Eastern Front Prelude #0.4 The Wehrmacht

Last time we spoke about the Reichswehr. In post-World War I Germany, society teetered on the edge of chaos. The Great War's aftermath left wounds that ran deep; food shortages and despair fueled growing unrest. Amidst this turmoil, Adolf Hitler emerged, promising a return to national pride. On November 8, 1923, he attempted a coup known as the Beer Hall Putsch, seizing control of a Munich beer hall, but his ambitions quickly unraveled. His attempt to rally support fell flat, leading to violent clashes with police. In the chaos, Hitler was injured and later arrested. During his trial, rather than a pariah, he became a voice for disillusioned Germans, transforming the NSDAP into a political force. The failed putsch exposed the weakness of the Weimar Republic, setting the stage for future conflicts. As democracy floundered, the Reichswehr adapted, hinting at the military resurgence that would soon follow and foreshadowing the dark era ahead for Germany and the world.

This episode is Prelude #4 The Wehrmacht

Well hello there, welcome to the Easter Front week by week podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800’s until the end of the Pacific War in 1945. 

The Weimar Republic was ambitious yet fragile. It promised democracy, civil liberties, and social reforms, and many believed it would usher in a new era of prosperity. However, beneath the surface of this hopeful facade lay deep divisions and discontent that would ultimately lead to its downfall. At its inception, the republic faced immediate challenges. The old imperial elite, including military leaders and aristocrats, harbored dreams of restoring their former glory. Meanwhile, the newly empowered working class sought rights and recognition, often clashing with right-wing paramilitary groups like the Freikorps. A wave of political violence swept through the streets, as rival factions vied for power. In 1919, the Spartacist uprising, led by communist leaders Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, was violently suppressed, setting a precedent for bloodshed in the years to come.

The republic struggled to gain legitimacy, tarnished by the stigma of having accepted the Versailles Treaty. Many Germans viewed the government as weak and ineffectual. Amidst hyperinflation in 1923, the currency lost its value overnight, devastating savings and wreaking havoc on the middle class. Bread that once cost a few marks escalated to millions. Frustration and anger simmered, leading to a surge in extremist parties capitalizing on the people's despair. Amid this chaos, a charismatic and ambitious leader emerged: Adolf Hitler, head of the National Socialist German Workers' Party “NSDAP”. With his potent mixture of nationalist zeal and radical ideas, he reached out to those disillusioned by the republic's failures. His promises of restoring German pride and rebuilding the economy resonated with a populace yearning for stability and direction. In parallel, the Weimar government attempted to stabilize the economy through foreign loans, particularly from the United States via the Dawes Plan in 1924. Initially, this strategy bore fruit, leading to a period of relative prosperity known as the "Golden Twenties." Jazz clubs flourished in Berlin, art and culture thrived, and new social freedoms emerged. Yet, the underlying fractures remained, and the republic's economic foundation was precarious, dependent on foreign goodwill. As the Great Depression struck in 1929, the Weimar Republic found itself in freefall. Unemployment soared, businesses collapsed, and despair spread like wildfire. The government, struggling to respond effectively, seemed paralyzed. 

As the 1930 elections approached, the NSDAP capitalized on widespread discontent with the Weimar government. Many Germans blamed the existing leaders for their misfortunes, viewing them as ineffective in addressing rampant unemployment and skyrocketing inflation. Leveraging this anger, Hitler and the Nazis promised hope, unity, and a restoration of national pride. Their message resonated with a population desperate for change. In the 1930 elections, significant shifts occurred. The NSDAP's campaign was a masterclass in propaganda, utilizing rallies, posters, and speeches that struck chords with the fears and aspirations of the people. They portrayed themselves as a