Political Developments

Question 1

Give evidence from elections that there was support for the republic (pro-rep parties)

Answer 1

• there were 2 elections in 1924 where there was greater support for pro-rep parties: SPD, DDP, DVP and Centre.
• Over 61% voted for pro-Rep parties in May 1924, and 67% in Dec.
• May 1924 election -> Nazis won 6.5% of the vote. However, in December won only 3% of vote.
• Communist parties saw fortunes fall under May 1924.

Question 2

Give evidence from elections that pro-rep parties struggled to gain widespread support

Answer 2

• pro rep parties still struggle to have a stable majority gov with widespread support.
• E.g. Dec 1924 -> 45 communist deputies elected.
  -> 1928: 54 were elected.
• E.g. Dec 1924 -> 103 Nationalist (DNVP) deputies elected.
  -> however, in 1928, 73 elected.

Question 3

Give the key features of coalition Govs in the Weimar Republic

Answer 3

• there was a total of 7 coalition Govs between Nov 1923 and March 1930.
  -> only 6 of 23 cabinets between 1919-1932 had majority support.
• Govs unable to plan for the long-term -> gordon Craig ‘an endless cabinet crisis’
  -> more concern for ‘filling ministerial chairs’ then actually governing country.
• trivial issues could wreck governments -> E.g. 1926, the gov of Luther had collapsed over a dispute over the German flag.
• the formation of a Grand Coalition in 1928 -> led by Hermann Muller had the potential for stability.
  -> however had divisions.
  -> took till the spring of 1929 for parties to agree on gov policies.
  -> disputes over budget and foreign policy.

Question 4

How were deputies elected into the Reichstag

Answer 4

• Deputies in the Reich under prop rep were chosen from party lists to collectively represent a large area.
  -> there was no direct connection between a deputy and his/her constituents.
• deputies were not allowed to display individuality but behaved under party bereacracies.
  -> the Reich debated over matters that did not match interests of voters.
• party leaders of pro-democratic parties gave higher priority to interests of own party rather than wider national interest.
  -> support for democratic institutions waned as a result.

Question 5

Explain the development of the SPD

Answer 5

• 1924-28, the largest single party -> but only took part in 1/6 coalition Govs in these years.
  -> unwilling to let go of their Marxist philosophy which was its trademark.
  -> Inflexible on important issues -> unwilling to compromise which is something required in coalition Govs.
  -> Actually opposed government more often -> contradicts their desire for democracy -> despite having leading role in establishing the Weimar Rep.

Question 6

Explain the development of the Centre Party

Answer 6

• this was based on the religious affiliation.
  -> had wide diverse support groups: industrial workers, industrialists, farmers and landlords.
  -> were more flexible than the SPD in terms of appeal.
  -> however had divisions on social and economic problems.
• Leadership changed in 1928 -> Heinrich Burning, right-wing, was less committed to democracy.

Question 7

Explain the development of the DDP

Answer 7

• It was in decline by the mid 1920s.
• Made up of intellectuals with limited political experience.
• Internal disputes -> unclear over what it stood for.
• participated in all coalition Govs 1924-28
  -> possible a weakness in the Reich -> proof of weak coalitions.

Question 8

explain the development of the DNVP

Answer 8

• aims: restoring the monarchy and dismantle the T of V.
• had growing diversity -> younger members were willing to compromise -> joined the coalition in 1926 and in 1927.
• 1928, lost support -> return to old ideas.
• Alfred Hugenberg became the party leader in 1928 -> was involved in the ‘freedom law’ and was against the Young Plan.

Question 9

Explain the development of the NSDAP (Nazis)

Answer 9

• failure at Munich Putsch 1923, was in decline -> Hitler had a 5 year sentence but only served 8/9 months -> LENIANT right-wing bias.
• in 1928, decided to focus on discontent of farmers -> protestant North of Germany.
  -> rural areas in the North, Nazi Gain an 18% vote in 1928 Reich election.
• Membership grew to 150,000 by October 1929
  -> clear signs of revival.

Question 10

Explain the development of KPD (communists)

Answer 10

• had support in industrial / port areas: Ruhr, Saxony, Hamburg, Berlin.
  -> dedicated to overthrowing the Republic.
• policies and tactics were dictated by the USSR -> E.g. 1923, KPD leaders were instructed to launch a revolution.
• After 1924 -> told to focus on attacking SPD as they were seen as betraying the working class -> labelled them as social fascists.
• Focus was taken away from the Nazis.
  -> serious division in the left-wing.

Question 11

What was the attitude of the old elites towards the Weimar Republic

Answer 11

• the army, civil service and the judiciary, hostile to parliamentary democracy.
  -> had a firm view that the Republic was born out of betrayal of the Fatherland.
  -> hostility strengthened by signing of T of V and hyperinflation.
• Election of Hindenburg only briefly helped them to reconcile to the existence of the W Rep.

Question 12

What was the of the working class towards the Weimar Republic

Answer 12

• many industrial workers felt the Republic had not delivered on promises of greater equality and social justice.
  -> crushing of left-wing revolts by the army and the police was clear that democracy was failing.

Question 13

What was the attitude of the middle class towards the Republic

Answer 13

• many of the middle class continued to prosper and were supportive of the republic.
• however lower-middle class suffered a catastrophic decline in incomes as a result of hyperinflation.
  -> had welcomed economic stability under Stresemann and stability under Hindenburg -> resentment of the republic continued.