In what ways did the Communists and left-wing Socialists pose a threat to the Weimar Republic in the years to 1929?
The communists posed many threats to the Weimar regime in the years to 1929, through uprisings and strikes, most of which came between 1919-23. Between these years 10-15% of the electorate supported the KPD and continuous disturbances gave the impression Germany was facing a “Red Threat” .In addition, left-wing socialists also posed a threat, through their refusal to join coalition governments 1924-28, which weakened the power base of democratic coalitions. The infant Weimar regime faced its first serious threat from the communists shortly after its establishment, through the January 1919 Spartacist rising.
The far-left wanted a one party communist state rather than a socialist democratic state. The moderate socialist line of Ebert’s government awakened left-wing opposition, so in December 1918 the USPD left the government. Shortly after in January 1919, dissatisfied Spartacists attempted an armed coup in Berlin, led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht. However, the uprising was easily crushed by a combination of the army and the extreme right-wing paramilitary group the Freikorps. Ebert had secured the support of the army and the Freikorps through a secret agreement with General Groener, known as the Ebert-Groener pact, which was covert. Although, in return Ebert had to fuel the Dolchstoss myth by absolving the army of any blame for the war defeat, despite the easy suppression of the left – wing raising the government was made to look weak. The use of a right-wing group undermined confidence in Ebert’s government. Moreover, the actions of Ebert and the socialists would have long-term implications, as the communists would never forgive them for murdering their leaders. As in 1932 together the communists and the socialists could have kept the Nazis our. Also, the simple crushing of the Spartacist did not deter the left-wing from further threatening the Weimar Republic.
