Question

What was the impact of first world war on the political structure of Germany

Answer 1

The German Empire came to and end. Germany lost territory and the Kaiser had abdicated. Imperial Germany came to an abrupt end. The monarchy and the position of Kaiser was removed. Germany became the Weimar Republic. A democracy with some authoritarian overtones. Germany had become a bit more liberal and less militant.

They were forced to pay reparations and take the blame for World War 1. They sometimes could not pay their war debt. The French and Belgians occupied the Ruhr Valley to extract payment. This boosted German nationalism.

Their was a period of instability and hyper inflation followed by order and more security. Art and entertainment flourished as did literature.

Germany was disarmed and its army reduced to 100,00 troops. They were not allowed to have an air force. They entered into a secret alliance with the Soviet Union which was also a pariah. The Soviets trained German pilots while the Germans trained Russian officers. They were also secretly and methodically rearming.

Far right and far left political groups fought for power and influence. The Nazi party attempted to seize the government of Bavaria and were put down.

The Weimar Republic may have survived. However it was hit hard by the Great Depression. Which lead to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi regime.

Hitler took control of Germany and centralized power. Outlawed all other parties. Eliminated rivals and other threats. Rearmed Germany and embarked on an aggressive foreign policy that lead to World War 2.