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Traditional interpretation: The pressures on the Weimar Republic 1918-1923
The traditional interpretation is that the early problems of the Weimar Republic were mainly caused by the harshness of the Versailles settlement - the treaty had caused WW2 so it was seen in a negative light.
Other interpretations: The pressures on the Weimar Republic 1918-1923
Other interpretations might be that even greater problems were caused by other factors such as:
Economic issues
Impact of WW1
The attitude of the other powers towards Germany
Threats from political extremists
Revisionist interpretations: The pressures on the Weimar Republic 1918-1923
Some revisionist historians argue that political change caused the most problems.
Traditional interpretation: The Weimar Republic 1924-1929
The traditional interpretation is that the Weimar Republic from 1924-1929 was largely successful in dealing with Germany’s problems and that democracy seemed to be more accepted.
Revisionist interpretation: The Weimar Republic 1924-1929
Some revisionist historians argue that the Weimar government were largely ineffective in dealing with Germany’s problems and that success was merely an illusion.
Other interpretations: The Weimar Republic 1924-1929
Another interpretation might be that the achievements of the Weimar governments were largely due to a favourable international situation as Germany slowly began to be accepted once more, e.g. Germany’s entry into the League of Nations in 1926. In this way, the Allies were prepared to invest in Germany’s recovery which established the grounds and conditions for political stability.
Another interpretation might be that success was only temporary and patchy since there were still many regional differences in Germany and it’s too simplistic to look at Germany as a whole.
Traditional interpretation: Stresseman as foreign minister
The traditional interpretation is that Stresemann was an effective foreign minister who skilfully managed to improve Germany’s position in Europe.
Revisionist interpretation: Stressemann as foreign minister
Some revisionist historians argue that he in fact achieved very little and that most of the terms in Versailles still remained in place.
Other interpretations: Stresemann as foreign minister
Another interpretation that may be open to debate is regarding whether he was a good German (nationalist) or a good European.
Traditional interpretation: Germany and the Depression
The traditional interpretation is that the main impact of the Depression was the economic devastation of Germany in the early 1930s as she was so dependent on foreign loans and investment.
When money was withdrawn it led to bankruptcy and unemployment and the government reacted with severe measures which caused great hardship.
Revisionist interpretation: Germany and the Depression
Revisionist historians argue that the main impact was the rise of political extremism involving parties such as the Nazis and Communists as democracy was replaced by presidential government.
Other interpretations: Germany and the Depression
Another interpretation could be that the coming to power of the Nazis and Communists was the most important consequence of the Depression and the Nazis actually used the Communist threat as a way of securing votes from the middle class.
Traditional interpretations: The Nazi rise to power
The traditional interpretation is that the Nazis rose to power mainly because of the leadership of Hitler who was intent on destroying the democratic system in Germany.
Revisionist interpretations: The Nazi rise to power
Some revisionist historians argue that the policies of the Weimar government were to blame and that Hitler was manoeuvred into power by the right-wing forces, e.g. Hindenburg and the surrounding clique.
Other interpretations: The Nazi rise to power
Other interpretations might be that other factors were responsible for the rise of the Nazis such as hatred of the Versailles settlement, their effective use of propaganda or the fear of communism.
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