What were the problems of the Weimar Republic and why did it collapse?

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What were the problems of the Weimar Republic and why did it collapse?

When the Republic was first set up, the members if the Reichstag were elected by the system of proportional representation. This posed the Wiemar Republic’s first problem. Because of the voting system used, the party that was in government didn’t have a majority over the opposition parties. This meant that it was very hard to get laws passed and led to a inefficient and ineffective government, just when Germany needed a government which was strong and central to support it.

   The treaty of Versailles left Germany angry and discontented on top of the humiliation of defeat. Many Germans blamed President Ebert for accepting the harsh terms of the treaty. As well as hurting the pride of the German people, the treaty of Versailles crippled German economy. They lost land, relied on because it was rich in natural resources, greatly lessening Germany’s industrial output and chance of paying the heavy £6.6 billion they had to pay in reparations under the terms of the treaty. They also had to reduce military operation to such an extent that if necessary, Germany couldn’t defend herself against an attack.

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   All this infuriated the German people and in March 1920, the Freikorps tried to overthrow the Socialist government. This attempt collapsed after workers called a general strike.

   In 1923, Germany got behind in reparation payments to France and Belgium. The Allies were furious and French and Belgium troops were sent to occupy the Rhur coalfields. They demanded payment in coal and steel and tried to make the German worker work for them to get it. The Government instructed the workers to resist them peacefully and to make them know that they weren’t welcome. This policy was called Passive ...

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