Why did the Weimar fail?

DEMOCRACY

• People were not used to democracy.

OPPOSITION

• Opposition > LEFT WING communists (Spartacists) rebellions squashed by Freikorps.
• Opposition > RIGHT WING Kapp putsch Dr Kapp and Freikorps marched into Berlin.
• Opposition > HITLER Munich putsch (failed).
• Lots of violence during this time - the Kaiser's former advisers still in position - restricted Weimar.

TREATY OF VERSAILLES

• Weimar blamed for signing the treaty.

ECONOMIC DISASTERS

• After war depression.
• Reparations bill £6600 million.
• 2nd installment not paid > French and Belgium troops into Rhur > Government orders general strike > French killed 100 workers > Printed more money > Hyperinflation.
• The Weimar lost support especially middle class >> savings were bust.
• New government Stresemann.

WEAKNESS OF THE CONSTITUTION

• Because of proportional representation there were lots of little parties present > decisions difficult to make.
• Article 48 president may rule by emergency decree (basically at dictatorship).