Political Developments and the working of democracy Flashcards
Who was elected as President 1925?
Hindenburg after winning 48% of the votes
He was a staunch opponent of the republic and democracy
1924 + 1928 election results for KPD compared to 1920
4 1920, 62 seats 1924, 54 1928
1924 + 1928 election results for NSDAP compared to 1920
0 1920, 32 1924, 12 1928
SPD 1924-28
Most seats in the Reichstag through the entirety of the period with growing support consistently
153 seats 1928
DNVP (nationalist party) 1924-28
Second most popular party with 73 seats in 1928
Centre party 1924-28
Third most popular party up until 1928 when the won 78 seats making them second behind the SPD
Coalition governments
7 coalition governments 1923-1930 and remained inherently unstable
On average how long did each government last in this period and its impact?
8 months demonstrating how unstable democracy was
Stability of WR during ‘golden age’
Scarcely more stable despite support of anti-democratic parties of left or right
Attitudes to the Republic from the elites
Hostile towards democracy and felt the Republic was born out betrayal of the Fatherland
This was strengthened by the TOV and political and economic instability
Attitudes to the Republic from the industrial workers and Mittlestand
Felt the republic hadn’t delivered on promises of greater equality and social justice
Mittlestand support for moderate political parties was therefore vital if WR to succeed
They welcomed economic stability under Stesemann and political stability under Hindenburg despite their resentment of the republic festering
Extent of political stability
Extremist parties lost support throughout the period and less political violence and no attempts to overthrow the government
But coalitions being temporary and fragile and respect for democratic institutions further eroded
