The Troubled Infancy of the Weimar Republic

Read "The Troubled Infancy of the Weimar Republic," in the shared file folder of Weimar Germany readings.

1. Explain why several segments of German society never accepted the legitimacy of the Weimar system.
Many Germans blamed said that the politicians who signed the Treaty of Versailles stabbed them in the back, and they viewed the Weimar Republic with shame and weakness.

2. How did Hitler use anti-Semitism to further his political aspirations?
Hitler believed that the Germans were the "master race" and the Jews were poisoning the blood and the culture of the German people. Hitler blamed the Jews for the problems in Germany, so he believed if they got rid of the Jews then Germany would be a better place.

3. How was the French occupation of the Ruhr tied to Germany's hyperinflation?
When the French occupied the Ruhr, Germany didn't have the military strength to oppose the occupation, so the German government urged its citizens to fight back with nonviolent means. German workers in the Ruhr went on strike and refused to cooperate with the French and Belgians. The German government, whose financial resources were already low, printed more money to support the strikers, and after a nine month stalemate, the German government abandoned its policy of passive resistance and began negotiations with the Allies. Germany printed too much money and it became worthless. Although this was their fault, they blamed it on the allied reparations demands.

4. Describe "Weimar culture" and explain why many Germans rejected its values.
Weimar culture was the term to describe the breakthroughs in art, music, and literature during the 1920s. Some Germans rejected Weimar culture because they didn't think the new freedoms were good.

5. How did the conflict between the Catholic Center Party and the SPD contribute to the political crisis of the Weimar Republic?
The Catholic Center Party emerged as a defender of Catholic interests after Bismarck attempted to limit the influence of the Catholic Church in Germany. Bismarck's suspicion of the labor movement strengthened the commitment of many workers to the SPD. Compromise was difficult with these two clearly defined positions in the Weimar Republic.

6. How did the economic depression that began in 1929 create an opportunity for extremist political parties in Weimar Germany?
The president used his power under Article 48 of the constitution to have a temporary dictator. The polls showed how extreme the left and the right sides were.