1923: The Crisis of German Democracy in the Year of Hitler's Putsch

By: Mark William Jones

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Synopsis: How Germany&’s fledgling democracy nearly collapsed in 1923—and how pro-democracy forces fought back In 1923, the Weimar Republic faced a series of crises, including foreign occupation of its industrial heartland, rampant inflation, radical violence, and finally Hitler&’s infamous &“beer hall putsch.&” Fanning the flames of anti-government and anti-Semitic sentiment, the Nazis tried to violently seize power in Munich, only failing after they were abandoned by like-minded conservatives. In 1923, historian Mark William Jones draws on new research to offer a revealing portrait of German politics and society in this turbulent year. Tracing Hitler&’s early rise, Jones reveals how political pragmatism and unprecedented international cooperation with the West brought Germany out of its crisis year. Although Germany would succumb to tyranny a decade later, the story of the republic&’s survival in 1923 offers essential lessons to anyone concerned about the future of democracy today.