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WEIMAR GERMANY: A WEBQUEST- 1
https://sites.google.com/site/weimarwebquestedu533/introduction

Webquest created by: David Lotterhos

December 2013
MODIFIED: Michelle Salisbury
March 2015

Intro
The Weimar Republic was a very turbulent period of German history. Often
overshadowed by the World Wars that came before and after, the Weimar Republic
was Germany's first experiment with democracy in its truest form. A period of
creativity and tolerance, it looked to be a bright future for the country- but there
were weaknesses within the system. By participating in this activity, you will
closely examine some of the innovation and positive aspects of the Republic. You
will also investigate the enemies of the regime, and the inherent problems of the
governmental system. Is too much democracy a good thing? How did Weimar fail?
The answers may surprise you, as they surprised an entire nation.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Weimar_Republic_(defence_minister_1921).svg

Task

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WEIMAR GERMANY: A WEBQUEST- 2

The year is 1931, and your team are socio-political analysts living in Weimar
Germany. You have been asked to speak in front of the Reichstag, the parliament
governing the republic.
Your mission: to help protect and defend the republic. To do this, you must:
1. Argue the importance of the republic by showing the great social and
cultural achievements that have come since its inception.
2. Next, you must point out the dangers facing the democratic system in place,
and analyze how the system could be exploited and weakened. It is up to
someone else to decide how to fix the government.
3. Your job, as brilliant analysts with an almost uncanny sense of what could
transpire, will be to convince the parliament that the republic, as it stands, is
worth saving and that it needs to be saved. By helping to recognize the
dangers and giving the country something to fight for, perhaps
improvements can be made to protect the will of the people from
exploitation.
You will argue your case by researching the resources provided and making a
presentation to the Reichstag (Mrs. Salisburyvia googledocs)I will then post
them on the mrssalisburyseekonk.com page for all to access and comment upon
(THIS WILL BE YOUR BLOG FOR APRIL).
Your research and presentation will focus on the following main points:
1. The cultural innovation and creativity brought alive during the republic.
Look at art, film and music for a few examples. Also look at major social
advances: rights, freedoms, and civil construction and engineering projects:
how has the country prospered under the republic?
2. The dangers facing the current system. Who are the enemies of the republic?
Focus on both right and left. What issues led to the downfall of the republic,
and how were governmental weaknesses exploited by ambitious and
dangerous parties and individuals? Use these as examples of what could
come to pass, if left unchecked and ignored. Focus should include:
shortcomings of the Weimar system and possible ways other groups could
benefit the state or do a better job.

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WEIMAR GERMANY: A WEBQUEST- 3

PROCEDURE

First, explore the cultural creativity and innovation of the Weimar Republic:
Cultural Overview
http://www.facing.org/paths/copy-weimar-culture-station
Film
http://cinewiki.wikispaces.com/Cinema+of+the+Weimar+Republic
Art & Politics
http://www.newsweekly.com.au/article.php?id=5130
Next, investigate what the weaknesses of the Republic were. Who sought its
destruction and how? Be ready to present the enemies arrayed against the
Republic, and how they managed to exploit the system to bring the Republic
down.
The Political System
http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/artandhistory/history/parliamentarism/weima
r/index.html
Enemies of Weimar
http://weimar.facinghistory.org/content/1929-turning-point-during-weimarrepublic
Frailties of Democracy
http://www.johndclare.net/Rempel_Weimar23.htm
Next- synthesize your findings. Be ready to present what you have found to the
1931 meeting of the Reichstag, focusing on the cultural freedom and innovation
created by the Republic, and warn against the dangers inherent in the system.
Only then can you prevent the fall of the Republic, and the triumph of tyranny
over Democracy.
You must include visuals with your presentation. Feel free to create a video using
animoto:
http://animoto.com/
The final step is to submit a write-up of your presentation. This can be a one
page synopsis of the points you advocated, and should include a second page
listing all your relevant sources and images used in your presentation. (MLA)