7 - Political developments and the working of democracy 1924-28 Flashcards
1
Q
Reichstag elections
A
- Elections in 1924 indicated a return of greater support for pro-Republican parties (67%).
- May 1924 Nazis won 6.5% and in December 3%.
- Even so, the democratic parties were struggling to provide stable governments.
- In the 1928 election, support for extremist and anti-republican parties declined even further.
2
Q
Coalition governments
A
- There were 6 coalition governments between 1924-1928.
- Scarcely more stable than those in the years 1919-23.
- Coalition governments were inherently unstable (Constitution and PR)
3
Q
Government of Luther
A
- In 1926 the government collapsed after a dispute over flags.
- When Hindenburg ordered that the old imperial flag be flown alongside the new republican tricolour at all German consulates in other countries, the resulting dispute led to the collapse of the government.
4
Q
Grand Coalition, 1928
A
- Appeared to offer potential for a more stable government.
- One of the longest-lived coalitions of the Weimar era.
- Still fraught with divisions.
- Established in June 1928 but not until spring of 1929 that the parties finally agreed on the government’s policies.
- Ongoing disputes over the budget and foreign policy.
5
Q
Quieter and more prosperous conditions
A
Provided the pro-democracy parties with an opportunity to establish a stable democratic system that could be supported by the majority of Germans. That they failed to do so was due to a number of factors:
6
Q
- Deputies in the Reichstag
A
- Did not represent a particular constituency.
- Under PR deputies were chosen from party lists to collectively represent a large area.
- No direct connection between a deputy and his or her constituents.
7
Q
- Party list system
A
- Gave party committees control over Reichstag deputies.
- Deputies were not allowed to display any individuality.
- Result was that the Reichstag became a rather sterile debating chamber remote from the concerns of ordinary voters.
8
Q
- Leaderships of the main pro-democracy parties
A
- Also at fault.
- Factional rivalries weakened many parties.
- When leading party members became ministers in coalition cabinets, party committees would not allow them any flexibility on their own initiative.
- Party leaders often gave higher priority to protecting the interests of their own party and the interest groups they represented.
9
Q
The SPD
A
- Between 1924-28 remained the largest single party in the Reichstag.
- Had a vital interest in the success of democratic government.
- Participated in only 1 of the 6 coalition cabinets.
- Rather inflexible on important issues and unwilling to make compromises.
- Close links with the trade unions and appealed mainly to industrial workers.
- Had limited appeal to young people and women and had no support among farmers, agricultural workers or the Mittelstand.
10
Q
The Centre Party
A
- Party based on religious affiliation so its appeal crossed class and occupational boundaries.
- Supported by industrial workers and industrialist, farmers and their landlords, and professional groups.
- More flexible and pragmatic.
- Vital to the success of Weimar democracy and no coalition was formed without its participation.
11
Q
The DDP
A
- In decline by the mid-1920s.
- Appeal was mainly to academics and professional groups.
- Increasingly riven by internal disputes and had great difficulty in conveying clearly and unequivocally what it stood for.
- Participated in all coalition’s of this period.
12
Q
The DVP
A
- Participated in all the coalition’s of the period.
- Had support amongst academics but its main support came from industrialists.
- After Stresemann’s death in 1929 the party drifted to the right and increasingly became a narrow pressure group promoting the interests of big business.
13
Q
The DNVP
A
14
Q
The NSDAP (Nazi Party)
A
15
Q
The KPD (Communist Party)
A
