The Weimar Republic-Rise of Fascism
Following Germany’s defeat in WWI Germany was in economic distress. Germany had been blamed for the war and according to the Treaty of Versailles, Germany had to pay off the huge amounts of the war damage. Having said this, Germany was failing to supply the country with basic needs of survival. The German parliament had now fallen apart. In 1919, amidst the chaos and economic crisis, a new democracy was created. It was a called the Weimar Republic. In the Weimar Republic, there was a massive inflation known as the hyperinflation, few jobs and little industrial production following WWI. 23% of the people were unemployed and Germany owed so much money that they did not have. To add on to that, The Great Depression in the U.S. even worsened the unemployment rate to over 30%. The democracy in the Weimar Republic was not efficiently helping people and it could not escape its crisis. Obviously, the Weimar Republic needed change and improvement. The people of the Weimar Republic were in such distress that they were open to any new ideas they believed could stabilize their nation. With that said, when Hitler started to share his ideas of fascism, he gained a large following because the people were desperate for change. Hitler was elected and his fascist ideas went widespread. They included large war efforts to create jobs, the government owning all of the industry, no one was allowed to speak against the leader, and everyone who was not a true German was inferior to the pure German race. His ways of government were very conservative, kept order, and dealt with a lot of national pride. After WWI, Germany felt useless and powerless but now with a strong government, Germany was able to unify as a strong and powerful force. Hitler’s new fascist society appealed greatly to the people and would serve as a template for further growth in Germany.