Assess the view in which the Great Depression caused the fall of the Weimar republic.
The Great Depression of 1929 primarily caused the fall of the Weimar republic within 1918-33 by worsening existing issues caused by democracy’s failures. The Germany’s existing economic instability also caused sufferings that wanted support for democracy. Additionally, social issues such as lack of democratic tradition, the army and the rise of Nazi party also contributed to fall of the Weimar republic. Furthermore, the fall of the republic couldn’t be caused by Depression alone in addition the breakdown of democracy through political maneuvering and Weimar’s flawed constitution clearly served as the major causes of Weimar’s collapse. Thus, Depression worsened the impact of economic, social and political issues which then caused the fall of the Weimar republic and the rise of Nazi party.
The Depression was the foundation of the Weimar’s collapse and it worsened the already struggling economy which had disillusioned the public, decreasing support for the Weimar republic and facilitating the rise of Nazi party. The Weimar republic’s failure to respond to economic changes since the beginning of war plagued them with economic problems. The treaty of Versailles which was signed as a result of being responsible for war took huge amounts of Germany’s land and industrial resources and forced her to pay high rate reparations. Streesman relied on foreign loans to pay the cost of reparations, as a result it increased Germany’s debts and unemployment reached over six million by 1932. People’s support for republic reduced as they suffered economically, socially and psychologically. In addition, the failed passive resistance in response to occupation of the Ruhr in 1923 caused hyperinflation. It brought more chaos in Germany; people were losing their savings as money was becoming worthless. As a result people were losing faith in government due to its failure to control the economy.
The...