The Weimar Republic - Collapse Of Democracy Flashcards
How much did the value if exports decrease by and why?
55% - lack of demand.
When was the Wall Street Crash and what was it’s effect on Germany?
October 1929 - US loans and investments were immediately stopped.
Between 1929-32 unemployment went up from what to what?
1.8 million to 5.6 million.
Industry and agriculture both suffered greatly from the depression, production decreasing to about half in both. True or false?
True.
How many banks and businesses collapsed by the end of 1931?
5 major banks, 50,000 businesses.
Why did the Grand Coalition collapse and when?
March 1930 - over the unemployment and debt issue.
Weimar was democratic until Hitler took over as Chancellor in 1933 - true or false?
False - the last truly democratic government was Müller’s coalition.
Brüning’s 1930 budget was a contentious issue - why and what did it cause to happen in the government?
He tried to pass it using Article 48 despite the Reichstag voting against it - they challenged his legality and were dissolved as a result. Election called.
September 1930 elections were significant and Brüning was disappointed by them - why?
It was the Nazi breakthrough, they became the 2nd largest party in the Reichstag. Brüning was disappointed because he knew this coalition wouldn’t support him.
As a result of an unsupportive Reichstag, how many times did Brüning use article 48 during the remainder of his time in office?
110 times - compared to the reichstag’s 39 laws!
In 1932 Brüning successfully campaigned for Hindenburg to be re-elected, so why did he get forced to resign shortly after?
He wanted to turn Junker estates into allotments for the unemployed- but Hindenburg himself was a Junker! He refused to sign any more presidential decrees.
Why was Papen made chancellor and why was he a controversial choice?
Political intrigue - Schleicher recommended him. He was controversial because he didn’t even hold a seat in the Reichstag let alone head a party - he wasn’t a politician!
Why did the July 1932 elections happen and what unconstitutional event occurred during the campaign?
Hitler wanted then as a return for supporting Papen’s government. 86 died in Prussia from street fights, so Papen appointed himself Reich Commissar of Prussia in a “state of emergency”.
Who won the July election and what % did they get?
The Nazi’s - 37.3%
Why did the September 1932 elections occur?
Hitler wasn’t appointed Chancellor despite it being the norm for the biggest party in the Reichstag. A vote of no confidence was then passed in Papen.
