1.3 Flashcards
What were the three other factors which came into play in the collapse of the Weimar democracy?
- Public feeling about the Weimar Government 2. Economic problems and the government’s failure to deal with them 3. Coalition Failure
Who were the November Criminals?
This was the term given to those who negotiated the armistice and the Treaty of Versailles but it was increasingly used against the Weimar Government as a whole by Opponents such as Hitler
How did the public show their dislike of the government’s association with the Treaty of Versailles?
The people showed their dislike by electing Paul Von Hindenburg as President of the Republic
What was the ‘stab in the back’ theory?
This theory was first voiced by Hindenburg about the Treaty of Versailles. This theory was that the German Army could have won the war but was stabbed in the back by the November Criminals. This theory contributed towards the unpopularity of the Weimar government.
What was happening to the US Economy in 1929?
In 1929 the US Economy was having problems when the Wall street Crash in the USA led to a full blown depression.
What did the problems occuring in USA mean for Germany and other European countries?
The US had been lending money to many countries in Europe to help them recover from the effects of the War. US loans had helped to put the German economy back on its feet. The USA was now calling for all its loans and not lending anymore
What happened to European countries after the USA took back all its loans it had handed out?
Countries in Europe were also dragged into depression. Prices rose rapidly as did unemployment. Wages fell
How did the Government deal with these economic problems?
The government failed to agree on a policy to help the economy and as it argued and the situation worsened, support for extremist political parties rose
Which parties benefited the most?
The parties which benefited most were the most extreme - the communist and the Nazis
How many Laws were passed by Reichstag?
29 Laws were passed
What was Hindenburg not inclined to do but was making the government more haphazard?
Hindenburg was not inclined to keep Chancellors who could not get an agreement on policy but changing chancellors made government even more haphazard
What was happening with the Coalition?
Parties were finding it harder and harder to work together and the SPD refused to take part in any more coalitions
How many Laws were created by the chancellor?
109 laws were created by Chancellor Bruning.
What was the Sturmabteilung (SA)?
Stormtroopers’ This was the Nazi private army. They protected the Nazi political meetings and attacked the meetings of other political parties. When Hitler first became Chancellor, the SA was a useful addition to the police.
How did the support for the Nazi Party increase dramatically?
Support for the Nazis in elections was boosted by the Sturmabteilung (SA) and its attacks on Political opponents. Neither the communists or the Nazis were in government but both were a significant force in the Reichstag.
