The ‘stab-in-the-back’ legend (Dolchstosslegende)

The therory
Facing a crushing defeat in World War 1 was very difficult for Germany, especially after the military high command had tried to undermine the civilian and monarchist powerstucures in an attempt to further thire own political position.

German citizens developed strong, and sometimes anti-Jewish and often xenophobia in nature, conspiracies that their war efforts had been ruined by internal forces. These became what is now called the ‘stab-in-the-back’ legend (Dolchstosslegende) became popular among right wing nationalists in Weimar Germany.

Also see

 * Germany