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[[Image:Weimar map.gif|thumb|Weimar 1924 - 1933]]

[[Image:Weimar map.gif|thumb|Weimar 1924 - 1933]]

The '''Weimar Republic''' is the name of the administration which governed [[Germany]] from 1919 to 1933 after its defeat in [[World War I]] and the stepping down of [[Kaiser Wilhelm II]].  The name Weimar Republic is given because the constitution had been drafted in the city of [[Weimar]] as the capital, [[Berlin]], was considered too dangerous in the period immediately following the end of World War I. To contemporaries, the country was still referred to as ''Germany'', and officially (despite the new republican constitution) the ''German Empire''. The republic experienced many problems.

The '''Weimar Republic''' is the name of the administration which governed [[Germany]] from 1919 to 1933 after its defeat in [[World War I]] and the stepping down of [[Kaiser Wilhelm II]].  The name Weimar Republic is given because the constitution had been drafted in the city of [[Weimar]] as the capital, [[Berlin]], was considered too dangerous in the period immediately following the end of World War I. To contemporaries, the country was still referred to as ''Germany'', and officially (despite the new republican constitution) the ''German Reich''. The republic experienced many problems.

One reason were the harsh terms of [[Versailles Treaty]]. Although the terms of the treaty were never fully enforced, the psychological damage was immense, since they were perceived as a grave injustice. Most German civilians were taken by surprise by their nation's surrender in the war, seeing as they had no idea that they were losing the war. <ref>Dr E.J. Feuchtwanger wrote, "The defeat of 1918 hit the German public with brutal suddenness. To the very end they had been told that victory was within their grasp." [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~semp/weimar.htm] </ref> In truth Germany had no choice.  They were not allowed to give input, and were only told to sign. Seeds of [[anti-Semitism]] also began to grow at a grassroots level, which partially paved the way for the rise to power of [[Adolf Hitler]]. The press, and many Germans, irrationally blamed Jews for their loss,  and radical groups began to grow in influence as the economy grew worse. The [[National Socialism]] movement (also known as the [[Nazi Party]]) in particular blamed [[Jews]] for the country's woes, and promised that in a [[Third Reich]], they would be denied their rights. The party cranked up their hate [[propaganda]] machine, particularly after 1929, and was elected into power in 1933. <ref>Shoah Resource Center: http://www1.yadvashem.org/odot_pdf/Microsoft%20Word%20-%203261.pdf</ref>

One reason were the harsh terms of [[Versailles Treaty]]. Although the terms of the treaty were never fully enforced, the psychological damage was immense, since they were perceived as a grave injustice. Most German civilians were taken by surprise by their nation's surrender in the war, seeing as they had no idea that they were losing the war. <ref>Dr E.J. Feuchtwanger wrote, "The defeat of 1918 hit the German public with brutal suddenness. To the very end they had been told that victory was within their grasp." [http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~semp/weimar.htm] </ref> In truth Germany had no choice.  They were not allowed to give input, and were only told to sign. Seeds of [[anti-Semitism]] also began to grow at a grassroots level, which partially paved the way for the rise to power of [[Adolf Hitler]]. The press, and many Germans, irrationally blamed Jews for their loss,  and radical groups began to grow in influence as the economy grew worse. The [[National Socialism]] movement (also known as the [[Nazi Party]]) in particular blamed [[Jews]] for the country's woes, and promised that in a [[Third Reich]], they would be denied their rights. The party cranked up their hate [[propaganda]] machine, particularly after 1929, and was elected into power in 1933. <ref>Shoah Resource Center: http://www1.yadvashem.org/odot_pdf/Microsoft%20Word%20-%203261.pdf</ref>