Crumbling Reich: A Weimar Republic Game (Gameplay Thread)

[GoTfan]

"it was not us who turned and ran when the war started going badly, but the Kaiser and his family."

[RGM2609]

Oh, it was you. It was you and your party who usurped the Monarchy and proclaimed the Republic with no right. It was you who negotiated the Versailles Treaty and ran away in face of the Allies instead of standing up to their demands. It was you who presided over the economic collapse because of which millions have no home or no job right now. It was you who allowed communists and Nazis to violently dominate our streets and almost have us fall into anarchy. It was you who opposed all efforts to fix our problems, instead promise things during every campaign.

The Republicans have failed you, Germans, they allowed you to go down in despair and misery for the sake of their accursed Republic. The Monarchists in the von Papen government were the ones fighting to save our country when they were doing general strikes with the Bolsheviks. We were the ones to fix our economy, to impose order on the streets and to start reclaiming our lost lands. A vote for the Monarchy is a vote for competence and stability.

[GoTfan]

"It was not I who presided over that. It was the Kaiser and his family who fled the country when the writing was on the wall. What I presided over was the Kapp Putsch, when the Freikorps-of which many are now in the official employ of the government, I will remind you-attempted to overthrow the government, and were prevented from doing so by republican action.

I ask the German people tonight, do you desire the return of a supposed ruling family that fled instead of fought? Of course the Vice-Chancellor is comfortable with either; Wilhelm II is anti-democratic in every sense of the term. The Crown Prince meanwhile is an avowed member of Der Stalhelm and met with the arch-traitor Adolf Hitler twice; in 1926 and 1930. If you want a man associated with that traitor on the throne, that says more about you than anyone else."

[RGM2609]

You can deflect, deflect and deflect, but everyone knows the Republic and your party brought ruin upon us. Avoiding the subject is only making it worse for yourself, Herr Wells.

[KaiserDave]

The Reich



Wikimedia Commons

JA! To the Crown


After a nervous election day, the votes have been tallied and in the early hours of the morning the results, fully tabulated have been released to the press by the Reich government. However they have not been without trouble. Rumors of ballots being burned in the countryside were abound, street clashes broke out between Interior Ministry employees and Iron Front men. Some ballot boxes had to be transported by soldiers. Ultimately however, when the results were released, these were the results.

Ja!: 51.2%-19,687,266
Nein!: 48.7%-18,725,974

As soon as the results were officially posted rioting commenced in many of the main cities of the Reich. Angry Republicans and Communists marched into the streets waving the national flag and the red flag. The Imperial Banner was burned in many places, along with the effigy of the exiled Kaiser. In Berlin, the mass of Republican protestors was historically large. Additional soldiers had to be called in to control the chaos in the capital. The chaos subsided over the course of the day after the vote, but has not entirely ended as waves of protestors continue in the biggest cities of the nation.

Electorally speaking the monarchist victory came from the countryside, the north east, East Prussia, and southern Germany. However the Republic was ultimately done in by oddly small turnout in areas that had been home to the strongest Communist areas in the last election. The referendum is over, but the future is unclear.

More chaos in Germany.

[Devout Centrist]

OUTRAGE! Ernst Thalmann Speaks on the Referendum Results

Courtesy of Wikimedia

Comrades, Brothers and Sisters, our worst fears have been realized: the reactionaries have voted to overthrow our democracy and install the old Kaiser as our monarch!

This result is an outrage! When this matter was brought before the Reichstag, I made it clear that calling for a referendum on the monarchy was a foolish move that would surely benefit the decadent Kaiser and his militarist enablers. Yet many of our liberal brothers and sisters failed to heed my warning!

We have reaped a bitter harvest, brothers and sisters, because of their actions! It was a grave mistake to put our trust in the goodness of the reactionary right and their monarchist allies! The result is now clear: Our Republic has been sacrificed at the Altar of imperialism and militarism by Herr Hugenberg and Von Papen!

Today, I am forming an All-Union Republican Front for the salvation of the Weimar Republic. We will take all available, democratic steps to protect our nation and our democracy. Whatever legal methods are available, we shall use them to prevent the return of the monarchy to Deutschland. I am calling on every Republican German, be they communist, socialist, liberal, or otherwise, to join our grand union! Together we will shake the foundations of the militarist order and make a bold stand for the revival of democracy in Germany.

Comrades, I stand with you as your brother. Together we can defeat the Kaiser’s men and return this nation to its Republican roots. I will walk with you every step of the way. Brothers and sisters, we stand together against all forms of oppression!

For the Republic! For Democracy! Solidarity Forever!

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

Well, we won. This isn't the end of course. We have to decide just what the Kaiser's powers will be, and who will be that Kaiser.

I welcome all members of German society, no matter how they voted, to take part in this discussion.

I will not be following that path with you. I believe, that the new Kaiser should be free to pick his own Chancellor. As such, I am tendering my resignation as Chancellor, upon the installation of the new Kaiser.

[GoTfan]

"The reports of voting fraud must be investigated before we can go any further."

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

If you are so are worried about voter fraud, just call a vote of no confidence in Herr Hugenberg. You know, and I know, that he is most likely responsible for any alleged voting fraud that may or may not have happened. And even if it did happen, it wasn't enough to tip the referendum to a specific result.

[Devout Centrist]

Statement from Ernst Thalmann

The Chancellor admits that the Interior Ministry is complicit in massive voter fraud and suppression. Such a crime constitutes an act of treason and the KPD will be looking very closely at Herr Hugenberg's actions over the past few days. We call for an immediate vote of no confidence in Herr Hugenberg.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

Herr Thalmann, where did you learn the definition of treason? I'll spell it out for you. Treason is "betraying one's country to another country". Last time I checked, Herr Hugenberg rigging a referendum on the monarchy, assuming he even did that, cannot be treason, because the only people it would benefit are Germans! The Kaiser, though he lives in exile is still a German. The Crown Prince is still a German. The millions who voted for the monarchy are still Germans. Unless you can prove that another country benefits from the return of the monarchy, then by definition, anything that Herr Hugenberg did cannot be treason.

[Devout Centrist]

Your statements make a mockery of our people and they are clear proof of voter fraud on your part!

The return of the Kaiser clearly benefits International speculators and the capitalist class. They conspire to rob the German worker of their livelihoods and their hard earned pay. The Kaiser will make good on his promise to crush the spirit of the German people and throw away their lives on the battlefield. All in service of war profiteers and capitalists. This is treason of the highest order! You have betrayed the German people, Chancellor.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

Herr Thalmann, you take your orders on what to do directly from Josef Stalin himself. THAT is treason, NOT what Herr Hugenberg is doing.

[Devout Centrist]

You rigged the vote in favor of war profiteers, International capitalists, and the bloodthirsty militarists of 1914. Your own words brand you a traitor.

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

Herr Thalmann, I had nothing to do with any hypothetical vote rigging. If any rigging occurred it would have been Herr Hugenberg, most likely who supported and encouraged it. I did not sanction, nor would I have endorsed such actions. I prefer to win elections the clean way, regardless of what others may think.

Your definition of traitor needs work. I am not a traitor. The late Herr Hitler was a traitor. Herr Hugenberg is not a traitor. The late Herr Roehm was a traitor.

[RGM2609]

"These are all filthy lies, a manipulation by the big losers of this referendum. There is no evidence of voter fraud, and the people voted for the Monarchy, which is why the Bolsheviks and SPD are trying to get the results cancelled. Any such thing would be treason towards the democratic will of the people."

[KaiserDave]

Wikimedia Commons

Office of the Reichpräsident

In recognition of the voice of the German people, I hereby order that the Reichstag reconvene for the express purpose of passing a measure for the convening on a constitutional convention. After a convention is convened the Reichstag will be dissolved once again to allow the convention to proceed without undue political interference.

Cordially Signed,

Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg

President of the German Reich

[KaiserDave]

Major Reichstag Vote: Constitutional Convention

Result: Nein!





Majority is 323+1



Communist Party of Germany - 132 seats

Vote: Nein!

Party of Revolutionary National Socialists - 9 seats

Vote: Nein!

Socialist Workers' Party of Germany - 1 seat

Vote: Nein!

Social Democratic Party of Germany - 149 seats

Vote: Nein!

German Centre Party - 93 seats

Vote: 51 voting Nein!, 42 voting Ja!

German State Party - 59 seats

Vote: Ja!

German People's Party - 4 seats

Vote: Ja!

German-Hanoverian Party - 1 seats

Vote: Ja!

Patriotic Union - 41 seats

Vote: Ja!

Bavarian People's Party - 28 seats

Vote: Ja!

National Rural League - 7 seats

Vote: Ja!

German National People's Party - 122 seats

Vote: Ja!

[RGM2609]

Alfred Hugenberg on the failed Reichstag vote

Once again, this Reichstag has shown how little it cares for the will of the people! The so called Democrats are the first to try to cancel a referendum or an election once its results do not fit their will! Not even the Communists have shown such hypocrisy, and the voters have been punishing them and will continue to do so!

To all German patriots, do not worry! The Monarchy which was voted by you will happen regardless of what these fools try to do to delay it! Our movement continues and will emerge victorious!

[NewYorkExpress]

Von Papen

I am sorely disappointed by the outcome of the Reichstag's meeting today. I take full responsibility for the failure to bring have a successful Constitutional Convention. As such, I feel it is my duty to offer my resignation as Chancellor, with immediate effect.

I hope to serve the German People at some future date.

[RGM2609]

Alfred Hugenberg on the resignation of Franz von Papen

I am deeply sorry to see the great German patriot and fighter for the national revival Franz von Papen leave office. His year and half in office has deeply changed Germany for the better and he will be held in high regard in the next decades. We hope to be able to fulfill his legacy and make Germany great again in the following years.

[KaiserDave]

The Reich



Wikimedia Commons

Chaos in the Capital!


The Reichstag has defied the referendum and voted down a proposed constitutional convention. The vote was close, but not that close. The Reichstag left unanimously opposed the proposal, and the right unanimously supported it. Ultimately it came down to Zentrum. The party had opposed monarchy in the referendum, but it was split on whether or not the vote was legitimate. Party Chairman Brüning couldn't enforce one vote or another and let the party's individual Reichstag deputies make up their minds. Ultimately the Zentrum left and right split. Adam Stegerwald led the faction voting no, declaring that the referendum "was a cruel ploy, with the result decided before any Germans had even voted." Ultimately the Zentrum left carried enough votes to kill the proposal.

Jubilant Republicans paraded through Berlin and other cities of the Reich, waving the flag and burning effigies of the Interior Minister. The Interior Minister has become the most hated man in Germany for German leftists. However, angry monarchists and nationalists also marched into the streets, burning red flags and angrily chanting. In some parts of the cities, violence broke out between different groups of rioters and protestors. General von Schleicher (pictured) has been directly ordered by the Reich President to restore order in the capital, as political tensions rise to a level not seen since January.


BREAKING EVENING PRINT:

von Papen has fallen! The Reich Chancellor has resigned after falling to convene a constitutional convention! While he was already planning on resigning, this brings even more chaos to the Reich.

[Devout Centrist]

Victory! Thalmann Addresses Supporters Outside the Reichstag

Courtesy of Wikimedia

Comrades! Brothers and sisters! We have won a great victory today! Together we have defeated the forces of militarism and monarchism. Our All-Union Republican Front has won the day. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the millions of working men and women who joined us on the streets.

We have struck a tremendous blow for the working people of this nation. Together we said NO! to the Kaiser and his lackeys. We said NO! to exploitation by capitalists and foreign speculators! We said NO! to rule from ancient Monarchs. You have so much to be proud for, brothers and sisters. I cannot overemphasize this.

Nevertheless, our struggle goes on. Right now, I am calling for new Reichstag elections. The people must have their voices heard in the halls of power! Together we will deliver a working class majority to the Reichstag, one that will protect your voice and your vote! Together we will end our national humiliation at the hands of monarchists and capitalists. Brothers and sisters, let us continue to fight!

[GoTfan]

Wels resigns! Prussian Minister-President Otto Braun elected SPD Chairman!


[Credit: Wikimedia Commons]

Braun after leaving the meeting where he was elected chairman

"I am honoured today to assume the chairmanship of the Social Democratic Party of Germany!

We are the vanguard of the people, the defenders of their rights, and the shield of the worker. The party that has withstood demagogues of the far-left and far-right. In fact, the oldest party in the Reichstag.

To Herr Wels, we thank you for the work you have set in motion. I hope i can live up to your lofty reputation and welcome you as chairman emeritus of our party.

Forwards together!"

Braun's leadership team:

Deputy Chairman: Hans Vogel
Party Secretary: Kurt Schumacher
Chairman Emeritus: Otto Wels

[KaiserDave]

The Reich



Wikimedia Commons

Chancellor von Schleicher


The Reich President Paul von Hindenburg has appointed General von Schleicher as Chancellor. Chancellor von Papen resigned amid the government's failure to convene a constitutional convention. The vote, largely viewed as a confidence vote, was brought down by the left wing of the Zentrum. The new Chancellor is unlikely to survive a confidence vote, as the Zentrum left is somewhat skeptical, and the far right is as well. However, he may take routes outside of the Reichstag to achieve his goals, that he professed were to "bring peace and stability to the realm, and bring about the monarchical restoration demanded by the German people."

General Kurt von Schleicher is a military man and a protege of Hans von Seekt and Wilhelm Groener has a reputation as shrewd pragmatist, and a skilled political dealer. He is a monarchist without a doubt, but his primary focus is empowering the German state and army. Already, leftist protestors from the KPD and SPD are protesting the appointment of a "fascist sympathizer" to the Chancellorship, demanding that a Zentrum left, or SPD chancellor be appointed. The government remains in inertia.