collapse of democracy 1928-33 Flashcards
what was the collapse of democracy caused by?
long term political problems
why did Nationalist cause the collapse of democracy?
thought gov not legitimate, stab in back, support gov when threat of left, less supportive of gov normally, distrusted democracy
what did the army do during the Kapp putsch?
refused to support the gov, uprising right-wing
what happened to politicians and parties during the late 20s?
became more authoritarian
what did the Catholic ZP begin to favour by the late 20s?
replacing democracy with a dictatorship to safeguard Catholic values
what did Hindenburg do because he wanted to replace democracy with a more authoritarian style of gov?
appointed more authoritarian chancellors after collapse of Mullers gov
what did governments increasingly rely on between 1930-32
article 48
what did conservative politicians, civil servants and military leaders see the economic crisis as an opportunity to introduce?
a more authoritarian kind of rule, each new chancellor used power to undermine democracy
when was Hermann Muller chancellor?
June 1928 - march 1930
when was Bruning chancellor?
march 1930 to may 1932
when was von Papen chancellor?
may 1932 to Nov 1932
when was von Schleicher chancellor?
dec 1932 - jan 1933
how did Brunings Catholicism influence his politics?
had concerns about atheism, communism and socialism, believed authoritarianism best way to guard Catholicism
what did Bruning become increasingly relied on, what did this do?
article 48 and Hindenburg, reduced power of Reichstag
what did Bruning use the emergency powers to do?
restict civil liberties e.g introduced press censorship
why did Brunings economic policies worsen the depression?
reduced welfare spending. worsened effects on people and economy
how did the increase of Nazi vote share grow?
1928- 2.6%
1930- 18.3%
july 1932- 37.27%
what did the Nazis capitalise on to get more power and support?
economic crisis and disillusionment with democracy, used effective propaganda campaign
how did the Nazis appeal to the lower middle class?
would protect them from power of big business
how did the Nazis appeal to women?
promised economic security, greater respect for traditional role of women
how did the Nazis appeal to protestants?
appealed to nationalism, protect from communism
how did the Nazis appeal to middle class voters?
protect traditional values and their wealth from communist revolution
how did the Nazis appeal to the working class?
promised work and bread
what key values did the Nazi party have?
nationalism, empire, racism, social darwinism, hatred of democracy, political violence.
what did Hitler believe about the new front generation?
they would make Germany great again, they were the heroes and martyrs
How was the Nazi party modelled on the army?
political party that looked like army, Hitler looked like military leader, more value on soldiers than politicians
how did munich putsch failure change Hitlers means of gaining power?
before wanted to seize power, after realised gaining power legally in elections better
How did Hitler personally appeal to the public?
portrayed himself as strong man needed to save and unite Germany, ordinary man who fought in war, could argue he would fight again for Germany and be its saviour
why did political violence reemerge as the Nazis rose to power?
SA increasingly violent, attacked other parties meetings etc
how did a crisis of order and political violence weaken Weimar democracy?
indicated democracy failed to ensure law + order, nationalists supported violence to fight communism
what was the nickname for the SA, who was their leader?
brownshirts, Rohm
what did the SA do?
protect Nazi leaders, intimidated Nazi opponents, fought other political groups, kill those who stood in way
what was unusual after the July 1932 election?
Hitler headed largest party in Reichstag but not appointed chancellor
why did Hindenburg resist appointing Hitler as chancellor?
viewed him as extremist, willingness to support violence made him unfit for office,
why did von Papen and von Schleicher support Hitler?
wanted authoritarian dictatorship, led by traditional elite but supported by Nazis
what would an alliance with the Nazis give an authoritarian gov?
popular legitimacy and support in Reichstag
why were von Papen and von Schleicher bad political appointments?
both conservative, didnt support democracy, wanted authoritarian gov
how did von Papen and von Schleicher work with Hitler?
Papen lifted ban on SA, Schleicher offered Hitler position of vice chancellor
why did senior military officers, bankers + industrialists lobby Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as chancellor?
military- wanted to ensure loyalty of SA to army
bankers- protect wealth and property of middle class from communist revolution
what did von Papen propose to allow Hitler in gov?
Hitler would be chancellor, have traditional conservatives in his cabinet to limit his power
when was Hitler made chancellor?
Jan 1933
