About this episode

This episode explores the strategic choice of Weimar as the capital of the new republic and its implications during a time of political upheaval.

In this episode with Katja Hoyer I learned how Weimar’s choice as the new republic’s capital wasn’t random; it was strategic. Small, cultural, and safe from political upheaval, it symbolized a fresh start. But beneath that veneer, extremism was already brewing — Nazis testing their power, violence simmering just beneath the surface. The town’s evolution shows how politics and culture collide, and how ordinary people’s lives are impacted during times of chaos — from factory workers to hotel owners. When history feels distant, these stories remind us how much is at stake in every decision. Worth thinking about. Chalke History Festival is on from the 22nd through to the 28th of June grab tickets from https://www.chalkefestival.com Grab a copy of Weimar https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14692/9780241681244 Keep up to date with Katja via Her website https://www.katjahoyer.online/ her blog https://www.katjahoyer.uk/ f you want to get in touch with History with Jackson email: jackson@historywithjackson.co.uk To support History with Jackson to carry on creating content subscribe to History with Jackson+ on Apple Podcasts or support us on our Patreon…

People in this episode

Host: Jackson

Guest: Katja Hoyer

Topics covered

• Weimar Republic
• political history
• cultural history
• extremism
• ordinary people's lives
• historical impact

Keywords

• Weimar
• Katja Hoyer
• Chalke History Festival
• politics
• culture
• Nazis
• extremism
• history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Chalke History Festival, Patreon

Books & works: Weimar

Places: Weimar

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• The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s with Jason Burke - Chalke History Festival Special Series · June 23, 2026 · 48 min
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