The Rise and Fall of Weimar Democracy [Paperback]

Hans Mommsen (Author), Elborg Forster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 4, 1998

In this definitive analysis of the Weimar Republic, Hans Mommsen surveys the political, social, and economic development of Germany between the end of World War I and the appointment of Adolf Hitler as chancellor in 1933. His assessment of the German experiment with democracy challenges many long-held assumptions about the course and character of German history.

Mommsen argues persuasively that the rise of totalitarianism in Germany was not inevitable but was the result of a confluence of specific domestic and international forces. As long as France and Britain exerted pressure on the new Germany after World War I, the radical Right hesitated to overthrow the constitution. But as international scrutiny decreased with the recognition of the legitimacy of the Weimar regime, totalitarian elements were able to gain the upper hand. At the same time, the world economic crisis of the early 1930s, with its social and political ramifications, further destabilized German democracy.

This translation of the original German edition (published in 1989) brings the work to an English-speaking audience for the first time.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This translation makes available to the English-speaking world an important historical work published in 1989 by a prominent German historian. The period from 1919 to 1933 was a time of great political, social, economic, and artistic upheaval in Germany. In this magisterial work, the author looks at the Weimar period from the viewpoint of political and economic history, providing a lucid yet detailed account of the complexities of this era without attempting to pull some of the strands out of their context in order to find the "roots" of the Nazi period that followed. By doing so, he both sheds new light on this interesting period and provides a convincing overall picture of Germany's road from parliamentary democracy to dictatorship during the interwar years. Because of its depth and detail, this book is not for casual readers, but it covers a complex subject with admirable clarity and is certain to become a classic. Libraries that own Detlev Peukert's The Weimar Republic: The Crisis of Classical Modernity (Hill & Wang, 1992) should definitely include this, as should all collections that emphasize European history.?Barbara L. Walden, Univ. of Minnesota Libs., Minneapolis
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Weimar myths die harder than most, but Mommsen's demolition of them is superb.

ournal of Modern History

[A] masterful history of the Weimar Republic.

Modern Europe

[M]asterful in the author's clear and powerful analysis and in its display of profound learning.

Central European History

Covers a complex subject with admirable clarity and is certain to become a classic.

Library Journal

Mommsen's work is now required reading for any serious student of German political history in the Weimar era.

Choice

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press (February 4, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807847216
• ISBN-13: 978-0807847213
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #464,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Scholarship and Analysis, December 20, 2005

By 

R. Albin (Ann Arbor, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rise and Fall of Weimar Democracy (Paperback)

This book is not for the general reader. It was written for scholars of German history and is a dense analysis of politics from the foundation of the Weimar Republic to its fall under the Nazi onslaught. The focus is on politics with a detailed discussion of political history. Social history, economic history, and diplomatic history figure prominently but primarily in the context of how they affected the politics of Weimar. Mommsen's mastery of detail and ability to integrate these different aspects of Weimar's history are impressive. While the descriptions of political manuvering can be a chore to read, ths level of detail is necessary to achieve a complete picture of the history of Weimar and are the foundation for the often masterly analyses that dot this book. This book is never less than complete and many sections, for example, the descriptions of the collapse of the Imperial state or the rise of the Nazi party, are outstanding. More than anything else, Mommsen provides a vivid picture of the huge obstacles faced by the Weimar Republic. From its inception, the Republic and its commitment to a democratic state faced opposition from several important segments of German society, including the Army, much of the civil service, much of industry, the traditional aristocracy, much of the juidiciary, and most of the professioriate. Coupled with a very unfavorable international situation and the enormous stresses of the Great Depression, it is remarkable that the Republic survived as long as it did.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heavy reading but, if you want the full picture, this is your book, July 29, 2010

By 

Rex P. Cowan (Winter Haven, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Rise and Fall of Weimar Democracy (Paperback)

This book is not necessarily and easy read, but if you are truly interested in the dynamics in Germany leading up to WWII this is the one for you.