Why was the Weimar Republic so short lived? By: Christine To
After the end of the First World War and Germany was defeated, they had suffered many heavy losses and by 1933, the Weimar Republic was brought to an end. There were many factors that have led to the collapse of the Weimar Republic in 1933 and why it was so short lived. The growth of the mass support of the Nazis within Germany, Treaty of Versailles, Wall Street Crash in 1929 and the economic unrest were the few main causes lead to Weimar's death.`
The Treaty of Versailles lays blame for war on Germany and had caused problems for the Weimar Republic. Within the Treaty, Germany had to pay the damage caused in the war and for the war pensions. This was difficult for Germany due to the economic crisis and inflation they had to deal with. The French invasion yet also provoked a major crisis in Germany, the French and Belgium troops extended their occupation of Germany by marching into the Ruhr due to Germany's reparation payments. In addition, the disarmament issue caused abolition of conscription and reduction of army to 10 000 and no tanks or military aircraft was allowed and the German navy was very limited. The Treaty became known as a Diktat as it was being forced on them and the Germans had no choice but to sign it. Many in Germany did not want the Treaty signed, but the representatives there knew that they had no choice as German was incapable of restarting the war again. Therefore the Treaty of Versailles had left Germany in a mood of anger as Germany seems to be unfairly treated, those who signed the treaty of was as 'the November Criminals'. It had also reinforced the hostility of many German to the new Weimar system.
After the end of the First World War and Germany was defeated, they had suffered many heavy losses and by 1933, the Weimar Republic was brought to an end. There were many factors that have led to the collapse of the Weimar Republic in 1933 and why it was so short lived. The growth of the mass support of the Nazis within Germany, Treaty of Versailles, Wall Street Crash in 1929 and the economic unrest were the few main causes lead to Weimar's death.`
The Treaty of Versailles lays blame for war on Germany and had caused problems for the Weimar Republic. Within the Treaty, Germany had to pay the damage caused in the war and for the war pensions. This was difficult for Germany due to the economic crisis and inflation they had to deal with. The French invasion yet also provoked a major crisis in Germany, the French and Belgium troops extended their occupation of Germany by marching into the Ruhr due to Germany's reparation payments. In addition, the disarmament issue caused abolition of conscription and reduction of army to 10 000 and no tanks or military aircraft was allowed and the German navy was very limited. The Treaty became known as a Diktat as it was being forced on them and the Germans had no choice but to sign it. Many in Germany did not want the Treaty signed, but the representatives there knew that they had no choice as German was incapable of restarting the war again. Therefore the Treaty of Versailles had left Germany in a mood of anger as Germany seems to be unfairly treated, those who signed the treaty of was as 'the November Criminals'. It had also reinforced the hostility of many German to the new Weimar system.
