The fall of the Weimar Republic holds important lessons for the conditions necessary for a stable democracy. This article discusses the economic and political factors that created the opportunity for Hitler to gain control of Germany. Link: The Fall of the Weimar Republic Questions:
1. Why does Heilig think heightened social inequality was the key to the fall of the Weimar Republic?
Spanish Civil War
2. In what ways did the Spanish Civil War epitomize the political divisions of interwar Europe?
1938 Munich Agreement
Links: Munich Pact and Neville Chamberlain "Peace in our time", 1938
3. Over the years Chamberlain has suffered much ridicule for his actions at Munich and his “peace in our time” phrase. If you had been in Chamberlain’s shoes in late September of 1938, keeping in mind all the various domestic, economic, and international factors, what would you have done?
9 comments:
Heilig thinks that the heightened social inequality was the key to the fall of the Weimer Republic because it led to a capitalist system. The social inequality reached a peak and after that peak it would obviously lose its spark. For example, the “Industrial Boom,” made a new value to gold and there was a higher demand for houses, then eventually the prices went really high and so did the cost of rent. This “Industrial Boom” lasted for several years, and the government soon became corrupt. One of the key reasons for this was money. Also, “Nazidom” was another key to the fall of the Weimer Republic. This was because of the bad democracy, and the economic consequences it led to. The Spanish Civil war showed many examples of the political divisions during war in Europe, such as the collapse of the monarchy which led to Spain becoming a democratic republic. Since Spain was a democratic republic there were political divisions where peasants and radicals did not get what they wanted. If I was in Chamberlain’s shoes during late 1938, I would have not allowed Hitler to get everything he demanded for. Although it may have sounded best at the time, it did not turn out to be. Though, he was right to call a conference to settler all of the factors that were happening at the time.
1.Heilig thought that inequality amongst the "people" led to a end of the Republic. Social inequality existed of: class, "rank" , how one dresses and etc... As Germany became an industrial empire, people changes along with equality. Now that money was coming in and being spent and economy's are booming... so are those who are benefiting from it. Also, the political parties that were rising in Germany were also an important factor... the one mostly known for the "fall" was the Nazi party.
2. Political divisions were exemplified in the Spanish Civil War. It showed how those who were in government were somewhat "failing" and those who wanted change exchanged "heads".
3.Well if I was in Chamberlain's shoes, i first of all would not have been so lengthy in speech. I would have made it short and simple, and i would have said what the people wanted to hear.
Heilig thought the heightened social inequality was the key to the fall of the Weimar republic because it became weak and the power turned to capitalism. The industrial boom led to much inflation, and the government tried to fix that with capitalism. Also Germany’s population was rising and becoming a more advanced community. With a higher population they would need places to live, rent become more expensive. Money was a big issue whether people were fighting for better wages or higher prices. The Spanish civil war brought new democratic republic ideas. Elections were allowed and most people liked the republic ideas which were carried through other European countries. If I was in chamberlain’s shoes I would have tried to bring things together at that tough time. I would have not wanted just one person to have all the power, obviously that would lead to bad events. It was good that he made a conference and tried to settle the problems of that time.
Heilig thought heightened social inequality was the key to the fall of the Weimar republic because it lead to the corruption of the government, and as a result, the people. The corruption was caused by a captialist government forming as a result of the industrial boom that happened in the 1920's. The Spanish civil war was an example of the political divisions of interwar europe because it showed the several political divisions of spain at this time. It showed the conflict that occured when spain was moving from monarchy to a republican democratic spain. if i had been in chamberlain's shoes in late september of 1938, i would not have given so much power to hitler, and iw would try to actually create peace without changing a lot of things.
In response to
AkilahRA
Your nazidom point was something i had not thought of. it is another great example, especially because of what the Nazi's believed in and wanted in Germany. Your third question answer was strong too. he was smart in calling the conference, and giving Hitler the power may have sounded good at the time. I think he thought that to otherwise he wouldnt have done it. It may have seemed like a gain, but we all know what hitler ended up doing with his power was no gain.
KristaRae
Your point on inflation was a strong point. It was an explanation of why a capitalist government was forming and as a result the Weimar government falling. Although i think the Chamberlain was trying to bring things together. It just did not work out in the end.
In response to Chrisdebelen...
I agree with you on the first question on why Heilig thought that the heightened social inequality led to the fall of the Weimer Republic. You mentioned money which affected the economy. You also stated the political parties rising in Germany, which I had not thought of and it is a very good point you brought up. However, I think you should use more examples on the second question that you answered. It is a true statement but you didn't really answer the question.
In response to kimarmendariz...
I agree with you on how you mentioned that the a key aspect to the fall of the Weimer Republic was a corrupt government. You also backed it up with an example of that which help understand that fact better. I also agree with you on the third question and how so much power should not have been given to Hitler, because it obviously wasn't good to the society, as we learn later on.
Heilig thought that a heightened social inequality led to the fall of the Weimer Republic because the republic turned to capitalism. This was a result of the industrial boom because i dont think the government knew how to handle it. They tried to work it out by turning to corruption and capitalism. and all this pretty much led to improving the Nazi's position in power. The Spanish civil war contained many political divisions which can be shown in Spain's monarchy becoming a democratic republic. If i was in chamberlain's shoes, i wold have first thought of the long-term effects. i would not have let hitler by easy. It seems he didnt do much to stop Hitler's rise and when at power, Hitler got whatever he wanted. i actually wold've wanted all he power to myself. But i also would be afraid of all that power and would probably divide it up to a people like some governments today.
2 AkilahRa:
i totally agree with you in the first question. i think it really was all for money, and it usually is and in question three, i agree that chamberlain did have a good idea making a conference.
2 KristaRae
You made really good points but i agree with kim in that i think chamberlain was trying to bring things together. He just didnt go about it so that the goal would succeed. But that's in my opinion.
I agree with questions one and two.
Seven million men and women, one-third of the wage-earning people, were unemployed. As unemployment, poverty, and fear of poverty increased so did the influence of the Nazi party who at the time was making lavish promises. In the first year of the crisis the number of Nazi deputies to the Reichstag rose from 8 to 107. The Spanish Civil war showed many examples of the political unrest after world war I in Europe. The Spanish Civil war was bloody and several different countries took part in the war effort. If I were Chamberlain I would have kept such silly comments to myself. He said his "peace in our time" right before the break of World War II. There wasn't anything anyone could do at that point. Hitler's army was way too big. The last thing anyone would want to do would be to provoke Hitler.
In response to AkilahRA: I agree that soaring house prices influenced the fall of the Weimer Republic. I also appreciate how you mentioned the increased influence in Nazi support. The Nazi's were making lavish promises as an added effort to be granted political power.
In response to KristaRae: I disagree with your comments on Chamberlain. Lets not forget that Chamberlain was the prime minister of Great Britain not the Chief of the world police. There was really nothing he could have done to stop Hitler in 1938. At that point Hitler was already dominating in Europe with his highly advanced military.
1. Heilig believes that heightened social inequality was the key to the downfall of the Weimar Republic because it led to the end of the Republic and the beginning of a capitalist like system. Inflation was an effect of the new capitalist ways and things began to dramatically change.
2. The spanish civil war had revealed the divisions of spain and it showed its change from monarchy to republic.
3. If i was Chamberlain, or in his shoes, i would have been a politician because i would have said whatever the people want to hear. By me speaking my mind, it can only hurt me and force me 2 lose power.
In response to ChrisdeBelen:
I agree with your response to the third question because i think that you have to tell people what they want to hear.
In response to tmartthegr8:
I think you did a good job with your response to question 1 especially because you used some statistics, alhtough i think you could have made it a little bit better with some more detail.
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