The Main Threat to the Stability of the Weimar Republic in the Period 1919-1923 Came from the Political Violence of the Extreme Right Essay

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The main threat to the stability of the Weimar republic in the period 1919-1923 came from the political violence of the extreme right

There were many threats posing Germany in 1919, the political system formed on the back of failure produced resentment towards Weimar from both the extreme left and the right. Other factors linked to economic issues caused by war, such as hyperinflation and the war guilt clause which `led to much suffering for the German people through loss of savings and jobs and The constitution further hindered the stability of the government as it was fundamentally flawed. However the main threat to the political system was from the right and influence of the elites, although the breakdown of extreme right putsches
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Therefore the most important consequence of the false perceived threat of the revolutionary left was that it deflected attention from the most serious threat to democracy – the anti republicanism of the right wing as the perceived threat of left wing revolution made many believe in the views of the right, that the republic was based on a weak government and needed to be replaced.

The lack of action during the Kapp putsch by the army demonstrates a further threat to the Weimar government; the fact that they ignored their obligation to protect the government in turn of their own interests suggests the discontent felt by the army towards Weimar. The lack of connection to Weimar that the army held meant that they were more likely to protect their own interests rather that the government. Furthermore, seeckt, despite with dissatisfaction towards democracy and refusal to put down the putsch was given power to remodel the army after 1920. It could be argued that the army was responsible for right wing rebellions such as the Munich putsch as the army was an establishment that did not support the government thus the extreme right wing parties could have posed a big threat that was too big for Weimar had the army decided to act.

A further threat to Weimar was its political system, which was often relying on those who did not support it. This can be illustrated by the actions taken by the judiciary, the following examples