Before the armistice was signed in November 1918, German workers and troops had revolted in protest against continuing the war. This revolution began in Kiel, and spread quickly from city to city. On November 9, Germany was declared a republic. Emperor Wilhelm II fled to safety in the Netherlands.

In January 1919, the German voters, including women for the first time, elected a national assembly to write a constitution. The assembly met in Weimar, and the new republic became known as the Weimar Republic. The constitution established a democratic federal republic in August 1919. It provided for a parliament of two houses—the Reichstag and the Reichsrat—and a president elected by the people. The chancellor and the cabinet members were appointed by the president, but they could be removed from office by the Reichstag.

The Weimar Republic was weak from the start. Many important Germans remained loyal to the empire. German army officers claimed that Germany had been defeated by the revolution, not by Allied armies. The terms of the Treaty of Versailles were harsher than the Germans had expected.

In 1922 and 1923, the economy collapsed when inflation ruined the value of German money. By 1923, the republic appeared doomed. Communists rebelled in some areas. In Munich, the National Socialist German Workers Party—better known as the Nazi Party—attempted an armed rebellion under its leader, Adolf Hitler. But despite these events, the republic survived.

In 1922 and 1923, the economy collapsed when inflation ruined the value of German money. By 1923, the republic appeared doomed. Communists rebelled in some areas. In Munich, the National Socialist German Workers Party—better known as the Nazi Party—attempted an armed rebellion under its leader, Adolf Hitler. But despite these events, the republic survived.

The republic's prospects looked much brighter by the late 1920's. But in 1929, a worldwide economic depression began. Millions of Germans lost their jobs. The government appeared powerless and political violence increased. The voters increasingly supported groups that promised a new system of government. After the 1930 elections, political parties in the Reichstag failed to agree on a program. Between 1930 and 1933, President Paul von Hindenburg and his chancellors ruled largely by issuing laws without the approval of parliament.