Weimar by Katja Hoyer review
It was the birthplace of the liberal tradition, but also the incubator for Nazism – what can this historic city tell us about democracy?
TL;DR
- Weimar, a city known for culture and the birthplace of Germany's first democratic constitution, also played a pivotal role in the rise of the Nazi party.
- In 1926, Weimar hosted a Nazi congress where Hitler initiated the 'Blood Flag' ritual, establishing key elements of Nazism, including the Hitler Youth.
- By 1929, the Nazis achieved significant electoral success in Weimar, entering regional government and using Thuringia as a 'laboratory' for Nazi governance.
- Buchenwald concentration camp, established near Weimar in 1937, had intertwined ties with the city, including the use of municipal crematoria and supplies from local businesses.
- The book explores the moral ambiguities of ordinary citizens' choices during the interwar period, arguing that understanding past turns away from democracy is crucial for safeguarding present freedoms.