Modern German history

From Weimar to today

Six essential eras to master. Use the progress stepper to follow the historical journey step-by-step.

Weimarer Republik1918 – 1933

Weimar Republic — democracy under pressure

Germany's first parliamentary democracy, born after WWI defeat and the abdication of the Kaiser. Plagued by hyperinflation, political extremism, and the 1929 crash.

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Key events

November Revolution (1918) ends the monarchy
Weimar Constitution adopted (1919)
Hyperinflation peaks (1923)
Wall Street crash hits Germany hard (1929)
NSDAP becomes largest party (1932)

Quick facts

First German democracy with universal adult suffrage
Constitution signed 11 August 1919 in Weimar
1923 inflation peak: 4.2 trillion Marks for 1 US dollar
Article 48 emergency decrees → eventually killed the republic
Hindenburg appoints Hitler Kanzler on 30 January 1933