Political- Establishment Of Nazi Reigm Flashcards
Long term factors that contributed to the collapse of Weimar
- Too few people believed in the republic or democracy, authoritarian heritage of Wilhelmina era; many didn’t regard it as a legitimate regime
- Damaged inheritance
- Republic struggled to throw of myths put in place by RW opponents
- Republic generated too few leaders of great authority and ability
- Democratic constitution had loopholes e.g. Article 48
- Proportional representation lead to unstable short lived governments
- Deep rooted economic difficulties undermined republic
Short term factors that lead to the demise of the republic
- 1929 Wall Street crash led to economic crisis
- Political betrayal by RW elites
What was the psychological impact of WW1 that lead to fear amount Germans that aided the fall of Weimar?
The collapse of the world economy brought back fears of indebtness, loss of status, loss of autonomy
What economic failings alienated many middle class from the republic?
-Loss of savings and devaluation of pension in 1923 hyperinflation
Why did the economic depression of the 30s hit Germany so hard?
- Germany was a major exporting nation, but lost trade as world trade collapsed by a third
- Lost American investment
By 1932 how many people were officially unemployed?
6 million
In 1932 what level was the output of German economy at?
58% of that in its best period in the 20s
What psychological effect did the depression have on the German public?
- Sense of despair and apathy
- Juvenile suicide rates increased
What problems were in the Reichstag in 1930?
-Inter party disputes were disrupting enacting of legislation
Which chancellor in 1928-30 had problems in the Reichstag?
Muller
How did Muller’s government weaken faith in parliamentary institutions?
Constant bargaining and negotiating of ways to tackle economic crisis undermined them
Why did Muller resign?
Hindenburg refused to back his government with emergency powers
What was Muller’s resignation a turning point for?
The Reichstag- it was now increasingly marginalised - power was largely in control of Hindenburg and his advisors
Chancellor from 1930-32
Bruning
What did the September 1930 election show
A panic flight to the extremes - with the KPD making gains and the Nazis winning 107 seats
What did the September election 1930 mean for Bruning?
-Stuck in a minority government and increasingly reliant on Article 48
What stat demonstrates the marginalisation of the Reichstag
1930-32
- Reichstag passed 29 relatively minor bills
- 109 emergency decrees ratified by the president
1930-32 who was increasingly wielding political authority?
Army under von Schleicher
What did von Schleicher do in 1932 with his political authority?
Used his influence to get Hindenburg to dismiss Bruning
Who replaced Bruning in 1932?
Von Papen
Why was von Schleicher interested in the Nazis?
- Recognised their strength in the Reichstag and wanted to use them to further his own ambition
- Saw them as a step to implementing authoritarian dictatorship
- Thought the Nazis could be tamed by being brought into government
What did von Schleicher want from Rohm?
- Closer links
- Give SA access to weapons so that they could cause havoc on streets and undermine republic/ democratic institutions as they would look unable to maintain law and order
What did Bruning do under pressure from several German land governments in 13 April 1932?
Banned SA
What did Schleicher do as a result of SA ban?
- Engineered resignation of Groener who opposed Schleichers intention of SA integration into army
- Met with secret in Hitler
- Engineered Brunings dismissal
