German Resistance Memorial Center - Topic 'The Republic destroyed'


	Topic - The Republic destroyed

	Topics \| Selection

Chances, Opportunities, and Limitations of the Weimar Republic II

Reconciliation
During the world economic summit in Genoa, Reich Chancellor Joseph Wirth (Center) and Foreign Minister Walther Rathenau (DDP) signed the Treaty of Rapallo with the Soviet Union on April 16, 1922. By the terms of this treaty, both countries mutually waived any claims to reparations from the First World War and the revolution and established diplomatic relations. The newspaper /Germania/ was aligned with the Catholic Center Party. Its commentary on the initial attempts of German-Soviet normalization was cautious and restrained.
		Germania of April 18, 1922.

Putsch Attempt
On the evening of November 8, 1923, Adolf Hitler, leader of the NSDAP, attempted to overthrow the elected Bavarian government in Munich with the aid of monarchist circles. Hitler also declared the Reich government in Berlin dissolved. As early as the next morning, this National Socialist putsch attempt was suppressed by regular /Reichswehr/ troops. The moderate /Vossische Zeitung/ wholeheartedly supported the democratic governments of the German Reich and Bavaria in its editorial of November 9, 1923.
		Vossische Zeitung of November 9, 1923.

Coup
On July 20, 1932, Reich Chancellor Franz von Papen (Center), with the support of Reich President Paul von Hindenburg, ousted the democratic government of Prussia in a "blow to Prussia," an action greatly resembling a coup d'etat. Labor unions and many Social Democrat party members were prepared for a general strike, but the leadership of the democratic labor movement did not issue an appeal for action. Even the Social Democratic /Der Abend/ did not call for resistance to the neutralization of the Prussian government, one of the last bulwarks of democracy.
		Der Abend of July 20, 1932.

Social Tensions
The central organ of the Communist Party, /Die Rote Fahne,/ continually reminded its readers of the great economic hardship, which worsened as the number of unemployed steadily increased. Shortly before Christmas 1932, approximately six million people were unemployed. They were targeted by both Communist and National Socialist propaganda.
		Die Rote Fahne of December 17, 1932.