To What extent were Germany's problems in the years of crisis 1919-23 caused by external forces?

There was also a social impact to these losses. National pride, which was already low due to the war defeat, was also effected by the reassignment of Germanys colonial interests. This too had political repercussions as it weakened Germanys international presence & created divisions within political parties.

The Treaty's imposed reduction of the German army continued to dent national pride & created unemployment for the majority of the armed forces. This put yet more pressure on the economy in increased dole payments. It also created further division within party politics.

The acceptance of the war guilt clause & its condemnation of the German people further undermined the nations pride. This led to loss of national identity & it also went on to create more political division. It was considered a "shameful peace" & the humiliation of the diktat led to the widespread term "November criminals". Those, including Ebert from the SPD, that had signed the Note of 11 November 1918 were considered to have signed Germany away & to have stabbed her in the back. Therefore there was already a stain on the Weimar Republic before it was established as far as the German people were concerned.

Amongst those that recognised the negative influence of the Treaty is the historian Zimmerman who believed that:

"Timely revision of the peace treaties would have saved the Weimar Republic". 1968

Although was also been argued by Hillgruber that the republic was at its most vulnerable to the Treaty from 1919-23 & yet this was the time that it actually survived. 2

Short sighted as this opinion is, it does acknowledge the importance of other factors in the crisis of 1919-23. However there is no doubt that the Treaty was a significant external blow to Germany but it was the indirect impact of it that had such a devastating effect on Germany.

It was to become impossible for Germany to meet the second year of the outlined reparation payments from the Treaty. This in turn created more animosity between Germany & the Allies. In answer to what the French saw as Germanys evasion of reparations they invaded the Ruhr Valley in 1921. The response was a call by the German government for passive resistance in the Ruhr which exacerbated the situation. It led to deaths & the exile of the workers from their homes as well as their incomes. This government endorsed strike & halt in the production of raw materials worsened the already dire economic climate.

The impact of the Treaty in combination with global economics, the French invasion of the Ruhr & the aftermath of the World War 1 amalgamates to create the intense external factors that surrounded Germany during this period. They were also to have an knock on effect within Germany. In addition there were further internal factors in the crisis of 1919-23 which had their part to play.

The Spartacist attempt at a German Revolution in 1919 was to reflect the start of a series of events, including the Kapp Putsch & political murders of the early 20's. This was very much in opposition to the establishment of the new Weimar state. As was the intervention of the free corps as part of a pact with the SPD. Although demobilised, the free corps mutually beneficial arrangement with the government was to set a precedent which was contrary to the new constitution & maintained the traditions of the Kaiserreich. This in itself presented its own set of issues - socially & politically.

Initially the loss of the monarchy had created a vacuum. No longer did Germany have an established figure head. There was no democratic tradition within Germany & this contributed to the sense of a loss of national identity. It also meant that the actual process of setting up the Weimar Republic was fettered with problems.

The amount of political parties within the Reichstag had increased due to the installation of proportional representation. This meant that process of reaching a consensus was harder which ultimately led to political division & the formation of both the extreme right & left. This was not internally beneficial & became a contributing factor in the destabilisation of Germany. As did the discriminating reminder of & the contradictory power of the old L(nder system. Whilst professing to establish a democratic system there was this old feudal administration which smacked of hypocrisy. This was socially divisive & it too played a role in discrediting the Republic from the outset.

The escalating war debts & reparation payments placed huge pressure on the government. The response to the financial emergency created by both war & peace time economies was, ill advisedly, just to print more money. This self induced hyperinflation had the largest internal part to play in the financial crisis of 1919-23.

However the alliance between the free corps & the SPD & the remnants of the aristocratic landowners were to have a dramatic impact socially. The German people could not be blamed for their scepticism towards the new Republic & its illusion to democracy. The divisive climate it created was not to have a positive impact on the nation.

These internal factors are of great significance in the crisis of 1919-23 & should not be ignored. More efficient management by the SPD could have led to effective damage limitation & a more stable state.

In conclusion it could be said that despite this lack of foresight by the government & the other internal factors it was in fact the external influence which played the largest role in the crisis. Had the Treaty of Versailles not been so unrealistic & placed such crushing financial demands on Germany the situation would not have escalated to the extreme crisis experienced in 1919-23.

Lee, "The Weimar Republic" p. 35.

2 Feuchtwanger, "Germany 1916-1941" P.41.