The Weimar Republic Period

During the Weimar Republic, the political landscape was very unstable and many people were unable to work and earn a living. The economy was in a mess, and there was a huge conflict between the left and right wing extremists. Many people were displaced and homeless.

Economic hardship

During the Weimar Republic, Germans faced major economic hardships and had to deal with the aftermath of World War I. The country was heavily dependent on American loans for its economy.

As American money dried up, businesses and industries began to fail. Germans suffered from unemployment and poverty. The government was forced to print money to pay for reparations. The new currency helped to stabilize prices and set the country on the road to economic recovery.

One of the most difficult challenges that the Weimar Republic faced was hyperinflation. The money lost its value quickly, so Germans were better off if they were paid on a weekly basis rather than monthly.

The Versailles Treaty placed a huge burden on the Weimar Republic, and it required Germany to pay reparations to the victors of World War I. It also decreased the country’s production of coal and iron ore. The resulting hyperinflation was devastating to the country’s economy.

The government’s attempts to solve the problem were not successful. The country was plagued by unemployment, inflation and economic instability.

Political instability

During the interwar period, the Weimar Republic faced a number of serious crises. The economic collapse of the German economy, hyperinflation, and increased discontent with the Weimar government were all factors in the political instability of the time. During the Weimar years, political violence also increased. Several communist groups took power in several cities in the early 1919s. The Social Democratic Party of Germany supported the war effort, but faced challenges from radicals in the mid-1919s.

The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1918, caused economic and social problems in Germany. The German government was forced to pay reparations to France. The Republic was weakened in diplomatic relations. The government also suffered from hyperinflation, a lack of economic growth, and contentious relationships with great powers.

The Weimar Republic was a chaotic and unstable country. Political parties and groups tried to overthrow it several times. There were nine general elections between 1919 and 1933. The Social Democratic Party of Germany won most votes, but failed to achieve a majority.

Conflict between left and right-wing extremists

Having lost the Great War, Germany found itself in a desperate situation. The national bank refused to pay the requisite amount of currency for reparations, and the national government faced a choice. It could either spend more money to jumpstart the economy, or cut government spending to balance the budget.

The economy had deteriorated rapidly. The nation faced a series of economic problems, including hyperinflation and severe social problems. Its leaders were faced with the classic dilemma of having to take on war debts or the risk of losing the Republic.

In response to the Great Depression, the government introduced an austerity program. Many citizens called for revolution, as they did after the Russian Revolution. The Communists sought to overthrow the Weimar Republic, and the National Socialists sought to take control.

The Free Corps was formed to fight the Communists. It was an armed organization of the right, composed of war veterans and vigilantes. They killed the leftist Rosa Luxemburg, Karl Liebknecht, and others.

Hitler’s Enabling Act

During March 1933, the German Parliament passed Hitler’s Enabling Act. The legislation gave Hitler the legal authority to rule the nation by decree, effectively turning the Weimar Republic into a totalitarian dictatorship. The legislation required a two-thirds vote of the present deputies and a supermajority vote in the Reichstag to pass. The legislation was intended to give Hitler full political power, enabling him to rule without having to negotiate with his coalition partners. The Enabling Act was the first of a series of laws that would make Germany a one-party dictatorship.

The Enabling Act gave the chancellor full legislative power for four years. It also gave the government the ability to issue decrees without referring to the president. In addition, the government was allowed to enter into agreements with other countries.

The Reichstag voted in favor of the Enabling Act, which was ratified on March 23. The vote was supported by the German National People’s Party (DNVP), the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), and the Centre Party.