Maxim Gorky and Heinrich Mann on the crisis of the Weimar Republic of 1919-1923: the view of writers and public figures

The aim of the work is to analysis the views of Maxim Gorky and Heinrich Mann on the formation and position of the Weimar Republic in the most critical period for it from 1919 to 1923. It is important how the processes and events of the Weimar period of Germany were reflected in them. After all, the period from 1919 to 1923 is considered a crisis, but in many ways, it determines both the further internal development of Germany and its foreign policy relations, which, in turn, influenced the entire context within Europe. The article offers detailed comparison of the two views of the largest representatives of culture of that time. The letters of M. Gorky during his stay in Germany (1921-1923) reflect not only a certain stage of the writer's personal and creative search, but also shows the writer's involvement in the historical context associated not only with Russia, but with Germany. At the same time, Heinrich Mann's articles are imbued with patriotic pathos, calling for the revival of Germany. Both writers in their texts place great emphasis on the role of culture in the life of the German state. Thus, they invited the people and the government to a social dialogue that would help overcome both internal and foreign policy contradictions. In addition, the article shows how the positions of Gorky and Mann illustrate two concepts of the further development of Germany: the first way was connected with the possible rapprochement of the Weimar Republic with the young Soviet state (M. Gorky), another way was connected with the consolidation of Germany with other European countries (H. Mann). Comparison and analysis of the views of Maxim Gorky and Heinrich Mann make it possible not only to see how the authors characterized historical events, but also to assess the importance of the writer as a representative of the epoch, to «weigh» the value of his author's word, especially in crisis years.