How to save the Weimar Republic

MrHola

Banned
What POD or set of POD's (big or small) would have to happen in the Post Great War era in order for the Weimar Republic to avoid its degeneration into a state ruled by the Nazis? What would help it survive to the present day and become a highly developed state? No Hitler is the most obvious way.
 
If the DNVP party and the Catholic Central Party formed an alliance to restore a constitional monarchy. The NSDAP party would have to be outlawed along with the KDP. As for the SDP party, I think they would remain, but if the nationalists, under Hindenburg, rekindled the social programs Bismarck started, it would keep the Nazis and communists out of the picture.

Another key would be keeping the ownership of newspapers in the hands of private owners, not parties.

Oh, one more thing, France and Britain should not ask for all monies from the Great War at one time. Then there would not be hyperinflation.
 
Step One: Outbreak of sanity on the part of the Allies.

Step Two: Allies force Kaiser Wilhelm and the High Command to surrender, to accept humiliating terms, deliberately including harsher settlement than intended.

Step Three: Strongly suggest that a republic may obtain improved terms than the Prussian monarchy.

Step Four: Immediately repeal many demands and imposed terms once Weimar is formed.

Weimar now begins as a savior to many Germans, not a failure.
 

MrHola

Banned
One POD is that in 1924 when Hitler fled to the home of Ernst Hanfstaengl after the failed Putsch and then actually commits suicide (in OTL he contemplated it but Ernst's wife talked Hitler out of it). Another way is that Wilhelm Marx wins the 1925 Reichspräsidentenwahl instead of the old Hindenburg. Marx was more pro-Weimar then Hindenburg and in OTL he was only narrowly defeated by Hindenburg

Thoughts?
 

Markus

Banned
1. One Bavarian cop aimes at the small fellow, who marches right in the center and bang...Hitler is history.

2. In accordance with German law Hitler is kicked out of Germany after surviving the Beer Hall Putsch and doing time for it.

3. He is not made a German citizen, because is is a convicted criminal.
 
-Poland falling in 1920.

-Stresemann's Thoiry proposal succeeding, and perhaps him surviving.

-A Different president in 1925.

Any of these three options will work, and there are probably others.
 

MrHola

Banned
Was Brüning that bad? I always had the impression Hitler later on took credit for Brüning's achievements.
 
Was Brüning that bad? I always had the impression Hitler later on took credit for Brüning's achievements.

https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=79523&highlight=bruning

In essence, he took Germany off the gold standard; but didn't use it to flex monetary policy. He turned down loans to bolster the German banking system (and hence economy). He deflated at a time that called for inflation; and helped trigger an economic collapse by pushing for an austro-german customs union.

He had his reasons; his goal was to break Versailles, and he did. But a very telling remark of Bruning's indicates his attitude; when told that Germany was suffering because of his policies, he said, "Germans always give up right before the end."
 
Step One: Outbreak of sanity on the part of the Allies.

Step Two: Allies force Kaiser Wilhelm and the High Command to surrender, to accept humiliating terms, deliberately including harsher settlement than intended.

Step Three: Strongly suggest that a republic may obtain improved terms than the Prussian monarchy.

Step Four: Immediately repeal many demands and imposed terms once Weimar is formed.

Weimar now begins as a savior to many Germans, not a failure.

Sounds good to me.
 
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