the 'stab in the back' myth

• emerged at the end of 1918, was another factor that undermined the German democracy
• World War One was not lost by the military but by the betrayal of socialists, communists, Jews and politicians.
• Myth took root for several reasons:

  • right up until the surrender, German propaganda had promised German victory
  • widely known that when Germany surrendered, the German army occupied French territory
  • popular militarism meant Germans tended to have faith that their army was invincible and would never surrender
• Myth relied on the assumption the army was trustworthy, nationalistic, strong, decisive and effective

  Whereas politicians were devious, unpatriotic, weak and ineffectual.
• army leaders continued to insist that they and their men were heroes, whereas the weakness and treachery of politicians had betrayed Germany
• Treaty of Versailles strengthened the myth. Germans blamed weak, ineffectual and unpatriotic politicians for accepting the harsh treaty.