WW1 had sign. impact on Germany. Brought about collapse of Hohenzollern monarchy & its replacement by a democratic system, which, after early difficulties, seemed to flourish before becoming a casualty of the Great Depression. War's legacy allowed Adolf Hitler to rise from relative obscurity to overthrow this short-lived democracy, impose a dictatorship, & pursue a foreign policy that, in the name of righting the wrongs of the Versailles settlement, plunged the world into another war.
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             By the outbreak of war in August 1914, Germany was well established as major world power. Attained in less than 30 years – seen in country's industrial & economic strength, o/seas colonies, extensive trading interests, & its vast army.
             Yet, w/in 5 yrs, Germany was on its knees; its armies on Western Front were in full retreat, its citizens were starving & the Hohenzollern monarchy had abdicated in favour of a republic. Nation was about to enter into period of political, social & econ. chaos.
             Popular belief held that German ppl & army had been betrayed by socialist politicians who now held reins of govt. Signatories to Armistice of November 1917 & Treaty of Versailles were to blame for country's ills. Against such a background of anger & resentment, the 'stab in back legend' was born. As Weimar Republic sought to establish democracy, & rebuild econ. prosperity, extremism & violence on the Right & left of politics flourished.
             W/ collapse of world economy in aftermath of Wall Street Crash, mass u/e & popular disenchantment w/ democracy helped to bring Hitler & Nazi movement to power. Domestic policies that offered genuine improvements to living standards were laced w/ coercion & outright terrorism. In foreign affairs, Hitler's adventurist policies & resulting war destroyed the nation of Germany for a 2nd t...