Weimar Republic 1919-1933, analogy to Iraq

[TROUFION]

No analogies are perfect yet they have great merit for historical study of precedent. IN this case the German Reich known as the Weimar Republic, struggled from its inception in the rubble and chaos of post WWI Germany to establish itself ultimately failing. A study of the internal conflict to establish a Democracy where one had never existed before and the chaotic struggle between communist, socialist, the paramilitaries, the Army and the weak central government could contribute to our current conflicts.

In a way it can be used as a proof source for what could happen if their was no force of Occupation in Iraq. At least with the occupation the US retains a good deal of 'say' in what happens to the Government of Iraq. Perhaps preventing the rise of a Nazi like regime.

A decent summary of the conflict is encapsulated at this site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weimar_Republic
"For the next five years Germany's large cities suffered political violence between left-wing and right-wing groups, both of which committed violence and murder against innocent civilians and against each other, resulting in many deaths. The worst of the violence was between right-wing paramilitaries called the Freikorps and pro-Communist militias called the Red Guards, both of which admitted ex-soldiers into their ranks."

But that is just a summary, their are many good books on the history of Weimar, the post WWI German Army, the FrieKorps and the Spartacus (Spartacist) Movement and the various Pustch that occured.

A good source for the Post WWI movements is the: http://www.firstworldwar.com/index.htm

This could also provide fuel for an argument as to why occupation/foriegn assistance are useful in maintaining stability and preventing the rise of Nazi/Bath party like organizations in the wake of war.
-T