Background
In November 1919, Germany's Kaiser abdicates, leading to a more liberal government being formed. This government became the Weimar Republic, with a new democratic constitution and 21 billion gold marks of debt. This was an early indicator of the problems faced by the Weimar government, as well as the equally turbulent future that led to Hitler's rise. Most significant to Hitler's rise is the power given to the president of the republic. Article 48 gave the president the power to rule by decree during an emergency. Soon after the republic was formed, the Weimar Republic experienced an attempted coup from the Spartakusbund (Spartacus League), a far left socialist movement. In March of 1920, rightists led by Wolfgang Kapp attempt a coup against the government. All these events came together to show the instability of the Weimar government.
Economic Conditions
The German economy was in a bad shape after WWI, due to the wartime blockade and the treaty of Versailles. Along with the loss of most of Germany's industrial land, French and Belgians soon occupied the Ruhr region in Germany after they failed to repay their reparations. The German government then excessively printed paper money to pay for the welfare of workers, whom were ordered to meet the invasion with passive resistance (not work). The printing of money led to hyperinflation, affecting middle class families the greatest. This soon led to the US initiating the Dawes plan to help Germany with repayment of debts. This made the German economy reliant on the US economy, which would prove disastrous in the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The Great Depression also led to the end of the Dawes Plan, as money and resources had to be returned to the US to help with the US economy.
Rise of the Nazi Party
Before 1924, the Nazi party didn't recognize the Weimar government which meant before 1924 there were no members of the Nazi party in the Reichstag. However, this does not prevent the popularity of the Nazi party to increase. The Nazi party mainly attracted Freikorps members, the middle class, and students fired for wanting social change. Inspired by Mussolini's "March on Rome", Hitler attempted a similar coup, interrupting a political meeting in a Munich beer hall. Under duress, three right wing Bavarian leaders pledged to support Hitler. Immediately afterwards, one of the right wing leaders, Gustav von Kahr, called the police and military. This led to Hitler's arrest on the 11th of November. Hitler was convicted of high treason, and sentenced to 5 years in the Landsberg Fortress but only serving 9 months. After his release, the Nazi party changed tactics, becoming more disciplined and contesting in Reichstag elections. Hitler also enstated the Fuhrerprinzip, effectively making him the dictator of the party. Hitler also set up the Schutzstaffel in 1925 as his personal bodyguards.
In 1929 to 1930, the US withdrew its loans from Germany and the collapse of the German export market created massive repercussions for Germany. As unemployment increased (6 Million unemployed in 1932), it increasingly seemed that the "Grand Coalition" formed under Chancellor Muller was ineffective at dealing with the crisis. This helped extreme parties such as the Nazis to gain popularity, as they heavily criticized the government and made promises to save the economy. The Nazis stressed that they were the "national party", promising to keep out Communism, uphold law and order, return to traditional middle-class values, and restore national strength. Following the 1930 breakup of the "Grand Coalition", there were 5 separate Reichstag elections within 3 years, with Chancellors Heinrich Bruning (March 1930-May 1932), Franz von Papen (June 1932-November 1932), and Kurt von Schleider (December 1932-January 1933). The Chancellors were unable to hold onto power mostly due to the lack of a majority in the Reichstag, heavily relying on presidential decrees. Hitler also challenged Hindenburg in the 1932 presidential elections and was able to force a second vote. After von Schleider's resignation, von Papen and Hindenburg believed that giving power to the Nazi party would help combat the left, but the Nazis would not be powerful enough to threaten the traditional elite. They offered Hitler Chancellorship, along with two Nazi cabinet members. However, nine other places in the cabinet would be held by nationalist ministers. On January 1933, Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany with von Papen as his deputy.
In 1929 to 1930, the US withdrew its loans from Germany and the collapse of the German export market created massive repercussions for Germany. As unemployment increased (6 Million unemployed in 1932), it increasingly seemed that the "Grand Coalition" formed under Chancellor Muller was ineffective at dealing with the crisis. This helped extreme parties such as the Nazis to gain popularity, as they heavily criticized the government and made promises to save the economy. The Nazis stressed that they were the "national party", promising to keep out Communism, uphold law and order, return to traditional middle-class values, and restore national strength. Following the 1930 breakup of the "Grand Coalition", there were 5 separate Reichstag elections within 3 years, with Chancellors Heinrich Bruning (March 1930-May 1932), Franz von Papen (June 1932-November 1932), and Kurt von Schleider (December 1932-January 1933). The Chancellors were unable to hold onto power mostly due to the lack of a majority in the Reichstag, heavily relying on presidential decrees. Hitler also challenged Hindenburg in the 1932 presidential elections and was able to force a second vote. After von Schleider's resignation, von Papen and Hindenburg believed that giving power to the Nazi party would help combat the left, but the Nazis would not be powerful enough to threaten the traditional elite. They offered Hitler Chancellorship, along with two Nazi cabinet members. However, nine other places in the cabinet would be held by nationalist ministers. On January 1933, Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany with von Papen as his deputy.
Timeline
Date and Event |
Significance |
November 9th 1919: WWI ends with Germany's defeat |
Kaiser abdicates in favour of a liberal government. |
January 1919: New constitution written in the town of Weimar |
|
June 1919: Treaty of Versailles signed |
The treaty's unfair terms (e.g. Germany losing 13% of its land in Europe, Anschluss with Austria banned) proved very unpopular with the German population, and seemed to be further proof of the weakness of the Weimar government that signed the Treaty. |
January 1919: Spartacus League (Spartakusbund) tries to overthrow the Weimar Republic |
Highlighted the instability and unpopularity of the Weimar Republic. It also showed how the new government is prone to extremist groups. |
March 1920: Kapp Putsch |
The Kapp Putsch was an attempted coup by the far right to install a rightist government. |
November 1923: Beer Hall Putsch |
Hitler tries to stage a takeover of the Bavarian government. |
1924: Dawes Plan from the US |
The Dawes Plan was a loan from the US government to the German government to help pay reparations. It also called for the evacuation of foreign troops from the Ruhr area in Germany, among other measures to help save the German economy. |
1929: Wall Street Crash and the beginning of the Great Depression |
This affected Germany's economy greatly, leading to the breakdown of democracy and inevitably the rise of Hitler. |
1929: Young Plan replaces the Dawes Plan |
|
March 1930: Breakup of the "Grand Coalition" |
The beginning of a period of great political instability in Germany. |
January 1933: Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany |
|
27 February 1933: Reichstag Fire |
Hitler blamed the Reichstag fire on Communists, further boosting the popularity of his party. |
Value |
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Glossary
- Golden Years: A period between 1925 and 1929 where Germany experienced rapid economic growth due to US loans