Germany: How far do you agree that opposition to the Weimar constitution was the most significant problem for governments to deal with in the years 1919-33?

Introduction

• Opposition groups were quite important

• They added to the problems by providing a constant challenge to the Weimar constitution

• Economic problems = far more important

• Led to desperation of the people, which in turn led to issues for the Weimar Republic

• Criteria for significant problem = what led to the decrease in support for the government to the greatest extent

Paragraph 1

• Opposition groups were a significant problem for the governments in Weimar Germany

• Constitution faced opposition from left and right extremists

• 1919 Spartacist Revolt - 100,000 worker general strike organised by the KPD

• 8-9 Nov 1923 Munich Putsch - attempted Coup D’etat by Hitler and Ludendorff (Freikorps crush left wing, but reluctant to crush right wing)

• Munich Putsch = Failure but gives NSDAP fame and people turn to them when govt cannot handle Depression in 1929

• Constitution did not face opposition at the start, as 82% voted in 1919 elections

• The fact that political violence decreased 1924-29 demonstrates role of the economy

Paragraph 2

• Economic issues = most important

• ToV demands >150b marks

• 90% 2-6 year olds malnourished

• Printing more money after occupation of the Ruhr in 1923 worsened situation

• 1924 Dawes Plan sought to improve situation, but Depression worsened things

• Nazi seats went from under 20 in 1928 to over 100 in 1932

Paragraph 3

• Constitution being poorly planned was also an important factor

• PR led to 29 political parties in Reichstag following 1919 elections

• Because of coalitions, Article 48 was used over 200 times (Hindenburg rules by decree)

• Bypassing of the constitution allowed Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor, which led to the Enabling Laws 1933

Paragraph 4

• Weimar Republic governments also faced problems from Elites who favored Imperial German militarism

• Even though army = limited to 100,000 men after ToV, still calls for rearmament from the elites

• Hitler only had to serve 9 months after the Munich Putsch

• Similar cases of right-wing leniency suggests a bias of the elites in the judicial system

• Around 750,000 members of the paramilitary group Stahlhelm by the late 1920s