Аннотация: The Story of the destruction of the Weimar Republic
The Story of the destruction of the Weimar Republic
Why the German Emperor abdicated power on November 28, 1918 - the reasons for this event seem to be more or less clear.
In some publications there is bewilderment - why Adolf Hitler came to power. (His rise to power was the end of the Weimar Republic.)
Before taking power, Hitler, according to a number of estimates, never had the support of the majority of Germany's population. It would be quite natural for the Weimar Republic, for relatively moderate governments, to continue to exist.
If you focus on the statements and actions of Hans von Seeckt, you can formulate a hypothesis explaining the coming to power of Hitler and the end of the Weimar Republic.
A significant part of German society considered the Weimar Republic as a forced compromise with the victorious countries in the First World war and as the forced result of the Versailles peace Treaty.
In a Memorandum dated September 11, 1922, directed to Ulrich von Brockdorff-Rantzau, Hans von Seeckt wrote, in particular:
"It must be admitted that the spirit surrounding the Peace Delegation at Versailles has not yet disappeared, and that stupid cry of 'No more war!' is widely echoed. It is echoed by many bourgeois-pacifist elements, but among the workers, and also among the members of the official Social Democratic Party there are many who are not prepared to eat out of the hands of France and Poland. It is true that there is a widespread and understandable need for peace among the German people. The clearest heads, when considering the pros and cons of war, will be those of the military, but to pursue a policy means to take a lead. In spite of everything, the German people will follow the leader in the struggle for their existence. Our task is to prepare for this struggle, for we shall not be spared it".
After the adoption of the new democratic Constitution by the German National constituent Assembly on 31 July 1919, the country continued to be referred to as the "German state" (Deutsches Reich), as in the days of the German Empire (among the translations of the word "Reich" there is a "state" and "Empire").
The Reichswehr became a state within a state. He was preparing an effective armed forces, preparing for a new war.
On the one hand, the Reichswehr - as a "parallel" state - set an example for political forces. Political parties and movements sought to create their own "parallel" armed groups.
On the other hand, the existence of "parallel" armed groups justified and strengthened the role of the Reichswehr.
The President of Germany was the representative of the armed forces Paul von Hindenburg.
The expediency of compromise (Weimar Republic) was "located" within a certain a time a frame.
The compromise (Weimar Republic) is no longer appropriate (from the point of view of part of German society)
1) when, as the foreign policy situation changed, the effective armed pressure of the winning countries on the defeated Germany ceased to be an urgent danger,
2) when Germany's potential was restored or close to recovery.
1933-1918 = 15. (Hitler came to power in 1933).
15+3=18 - a new generation capable of carrying weapons has grown up.
1933+3=1936.
March 7, 1936 - Germany unilaterally terminated the Locarno Treaty of 1925. German troops occupied the demilitarized Rhineland in flagrant violation of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
When the new generation grew up and the foreign policy situation improved (for Germany), President Hindenburg appointed Adolf Hitler at post of Chancellor.
Hitler transformed the Weimar Republic into a dictatorial state and started a war.
Following this hypothesis, the Weimar Republic looks like a temporary compromise, a temporary political project, and the termination of its existence is a natural stage in the development of events. Adolf Hitler was in demand. If there would be no Hitler - another character would be found.
August 16, 2019 09:39
Translation from Russian into English: August 16, 2019 21:06.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский "Рассказ о разрушении Веймарской республики".