Problems of the Weimar Republic

Problems of the Weimar Republic

1. Political problems of Weimar Republic

   • Proportional representation PR
     • All votes were counted up centrally to divide seats fairly between parties
       • Made it difficult to get a majority
   • Article 48
     • President had the right to dismiss parliment and rule by himself if the country was in a 'state of emergency'
     • President increased his powers to pass laws
     • In 1930, 3x as many laws passed by the president than there were passed by Reichstag
   • weak coalitions of parties who had different beliefs
   • Difficult to pass laws
   • Revolts and rebellions
     • Communists
       • Believed that Ebert and socialists had failed to complete the revolution
         • Didn't abolish private property
     • Freikorp
       • Private armies
         • Felt that socialists had stabbed Germany in the back
           • Because of the Treaty of Versailles
   • Those who had signed the treaty were called the November Criminals
     • The jews were especially blamed

2. Economic problems of Weimar Republic

   • Bankruptcy
     • All reserves of gold were used in WW1
     • Reparations of $6.6 billion
       • Asked to reduce reparations however other countries could not afford it
     • Areas deprived
     • 1923 - could pay so Ruhr was invaded
   • Invasion of the Ruhr
     • Raw materials taken
     • Workers striked and wanted strike pay
     • Debts increased
     • Shortage of goods
   • Inflation
     • Prices went up
     • Less money from tax because of unemployment
     • Printed more money
     • HYPERINFLATION
       • Suffered from shortages
       • Savings became worthless - middle class were affected
       • Stresseman created new currency - Retenmark
         • Led to stability in 1923