Who ruled Germany before Hitler? Weimar Republic (1918–1933)

Summary

The Weimar Republic, established between 1918 and 1933, emerged following World War I as Germany grappled with defeat and political upheaval. The Republic faced numerous challenges, including hyperinflation, political extremists, and economic crises exacerbated by the Treaty of Versailles. Efforts to stabilize the economy saw temporary recovery, dubbed the "Golden Twenties," but dependence on U.S. loans led to another collapse following the 1929 stock market crash. Cultural shifts marked Weimar Germany, with avant-garde art, literature, and cinema flourishing even amidst political instability. The story concludes with Adolf Hitler's rise to power in 1933, transforming the Republic into a dictatorship.

Highlights

• The Weimar Republic transformed Germany into a democracy with parliamentary elections every four years. 🗳️
• Hyperinflation once drove German citizens to burn banknotes for warmth during harsh winters. 🥶
• The Dawes Plan, supported by U.S. loans, provided temporary economic reprieve, ushering in the 'Golden Twenties'. 🌟
• Cultural experimentation flourished, notably in cinema and architecture, despite political turmoil. 🎬
• Adolf Hitler’s ascension to chancellor in 1933 was a turning point, as he dismantled the Republic’s democratic framework. 🏛️

Key Takeaways

• The Weimar Republic was born from the ashes of WWI, symbolizing Germany's first attempt at democracy. 🇩🇪
• Hyperinflation and economic instability plagued the early years, leading to widespread hardship and unrest. 💸
• Despite an economic recovery in the mid-1920s, the Great Depression crushed these gains, leaving Germany vulnerable. 📉
• Cultural revolution was rampant in the arts, with German expressionism and the Bauhaus movement making global waves. 🎨
• Hitler's eventual rise to power through political maneuvering marked the end of the Weimar Republic. ⚠️

Overview

The Weimar Republic arose from a period of significant transformation in Germany, amidst the fallout of World War I. It marked Germany's first foray into democratic governance, replacing the monarchy with a constitutional framework. However, the Republic faced daunting challenges: political extremists, widespread discontent, and severe economic woes starkly highlighted by hyperinflation.

Despite these early struggles, the mid-1920s brought a temporary respite from turmoil, as economic policies, notably the Dawes Plan, spurred an era of relative stability and prosperity known as the 'Golden Twenties'. This period witnessed vibrant cultural growth, with advancements in art, literature, and cinema that echoed the broader social shifts within Weimar Germany.

However, the global economic downturn of 1929 proved catastrophic, undoing the economic progress and plunging Germany back into despair. This paved the way for Adolf Hitler's ascension, who capitalized on the political and economic instability to consolidate power. Hitler's appointment as chancellor in 1933 signaled the definitive end of the Weimar Republic and the rise of a totalitarian regime.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 01:00: The Weimar Republic: Origins and Formation The chapter titled 'The Weimar Republic: Origins and Formation' begins by highlighting the events of Autumn 1918, when it became evident that Germany would not succeed in World War One. On October 29th, a significant mutiny occurred in Wilhelmshaven, a small coastal town in northwest Germany. Sailors there defied orders to attack the British Royal Navy, leading to a widespread revolt. This act of defiance quickly escalated as the mutinies reached the major German port city of Kiel, catalyzing what is known as the German Revolution. This period marked the end of the imperial regime and set the stage for the establishment of the Weimar Republic amidst the chaos and political upheaval of post-war Germany.
• 01:00 - 02:00: The Treaty of Versailles and the Weimar Constitution Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated on November 9, 1918, due to losing support from the German military, leading to the establishment of the German Republic. Friedrich Ebert, the leader of the Majority Social Democratic Party (MSPD), became the Chancellor of Germany. Democratic elections in January 1919 resulted in the MSPD and the Independent Social Democratic Party gaining the most seats in the new national assembly.
• 02:00 - 03:00: Economic Crisis and Hyperinflation in Weimar Germany The chapter discusses the aftermath of World War One for Germany, focusing on the election of Ebert as Reich President amidst political unrest in Berlin. The assembly took place in Weimar due to safety concerns. It delves into the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, where Germany was forced to cede significant territory, severely limit its military capacity, and make large financial reparations. These actions set the stage for economic instability and eventual hyperinflation.
• 03:00 - 04:00: Occupation of the Ruhr and Passive Resistance The chapter discusses the restrictions placed on Germany following World War I, including reparations to the Allies and exclusion from the League of Nations. In 1919, President Ebert signed the Weimar Constitution into law, establishing Germany as a republic with a president, chancellor, and parliament. The constitution allowed for parliamentary elections every four years and set presidential terms at seven years, with voting rights for individuals over the age of 20.
• 04:00 - 05:00: Economic and Social Recovery under Gustav Stresemann The chapter discusses the political environment during the tenure of Gustav Stresemann, focusing on the constitutional structure of power. It highlights the system where presidential orders required endorsement by the Chancellor or the head of the Reichstag. Citizens were granted freedoms in expression, assembly, and religion, as well as access to education, protection of private property, and equal workplace opportunities. However, the president had the power to suspend civil rights under Article 48, although what constituted an 'emergency' was not clearly defined.
• 05:00 - 06:30: Global Depression and Political Unrest In the chapter titled 'Global Depression and Political Unrest,' the text discusses the severe financial crisis facing Germany during the Weimar government's early years. The nation was suffering from hyperinflation, a situation exacerbated by the government's focus on managing sovereign debt. This economic turmoil had a devastating impact on everyday citizens, exemplified by the skyrocketing cost of basic necessities like bread. In Berlin, the price of a loaf of bread increased 41 times from the end of 1921 to the end of 1922.
• 06:30 - 08:00: Adolf Hitler's Rise to Power The transcript highlights the severe economic instability in post-World War I Germany, where the hyperinflation led to banknotes losing their value to the extent that people used them as a heat source or even as toilet paper. This economic crisis was compounded by geopolitical tensions, as Germany's failure to make reparation payments resulted in Belgium and France occupying crucial industrial sectors in the Ruhr Valley, which were vital for Germany's recovery efforts.
• 08:00 - 10:00: Cultural and Intellectual Shifts in Weimar Germany This chapter explores the economic and political turmoil in Weimar Germany during the period of French and Belgian occupation. The German government encouraged a passive resistance movement, paying workers to refrain from cooperating with the occupiers. This non-cooperation led to severe repercussions, including expulsions and executions by the French forces. In response to the economic challenges and inability to generate revenue, Germany resorted to printing more money, causing hyperinflation, which exacerbated the country's existing bitterness and economic hardship.
• 10:00 - 12:00: Art, Architecture, and Morality in Weimar Culture The chapter discusses the unrest and violence in Germany during 1923, attributed to discontent over the Treaty of Versailles, viewed as a betrayal by politicians. Various rival political parties emerged to challenge the Weimar government. Left-wing parties occasionally formed coalition governments in Thuringia and Saxony. Additionally, nationalist and fascist groups attempted coups, exemplifying the nation's instability.

Who ruled Germany before Hitler? Weimar Republic (1918–1933) Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 the weimar republic 1918-1933 by autumn 1918 it became clear that germany could not win world war one on october 29th at the small coastal town of wilhelmshaven in the northwest of germany sailors mutinied instead of following orders to attack the british royal navy the mutinies quickly spread to the major german port city of kyr and this incident sparked the german revolution rebellions rapidly spread across the
• 00:30 - 01:00 nation and forced kaiser wilhelm ii who had lost the support of the german military to abdicate on november 9 1918. following the kaiser's abdication germany became a republic and friedrich ebert the leader of the majority social democratic party or mspd became the chancellor of germany in january 1919 democratic elections were held that gave the mspd and the independent social democratic party of germany the most seats in a new national
• 01:00 - 01:30 assembly this was followed by the election of ebert as reich president in august as berlin was deemed too unsafe due to the spartacist uprising the assembly instead met in the city of weimar on june 28 1919 germany signed the treaty of versailles officially ending world war one germany agreed to relinquish more than 27 thousand square miles of territory decrease its military to no more than a hundred thousand men and pay sizable
• 01:30 - 02:00 reparations to the allies only through a positive trade balance germany was also prohibited from joining the newly established league of nations peacemaking body in august 1919 president ebert signed the weimar constitution into law the constitution established the german reich as a republic with a president chancellor and parliament the constitution allowed for parliamentary elections every four years with individuals over the age of 20 able to vote in the election presidential terms were seven years long
• 02:00 - 02:30 combined with the possibility of reelection all presidential orders had to be endorsed by the chancellor or head of the reichstag the german people were guaranteed freedom of expression assembly and religion alongside access to public education private property and equal workplace opportunities the president had the authority to suspend civil rights according to article 48. while article 48 said this could only take place in an emergency it importantly did not define what in fact
• 02:30 - 03:00 constituted an emergency germany in crisis when the weimar government took power germany was in the midst of a financial crisis hyperinflation largely brought on by the german government's priority to tackle sovereign debt had crippled the country as a result ordinary citizens struggled to afford to buy a loaf of bread in berlin a loaf cost 41 times more at the end of 1922 than it did at the end of 1921.
• 03:00 - 03:30 banknotes had lost so much value and were so abundant it was not unusual to see people burning them to keep warm in the colder winters or even using them as toilet paper when germany was unable to make reparation payments to the allies in late 1922 belgium and france proceeded to occupy german coal mines railways and steel factories in the industrial area of the rural valley in the following year these industries were all critical in the rebuilding process of germany's
• 03:30 - 04:00 economy germany ordered its workers not to cooperate with the french and belgian occupiers and paid their wages if they participated in a so-called passive resistance in response the french expelled tens of thousands of germans from the region and shot dozens of resistors because germany could not generate revenue they simply printed more money by autumn 1923 it cost more to print a german mark than it was worth bitterness and economic strife bred
• 04:00 - 04:30 discontent within germany especially among the military who believe that signing the treaty of versailles was a betrayal of the german people by the country's politicians throughout 1923 violence broke out and rival political parties emerged to challenge the weimar government left-wing parties briefly formed coalition governments in the provinces of thuringia and saxony a nationalist group called the black reichsfield attempted a push or military coup in coustrin as did a fascist group
• 04:30 - 05:00 called the national socialist german workers party or nsdap in munich economic and social recovery in 1923 the newly elected chancellor gustav stresemann implemented several actions that aided germany's recovery he ordered the rue valley workers back into the factories a new form of currency the renton mark was implemented under his cabinet and he promised to pay reparations so that the french and belgian forces would withdraw from the ruler in 1925.
• 05:00 - 05:30 the dawes plan named after the u.s banker and u.s president's budget director charles dawes lobbied for german financial control of the ruler and a more reasonable reparation payment plan proposed and accepted in 1924 the dawes plan reduced the number of payments and loaned germany money from the united states stress and his cabinet's efforts especially the dawes plan resulted in what's been called the golden twenties of the weimar republic
• 05:30 - 06:00 tensions between the allies and germany began to wane wages rose manufacturing increased and germany took over their pre-war export levels by 1929. there were of course still struggles however these included no significant agricultural gains high levels of unemployment and an overall dependence on the u.s loans they had been provided in 1925 the lucarno treaty saw germany france belgium britain and italy agreed to respect all post-versailles borders
• 06:00 - 06:30 germany czechoslovakia and poland also agreed to settle any future border disputes diplomatically by signing the locarno treaties germany was in 1926 eventually allowed to join the league of nations newly found stability within weimar germany resulted in additional foreign investments and a period of prosperity that cancelled out the political gains of the communist fascist and other rival parties in the german reichstag
• 06:30 - 07:00 global depression and the end of the weimar republic signs of economic recovery and political cooperation led to a more favorable global response to the weimar republic on the whole unfortunately this was not to last and the republic's dependence on u.s loans the financial support which had once saved its economy sent germany plummeting back into financial ruin after the stock market crash of 1929 germany was once again unable to pay its
• 07:00 - 07:30 reparations and fulfill its economic responsibilities businesses failed approximately 6.2 million germans lost their jobs and public confidence in the republic declined once again the once mitigated communist and fascist rivals seized upon the discontent the political crisis escalated further with thresaman's death in 1929 as tarisman was holding together the weimar republic's grand coalition under social democrat hermann mueller
• 07:30 - 08:00 mueller's government could crucially not agree on how to afford much needed state unemployment relief despite facing only the burgeoning stage of the nation's economic crisis mueller's replacement heinrich bruning exacerbated problems by forcing his controversial agrarian support bills and his new taxes to cover national debt into action in this political chaos bruning had invoked article 48 of the constitution too in an unprecedented move bypass the reichstag to implement his legislation
• 08:00 - 08:30 by a presidential decree fatally bruning's reforms angered those in civil service whose salaries were slashed by 28 percent and had lost critical large landowner supporters to hitler's nsdap that were promising stability by 1932 the communists and nazis who both wanted to overthrow the bruining government altogether held 319 out of the 608 seats in the sixth reichstag
• 08:30 - 09:00 ultimately adolf hitler's nsdap profited more from the german economic collapse as it had 230 seats and was the largest party overall hitler was named chancellor in 1933 by president hindenburg an invitation that was meant to appease the extremists within the government soon after hitler's election the reichstag building caught on fire allegedly being burned down by communists hitler used this as an excuse to utilize article 48 to withdraw civil liberties
• 09:00 - 09:30 and suppress his communist rivals as a result in the 8th reichstag in 1933 hitler's nazis surged to 288 seats and governed together with the nationalist parties following this he used the party's paramilitaries to intimidate other parliamentarians into voting for the enabling act on march 23 1933 this allowed him to pass laws without the input or consent of the german president or the reichstag
• 09:30 - 10:00 once the enabling act became law effectively abolishing the weimar republic hitler had full control to rule germany as a dictatorship weimar culture after world war one germany like the rest of the world experienced the shift both intellectually and culturally the benefits of industrialization had brought about unimaginable death and destruction in the war leading intellectuals to question everything they once knew many asked how could civilized society descend so quickly
• 10:00 - 10:30 into such irrational chaos the horrors of the war brought out a far more macabre tone within literature authors like thomas mann for example reevaluated society and humanity in his novel the magic mountain the main character hans struggles for years with tuberculosis in a sanatorium allowing him the opportunity to learn from his allegorical companions he otherwise would not have been able to meet and eric maria remarks all quiet on the
• 10:30 - 11:00 western front describe the physical and psychological toll of war new themes like the exploration of man's morality his social class and the role of politics in response to conflict also prompted writers to incorporate ideologies like communism into their works this was also carried over to theater and cabaret where cheap performances offered political commentary and dark comedy in 1928 better brecht's adaptation of
• 11:00 - 11:30 john gay's 18th century criminal underground drama the three-penny opera was performed in berlin the play with music as it was styled criticized capitalism through a socialist lens the movie going by the same name was also made in berlin in 1931. cabaret culture in berlin and other similarly incorporated jazz music rose to prominence this was a free-wheeling genre not restrained by the petals of structure and rules found in more
• 11:30 - 12:00 traditional music jazz also brought in more liberal american influences something the nazi party deeply disliked and would attempt to eradicate from germany completely cinema also flourished with the german expressionist movement producing deeply atmospheric and avant-garde works like fritz lang's metropolis despite its initial dismal reception similarly art and architecture embraced new radical techniques and concepts valta gropius and the bauhaus movement
• 12:00 - 12:30 incorporated modernism fine arts and design education into paintings buildings metal work textiles and the like the bauhaus movement sought to eliminate the distinction between craftsmanship and artistic design its style incorporated industrialism and practicality form and function and experimentation although it only received its iconic status post 1945 morality changes to the norm and fluidity of convention also began to
• 12:30 - 13:00 influence sexual attitudes and behaviors during the weimar republic the same clubs that had highlighted the cabaret performances were also where people danced drank and fornicated while it is tempting to conclude that weimar was therefore an early marketplace for cultural modernity the aforementioned literature and film was largely restricted to highbrow intellectuals in berlin and had little wider enthusiasm across the republic
• 13:00 - 13:30 as the historian zeeman reminds us one of the thoughts from the third of german workers toiling in the fields berlin was not weimar rather weimar was still weimar