European states (Germany): Examine the reasons for the collapse of the Weimar Republic Flashcards
Intro/thesis
Paragraphs
-Political instability in the Weimar Republic → actions of Hindenburg
-Wall Street Crash/economic crisis
-Appeal of Nazism
Political instability in WR –> actions of Hindenburg - examples
-Brüning and Hindenburg began to lose support in 1930, having to rely even more on article 48.
-Hitler’s support grew to 37.8% in the June 1932 elections, leading to negotiations being made with the Nazis over the terms by which they should be brought into power.
-Even though the Nazis lost 2 million votes in the election of November 1932, the KPD made further gains. To counter what conservatives saw as a dangerous situation, there was increased support for Hitler to be given a permanent position in government. Hitler insisted that he be given the position of Chancellor and eventually, Hindenburg gave in.
Political instability in WR –> actions of Hindenburg - explanation
-Hindenburg believed that as long as there were only a few Nazid in the cabinet, they could be controlled, and he subsequently appointed Hitler as Chancellor.
-Ian Kershaw: “By 1933, (the government) needed Hitler as he could deliver the mass support required to impose a tenable authoritarian solution to Germany’s crisis.” “Hitler’s triumph in January 1933 was at no stage an inevitable outcome of the failure of the Weimar Republic.”
-Richard Evans believes that it was not Hitler’s own actions, but rather the political/economic circumstances, the mistakes of the people around him (esp. Hindenburg), and his ability to capitalize on these mistakes, that brought him into power. “Article 48 would prove fatal to the Republic’s survival.”
Wall Street Crash/economic crisis- examples
-Farmers continued to be hit by a worldwide agricultural depression, which kept prices low. By 1929, German agricultural production was less than three-quarters of its pre-war levels.
-The 1929 Wall Street Crash and subsequent Great Depression affected Germany greatly as its economic recovery had been largely based on US loans, which US banks rapidly called in.
-By 1932, the number of unemployed had risen to 6 million.
-Brüning’s economic policies were minimal and failed to improve the situation.
Wall Street Crash/economic crisis- explanation
-The economic crisis put further strains on the already fragile political system.
-The economic crisis and the failure of the government to tackle it effectively led to the German people turning to extremist parties on the left and the right.
-When Brüning’s economic policies failed to improve the economic situation, with parties on the left unable to put forward an alternative approach, the Nazis stood out as the one party prepared to dedicate themselves to the Germans.
-Also fuelled support for Communist Party –> fear of Communism –> support for Nazism
Wall Street Crash/economic crisis- counterargument
-However, it was not just the Nazis that benefited from the economic situation. It also caused a surge in support for the KPD among the workers. Nevertheless, this ended up benefiting the Nazis as the middle and upper classes were terrified of a Bolshevik-style revolution taking place in Germany, and the Nazi emphasis on hatred of communism, along with their actual physical attacks on Communists in the streets, increased their electoral success.
Appeal of Nazism- examples
-The Munich Putsch, the subsequent trial, and Mein Kampf. Hitler’s treason trial was overseen by a sympathetic judge, who allowed Hitler to make political speeches. The trial was also covered extensively in national newspapers, bringing the Nazis greater attention beyond just Bavaria.
-Hitler capitalized on the Nationalists’ resentment towards the Treaty of Versailles, WW1, and concerns about the poor state of the economy
-The 25-Point Program, established in 1920, stated that Germans should have land and territory, should only be citizens of the state (no Jews could be members of the nation) and should, among other statements.
-The party’s paramilitary force, the SA, gave the Nazis an image of order and strength.
Appeal of Nazism- explanation & historiography
-When Hitler was released from prison, he reorganized the Nazi Party and made a decision to use the parliamentary system to achieve power.
-Hitler’s personal leadership was also crucial to the success of the party. He was a charismatic speaker and was backed by Joseph Goebbels, a brilliant propagandists. The Nazis were able to appeal to a wide range of groups, and their propaganda was adapted accordingly for different audiences.
-Mary Fulbrook: “Hitler was able to appeal to a wide range of groups harboring different resentments … precisely because he was never very specific about the details of the proposed order.” (31)
-Although street battles with the KPD were often started by the Nazis, the SA claimed that they were, in fact, keeping order on the streets by dealing with the Communists → support of middle & upper classes
