Support for the Republic; election of

Hindenburg as President

From 1924 until 1929, German politics seemed more stable.

The assassinations and attempted coups which had

bedevilled the opening years of Weimar no longer took place. However violence between

extreme left and right groups was still common, albeit without mass support.

From 1924-1928, German voters showed backing for

Weimar in Reichstag elections.

In 1924, 52% of voters backed pro-Weimar parties. This had

increased to 73% in 1928.

However by 1933 this had dramatically fallen to only 34%

of voters supporting pro-Weimar parties.

A key problem for Weimar during this period was the

unstable nature of coalitions.

1924-1929 saw six different governments in Germany and

this instability led many voters (and also politicians) to question the effectiveness of

democracy when they had little influence on the outcome.

The German voting system also caused some concerns

amongst voters.

Voting was done on a parliamentary list system

meaning that it was parties – and not voters – that decided

who should become a Reichstag deputy, meaning no

local link to politicians.

Arguments between political parties also undermined democracy in Germany.

Another reason for government collapse was that moderate

left- or right-wing parties often voted with extremists to defeat

centrist governments. Sometimes party members even voted against their own party.

The Weimar Republic also suffered from a general lack of

pride in it from any group in Germany.

The Republic struggled to build national support and the lack

of any significant or prominent political figures meant that

some voters became attracted by the idea of a strong leader.

Elite members of German society also gave limited

backing to Weimar.

Some industrialists believed that the Welfare State was too

expensive, and key groups such as churches, newspapers,

teachers and civil servants generally did not offer the Republic strong support.

Another key event which eventually undermined Weimar

democracy was the 1925 Presidential election.

President Ebert – appointed, not voted for, in 1919 and

1922 – was expected to run again but died suddenly. There was no obvious candidate from

any other political party.

In the first round of voting, all parties put forward a candidate but no-one received the 50%+

needed to win.

Another vote was held where new candidates could stand. At this point the parties chose new candidates, or gave their

backing to the person they thought most likely to win.

Wilhelm Marx, leader of the Centre Party, received the

backing of the left-wing SPD. However the Communists

refused to do likewise.

Right-wing parties persuaded Paul von Hindenburg – a

World War One hero – to stand as their candidate (for the

DNVP).

In the second round of voting the results were:

As the candidate with the most votes in the second round,

Hindenburg won. However had the Communists voted for

Marx, he would have won.

Candidate % Votes (millions)

Hindenburg 48 14.7

Marx 45 13.8

Thaelman 6 1.9

During his presidency, Hindenburg upheld the

constitution and acted like a constitutional monarch. His reputation may also have won

the Republic more support.

However he was also pressured from the right to introduce

changes which would eventually have a huge impact.

Historians’ views

• Richard Bessel: From 1924 until 1929, extremist parties lost ground while the pro-republican parties saw support increase.

• Richard J Evans: The idea that democracy was on the way to establishing itself is an illusion created by hindsight.

• Ruth Henig: It could be argued that Hindenburg’s election helped to stabilise the Republic through the belief that he would safeguard national interests.

• Detlev Peukert: There was an illusion of domestic stability, 1924-29. These years seem stable only by contrast with the periods of crisis that preceded and followed them.