Different External Factors The Weimer Republic example essay topic

To what extent is it true to say that 'The failure of the Weimer Republic was due to external factors beyond its control and the rise of a German messiah'? In 1933, the Weimer Republic was officially abolished by Hitler, the German 'messiah. ' The Weimer Republic was replaced by his opposite, its contrast. From a democratic state to a state ruled by a 'messiah. ' Was it inedible that the Weimer Republic would become a failure? Or would different conditions have changed the occurred?

There where different external factors the Weimer Republic where forced to face. The actual Republic had neither influence nor any fault to their existence. The first of these factors the Republic faced was the fact that the Republic was introduced following the defeat in the First World War. This was present in the minds of all German people. They where not able to understand how they could have lost a war where they had been told they where beating their enemies. German people where shocked, surprised.

It was difficult for them to believe they had not won. Military defeat combined with social distress of the Germans for the loose of war was what gave birth to the Weimer Republic. Therefore, it started under bad conditions. A war which had been believed to be a success but became a failure.

As a result of failure in the First World War Germany was forced to sign a treaty, called the Treaty of Versailles. In this treaty, it was recognized that Germany was responsible for the start of the war. This even though not proved was recognized by Germany. The people could not believe it. They where embarrassed at what there country had recognized by signing the treaty. Even though, they had no choice but to sign.

As one of the points in the treaty, Germany had to pay a rather large number of reparations. Germany was required to make extensive financial reparations. Difficulty arose in making these reparations. The Republic did not have enough money. The Weimer Republic was not in a good situation.

They had a lot of reparations to make and no money to be able to make them. Yet, the Republic managed to survive many difficult years. The putsches, it's early years. Just as it was getting over these 'growing pains,' another crisis occurred for the republic.

In 1923, there was the invasion of the Ruhr. This affected the German middle class. Wiping away their savings, taking away their money. This made these people unhappy, dissatisfied with the Republic. Not only had this republic accepted the First World War as a defeat but also they had lost all their money during the republic.

Between 1924 and 1929, the Dawes plan was created, this temporarily solved the economical difficulties Germany was facing. It created economical stability. However, more economical difficulties arose in 1929 when Wall Street Crashed this affected many of the German People. It caused unemployment.

Yet, most importantly it encouraged apathy towards the existence of the Weimer Republic. The German people became indifferent to the existence of this Republic. The trust and confidence had been removed. With all these external factors around, the German 'messiah' decided to use them for his own benefit.

Hitler was picking up on all the hatred, fear and weaknesses of the German people and gave wonderful speeches where he blamed all these factors on the Weimer Republic. And the Germans heard him and believed him. Hitler's ideology appealed for all sectors. There was at least one thing, one change Hitler promised that would appeal every single person. That way every one would be happy following the Nazi party. All people would want to support him.

Hitler made a decision to over through the democratic process. He wished to end the Weimer Republic. He believed in this and so was capable. He was determined and so spoke badly of the Republic during his powerful speeches, which would capture the hearts of his listeners and followers. Hitler was the leader of a very unique party. The Nazi party, they where different there was no other group like them.

People liked that: different. Since there where many groups which were all similar or linked together one way or another. In addition, with the discontent of the Weimer Republic, people wished for change. Anything would do.

The Nazi party gave the appearance of order and discipline. The way they organized themselves. This was a positive appearance. It was also a comparison with the Weimer Republic, which seems always to be disorganized and out of order. This gave the Nazi's strength.

The Nazi party was very good with propaganda. First of they could not get any negative propaganda since they controlled the newspapers. Therefore, any newspaper that printed any article against the Nazi's would not longer be in business. Also all of Hitler's speeches where broadcast at workplaces and public meeting places and everyone was meant to listen. This was not a problem since all public places had a radio. It is true to say that both external factors as well as the rise of a German messiah had an effect on the failure of the Weimer Republic.

Yet, there are others factors, which also influenced this Republics failure. The first point to be made would be the strength of the army. The phone call between Greener and Ebert. This phone call ended up with the situation where Von Schleicher wanted to 'pull the strings' of the government. This lead to a discussion between Von Schleicher and Von Papen. They wished for popular support.

The person with the most popular support t the time was Hitler, he was the answer, so they invite him into the government. Only because they want his popular support. Many Germans where unhappy with the democratic process. They where not use to it and did not like the way it worked.

They where use to a different way a governing their country, with a monarch. Their parents and grandparents had lived there life in Germany governed this way. They had always known this and no other way. The largest group in Germany, the middle class, many of the mittel stand never gave up with the idea of the Imperial System. They still believed in the Kaiser. In his way of ruling.

They did not want to accept a new government; therefore, they disliked the Weimer Republic since its birth. There also where problems with the other political parties. The communist where standing alone as a group. They wished to see the death of The conditions in which the Weimer Republic was born where not the best. After a failure, one the Republic was forced to face.

The Republic had to face many external factors, which they had no power upon. These external factors did 'push' the Weimer Republic to its failure. The rise of Hitler also helped the Weimer Republic to fail. He had power over the German people; they believed him and listened to him. Yet, this was not all. There where other factors which also helped the Weimer Republic to fail.

All these different points together made the Republic extremely weak, making it inevitable for it to collapse.