How Did The Weimar Government Contribute To The Rise Of Nazi Germany

Following Germany’s defeat in World War One, the allies presented a document known as Diktat (on dictated peace) to the German Government at the Palace of Versailles. Forcing Germany to take responsibility for the war, the nation was left powerless and in a state of depression. The unfair terms removed all pre-war colonies, acquired 48% of its iron production, 16% of its coal production, 13% of its territory and 12% of its population. Furthermore the imposed reparations acted as a noose around the neck of an already dying country, leading to hyperinflation and a Great Depression. To a certain extent it was the failure of Weimar Germany that allowed the rise of Hitler and Nazi Party. Although this is the case, the impact of a charismatic political genius promoting a fascist regime and taking advantage of a vulnerable environment, cannot be underestimated. The Weimar Governments inability to deal with the political and economic fall out from the Diktat, the loss of World War One, hyperinflation and the Great Depression, proved a tactical weapon Hitler used to effectively unite the people of Germany against the “November Criminals” and eventually seize power.
The Weimar …show more content…
Germany was catastrophically hit as its prosperity in the late 1920 resulted from USA loans. The USA demanded all loans be repaid, resulting in devastating consequences for the German people. Businesses closed, workers were laid off and spending declined. “ By 1932 one-third of all German workers were unemployed” (167) Memories of post war economic disaster were fresh in the minds of all German citizens and a more permanent solution was required urgently. “The people were hungry-and desperate . . . The Weimar politicians seemed unable to do anything useful to help. Weak coalitions argued and fell out with each other.” The environment was right for Adolf Hitler’s resurgence and his ideals to take on a new