The Weimar Republic: Formation and Challenges
The Weimar Republic emerged from the ashes of World War I, facing immense challenges from its inception. The constitution established a democratic system with checks and balances, while also introducing progressive reforms like universal suffrage.
Highlight: The war's devastating impact included 2 million German military deaths and 4 million wounded from 11 million who fought.
Definition: The Weimar Constitution created a democratic system with a president as head of state, elected every 7 years, and a chancellor as head of government.
Example: The constitution's democratic features included reduced voting age to 21 for both men and women, and a two-house parliament system.
Vocabulary: Reichstag and Reichsrat were the two houses of parliament, with the Reichstag being more powerful and controlling taxation.
Quote: "Article 48 enabled the president to pass laws without Reichstag approval," which later proved to be a significant constitutional weakness.
The Republic faced multiple challenges including:
- The Treaty of Versailles' harsh terms
- Economic crisis and hyperinflation
- Political extremism from both left Spartacists and right Freikorps
- The Kapp Putsch attempted coup
However, several stabilizing measures were implemented:
- The Rentenmark currency reform of 1923
- The Dawes Plan of 1924 addressing reparations
- The Locarno Pact of 1925 improving international relations
- Germany's admission to the League of Nations in 1926