ernst Röhm’s leadership 1931 – 100, – 400, – 2,000, – 4,000,000 Hitler saw the SA as a political and not as a military force. However, Röhm, saw the SA not only as the backbone of the Nazi movement but as the nucleus of a revolutionary army. Beginning of conflict between Hitler and Röhm Hitler created the SS (Schutzstaffel – Protection Squadron) for his own personal protection. (1925)

1923 – Munich Putsch - Background Beer Hall Putsch – November 1923 Bavarian Prime Minister, Gustav Kahr, was meeting with around 3000 businessmen at a beer hall in Munich Hitler and 600 SA men entered the hall through a back door and announced that a revolution had begun and they were taking over the government. The next day, Hitler started a march with 35,000 men through Munich Army and police had been alerted but Hitler believed people would rise up and join him. In the city center, Nazis met with 100 armed police and soldiers who blocked them from going down a narrow street and began shooting. 16 Nazis and three policemen were killed. Hitler escaped but was arrested two days later.

Munich Putsch Why Hitler attempted the coup The Nazi party had grown 55,000 members and was stronger than ever before. The Weimar Republic was in crisis and about to collapse. In September 1923, the Weimar government had called off the general strike, and every German nationalist was furious with the government. Hitler believed nationalist politicians in Bavaria would support his coup. Hitler had a huge army of storm troopers, but he knew he would lose control of them if he did not give them something to do. Hitler hoped to copy Mussolini who had come to power in Italy in 1922 by marching on Rome.

Munich Putsch – Results of Failure Hitler was sentenced to 5 years in prison – sympathetic judge (treason should carry life sentence) Released 9 months later Wrote Mein Kampf in jail As Germany economy improved under Stressmann, the Nazis lost popular support. Hitler learned that he would have to work within the system if he wanted to gain power so he organized the Hitler Youth propaganda campaigns mergers with other right-wing parties local branches of the party, which tried to get Nazis elected to the Reichstag the SS as his personal bodyguard, which was set up in 1925

Why was Hitler able to dominate Germany in 1934?