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