ARD-documentary about the Weimar Republic : vulnerable democracy

has A camera on the 6. February 1919 filmed the deputies on the way to the Weimar national theatre. The pictures of Assembly results in a funny Parade of men in drag polite in their hats. And researchers, and smiling at the camera, parading as Matthias Erzberger (centre), who will be murdered officers two years later by two former naval, or friendly to pose as Hugo Preuß (German democratic party), submitted shortly afterwards, in the theatre of his constitutional draft. Of the 37 women MPs, the feeding after the introduction of women's suffrage in the constitutional Assembly, is seen here, unfortunately, nobody.

"In Germany broke in the future," says Andreas Christoph Schmidt, author of TV Features, "Had to Weimar fail?". Schmidt shows images from acclaimed returning soldiers, and joyful Revolutionaries. In the future, the was then, however, the nearby Buchenwald concentration camp, as Schmidt noted at the beginning, while in the Background the melody of the national anthem strums in different variations quietly.

The title-question is rhetorical: to be sure, Weimar had to fail, unless you believe in an automatism in the story. But the question of why the Weimar Republic was brought after 14 years of existence, is not only because of the anniversary of its founding 100 years ago currently. But because of the Failure of democracy in Germany, appears far less outlandish than a few years ago. Grimme-prize-winner Schmidt is looking in his point, and also aesthetic values, documentation, notice the similarities and Differences.

We should be? not to sure to be

so What are the reasons for the Failure of the first democracy The consequences of the First world war, the Treaty of Versailles, the "flaws in the weave" (di Fabio) in the Weimar Constitution, the hatred and political violence, the fear of a Communist world revolution, Inflation and world economic crisis, the rise of Adolf Hitler, "who promised to make Germany great again" – Schmidt offers a variety of explanations. The sentence "we Look into the history" is no empty promise.

The Film features a variety of historic images, most of which are dated and located. In addition, the expert, the historian Wolfram Pyta, and Gerd Krumeich, the former constitutional judge Udo di Fabio, as well as a literary scholar Helmuth Kiesel, clear and mind joyfully Express themselves. Also: Harvard political scientist Daniel Ziblatt: We should not be too sure. Much of it is vulnerable, as it seems to be.“

At the same time, Schmidt's comments from the Off are sometimes suggestive ("Are the subjects here?"), but neither fade instruction is still an Intrusive reminder. Schmidt's conclusions are interesting and cliché-free. In addition, the author places, and short Text-pauses, rest-rooms, in which pictures stand for themselves. "Had to Weimar die?" is a Format document, the time for Reflection, and at the end on the usual conclusion is omitted.

100 years of the Weimar Republic - books for the anniversary Of the parties ' favour and hatred

"confused Weimar Had to fail?"; ARD, Monday, 23: 30 PM