Weimar's descent from democracy to barbarism

Katja Hoyer explores how the nexus of Germany's great social democratic experiment succumbed to Nazism

A tinted historical photograph shows a crowd of uniformed men gathered outdoors, with one man holding a large flag bearing a swastika symbol

Published: June 3, 2026 at 7:50 AM

Save

Weimar is a small German city. Yet it looms large in European history. In the 1920s, it was synonymous with liberalism, internationalism and the fine arts. Yet, within a decade, many of its residents had embraced Nazism and Hitler was professing his love for the city. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, historian and author Katja Hoyer reveals how the city that gave its name to Germany's great social democratic experiment succumbed to tyranny.

Ad

–––––

GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

Ad

If you'd like to hear more from Katja Hoyer talking about German history on the HistoryExtra podcast, then you can check out this Life of the Week episode on Otto von Bismarck

Authors

Spencer MizenSenior production editor

Spencer is senior production editor of HistoryExtra magazine

Ad

Ad

Loading...

Ad

Loading...