The Decline of the Weimar and the Rise of Nazism 1929-32

Question 1

The Great Depression- America reaction

Answer 1

american loans and investment were withdrawn and demanded repayments
caused further decline in food and raw materials
as demands for exports collapsed so did world trade

Question 2

germany’s economic weakness before Wall Street Crash

Answer 2

balance of trade was in the red- debt
number of unemployed averaged 1.9 million in 1929
many farmers were already in debt since 1927
German government finances from 1925 in deficit

Question 3

Human effects of Great Depression

Answer 3

1929-30 unemployment above 2 million and then 3 million
January 1932 stood 6.1 million
industrial workers skilled and unskilled- suffered unemployment
1933 1 in 3 Germans unemployed
built lack of confidence

Question 4

political effects of GD

Answer 4

Nazi party membership grew to 130,000 by 1929
collapse in Muller’s grand coalition March 1930
Bruning came into power and ruled solely by Article 48,
resulted in election September 1930- Nazi party 810,000 to 6,409,600
resulted in Bruning’s fall from power as Hidenburg saw lack of his success and forced him to reisign in May 1932
collapse of major bank Danat June 1931 revived fears of financial crisis

Question 5

from Bruning to von papen

Answer 5

with Schleicher- dominated by landowners
reichstag elections July 1932
Papen declared a state of emergency and appointed himself as Reich Commissioner of Prussia
Nazis became largest political party 230 seats and 37.3% of votes

Question 6

reasons for fall of Weimar

Answer 6

hostility of Weimar republic
ongoing economic problems
limited base support (TOV, parties)