Did Germany's Govt rule by consent - Weimar (2)

Question 1

Turnout of Reichstag elections from November 1919 TO November 1932

Answer 1

1919 = 83%
1924 = 77.4%
1930 = 82.0%
Nov 1932 = 80.6%

Question 2

Which political parties supported the Constitution?

Answer 2

• SPD consistently supported the Weimar constitution.
• Other moderate parties that played a part in forming coaltions were also pro-constitution, although to different degrees: Centre Party, the German Democrats (DDP) and the DVP.
• ISSUE is supporting the constitution and a democratic government isn’t enough - parties must be prepared to collaborate and negotiate policies that would help govt to function properly.
• FAILED = but, with the party support, the people must have supported the constitution, mainly middle-class, business people, Catholics and the professional classes.

Question 3

Numbers that were pro or anti Constitution

Answer 3

Pro:
1919 = 80.5%
Nov 1932 = 35.2%

Anti:
1919 = 17.9%
Nov 1932 = 58.3%

Question 4

Analysis of the pro/anti constitution

Answer 4

• Decreased from 1919 to 1932.
• Possible that the constant coalitions and amount of 51 parties (in 1932) created from the constitution added to the general distaste of govt - rise in extremists parties.
• 1924 = split between parties (economic issues?)

Question 5

Popular support of the constitution

Answer 5

• Many people welcomed the Weimar constitution when they were presented with something they liked less - for example people of Saxony welcomed the Reichsexekution after the removal of the communist government.
• Had supporters - a template for democratic government, than the actual government had.
• Often criticised govt activity, rather than the ideas of the constitution = increased resentment due to the various failed coalition, hindering govt success.

Question 6

How did government activity impact popular support of the constitution

Answer 6

When the govt did things right - there was an increase:
- 1924-29 = appeared to make the economy work and getting Germany accepted as a European power.
- In 1924, the SPD (face of the constitution) won 131 seats, rose to 153 in 1928 - a sign of approval.

When the govt failed, democracy swung into action:
- A right-wing president was elected by popular vote and then the Nazis won a rapid rise to power, again with voters exercising democratic rights. They then dismantled the Weimar constitution.