Why was the Weimar Republic immediately criticised after its introduction?

Question

Why was the Weimar Republic immediately criticised after its introduction?

Answer 1

it was the first democratic government in germany's history

Answer 2

There was little to no respect for the Weimer Republic among the German population. Since it was the Weimar Republic which signed the treaty of Versailles, which has become synonymous for insane terms. Especially since no enemy soldier even set foot into Germany yet, many Germans would have preferred the war to go on another decade until the Allied forces finally reached the capital. Since economically the results would have been the same many reckoned.

     Also since the Kaiser already abdicated by the time of the Versaille treaty. The full responsibility for the Versaille treaty was laid at the hands of the Weimar Republic.

      Take for example a poll held by the Spiegel (German version of Times) which polled the population of Germany of who they considered the greatest Germans. Kaiser Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor made it into the top 50 of greatest Germans. No one from the Weimar Republic (discounting Hindenburg, who it is arguable whether he even had a part, since he was instrumental in it's destruction by giving the power to Hitler, and even personally being very anti-democratic). But to be more accurate no one from the creators of the Weimar Republic made it into the top 1,000 list of top Germans. Which shows you even the current disdain modern Germans have.

        Imagine the disdain present back then. If there is still such a disregard for them today. They establish the first democracy in Germany, and none of them make it into the top 1,000 list of top Germans. So one can see how it was possible for someone such as Hitler to grab power. He didn't even have to overcome the usual hurdle of discrediting the government.

Answer 3

It was done by proportional representation, so there was no strong Government. There were 25 Governments in 4 years, and none of them lived up to what the Germans were used to of their Kaisers. They were a weak country, and they hated it.

Also, the Weimar was made up of the politicians who had signed the Peace Treaty Of Versailles, essentially making the country weak.

Answer 4

There are a number of reasons.

One was that it was associated with defeat. The Republic had been created from the ashes of WWI, and the humiliating Versailles Treaty was signed by the Weimer government. This instantly made it unpopular with a nation that had for decades lived in a victorious and powerful Germany.

Another was the notion that Germany had been 'stabbed in the back' by Jews and Communists, and that they had signed the Treaty and ruled the Republic.

Weimar also faced immediate difficulties, which though not of its doing made it unpopular. There was political and social chaos, and economic suffering, that it became associated with.

The ruling elite were also hostile towards the Republic. The aristocracy, especially the powerful Junkers of Prussia, were often against the democracy they were meant to serve. Many longed for a return to the monarchy. Hinderburg himself, who was President for several years, was against the Republic.