Book SummaryThe Coming of the Third Reich, by Richard J. Evans

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Coming of the Third Reich

The collapse of the Weimar Republic marked the cessation of democratic rule in Germany.

This section summarizes Evans's argument about the instability of German democracy and the reasons why the Weimar Republic failed to establish a strong enough foundation for its own survival, paving the way for the rise of National Socialism.

The democratic structure of the Weimar Republic was undermined by a lack of popular support and a widespread perception of its illegitimacy, which led to a preference for more autocratic alternatives.

This section delves into Germany's early attempts at democracy, which encountered broad doubt and, occasionally, explicit resistance from a varied coalition of voters and powerful figures from various sectors who were inherently against the foundational structures of the Weimar Republic.

Throughout the Weimar era, the coalition parties struggled to secure a majority within the Reichstag, with voter allegiance increasingly shifting towards more radical groups.

Evans highlights that in the period of the Weimar Republic, most voters supported parties that were determined to overthrow the democratic structure to set up a dictatorship. In the 1919 Constituent Assembly elections, the coalition of the Social Democrats along with the Centre Party secured a commanding majority, a result shaped by the widespread concern among the populace that failing to back these groups might lead to a second revolution and the potential rise of a 'Soviet Germany'. However, after their initial successes, their support decreased rapidly, falling below half of the electoral votes by 1920. The Centre Party, along with the People's Party and the Nationalists, experienced a decline in their electorate in favor of smaller right-leaning groups, while the Communists expanded into a formidable entity, presenting a challenge to the Social Democrats on the left flank. Consequently, during the 1920s, the administrations that assumed office often found it challenging to garner sufficient support within the Reichstag, leading to situations where the Chancellor had to rely on presidential powers to implement emergency actions for governance. In the 1930 elections, the Nazi Party emerged as a dominant political force, eclipsing other conservative groups, and together with the Communists, they became a major player in parliament, focused on deconstructing the country's established governing frameworks. Evans depicts the period between 1924 and 1928 in Germany as one marked by a lack of stable support for democratic governance at its zenith.

Context

• The Centre Party, primarily representing Catholic interests, was pivotal in German politics, often acting as a mediator between left and right factions. Their support was crucial for forming coalitions and maintaining political stability.
• Known as the German People's Party (DVP), it was a liberal-conservative party that initially supported the Weimar Republic but struggled to maintain its voter base as economic conditions worsened and more radical solutions were sought by the electorate.

Other Perspectives

• The statement overlooks the fact that the Social Democrats, who were committed to democracy, remained one of the largest parties in the Reichstag throughout the Weimar period.
• The support for coalition parties could have fluctuated throughout the Weimar era, with periods of recovery and decline, rather than a consistent rapid decrease.
• The term "popularity" could be misleading, as the electoral success of smaller right-leaning groups doesn't necessarily reflect widespread public endorsement of their ideologies but rather the fragmentation and polarization of the political landscape.
• The Social Democrats may have faced challenges from a variety of political forces, not solely from the Communists, including the rise of far-right parties and the fragmentation of the political center.
• It could be argued that despite the challenges, some administrations did manage to pass significant legislation and reforms, which indicates that they were at times able to gather the necessary support, or at least to govern effectively through coalitions and alliances.
• The frequent use of presidential decrees could also be interpreted as a strategic move to maintain order and continuity of government in the face of legislative deadlock, rather than an inherent overreliance on such powers.
• The term "major players" could be misleading as it implies a level of legitimacy and acceptance; in reality, both groups were often seen as radical and were not fully integrated into the traditional political fabric of the Weimar Republic.
• The focus on deconstruction by some groups does not fully represent the broader political landscape, which included efforts to reform and improve the existing structures rather than simply tearing them down.

The enduring influence of anti-democratic ideologies, along with a preference for monarchical governance and strong nationalistic feelings, infiltrated key institutions like the military and government bureaucracy.

The Republic's legitimacy was not wholly accepted from the outset by two key state entities, the armed forces and the administrative apparatus, which remained largely passive in defending its core principles during the chaotic years that preceded 1933. The military's higher ranks were mainly composed of traditionalists who regarded the Weimar Republic as an aberration from the norm. They fostered a profound hostility against the advocates of socialism, striving to revive the sense of brotherhood experienced during the war by means of organizations like the Steel Helmets, associations for veterans, and various youth collectives. The 1920 Kapp Putsch clearly showcased the willingness of the military to support a robust attempt to overthrow the government elected by the people. During the 1920s, the army, under Seeckt's command, was deeply involved in crafting covert...

The Coming of the Third Reich Summary In the early 1930s, the Nazi Movement rose to a dominant role.

This section delves into Evans's examination of the origins and growth of Nazism, as well as the various factors that converged to enable the Nazi Party's ascent within the German political system at the onset of 1933.

The party skillfully channeled social and cultural concerns into a form of political opposition, aided by its effective employment of advanced propaganda techniques and the captivating nature of its extreme Nazi ideology.

Evans emphasizes that the Nazis' rise to power cannot be attributed only to their strategic maneuvers in politics or their successful propaganda efforts. These components held significant importance.

The Nazi Party's skillful use of propaganda harnessed the widespread dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles and the deeply rooted conviction of a national betrayal, successfully uniting the German populace in pursuit of restoring their country's past glory and might.

The turmoil that beset Germany's political landscape during the 1920s, according to Richard J. Evans, stemmed chiefly from the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles, which levied substantial political, economic, and territorial challenges. All strata of society in...

The Coming of the Third Reich Summary The rise to power by the Nazis brought about profound alterations in Germany's social and cultural landscape during the era referred to as the Third Reich.

After establishing a coalition government backed by conservative groups, the Nazis quickly took action to eliminate rival political entities, break down independent social structures, and lay the foundation for an authoritarian regime where their doctrines infiltrated all facets of existence, influencing everything from cultural conventions to political procedures, and impacting every stratum of society.

Under the Nazi regime, organizations and political parties that aligned with their ideological stance were methodically substituted, eradicating any potential for dissent.

Evans suggests that while the Nazi revolution was directed by those in power, it also involved considerable involvement from the base level, with Stormtrooper units frequently starting initiatives that gained support from Hitler and his inner circle. The leadership of the Nazi party, centered in Berlin, implemented actions to disband competing political organizations and authorized the assumption of local governance by its agents across the nation.

The organizations and labor unions linked to the Communist and Social Democratic movements were systematically taken apart.

As Evans describes, on the...