To What Extent Was the Effective Government of Germany in the Years 1919 – 1933 Handicapped by the Nature of the Weimar Constitution?

Many events through the years 1919 – 1933 handicapped the effectiveness of the government of Germany, for example, the hyperinflation effected the government on many grounds as the value of their currency fell as well as the public being angry that the Treaty allowed this to happen. The signing of the Treaty of Versailles also effected the government as the lost a lot support as the majority of the nation were angry at them as they believed that they didn’t need to sign the treaty. Other factors that contributed to handicapped the government were the threat from the extreme right and left as they were gaining support from the public therefore it was becoming easier for them to possibly overthrow the constitution. Finally, the nature of the Weimar constitution did effect the government of Germany as
A principal threat to the effectiveness of Germany’s government was the threat from the extreme right and the left. The parties in the extreme right were gaining supporters and all wanted to gain power over Germany. The DNVP were also well placed to seize power by force as they had support of the officer corps of the German army and were backed up by a large number of right – winged paramilitary organisations formed in the early 1920s like the Steel Helmets. They also had the power to influence the public through media as a prominent member of the DNVP, Hugenberg, owned newspapers and film studios across Germany. This threatened the effective government as there was a constant threat from the DNVP that had supported and from the Reichstag elections in 1920, 10% of the vote. There was also a threat from the left as the members of Germanys conservative elites were opposed to the constitution as they resented the loss of power and status they enjoyed before Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles which they regarded as theirs by right. They also saw the Weimar republic as handiwork of those they regarded as the worst elements in German society like Catholics and Jews as...