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The First World War and the Weimar Republic *Mary Fulbrook, A History of Germany 1918-2000: The Divided Nation, p. 16-36 Recommended: Jackson Spielvogel, Hitler and Nazi Germany: A History, chap. 2 (p. 10-24) The Impact of the Great War Since the 1880s – powers compete for world hegemony: the arms race (imperialism and militarism) The Reign of William II (18881918) German Weltpolitik before WWI Actively antagonized Britain (the Tirpitz plan )and Russia (tariffs and southeast Europe) Colonial politics - tension and distrust over colonial territories (fears of being left out ) Imperialist rivalry – Germany as a latecomer nation – querulous, demanding, and hyperactive since 1890s The arms build up (German failure - bitterness) Before the WWI A growing sense of crisis and anxiety, fed by the failing arms race. The failed arms race caused bitterness directed at foreigners, Jews, and German leaders who promised much and delivered nothing. Growing nationalism and chauvinism Nobody in Germany expected a defeat… Military had spectacular wins in 1914-1916 Propaganda at home Military battles not seen in one’s own backyard When defeat came – nothing made sense… Conservative, military leaders did not offer an explanation, real causes Widespread refusal to accept the reality of defeat Myth building – “the stab in the back” The Versailles Treaty (June 28, 1919) = Seen as “Diktat” “War guilt clause” (article 231) – Germans have to take responsibility for all the damage (not moral but legal statement) Enormous reparations in goods and money - 269 billion gold marks = $US 400 billion (never paid, adjusted downward) Reduction of army to 100.000 men (from 800.000 pre-1914), limit weapons and navy, and eliminate air force Territorial losses 10% (not that harsh comparing to 30% territorial losses imposed by Germany on Russia in 1917) 50 kilometers west of the Rhine – a demilitarized zone “War guilt clause” – Article 231 “The Allied and Associated Governments affirm and Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which the allied and Associated Governments and their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed upon them by the aggression of Germany and her allies.” Was Germany Responsible for the First World War – ? Yes: German Weltpolitik – very aggressive, especially arms race stirred by Germany + colonial rivalry. Berlin aware that if there was to be a war the sooner the better. Germany made a formal declaration of war and invaded neutral Belgium No: the Kaiser and his ministers did not want war and looked to mend fences with Britain. Britain repositioned itself in response to new challenges Shared Responsibility WWI - Great impact on Europe and Germany Millions dead or crippled - lost generation of young men The Bolshevik revolution successful in Russia Old empires collapsed - new nation-states Shattered traditional society - the idea of progress undermined Brutalization of public life – nihilism and violence Nostalgia for camaraderie of the war - “real men” Summary of the week What is Modern Antisemitism? Ideology seeking to attribute all social modern ills to Jews – response to modernity by those who failed in modern society Success of emancipation and social integration – the more Jews are integrated the more backlash (paradox) Institutionalization of ideology – organizations, mass politics, crowd politics Secular (with minor religious elements) – arguments framed as “scientific” – “race science” Claim of Jewish conspiracy to control the world – seen as a deadly threat Generalization to all Jews - “Jews” an abstract concept detached from any real experience of an individual Why Germany ? Late German unification – sense of injustice and insecurity Late Jewish emancipation in 1871 - debates whether Jews should be citizens or not maintain their relevance By the end of the 19th century – strong antisemitic politics – scapegoating Discontent with modernity – frustration and anxiety of those who failed to adjust - (lower) middle class Post WWI humiliation – Treaty of Versailles’ reparations – “stab in the back” Weimar - inability of the republican system to solve economic and social problems of the day No wide consensus about civic equality – liberalism and party system weak – absence of long-standing democratic tradition Next: The Nazis’ Rise to Power Bergen, Doris, War and Genocide, chap. 2 (p. 29-44) *”The 25-Point Program” *J. Goebbels, “Why do we want to join the Reichstag?” http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/angrif06.h tml Recommended: Jackson Spielvogel, Hitler and Nazi Germany: A History, chap. 2 (p. 24-41)