Vertigo: The Rise and Fall of Weimar Germany

Vertigo: The Rise and Fall of Weimar Germany by Harald Jähner

Weimar Germany was eerily like the modern United States. Germany was arguably the most intellectually advanced country in the world. The military was also among the best. Many people felt that they were not defeated during World War I so much as given up by their leaders. Germany was tasked with paying huge reparations. To support this, they printed more money. This led to a hyperinflation and a shuffling of the economy, with the "responsible" savers being hurt, while the reckless borrowers did well. Eventually the government dictated a new currency value and brought an end to hyperinflation. 

In spite of reparation payments, the German economy boomed. Money was obtained (often from America) and many manufacturing operations were set up. Germany was the center of technology. Liberal social ideals were also in place. Women's rights and LGBT acceptance were on the rise. The human body was now an object for study and art in its native form, with sports such as boxing and gymnastics important. There were also significant architecture and art movements, with some interesting political overtones. (Roof shape became incredibly political.)

The culture veered to the left, opening up politics that veered to the right. The National Socialist party admitted that it would use legal means to come into power, and then ditch legality once the power was in place. They were not the first to use some of the "emergency" powers. Other governments had done so shortly before they did. Part of their rise to power was a result of decadence and falling of German values that they had seen in society. They scapegoated certain groups, especially Jews.

And today? We have had a period of higher inflation. Liberal culture and values has enraged the right. The loss of national pride has allowed the rise of Trump. He has shown callous disregard for laws, but has also followed some of the same shortcuts that were followed by previous administration. Both the left and right have got carried away in the moras. The economy seems to be humming along well now, but what happens when it falls apart? Will we learn the lessons from Weimar Germany?