How did the stab-in-the-back myth damage the Weimar Republic?

The "stab-in-the-back" myth (Dolchstoss im Rücken) was a profoundly damaging fabrication that undermined the legitimacy of the Weimar Republic from its inception. By falsely claiming that the German army remained "undefeated in the field" and was betrayed by a "defeatist" civilian population, socialists, and democratic politicians, the myth provided a powerful tool for right-wing agitators to delegitimize the new democracy.123

The consequences for the Republic were severe:

• Political Delegitimization: Nationalist groups branded the politicians who signed the Armistice and the Treaty of Versailles as "November criminals," framing the democratic government as inherently treasonous.124
• Radicalization: The myth fueled intense resentment and political violence, contributing to a climate where political assassinations—such as those of Matthias Erzberger and Walther Rathenau—became common.56
• Rise of Extremism: Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party exploited this narrative to gain support, positioning themselves as the forces that would "redeem" Germany from its supposed betrayal and restore its national honor.143

Ultimately, the myth eroded public trust in democratic institutions, making the Republic vulnerable to the extremist ideologies that eventually led to its collapse.56