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The Weimar Republic was Germany’s first experiment in democracy. It was founded after the aftermath of the German defeat in World War I. The Republic faced many challenges during its short life. It was undermined by right and left wing extremists and the military. Many have seen the fall of the Weimar Republic as inevitable, however, it could have succeeded but for the economic calamity of the ‘Great Depression’.

==Challenges for the Weimar Republic==

Despite the Revolution in 1918, there were many on the left who believed that it did not go far enough. The radical left wanted a communist system in Germany. Revolutionaries established a Communist Republic in Bavaria and later seized control the Ruhr. These were both defeated by the German army and right wing-militias the Freirkorps. In 1919, Communists led by Rosa Luxembourg tried to stage a revolution in Berlin. This was also defeated by the army with great brutality. It was not only the left that was a threat to the Weimar Republic. The far right also sought to overthrow the Republic. They blamed the Weimar Republic for the predicament of Germany and the ‘infamous’ Treaty of Versailles. There was an attempted right wing coup in Berlin in 1919, the Kapp Putsch. In 1922, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi’s tried to seize control in Munich but was quickly defeated by German troops.<ref> Chris Harman (1982). ''The Lost Revolution: Germany 1918–1923''. Bookmarks. p. 89. </ref>

The Weimar Republic was able to resist the extremists’ attempts to seize power.<ref>Harman, p. 119.</ref> However, the Republic because of its poor economic decisions and the effect of reparations resulted in hyperinflation. Inflation rose and the price of essential goods rose dramatically. This caused bankruptcies, strikes and great poverty. Many Germans starved at this time. Yet the Weimar Republic was resilient and survived the challenges. In part because many Germans feared that it would be replaced by something worse such as Communism.<ref> Chris Harman (1982). ''The Lost Revolution: Germany 1918–1923''. Bookmarks. p. 89. </ref>

==Great Depression==

In 1929 the Great Depression was triggered by a massive US stock market crashed. It was exacerbated by counterproductive and damaging economic policies. Financial panics and bank failures slow crept around the world. The repercussions were felt around the globe and especially in Germany. The United States could no longer provide the loans that the Weimar Republic needed. Furthermore, global trade almost came to a standstill and many Germans became unemployed. One in three Germans were unemployed at the height of the economic crisis and poverty and hunger were widespread. The Republic was in the grip of an economic and social crisis. In 1930 the conservatives won the election. Chancellor Brunning embarked on a series of disastrous economic and political policies. His economic policies involved devaluing the German currency but this had only the effect of causing hyperinflation that compounded Germany’s economic problems. Furthermore, Brunning discarded the Constitution and ruled by Presidential decree to manage the socio-economic conditions in the country. The Great Recession and the response of Brunning led many people to become disillusioned with the Republic and even democracy. <ref>Nicholls, Anthony James (2000). ''Weimar and The Rise Of Hitler''. New York: St. Martin's Press, p. 117.</ref>

As the effects of the Great Depression continued there was a revival in the extremist parties in Germany. The Communist party received approximately one quarter of the popular vote and its supports controlled many working class neighbourhoods in urban centres. The right wing National Socialist Party (NAZI) also won support and in the 1932 election they received almost one third of the vote.<ref> Kershaw, Ian (1998). ''Hitler 1889–1936: Hubris''. London: Allen Lane, p. 345.</ref> The mainstream political parties seemed unable to manage the socio-economic crisis. Many conservatives were worried about the specter of a Communist revolution.<ref>Kershaw, Hitler 1889-1936, p.356.</ref> They withdrew their support for the Republic and looked for ways to ensure that the Communists did not take control. President Hindenburg and his allies offered the Chancellorship to Adolf Hitler as part of a strategy to keep the Communists out of power. Hitler began to assume more and more power and suspended the Constitution of the Weimar Republic and it was effectively dead. Under the 1934 ‘Enabling Act’, Hitler was made the undisputed leader of the German people and nation.<ref>Kershaw, Hitler 1889-1936, p. 347.</ref>

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