The Nature of Support for the Weimar Government

Nature of Support for the Weimar Republic

Burdened with the ‘stab in the back myth’, the Weimar Republic had to overcome significant opposition. However, evidence from elections suggests that people did support the Weimar Republic and its democracy.

Support from parties

Several parties bought into the Weimar constitution and wanted to strengthen democracy.
This included:
- The SPD (Social Democratic Party).
- The Zentrum Party.
- The DDP (German Democratic Party).
- Later, the DVP (German People's Party).

Electoral success

Throughout the Weimar Republic’s existence, moderate parties always received more votes than extremist parties.
During the ‘golden years’, moderate parties saw a rise in support.
1919: SPD 37.9% (165 seats); Zentrum 19.7% (91 seats); DDP 18.6% (75 seats).
1920: SPD 21.7% (102 seats); USPD 17.9% (84 seats); DNVP 15.1% (71 seats).
May 1924: SPD 20.5% (100 seats); DNVP 19.5% (95 seats); Zentrum 13.4% (65 seats).
Dec 1924: SPD 26% (131 seats); DNVP 20.5% (103 seats); Zentrum 13.6% (69 seats).
1928: SPD 29.8% (153 seats); DNVP 14.2% (73 seats); Zentrum 12.1% (61 seats).

Decline in support

Harsh economic conditions polarised politics. People felt dissatisfied with moderate parties and sought more radical solutions from extremists.
1930: SPD 24.5% (143 seats); NSDAP 18.25% (107 seats); KPD 13.1% (77 seats).
Jul 1932: NSDAP 37.3% (230 seats); SPD 21.58% (133 seats); KPD 14.32% (89 seats).
Nov 1932: NSDAP 33.1% (196 seats): SPD 20.43% (121 seats); KPD 16.86% (100 seats).

Undermined by Hindenburg

Arguably, Hindenburg (the President of Weimar) was not wholly committed to the Weimar Constitution.
He perpetuated the ‘stab in the back myth’.
Hindenburg frequently used article 48, which circumvented the Reichstag and democracy.

1Political & Governmental Change, 1918-1989

1.1Creation & Collapse of Weimar, 1918-1932

1.1.1Creation of a Republic

1.1.2Strengths & Weaknesses of Weimar Constitution

1.1.3Overcoming Challenges to the Constitution

1.1.4The Great Depression

1.1.5The Collapse of Democracy

1.1.6The Collapse of Democracy 2

1.1.7Hitler Becomes Chancellor

1.2Nazi Dictatorship, 1933-1945

1.2.1Establishing a Dictatorship

1.2.2Consolidating Power

1.2.3Nature of Government

1.2.4Government in Wartime

1.2.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Political & Governmental Change

1.3Return to Democratic Government, 1945-1989

1.3.1Creation of the FRG, 1945-1949

1.3.2Consolidation Under Adenauer

1.3.3Consolidation Under Erhard

1.3.4Maintaining Stability Under Brandt

1.3.5Maintaining Stability Under Schmidt

1.3.6Maintaining Stability Under Kohl

1.3.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Return to Democratic Government

2Opposition, Control & Consent 1918-1989

2.1Opposition to Government, 1918-1989

2.1.1Impact of Versailles

2.1.2Political Extremism & Crises, 1918-1932

2.1.3Opposition & Dissent in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945

2.1.4Political Dissent from the Left, 1949-1989

2.1.5Political Dissent from the Right, 1949-1989

2.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Opposition to Government 1918-89

2.2Controlling the People, 1918-1989

2.2.1Attempts to Control Extremism

2.2.2Repression, 1933-1945

2.2.3Censorship & Propaganda, 1933-1945

2.2.4De-Nazification Policies of Western Allies, 1945

2.2.5Constitutional & Legal Response to Extremism, 1949

2.3Popular Support, 1918-1989

2.3.1The Nature of Support for the Weimar Government

2.3.2Support for the Nazi Regime

2.3.3The Nature of Support for Democracy, 1945-1989

2.3.4Top Grade AO2/3 - Controlling the People

3Economic Developments & Policies, 1918-1989

3.1Reacting to Economic Challenges, 1918-1932

3.1.1Economic Crises & Government Response, 1918-1923

3.1.2Economic Loans, 1924-1928

3.1.3Policies for Recovery, 1924-1929

3.1.4The Great Depression

3.1.5Change in Living Standards

3.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Reacting to Economic Challenges

3.2Controlling the Economy, 1933-1945

3.2.1Attempting Economic Recovery

3.2.2Creating a Command Economy

3.2.3Change in Living Standards

3.2.4Impact of War

3.2.5Impact of War 2

3.2.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Controlling the Economy

3.3Creating the Social Market Economy, 1945-1989

3.3.1Economic Recovery, 1945-1955

3.3.2The Economic Miracle, 1955-1966

3.3.3Surviving the Recession, 1960-1969

3.3.4The Oil Crisis

3.3.5Integration into the European Economy

3.3.6Change in Living Standards

3.3.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Creating Social Market Economy

4Aspects of Life, 1918-1989

4.1Attitudes Towards Women, 1918-1989

4.1.1Role & Status of Women in the Weimar Republic

4.1.2Impact of Kinder, Küche, Kirche

4.1.3Impact of WW2 on Women

4.1.4Role & Status of Women in the FRG

4.1.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Attitudes Towards Women

4.2Education & Cultural Developments, 1918-1989

4.2.1Education in Weimar

4.2.2Cultural Experimentation in Weimar

4.2.3Education Under the Nazis

4.2.4Nazi Culture

4.2.5Education in the FRG

4.2.6Generational Conflict

4.2.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Education & Cultural Development

4.3Position of Ethnic Minorities, 19189-1989

4.3.1Ethnic Minorities in the Weimar Republic

4.3.2Nazi Racial Policies, 1933-1939

4.3.3Nazi Racial Policies During the War

4.3.4Ethnic Minorities in the FRG

4.3.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Position of Ethnic Minorities

5Historical Interpretations

5.1Influence of German History

5.1.1Influence of German History

5.2Hitler & Foreign Policy

5.2.1Hitler & Foreign Policy

5.3Contribution of Other Nations to WW2

5.3.1Weak Nations

5.3.2Appeasement

5.3.3The Rise of Fascism

5.4Reasons for Invading Poland

5.4.1Reasons for Invading Poland

5.4.2Top Grade AO2/3 - Historical Interpretation

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