Political and governmental change - Impact of Depression

Question 1

What was the impact of the Depression on Weimar government?

Answer 1

• The Grand Coalition collapsed as parties disagreed over unemployment benefits.
• Subsequent governments lacked Reichstag support. There were 4 chancellors between 1928-33.

Question 2

What evidence is there that the German political system became more authoritarian after 1929?

Answer 2

Chancellors Bruning and von Papen relied extensively on emergency presidential decrees rather than on parliamentary government. For example, there were 44 emergency decrees in 1931 (and only 5 in 1930)

Question 3

What evidence is there of increase in politically-motivated violence?

Answer 3

During July 1932 election there were 461 riots in Prussia in which a number of people died. Street violence added air of instability in Germany and served to increase people’s discontent.

Question 4

Name 3 reasons why Weimar democracy failed

Answer 4

1. From the start, there was hostility from Germany’s elites/establishments (e.g. judiciary, army, civil service) who worked to undermine Weimar democracy.
2. Ongoing economic problems - inherited huge costs of WWI, reparations and expensive new welfare benefits set out in Weimar constitution. Problems in the economy were disguised rather than solved under Stresemann
3. Limited popular support. There was never total acceptance of, and confidence in, its democratic system and values. Weimar was associated with the humiliation of Treaty of Versailles and reparations.