From Weimar to Auschwitz

Description

In this book Hans Mommsen addresses a major phenomenon in European history: the crisis of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Nazism. Beginning by focusing on the role of the bourgeoisie in late nineteenth–century Germany, he goes on to show how the collapse of expectations that had built up during the First World War led to resentment and revolt in the Weimar period. He shows how, paradoxically, the middle class began the opposition to the Republic they had created. Issues of democracy and totalitarianism are discussed in detail, and throughout this work Mommsen suggests links between the crisis of the 1930s and political practices in contemporary Germany.

Description

In this book Hans Mommsen analyzes perhaps the most appalling political journey of the twentieth century--the road traversed by the German people as the Weimar Republic collapsed and Nazism emerged. Mommsen is one of the foremost political historians writing today, and these are some of his finest essays. Examining the problem of how the relatively hopeful beginnings of a German democracy in 1918 and 1919 ended finally in catastrophe, the pieces here confront major questions of human history: the viability of democracy, the nature of politics, and the origins of genocide. The name "Auschwitz, " writes Mommsen, "symbolizes the almost inconceivable crimes committed by the Nazi regime against the European Jews. But it also represents the d̀estruction of politics' which occurred under Nazism the process by which the existing system of balancing divergent societal interests, however imperfect, " was replaced by a "rampage of ruthless violence, unparalleled brutality and the destruction of large areas of Europe." To locate the roots of the tragedy, Mommsen begins with the decline of the Brgertum and goes on to discuss such topics as generational conflict and "class war" in the Weimar Republic, the SPD, Heinrich Brning's still controversial role as German Chancellor, and the place of Hitler in the Nazi system. Also of great interest are the essays on German resistance to Hitler, Mommsen being a pioneer in research on this subject. The book ends with an essay on Hannah Arendt and the Eichmann trial. Throughout the work Mommsen suggests links between the crisis of the 1930s and political practices in contemporary Germany. From Weimar to Auschwitz will become a standard reference on the rise of Nazism and its implications for current developments in Europe.--Provided by publisher.

Subjects

Other Editions

• From Weimar to AuschwitzPrinceton University Press1992-01-01
• From Weimar to AuschwitzPrinceton University Press1991-01-01
• From Weimar to AuschwitzHardcoverPolity Press1991-11-01
• Von Weimar nach Auschwitz. Zur Geschichte Deutschlands in der Weltkriegsepoche.HardcoverDeutsche Verlags-Anstalt DVA1999-11-01
• From Weimar to Auschwitz Essays in German HistoryPaperbackUniv Microfilms Intl2000-06-01
• Von Weimar nach Auschwitz. Zur Geschichte Deutschlands in der Weltkriegsepoche.PaperbackUllstein Tb2001-09-01