Name: Ordinary People and the Anti-Semitic Movement
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 4 min 56 s
Description: In the 1930s and 40s, the Nazi party gained power in Germany. Some people agreed with Hitler's ideology of racial discrimination, while others resisted and protested.

Question

Describe the problems faced by the Weimar Republic.

Accepted Answer

Imperial Germany was defeated in the First World War, and it led to the establishment of the Weimar Republic. But people were unhappy with it as it accepted the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Germany lost its colonies, $75$ per cent of its iron ore deposits and $26$ per cent of its coal resources to countries like France, Poland and other countries.

Germany was demilitarised and had to pay a huge war indemnity of $6$ Billion-pound sterling to victorious nations.

War, the destruction caused by it and the huge war indemnity led to an economic crisis in Germany. Its gold reserves were depleted. The value of mark fell, and inflation increased tremendously.

Unemployment was widespread and people lacked food and basic necessities. The Great Depression left Germany in a bad state. Industrial production in $1932$ fell to $40$ per cent of $1929$ .

War propaganda and glorification of aggression and national honour during the war led to people being averse to democracy. The national pride was hurt due to the humiliating Treaty of Versailles.

The Constitution was defective. Proportional representation made it difficult for any political party to get majority. This led to coalition governments and instability.

Article $48$ of the Constitution allowed the President to take away the civil rights of the people and suspend the government. This happened constantly.

Describe the problems faced by the Weimar Republic.

Important Questions on Nazism and The Rise of Hitler

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