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Armistice & Weimar Republic established
The establishment of the Weimar Republic following the defeat in WW1, was a very fragile and dysfunctioning form of government. Due to the Armistice agreement, Germany lost much of its military power, land, and accumulated large amounts of debt that had to be paid to the Allied countries. This fractured government, led to political instability, and citizen resentment towards the government. This allowed for the creation of extremist ideology groups. -
Kapp Putsch
This was an attempted coup against the Weimar Republic, and was led by Wolfgang Kapp, supported by right-wing paramilitary groups known as the Freikorps. The coup was triggered by the government's decision to disband these Freikorps units, which were composed of former soldiers opposed to the democratic government. They marched into Berlin and it was ultimately a failure, overall this event represented the political instability, and the fractured government as a whole. -
Beer Hall Putsch
This was Hitler's first big attempted coup against the government in Munich, which failed. Though this enhanced his image and presented himself as a bold leader fighting against the "system". A man fighting for the common people against a fractured government. Hitler was arrested for high treason. -
Invasion of Ruhr
French and Belgian troops invaded Ruhr, an area in Germany, due to not paying its reparations in 1922, the Weimar government responded by having the workers going on strike, the government printed money to pay the non working citizens, which lead to hyperinflation, and the destruction of the German economy and middle class savings. -
Dawes Plan
This was an agreement with the U.S., which allowed for loans to be given out to German citizens. This short term economic growth helped to rebuild the economic life of Germany, and to help it stabilize with the high demands that the Treaty of Versailles has on Germany. Though the overreliance for foreign loans caused for an ultimate downfall during the end of the 1920s, and especially having an impact during the Greta Depression. -
Locarno Pact
This pact made in 1925, was with multiple countries including Germany that supported peace and stability in Europe, with new borders beingeing properly made, as well as support between each country, this brought peace between Frace and Begium, as well as other countries. During this time, support for communist and other extremist groups died down, with the support of U.S. loans, as well as stability with neighboring countries being put into place. -
Reorganized Nazi Party
By consolidating power under Hitler's leadership, establishing a clear regional structure, securing financial backing from industrialists, and effectively using propaganda, the Nazis transformed from a small extremist group into a political force in Germany. This strategic shift paved the way for their rise to power in the early 1930s. -
Great Depression
With the Great Depression occurring in the U.S., all loans were withdrawn and the economic stability of Germany was destroyed, unemployment went to multiple million by the end of 1933. The inability for the Weimar government to solve the economic issue led to extreme support in extremeist groups, and to abandon democracy. Hindenburg appointed Heinrich Bruning, Franz Von Papen, and Kurt Schleicher as Chancellors with Article 48 being used to push through legislation. This ended democracy. -
New Elections
In June 1932, President Hindenburg dismissed Chancellor Brüning and appointed Franz von Papen, this increased tension. The July elections saw the Nazis become the largest party in the Reichstag, winning 230 seats, but Hindenburg refused Hitler's demand to be appointed Chancellor, allowing Papen to govern using emergency powers. In November 1932, despite losing 34 seats, the Nazis remained the largest party, prompting Hindenburg to replace Papen with Kurt von Schleicher as Chancellor. -
Hitler's appointed
President Paul von Hindenburg, despite resenting Hitler, appointed him in a desperate attempt to bring the Nazi Party into a coalition government and stabilize the volatile political climate. Hindenburg, influenced by conservative advisors saw the appointment as a way to use the Nazis' popularity while keeping them in check. This strategy was fatal, as Hitler exploited his position to gain power and dismantle democratic institutions.