Germany 1930-33

Question 1

National election vote shifts: 18.3% nazi (5x that of 1928) - increased legislative representation for NSDAP - devastating effects on Weimar Republic: no longer moderate majority even for coalition of lots of moderate parties .’. Nazi supporters forced claim to power using terror and violence

Answer 1

14 sep 1930

Question 2

Brüning attempted to reform devastated economy without majority (used article 48) - drastically cut state expenditures (liberal economic theory: less public spending = more economic growth) inc in social sector
- halted all public grants to obligatory unemployment insurance (1927 introduced) .’. Higher worker contributions +fewer benefits for unemployed - unpopular - middle + lower classes against Brüning/capitalists/mass land owners - turned to opposing parties (far right ie. nazis)

Answer 2

1931-32

Question 3

Hindenburg re-elected (2nd term as president) (49.6% of popular vote in second ballot)
-major opponent Hitler (30.2% of popular vote)

Answer 3

13 March - 10 April 1932

Question 4

Response to growing Nazi violence - government persuades Hindenburg to reluctantly ban SA (hitler’s brownshirts)

Answer 4

13 April 1932

Question 5

Brüning resigns (loses Hindenburg’s support) - replaced by Franz VON PAPEN (associated with industrialists/landowners - followed conservative policy along lines of Hindenburg)

• appointed Kurt VON SCHLEICHER as defence minister
• cabinet of same political opinion to Hindenburg
• Hitler persuaded him Nazis would support new government if ban on SA lifted + national election called
• Papen dissolved reichstag June 4

Answer 5

30 May 1932

Question 6

National election: major gains for KPD (communist) + Nazis (37.2% of vote) (replace SPD as largest party in Reichstag)
- hitler refused position under Papen + demanded chancellorship - rejected by Hindenburg 13 aug 1932

Answer 6

31 July 1932

Question 7

New Reichstag meets: KPD (communists) ask for withdrawal of emergency decrees + introduced a motion of no confidence against government - Papen attempted to immediately dissolve reichstag to forestall this (not before vote counted - 512-42 against gov) - another election held (hoped stable majority would form)

Answer 7

12 sep 1932

Question 8

National election yielded 33.1% for nazis (2m less than previous election); NSDAP still largest party in Reichstag

Answer 8

6 nov 1932

Question 9

Papen forced to reseign by Hindenburg - succeeded by Kurt VON SCHLEICHER - Papen did his best to undermine S’s gov

• Schleicher planned to unite Trade Unionist left wings in various parties inc nazis led by George Strasser to form majority (unsuccessful)
• army (Reichswehr officers) unprepared to follow Schleicher
• he aroused animosity among mass landowners/capitalists
• on brink of collapse by mid jan 1933

Answer 9

3 Dec 1932

Question 10

Schleicher admits to Hindenburg that he’s unable to form majority - Asks president to declare state of emergency - refused - Schleicher resigned 28 jan - succeeded by Hitler 30 jan

Answer 10

23-30 jan 1933

Question 11

Heinrich Brüning (expert on finance) appointed Chancellor by Hindenburg

• introduces unpopular bill to reform Germany’s finances + loses Reichstag support .’. Hindenburg forced to use article 48
• 18 July 1930 bill again invalidated by slim majority .’. Brüning submitted to Reichstag president’s decree - parliament would be dissolved (another election called)

Answer 11

29 March 1930