The Impact of Political Change in Germany (1918-1945)

Weimar Republic and the Rise of Democracy (1918-1933)

Following the defeat of Kaiser Wilhelm II in World War I, 1918 marked the formation of the democratic Weimar Republic in Germany, named after Weimar where the national assembly gathered.
The Weimar Republic introduced a democratic constitution with proportional representation, civil rights and political decentralisation. However, this system was plagued with instability due to its ‘proportional representation’ voting system, which led to many small, fractional parties and frequent changes in government.
One of the major challenges faced by the Weimar Republic was the Treaty of Versailles (1919), which set strict war reparations and territorial losses for Germany. This stirred up resentment among Germans, giving rise to the ‘stab in the back’ myth.
During the Great Depression (1929), the Weimar Republic experienced severe economic hardship, with high unemployment rates and widespread poverty. This period helped fuel popular resentment towards the Republic and the democratic system.

The National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP), or the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, capitalized on the economic turmoil and national resentment towards the Treaty of Versailles.
Adolf Hitler successfully used propaganda, charismatic oratory, and violence to garner support, culminating in his appointment as the Chancellor of Germany in 1933.
The Reichstag Fire (1933), which the Nazis blamed on a communist plot, was used by Hitler to consolidate power and persecute political adversaries. This event marked a significant step towards totalitarian rule.
The Enabling Act (1933) granted Hitler with the power to enact laws without the involvement of the Reichstag, essentially making him a legal dictator.

Under Nazi rule, Germany transformed into a totalitarian state where all aspects of life were under the control of the government. This era is commonly referred to as the Third Reich.
Hitler’s regime promoted Aryan supremacy and pursued a policy of aggressive expansion, leading to World War II. It is also marked by the horrific genocide known as the Holocaust, where six million Jews were systematically murdered.
The Nazi regime was characterised by its propaganda machine and mass surveillance, led by men like Joseph Goebbels and Heinrich Himmler. This included control of all media, widespread spying by the Gestapo, and indoctrination of children through the Hitler Youth.
World War II (1939-1945) ended with Germany’s unconditional surrender following Hitler’s suicide. This marked the end of the Third Reich and initiated a period of significant political, social and economical change.