Arts

Weimar Politics

	The political parties of the republic represented many different shades of opinion, ranging from the far right nationalists, to the liberal supporters of the Weimar Republic, to the leftist extremists supportive of the Bolshevik Revolution.
Chart: Party representation in the Reichstag 1920-33. From Sefton Delmer, Weimar Germany: Democracy on Trial, p. 97.

Major Political Parties

Nationalsozialistische Arbeiterpartei; Nazis (NSDAP)

Poster: Propaganda poster for the NSDAP. Translation: Work! Freedom! Bread!

This party started out as a minor party that represented a workers’ circle in 1918 and became the National Socialist German Workers’ Party in 1919. Adolf Hitler became active with the party in 1919 and helped formulate the party platform in 1920. The party staged an unsuccessful coup against the government in 1923 at the height of the inflation. The abortive coup led to the arrest of Hitler and several leaders. While in prison for less than a year, Hitler dictated his autobiography, Mein Kampf, and rethought basic strategies of the party. After release from prison in Decemeber 1924, Hitler once again became the dominant figure of the party. Between 1925 and 1928 did not have much following. In 1928 and 1929 economic and social problems increased support for the party. By the early 30s the Nazis were gaining seats in the Reichstag and becoming one of the dominant parties of the republic. In January 1933 Hitler was appointed Chancellor; the Nazis had adhered to the Constitution, thus coming to power legally.

Deutschnationale Volkspartei;
German National Peoples’ Party (DNVP)

Poster: Propaganda poster for the DNVP. Translation: Your Solution: German National.

This party was founded in 1918, representing the interests of the landowning Junker class and urban middle classes. It was heir to the conservative and right wing tradition of Wilhelmine Germany. It rejected the Republic, the Treaty of Versailles, and parliamentary government. It strongly advocated for Agrarian interests.

Deutsche Volkspartei; The German Peoples’ Party (DVP)

Poster: Propaganda poster for the DVP. Translation: Bread and work for all working.

This was a right-wing party founded in 1918 by Gustav Stresemann. It was anti-republican and committed to revising the Treaty of Versailles. It defended the interests of the upper middle class and employers. Support for the party eroded when the Depression set in in 1929-30.

Bayerische Volkspartei; Bavarian Peoples’ Party (BVP)

Poster: Propaganda poster for the BVP.

This party strongly supported Bavarian separation from national control.

Deutsche Demokratische Partei; German Liberal Party (DDP)

Poster: Propaganda poster for the DDP. Translation: For all honest work in city and countryside. Against dictatorship of left and right.

This party was founded in November 1918. It was a left-wing liberal party that represented the interests of intellectuals and businessmen. It supported the Republic.

Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands;
Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD)

Poster: Propaganda poster for the SPD. Translation: Those are the enemies of democracy. Away with it! Because of that, vote for list 1—social democrats.

This party was originally formed in 1875 by Ferdinand Lassalle and Wilhelm Leibknecht. By the outbreak of WWI it had become the largest party in the Reichstag. During WWI the extreme leftists in the party broke off support. The party provided resolute support for the Republic. Its membership drew from the industrial working class and sections of the lower middle class. Far-left members tended to move toward support for the Communists, especially after the onset of the 1929 Depression.

Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands;
Communist Party of Germany (KPD)

Poster: Propaganda poster for the KPD. Translation: The communist international.

This party was founded in December 1881 by members of the Spartackist League. It was led by Karl Leibknecht and Rosa Luxemburg. Both leaders were murdered by members of the paramilitary group known as the Freikorps (Free Corps, paramilitary groups from the right). The party embraced the Bolshvik ideals. It was directed by Comintern and refused to join a common front against Fascism. The party was dissolved in 1933 after a Communist was accused of burning down the Reichstag. The Nazi dissolution of the KPD paved the way for the Nazis to pressure for passage of the Enabling Act.

Next: Weimar Economy

Back: Weimar Culture

Related:

	Seeds of Bitterness
	The Establishment of the Weimar Republic
	The Weimar Republic Constitution
	Treaty of Versailles
	Weimar Culture Expressionism Dadaism Social Criticism The Bauhaus
	Weimar Politics
	Weimar Economy
	Weimar Foreign Policy
	Locarno Pact

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