Discontent Against the Weimar Republic (SQA National 5 History): Revision Note
Exam code: X837 75
Summary
Many Germans blamed the Weimar government for the Treaty of Versailles. Economic problems made anger worse: hyperinflation in 1923 wiped out savings, and after 1929, the Great Depression caused mass unemployment. There were strikes, street protests, and violence, with uprisings from both the left (Spartacists) and the right (Kapp and Munich Putsches). More people voted in elections for extreme parties like the Nazis and Communists, weakening support for moderate pro-democracy parties.
Why did support for the Weimar government decrease?
The Treaty of Versailles
Many Germans blamed Weimar leaders for signing the Treaty of Versailles due to the:
War guilt clause
Reparations
Lost land (such as Alsace-Lorraine)
Enemies of the Weimar government called these leaders the “November criminals”
They spread the myth that the army had been betrayed, not defeated
This made people see the new democracy as weak and shameful
The economy
In 1923, hyperinflation wiped out savings and wages lost value in hours
Later, the Great Depression (after 1929) led to:
Factory closures
Unemployment affected approximately six million people by 1932
When people couldn’t find work or keep their savings, they lost faith in the government
Changes in government
Due to the system of proportional representation, the Weimar government was often a coalition
Coalitions often fell apart
This meant chancellors changed frequently
From 1930, presidents used Article 48 to pass laws by emergency decree
A law issued by the president under Article 48 bypassed normal voting, instead of going through parliament
This looked undemocratic and made people feel the system didn’t work
Unrest
Street fighting between political groups, political murders and attempted uprisings against the government were common
Examples include the Spartacist rising, 1919, the Kapp Putsch, 1920 and Munich Putsch, 1923
Paramilitaries like the SA and Communist Red Front clashed in towns
Courts and parts of the army often favoured the right-wing groups, which angered many people
More voters turned to the extreme groups: the Nazis (right-wing) and the Communists (left-wing)
This further weakened support for moderate, pro-Weimar parties
Worked Example
Explain the reasons why there was discontent with the Weimar Republic, 1919–1933.
[6 marks]
Many Germans blamed Weimar for the Treaty of Versailles: [1] therefore, they hated war guilt, reparations and lost land, so they saw the new leaders as “November criminals” who had betrayed Germany.[1]
Economic crises made anger worse: [1] because in 1923, hyperinflation destroyed savings and wages, and after 192,9 the Great Depression brought mass unemployment, so people lost faith that the government could protect them. [1]
Politics looked weak and unfair: coalition governments kept collapsing and, from 1930, presidents used Article 48 emergency decrees instead of parliament, [1] which made democracy seem broken and pushed people towards extreme parties. [1]
Examiner Tips and Tricks
For a 6-mark 'Explain' write three short paragraphs, each starting with a clear reason, then add a because/therefore link showing how it caused discontent (1919–1933). Keep every sentence tied to the focus (not a story) and avoid repeating the same idea.
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