Strengths+Weaknesses of the New Weimar Republic (1918-19)

Strengths+Weaknesses of the New Weimar Republic (1918-19)

1. What happened 1918-19

   • Signed the Armistice (a ceasefire) in November 1918 to end WW2
     • The German Army+Nationalists were angry.
     • A feeling of betrayal spread through the right-wing supporters
     • The Weimar Republic got the nickname 'The November Criminals'
     • Became known as the 'Stab in the Back'
   • Germany became a democratic republic in 1918

2. Strengths

   • Democratically elected
   • Voted for by proportional representation so every party got an equal chance
   • Supported by the majority of Germany
   • Followed a set constitution

3. Weaknesses

   • Proportional representation means a lot of small and weak parties got into power
     • Makes it very hard to reach decisions
     • Makes it easier for small extremist parties to gain power, eg. the Nazis
   • Coalitions had to be formed which weakened democracy
   • Article 48 meant the president could abuse emergency powers, eg. as Hindenburg did in the early 1930's
   • There was a lot of opposition from the Right Wing Parites, including the Judges, Civil Servants+the Army who were loyal to the Kaiser
     • These groups later began to undermine them which allowed Hitler to come to power in the 1930's