reichswehr: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic / Historical
Quick answer
What does “reichswehr” mean?
The unified military forces of Germany during the Weimar Republic (1919–1935).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The unified military forces of Germany during the Weimar Republic (1919–1935).
The official armed forces of the Weimar Republic, established after World War I under the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed strict limitations on its size and capabilities. It was succeeded by the Wehrmacht in 1935. Often discussed in historical and political contexts concerning interwar Germany, military history, and the rise of Nazism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in both British and American historical scholarship.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term is neutral-historical but is inherently linked to discussions of German militarism, treaty violations, and the path to WWII.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Exclusively found in history texts, documentaries, and academic discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “reichswehr” in a Sentence
the Reichswehr + verb (was, became, consisted of)Reichswehr + preposition (under, during, of)adjective + Reichswehr (German, Weimar, postwar)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reichswehr” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Reichswehr, though limited to 100,000 men, remained a potent force in German politics.
- Historians debate the complicity of the Reichswehr in the rise of the Nazi party.
American English
- The Treaty of Versailles strictly defined the size and scope of the Reichswehr.
- Many Reichswehr officers later held high ranks in the Wehrmacht.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, and military history texts to denote the specific German military institution of the Weimar period.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only appear in detailed historical documentaries or conversations.
Technical
Used as a precise historical term. In gaming/modelling contexts, might refer to specific uniforms or units of the era.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reichswehr”
- Confusing it with the Wehrmacht (Nazi era) or the Bundeswehr (post-WWII).
- Mispronouncing as /ri:tʃswer/ instead of /ˈraɪksveə/.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a reichswehr'). It is always 'the Reichswehr'.
- Misspelling as 'Reichswer' or 'Riechswehr'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Reichswehr was the army of the democratic Weimar Republic (1919-1935). However, many of its conservative officers were hostile to democracy and later served in the Nazi Wehrmacht.
The Reichswehr (1919-1935) was the military of the Weimar Republic, bound by the Treaty of Versailles. The Wehrmacht (1935-1945) was the expanded, re-armed military of Nazi Germany.
No. As the official name of a historical institution, it is always capitalized in English.
It is a specialized historical term. It is well-known to historians, military enthusiasts, and students of German history, but not to the general public.
The unified military forces of Germany during the Weimar Republic (1919–1935).
Reichswehr is usually academic / historical in register.
Reichswehr: in British English it is pronounced /ˈraɪksveə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈraɪksvɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Reichswehr mentality (referring to conservative, apolitical, or state-loyalist military attitudes)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'REICH' (German empire/realm) + 'SWEHR' (sounds like 'swear' of allegiance). The army that swore allegiance to the Reich (state) during the Weimar period.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE REICHSWEHR AS A DORMANT VOLCANO / A SHEATHED SWORD. Represents a military force artificially constrained by treaty, containing latent power and potential for future eruption.
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary legal framework limiting the Reichswehr?