The Weimar Republic, 1914-1929 A-Level History Teaching Resources & Student Activities

This lesson explores the dramatic transformation of Germany from the end of World War I to the collapse of the Weimar Republic and the rise of dictatorship. Students will begin by analysing the devastating impact of World War I on Germany, including the human, economic, and political consequences that shaped post-war society. The focus then shifts to the creation and significance of the Weimar Republic and its Constitution, assessing how this ambitious attempt at democracy faced both promise and peril from its inception.

The lesson examines the Stresemann Era, a period marked by relative stability and recovery in the 1920s, identifying key features such as economic reform, cultural flourishing, and improved international relations. However, students will also evaluate the fragility of this stability and how it ultimately failed to prevent the rise of extremism.

Ultimately, it critically examines the reasons behind the emergence of German democracy and its subsequent collapse. Students will explore internal and external pressures, including economic crises, political extremism, and the loss of public confidence, culminating in the end of democratic rule and the rise of the Nazi regime.

Through this study, learners will gain a deeper understanding of how Germany's turbulent post-war years laid the groundwork for one of the most significant political transformations of the 20th century.