Post-War Germany
After final victory over the Nazis in November 1934 Hindenburg was able to easily crush the Polish revolts in East Prussia before asserting his authority over all Germany; however the Polish government’s blatant support of the rebels would forever sour relations between Poland and Germany.
The trials of leading Nazi figures would lead to hundreds of executions, the banning of the Nazi Party and a programme made obligatory for all previous members of the Nazi controlled SA However Hindenburg also took steps to make himself the ruler of Germany for life. He believed one of the reasons for the Civil War had been the weakness of Weimar Republic, he drafted a new constitution and brought the flag of the German Empire back into use and encouraged. Although Hindenburg knew little of how to save Germany’s battered economy his Chancellor Meissner was much more able. The massive increase in military spending and the large scale call ups to the army had greatly boosted the economy but now hundreds of thousands of young men form both the SA and Reichswehr were about to lose employment and Meissner was determined to give them work. So in early 1935 Meissner announced a massive program aimed and rebuilding Germany, it would provide huge levels of employment, repair the damage done in the war and even improve the current transport network throughout Germany.
Meissner’s reforms had barely come into practise when Hindenburg died at the age of 88 on July 6th. The event left a power vacuum in Germany, the Meissner government feared another Civil War as it was clear Meissner would be unable to retain power on his own and after Erich Ludendorff refused to take Hindenburg’s former position Meissner decided to turn to the former Kaiser Wilhelm. Wilhelm would regain his title as Emperor of Germany but would remain as a constitutional Monarch with no real power; in return he would give his full support to Meissner. This move was extremely unpopular amongst most of the German people but did solidify Meissner’s position as he the most Reichswehr Generals put their full support behind Wilhelm believing he would be the man capable of restoring German pride and righting the wrongs of Versailles which he had been no art of. With the Riechswehr on his side few major revolts took place but there were massive protests in the streets of many of Germany’s cities. The international reaction to the return of Wilhelm was a strange one: Maurice Thorez of France called for him to be extradited and face an international court over his aggression during his previous reign, Stalin remained disapproving but made nothing more than a minor objection whilst the British government grudgingly encouraged the move feeling that with a strong anti-Communist on the thrown Germany would be safe from the expansion of the Communist movement.
However Messner’s successful economic initiatives began to shift German public opinion back into his favour as he managed to bring Germany to full-employment by September, had repaired half of all the factories damaged in the civil war by Late August and created housing for all displaced Germans by November. Now riding high he decided to call an election for the 4th of December hoping to solidify his position as Germany’s new leader. He would stand for election as Germany’s President, this would give him similar powers to the British Prime minister with the Reichstag acting like the British Parliament. The election would see a very narrow victory for Meissner who took around 34% of the vote and after making an alliance with several smaller Liberal parties he was able to create a government with a guaranteed majority in the Reichstag. However the newly formed Ant-Monarchist party took over 20% of the vote whilst various Communist and Socialist Parties would take around 25% of the vote. Both groups showed a strong opposition to Meissner and the new Kaiser and would encourage anti-Wilhelm protests to continue throughout Germany and would frequently attack Meissner’s policies within the Reichstag.
So Germany entered 1936 a deeply divided nation, on the road. To recovery from a Civil War and an Economic Crisis. In Meissner they had an extremely competent leader capable of leading the German people forward, if only they would give him their support.
After final victory over the Nazis in November 1934 Hindenburg was able to easily crush the Polish revolts in East Prussia before asserting his authority over all Germany; however the Polish government’s blatant support of the rebels would forever sour relations between Poland and Germany.
The trials of leading Nazi figures would lead to hundreds of executions, the banning of the Nazi Party and a programme made obligatory for all previous members of the Nazi controlled SA However Hindenburg also took steps to make himself the ruler of Germany for life. He believed one of the reasons for the Civil War had been the weakness of Weimar Republic, he drafted a new constitution and brought the flag of the German Empire back into use and encouraged. Although Hindenburg knew little of how to save Germany’s battered economy his Chancellor Meissner was much more able. The massive increase in military spending and the large scale call ups to the army had greatly boosted the economy but now hundreds of thousands of young men form both the SA and Reichswehr were about to lose employment and Meissner was determined to give them work. So in early 1935 Meissner announced a massive program aimed and rebuilding Germany, it would provide huge levels of employment, repair the damage done in the war and even improve the current transport network throughout Germany.
Meissner’s reforms had barely come into practise when Hindenburg died at the age of 88 on July 6th. The event left a power vacuum in Germany, the Meissner government feared another Civil War as it was clear Meissner would be unable to retain power on his own and after Erich Ludendorff refused to take Hindenburg’s former position Meissner decided to turn to the former Kaiser Wilhelm. Wilhelm would regain his title as Emperor of Germany but would remain as a constitutional Monarch with no real power; in return he would give his full support to Meissner. This move was extremely unpopular amongst most of the German people but did solidify Meissner’s position as he the most Reichswehr Generals put their full support behind Wilhelm believing he would be the man capable of restoring German pride and righting the wrongs of Versailles which he had been no art of. With the Riechswehr on his side few major revolts took place but there were massive protests in the streets of many of Germany’s cities. The international reaction to the return of Wilhelm was a strange one: Maurice Thorez of France called for him to be extradited and face an international court over his aggression during his previous reign, Stalin remained disapproving but made nothing more than a minor objection whilst the British government grudgingly encouraged the move feeling that with a strong anti-Communist on the thrown Germany would be safe from the expansion of the Communist movement.
However Messner’s successful economic initiatives began to shift German public opinion back into his favour as he managed to bring Germany to full-employment by September, had repaired half of all the factories damaged in the civil war by Late August and created housing for all displaced Germans by November. Now riding high he decided to call an election for the 4th of December hoping to solidify his position as Germany’s new leader. He would stand for election as Germany’s President, this would give him similar powers to the British Prime minister with the Reichstag acting like the British Parliament. The election would see a very narrow victory for Meissner who took around 34% of the vote and after making an alliance with several smaller Liberal parties he was able to create a government with a guaranteed majority in the Reichstag. However the newly formed Ant-Monarchist party took over 20% of the vote whilst various Communist and Socialist Parties would take around 25% of the vote. Both groups showed a strong opposition to Meissner and the new Kaiser and would encourage anti-Wilhelm protests to continue throughout Germany and would frequently attack Meissner’s policies within the Reichstag.
So Germany entered 1936 a deeply divided nation, on the road. To recovery from a Civil War and an Economic Crisis. In Meissner they had an extremely competent leader capable of leading the German people forward, if only they would give him their support.
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