Mustache Man The Weimar Republic failed. It was actually a pretty spectacular failure. Their currency became worthless almost overnight, a victim of hyperinflation brought about by the sanctions and reparations from WWI. People were desperate, and Hitler gave them a place to focus their anger — but let’s be clear, without the collapse of the German economy, Hitler would not have been able to make that narrative work. If people are happy, they don’t need someone to blame. He gave them an easy focus for their fear, something that didn’t force them to face reality. Sure, it was a lie — but fascism always starts from a lie.