Crumbling Reich: A Weimar Republic Game (Gameplay Thread)

[RGM2609]

Vice Chancellor Hugenberg has accepted, following so much insistence from Wells, to meet Stegerwald. He promises not to compromise the values of the people and fight for Germany's interests during it.

[Devout Centrist]

Statement from Ernst Thälmann Regarding the General Strike

With the von Papen Government unable or unwilling to address the German worker's concerns about his ties to Herr Hitler, the KPD is calling for new elections to be held as soon as possible. We can no longer wait for a negotiated settlement to the question of Fascists and anti-worker ministers in the cabinet. We believe that these disputes will be fully resolved in the electoral arena

[NewYorkExpress]

Hitler response to Thalmann

Given this government's inability to solve your strikes, I have decided to withdraw my support of Chancellor Von Papen, and call for a vote of no-confidence.

Congratulations, you win the battle, but you will lose the war.

[RGM2609]

Hugenberg gives a statement, calling on the KPD and SPD to end the strikes at once as the NSDAP does not support the government as they can clearly see.

[GoTfan]

The SPD will end its part in the strikes and call for a vote of no confidence in the current government, with a stern warning that this will happen again if they seek Nazi support in the future.

[KaiserDave]

The Reich



Wikimedia Commons

Rupprecht von Bayern is Staatskommissar


As October and now most of November have flown by, and winter is upon us the effect of the general strike has lessened from its pitch, many are returning to work, more are seeking the daily needs of survival from their jobs and not their comrades in the Union. However in the streets of Berlin at least the red flags are out each day ceaselessly, the Song of the United Front is sung in sleet, rain, and snow. The political crisis drags on as Herr Hitler turns his hack on von Papen and the nation remains paralyzed by chaos and inertia. In Bavaria at least a desperate play has been made to restore order and protect the social system. Bavarian Premier Heinrich Held announced that the Free State of Bavaria had installed the Crown Prince Rupprecht of Wittelsbach as Staatskommissar, a position with dictatorial powers to restore order the Reich's largest southern state. The Crown Prince declared that he will "sacrifice everything for the fatherland, and for my beloved Bavaria and will do everything possible to defend Bavaria from anarchy and villainy." The new Staatskommissar is a known opponent of Nazism, but also anti-Communist as any royal. The pretender to the Bavarian throne has never renounced his rights, and many believe this position will merely be a stepping stone to his coronation as King of Bavaria. How a Kingdom would exist within the Republic is a question lawyers are trying to answer, but perhaps the Republic will cease to exist by then.

[GoTfan]

Wels on the steps of the Reichstag: No to dictatorship! No to Fascism!

This government dares to insult our intelligence?! They have installed the Dictator of Bavaria to ensure tha the people of this nation cannot exercise their rights! As if we needed any fiurther confirmation that his government does not care for civil liberties of the people!

Today, I will issue a vote of no confidence in the puppet Chancellor, and immediately call for new elections! If he is so desperate to show his commitment to the people, then I challenge him to prove it! He has partnered with Nazis, war profiteers and industrialists to ensure the common man and woman of this nation stay where this old aristocrat demands: serving him and his wealthy friends.

I said that we must have only one goal: to crush fascism until it is wiped out! Brothers and sisters, fascism has come in the form of the Dictator of Bavaria! We must not allow these people to take away the ability to exercise your rights.

I challenge the Chancellor and his puppetmaster the Vice-Chancellor with this: This year, we Social Democrat will settle the issue of the monarchy once and for all. We pledge a referendum on the status of the monarchy after a successful election so that the people may be heard!

This is my challenge to you, Chancellor. Answer it or be declared coward!

Wir stelehn als eins! Fur die Republik!

[KaiserDave]

Wikimedia Commons

Office of the Reichpräsident

By the powers invested in me by the German constitution of 1919 and Article 48 of the German constitution, and in view of the persisting strikes encouraged by radical agitators, I hereby declare any newspaper or broadcast company that persists in the encouragement of strike actions after the pronouncement of this decree is in violation of the law and is will be subject to the full extent thereof.

Cordially Signed,

Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg

President of the German Reich

[NewYorkExpress]

Adolf Hitler

It is high time we had new elections. In addition, the situation in Bavaria is intolerable. The Hozerhollen Monarchy cannot be allowed to return to the throne of Germany in any way shape or form.

As such, I call on President Hindenburg to turn out the government in Bavaria, and replace the Statkomissar there with someone who is committed to either the Fuhrerprinczep or a Democratic system of Government. There is no place for monarchy in Germany.

[GoTfan]

Wels' radio address on the Presidential Decree:

And the clampdown on civil liberties continues.

This government has no respect for the people. It has no respect for anyone not of the old aristocracy, or anyone it considers less intelligent than itself.

The Social Democrats stand opposed to the fascist dictatorship that the Chancellor and his puppetmasters are attempting to install, and of this blatant violation of the democratic right of the people.

Arrest me if you wish. You will remove the last friendly leftist you will ever see.

[Dereich]

A Brief Address on the Presidential Decree

What is the Reich? It is the culmination of German spirit and the voice of the German People. As is so often pointed out, we are ruled by a constitutional government. All good citizens, men and women alike, fulfill their role in installing legislators to operate the machinery of the Reich for the benefit of the German People. It is they who chose the Reichstag that we have now, chosen by votes and under the rule of law.

What, then, is this General Strike? It is an attempt by perfidious politicians and their idealistic patsies to  subvert the will of the people. To say "NO! It does not matter if the German People and their representatives supported these parties. It is only the parties supported by the Man in Moscow who are allowed to govern." Yes, this is the striker's tantrum revealed! They are men who could not convince the German people and so they decided that their opinions should count more. That the opinion of the factory worker in Berlin matters more than that of the shopkeeper, the soldier, or the worker in the Rhineland. The General Strike is nothing less than an attack on democracy and the Reich itself!

Which is why I welcomed the Presidential Decrees! By striking solely for the whims of their KPD masters, these men still on strike are attacking the German Reich itself. It is only right that the Reich should act in self-defense, in defense of the results of the election and of the authority of the State.

[GoTfan]

It is indeed strange that the puppet Chancellor would attack the strikers as not adhering to democracy when he himself relies on the votes of far-right authoritarians.

[RGM2609]

It is indeed strange that the puppet Chancellor would attack the strikers as not adhering to democracy when he himself relies on the votes of far-right authoritarians.

The "far-right authoritarians" were voted by the German people just like you. It would seem to some as if you are dividing the votes of our citizens into first-class and second-class, which is indeed strange for a self-defined equalitarian.

[GoTfan]

It is indeed strange that the puppet Chancellor would attack the strikers as not adhering to democracy when he himself relies on the votes of far-right authoritarians.

The "far-right authoritarians" were voted by the German people just like you. It would seem to some as if you are dividing the votes of our citizens into first-class and second-class, which is indeed strange for a self-defined equalitarian.

It should be noted that i did not explicitly identify who such authoritarians are, so I will let the comments for the Chancellor's puppetmaster stand on their own.

[RGM2609]

It is indeed strange that the puppet Chancellor would attack the strikers as not adhering to democracy when he himself relies on the votes of far-right authoritarians.

The "far-right authoritarians" were voted by the German people just like you. It would seem to some as if you are dividing the votes of our citizens into first-class and second-class, which is indeed strange for a self-defined equalitarian.

It should be noted that i did not explicitly identify who such authoritarians are, so I will let the comments for the Chancellor's puppetmaster stand on their own.

Neither did I, Herr Wells. You probably consider everyone who is not a member of the SPD a far-right authoritarian. It is not as if the ability to think logically is a quality of yours, as proven by the fact that you helped the KPD in their unsuccessful attempt to paralyze this country for their political purposes.

[GoTfan]

It is indeed strange that the puppet Chancellor would attack the strikers as not adhering to democracy when he himself relies on the votes of far-right authoritarians.

The "far-right authoritarians" were voted by the German people just like you. It would seem to some as if you are dividing the votes of our citizens into first-class and second-class, which is indeed strange for a self-defined equalitarian.

It should be noted that i did not explicitly identify who such authoritarians are, so I will let the comments for the Chancellor's puppetmaster stand on their own.

Neither did I, Herr Wells. You probably consider everyone who is not a member of the SPD a far-right authoritarian. It is not as if the ability to think logically is a quality of yours, as proven by the fact that you helped the KPD in their unsuccessful attempt to paralyze this country for their political purposes.

The government was relying on the votes of the Nazis, which is not something we can abide.

I submit to youthat a man with a professed hatred of democracy cannot speak with authority on what democracy is, especially when his puppet Chancellor wants to so badly deny rights to the people.

[RGM2609]

It is indeed strange that the puppet Chancellor would attack the strikers as not adhering to democracy when he himself relies on the votes of far-right authoritarians.

The "far-right authoritarians" were voted by the German people just like you. It would seem to some as if you are dividing the votes of our citizens into first-class and second-class, which is indeed strange for a self-defined equalitarian.

It should be noted that i did not explicitly identify who such authoritarians are, so I will let the comments for the Chancellor's puppetmaster stand on their own.

Neither did I, Herr Wells. You probably consider everyone who is not a member of the SPD a far-right authoritarian. It is not as if the ability to think logically is a quality of yours, as proven by the fact that you helped the KPD in their unsuccessful attempt to paralyze this country for their political purposes.

The government was relying on the votes of the Nazis, which is not something we can abide.

I submit to youthat a man with a professed hatred of democracy cannot speak with authority on what democracy is, especially when his puppet Chancellor wants to so badly deny rights to the people.

You mean the rights of over ambitious, hypocritical politicians such as yourself who respect everyone's vote, unless it is for the National Socialists or any party they do not like?

[GoTfan]

It is indeed strange that the puppet Chancellor would attack the strikers as not adhering to democracy when he himself relies on the votes of far-right authoritarians.

The "far-right authoritarians" were voted by the German people just like you. It would seem to some as if you are dividing the votes of our citizens into first-class and second-class, which is indeed strange for a self-defined equalitarian.

It should be noted that i did not explicitly identify who such authoritarians are, so I will let the comments for the Chancellor's puppetmaster stand on their own.

Neither did I, Herr Wells. You probably consider everyone who is not a member of the SPD a far-right authoritarian. It is not as if the ability to think logically is a quality of yours, as proven by the fact that you helped the KPD in their unsuccessful attempt to paralyze this country for their political purposes.

The government was relying on the votes of the Nazis, which is not something we can abide.

I submit to youthat a man with a professed hatred of democracy cannot speak with authority on what democracy is, especially when his puppet Chancellor wants to so badly deny rights to the people.

You mean the rights of over ambitious, hypocritical politicians such as yourself who respect everyone's vote, unless it is for the National Socialists or any party they do not like?

Could not the same be said of a man who does not respect the votes of the people who voted for Herr Mahraun?

[RGM2609]

It is indeed strange that the puppet Chancellor would attack the strikers as not adhering to democracy when he himself relies on the votes of far-right authoritarians.

The "far-right authoritarians" were voted by the German people just like you. It would seem to some as if you are dividing the votes of our citizens into first-class and second-class, which is indeed strange for a self-defined equalitarian.

It should be noted that i did not explicitly identify who such authoritarians are, so I will let the comments for the Chancellor's puppetmaster stand on their own.

Neither did I, Herr Wells. You probably consider everyone who is not a member of the SPD a far-right authoritarian. It is not as if the ability to think logically is a quality of yours, as proven by the fact that you helped the KPD in their unsuccessful attempt to paralyze this country for their political purposes.

The government was relying on the votes of the Nazis, which is not something we can abide.

I submit to youthat a man with a professed hatred of democracy cannot speak with authority on what democracy is, especially when his puppet Chancellor wants to so badly deny rights to the people.

You mean the rights of over ambitious, hypocritical politicians such as yourself who respect everyone's vote, unless it is for the National Socialists or any party they do not like?

Could not the same be said of a man who does not respect the votes of the people who voted for Herr Mahraun?

That is not true. Mahraun is still in the government because of his votes and because we respect them. Besides, the comparison is pointless as I never entered a dangerous strike with an extremist party that I denounced for my entire career in order to prevent that person from being a Minister.

[Devout Centrist]

There can only be one German working class, one German people, one German Nation. By installing an imperialist pretender as Staatskommissar of Bavaria, Chancellor von Papen and President Hindenburg are committing treason of the highest order against the German Nation and the German people. Their attempts to stoke the flames of monarchism and Bavarian independence will not go unpunished! We call on the anti-monarchist parties of the Reichstag to join our general strike against this blatant act of tyranny and oppression. We have no intention of backing down until this illegal and unconstitutional action is rescinded. We cannot allow any form of monarchy to undermine the will of the German working class.

[NewYorkExpress]

Adolf Hitler

The NDSAP will be joining Communist protests against the appointment of Crown Prince Rupprecht as Bavarian Statkommisar across Germany. Special attention will be paid to any protests occurring in Bavaria.

[KaiserDave]

The Reich



Wikimedia Commons

Roter Wedding: Bloodshed in Berlin


A crackdown strikes Berlin! German blood runs in German streets! This snowy morning as Communist demonstrators and aligned workers marched in Berlin waving red flags and singing songs, such as "Roter Wedding" the song of the Red Front Fighters, and the Internationale, song of international socialism, and calling for the downfall of all fascist forces. The Communists have kept up the strike as many Social Democrats have refocused on what seems to be inevitable elections coming up. But today, after the Reich President signed orders declaring press agitation of a strike illegal and the Interior Minister declaring that continuing strikes were an assault on the nation the forces of the right have finally responded with force on the left.

Der Stalhelm forces poured into the city the evening before, Reich Police officers doing nothing to aide or obstruct them. This morning they demanded the Communists disperse or surrender, to which the marchers only intensified in anti fascist rage. The forces of Der Stalhelm began firing warning shots and then began shooting in earnest. Shooting could be heard scattered across Berlin, but mostly in the poor neighborhoods where desperate and frigid masses of the unemployed, surviving only on soup provided by the KPD marched behind the red flag. Armed RFB men began firing back and firefights occurred in the city throughout the day. Marches for the day were ultimately pushed back, and the Reich Police in the afternoon swooped in to separate both factions. Estimates are that a few dozen marchers were killed, and that were 5-10 casualties among Der Stalhelm and 5-10 among the RFB. The snowy weather obstructed protracted conflict.

The question is, is this an emotional outburst from a few fascists in Der Stalhelm? Or the beginning of a violent government crackdown on the Communists?

In other news, the Swastika and the Red Flag fly together in Munich are anti-monarchist rallies are held, and Otto Strasser releases a statement from an undisclosed location launching the "Party of Revolutionary National Socialists" (or Partei der Revolutionären Nationalsozialisten, PRNS).

[Devout Centrist]

Thalmann Speaks about Anti-Worker Violence

We are saddened, but not surprised, by the recent attacks on striking workers by the thugs in Der Stahlhelm. Herr Hugenberg and the DNVP ought to be ashamed. Their anti-worker, anti-labor policies have destroyed the German economy and they are now threatening to kill working Germans in the name of 'going back to work'. The RFB reaffirms its commitment to protecting German workers, no matter their political or religious beliefs. We will meet force with force. We will stand firm against reactionary and state sponsored violence.

I call on President Hindenburg to ban Der Stahlhelm and other anti-worker militias as soon as possible. If the President fails to take action, we will put the matter before the Reichstag itself.

[RGM2609]

Hugenberg: "So it seems as if the Nazi Party is finally showing its true colors, joining the protests of the communists despite years of criticizing them. They are nothing more than a gathering of shady mobsters led by a delusional and mentally ill caporal. Shame on you, Herr Hitler!"

[NewYorkExpress]

Hitler response to Hugenberg

Just because you want the monarchy back doesn't mean anyone, both inside and outside of Germany wants it back.