The Extent of Political, Social and Economic Change in Germany (1918-1945)

The Extent of Political, Social and Economic Change in Germany (1918-1945)

Political Change in Germany (1918-1945)

  • Following the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1918, Germany shifted from a monarchy to a democratic Republic, known as the Weimar Republic.
  • The Weimar constitution, established in 1919, gave Germany universal suffrage, parliamentary government, and safeguards on civil rights. However, it also had inherent weaknesses like the use of proportional representation and the Article 48.
  • The era saw remarkable political instability, with frequent changes of government and the rise of extremist parties on both left and right.
  • The Nazi Party under Adolf Hitler gained significant support through the early 1930s. Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933, leading to the establishment of a dictatorship and the end of the Weimar Republic.
  • The Nazi regime solidified its power through the Enabling Act (1933), the Night of the Long Knives (1934), and ultimately Hitler’s assumption of the role of Führer after President Hindenburg’s death (1934).

Social Change in Germany (1918-1945)

  • The Weimar Republic was known for cultural and social liberalisation, with Germany becoming a hub of modern art, literature, and thought during the 1920s, often termed the Golden Twenties.
  • Women received the right to vote and held more societal roles than before, reflecting a shift in gender norms.
  • The rise of the Nazi party led to the enforcement of racial and political discrimination, most notably the persecution of the Jews through the Nuremberg Laws (1935) and Kristallnacht (1938).
  • The cult of the Führer, youth organisations like the Hitler Youth, and the control of education and media were used by the Nazis to engender mass support and manipulate public opinion.

Economic Change in Germany (1918-1945)

  • Post-WWI, Germany faced severe economic difficulties due to war debts and the reparations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles (1919), leading to hyperinflation during 1921-1924.
  • The Dawes Plan (1924) and the Young Plan (1929) aimed to aid Germany in paying its reparations, leading to a brief period of stability.
  • The Great Depression (1929) severely impacted Germany, with rising unemployment and economic instability playing a crucial role in the rise of the Nazis.
  • Once in power, the Nazi party implemented economic policies aimed at recovery, rearmament, and achieving autarky, resulting in significant employment and industrial growth by the late 1930s.
  • World War II caused immense damage to Germany’s economy, with extensive destruction of infrastructure and a focus on war production severely hampering civilian industry and living standards.