Apr. 27

Weimar Crisis and the Nazi Seizure of Power

I. The Weimar Republic 1918-1933.

A. Liberal republic supported by three parties--Social Democrats, Catholic Center, and liberal German Democratic Party.

II. Weimar crises.

A. Burden of the Versailles Treaty.
B. Social and class conflict.
C. Hyperinflation 1923.
D. Interregnum of stability 1924-29.
E. Germany in the Great Depression.

III. The Nazi surge 1929-33.

IV. The seizure of power January 30, 1933.

A. Reichstag fire.
B. New elections March 1933.
C. Enabling Act and the end of German democracy.