Weimar Germany Historiography

Historian view on Weimar stability undermined by economic insecurity

Detlev Peukert – Weimar’s “stability was only apparent,” undermined by economic fragility.

Historian view on the short term of Stresemann

Richard Evans – Stresemann created “relative stability” but not lasting security.

Historian view on the role of the Depression in the rise of Hitler

Ian Kershaw – The Depression was the “decisive crisis” that opened the door for Hitler.

Historian view on the inevitable collapse of the Republic vs historian views on structural flaws

William Shirer – The Republic was “doomed from the start” due to Versailles and weak institutions.

Hans Mommsen – Weimar collapsed because of structural flaws, not inevitability.

Optimistic historian view on Weimar 

Eric Weitz – The Weimar years also showed “progressive modernism” in culture and society, not just crisis.