Unit 3 essay questions/judgement

Question 1

most significant impact of the depression?

Answer 1

Political as this caused the end of democracy through the collapse of the grand coalition,providing and opportunity for the extreme left and right to gain support and intensified political violence

Question 2

evidence that the most significant impact of the depression was political?

Answer 2

• DVP wanted to reduce unemployment benefit but SPD wanted to protect level of benefit and instead raise taxes which caused the govt to be deadlocked and in - - March 1930 Muller resigned
• Sept 1930 election communists got 77 seats and Nazis got 107 seats (from 12 in 28)
  SA + red front fighters took their political struggle to the street,each attempting to break up political meetings of their rivals (so intense in 1932 Bruning banned SA)

Question 3

explanation for political being impacted most ?

Answer 3

Most significant as had far-reaching detrimental consequence of ending democracy in Germany as the depression forced more moderate voters to extremes due to desperation after feeling they had been failed by the weimar.Political power in Germany had shifted from the Reichstag to the president and his circle of advisors,but also to the streets.

Question 4

depression effect on society?

Answer 4

Another extremely significant impact was on society, having a detrimental impact on everyone but most notably young men.More significantly, the fact that so many individuals had poor living conditions affected their voting conduct,resulting in more extreme voter turnout which led to increased violence.

Question 5

depression effect on society? ev

Answer 5

• Benefit system only designed to help 800,000 ,amount paid out having to be reduced as the system could not cope
• June 1933 Hamburg youth unemployment 39% ➡️ gangs of young men congregated causing fears they were being drawn into extremist political organisation + crime, no youth accused of crime increased
• KPD + Nazi attracted young men ➡️ food,uniforms,shelter + excitement of street fighting

Question 6

depression effect on society? ex

Answer 6

Important as the mass unemployment had a highly corrosive effect on German society as this created difficult living conditions for many and ultimately led people to extremist parties.Also being at the forefront of government issues due to the benefit system that had to be tried and upheld.

Question 7

depression effect on political?

Answer 7

The least important but still notably important impact of the depression was with the German economy.Although the economic issues were a catalyst for other more significant issues they themselves were not the most significant to German citizens.However the already stagnant economy did suffer more comparatively to other countries in Europe

Question 8

depression effect on political? ev

Answer 8

• Between 1929 + 1932 Germany’s level of export trade declined by 61% and industrial production fell by 58% of its 1928 level (greater than any European countries)
• Companies forced to declare themselves as bankrupt and make workers redundant
• Banks began to get into difficulty and following the collapse of an Austrian bank in May 1931 German banking system was plunged into crisis
• By 1932 ⅓ of Germans unemployed, Jan 1933 true employment 8 million
• Depression pushed farmers into serious difficulties with many forced to give up their farms as banks demanded repayment of loans

Question 9

depression effect on political? ex

Answer 9

Industrial areas suffered most economically but it caused everyone to be worse off.Whilst the economic issues were the starting point of the depression the challenges they caused were much more severe than the economy itself.Although it still played a significant role in the collapse of democracy as after the previous hyperinflation it seemed to be more evidence of the weimar not being able to create a stable economy in Germany.

Question 10

How did the Great Depression magnify political problems of the republic ?

Answer 10

• magnified the instability of the coalition governments
• lack of control of the Weimar
• turning support towards more extreme parties

Question 11

which political problem was most magnified?

Answer 11

Most notably the great depression magnified the instability of the coalition governments,with no coalition lasting longer than 2 years, as it was able to split the grand coalition which ultimately seemed to be Germany’s last option.

Question 12

evidence of the unstable coalition govt ?

Answer 12

• DVP wanted to reduce the unemployment benefit whilst the SPD wanted to protect the level of benefit and raise taxes (the govt was deadlocked on the issue) and resulted in Muller resigning in March 1930
• Bruning was the longest continuously serving chancellor of the weimar republic (severity of depression)
• Hindenburg was convinced to appoint Bruning who was opposed to parliamentary democracy ➡️ excluded SPD so didn’t have enough support resulting in having to rule by presidential decree

Question 13

evidence of the unstable coalition govt? ex

Answer 13

Ultimately the depression was strong enough to destroy the weimar democracy due to the collapse of the grand coalition.Resulting in the severe new authoritarianism that would cause Hitler to be able to gain so much popularity and power as a lot of German viewed this change positively.The scope and longevity this had on the next few years of Germany’s politics must be acknowledged when assessing the effect of the depression.

Question 14

lack of control? P

Answer 14

The depression also magnified the lack of control of the Weimar.With an increase in political violence that was never completely rectified highlighting the lack of control and respect the Weimar had over its citizens.

Question 15

lack of control? ev

Answer 15

• SA + red-front fighter league attempted to break up each others political meetings with rival marchings often degenerated into full-scale riots
• Bruning banned SA in 1932 but this failed to curb the stormtroopers as their membership continued to grow
• By 1932 SA had 400,000 members
  1932 first half - deaths from political violence Nazis 84 Communists 75

Question 16

lack of control? ex

Answer 16

The depression made people angry towards the government and towards each other, pushing more people into extreme parties consequently pushed those already apart to more extreme ends.People felt they were not being heard through the democratic system,feeling they had no other choice than to become violent.Clearly this highlights one of the fundamental issues surrounding the weimar, a lack of trust,respect and hope.

Question 17

turning support extreme parties? P

Answer 17

Another aspect of politics that was magnified by the depression was the turning support towards more extreme parties.The depression caused moderate voters to turn their backs,believing that a more extreme party would fulfil their promises to act in a time where people needed action.

Question 18

turning support extreme parties? ev

Answer 18

• In sept 1930 election the Nazis gained nearly 6.5 million votes and their representation in the reichstag went from 12 to 107 seats
• In the 1930 election the SPD gained over a million votes and 77 seats in the reichstag
• Out of the sept 1930 election ⅖ of voters gave their support to anti-democratic parties

Question 19

turning support extreme parties? ex

Answer 19

Before the depression the support for anti-democratic and extreme parties was no were near the threat it had became.Now moderate voters felt abandoned by the democratic system,desperate to get out of the depression.As the weimar seemed unable to do this voters were forced into more extremes.

Question 20

Reasons for the rise of the Nazis from 1928?

Answer 20

• Nazis projected an image of decisiveness and energy
• obvious change from the current system.

Question 21

rise of Nazis?

Answer 21

As the economic crisis in Germany deepened, society became more polarised and the political system failed to provide a government equal to the situation.The Nazis projected an image of decisiveness and energy offering the prospect of change.Most significantly the Nazis were able to gain power due to the emotional appeal they had.With a charismatic leader they offered direction and security.The prospect of firm action to take Germany out of its turmoil attracted millions of Germans (regardless of class)

Question 22

Nazis projected an image of decisiveness and energy ev?

Answer 22

• Hitler had the plan of a peoples community/Volksgemeinschaft in which the state would only consists of Aryans and there would be no social classes,all Germans would have equal chances to find their own level in society
• Wanted to destroy democracy ‘democracy is fundamentally not German;it’s Jewish’ and replace with a dictatorship
• Fuelled by propaganda that would be modified for different audiences eg after 1929 Hitler reassured Hugenberg (businessman) that Nazis would not threaten his interests

Question 23

Nazis projected an image of decisiveness and energy ex?

Answer 23

Hitler was able to successfully draw in a variety of voters due to his easily interchangeable aims within which he knew which would appeal to certain groups.Alongside this and his clear aims for Germany he gave people hope within a time where hope was limited.

Question 24

ev as nazi being an obvious change?

Answer 24

• the national socialism presented (nationalising monopoly industries,confiscation of war profits and confiscation of land from the large estates without compensation to land owners)
• Aggressive nationalism aiming to : reverse the humiliation of the treaty of versailles,establish a ‘Greater German Reich’ in which all Germans would live within the borders of the state and to secure for Germany’s its Lebensraum - to settle its people and provide the food and materials needed to sustain a great power

Question 25

ex as have being an obvious change?

Answer 25

The Nazis were able to attract working class support from the SPD and communists which ultimately helped them to win the vote.As well as the aggressive form of nationalism in which Hitler did not only want to restore Germany to its borders but also expand its territory which would involve a war of conquest,justified by Hitlers racial theories and his belief in the necessity of struggle.

Question 26

role + significance of Hitler?

Answer 26

By 1929 Hitler had established undisputed control over the Nazi party and a leadership cult had been created around him.His political skills and qualities were of crucial importance to the party.

Question 27

most significant role of Hitler?

Answer 27

he possessed great charisma and unparalleled oratorical skills

Question 28

ev for his great charisma?

Answer 28

• Speech often went on four hours,containing repetition and out-right lies but he had a hypnotic effect
• As an opportunist he would tailor his message to his audience eg when he addressed 650 businessmen in the industry club in Dusseldorf he did not make a single mention of the Jews

Question 29

ex for his great charisma?

Answer 29

Hitler knew how to play on people’s emotions and fears and to convince them he knew the answer which ultimately was his main significance in the party as this attracted a lot of voters.

Question 30

Reasons for rise of communism?

Answer 30

• Communist propaganda
• ideologies and policy

Question 31

ev + ex of communist propaganda being cause of rising communism?

Answer 31

• Slogan ‘bread and freedom’
• Posters which emphasised the KPD’S links with the USSR and internationalism
• KPD grew through the years 1930-32 reaching 16.9% of the vote in Nov 1932
  Ex
  The Kpd had considerable strength through its growing membership and organisation at street and neighbourhood level but the perceived threat of a communist revolution frightened many middle-class voters into supporting the Nazis,Hitler was very good at playing on said fears.

Question 32

ev + ex of ideologies + policy being the cause of communism?

Answer 32

KPDs ultimate aim was to overthrow the Weimar republic and create a new type of state.For the unemployed and low-class workers this was viewed as an escape from the current lives they felt trapped in.Therefore its ideologies and policy attracted support.
- Demanded an end to the cuts in unemployment benefits and wages,legislation of abortion and cooperation with the USSR
- Accused the SPD of being damaging to working class interests (used propaganda to attack)
Ex
KPD took the opportunity of the depression nas the final nail in capitalisms coffin which would inevitably lead to a workers revolution to their own advantage by pushing propaganda and attacks on spd

Question 33

why was communism never an actual threat?

Answer 33

• KPD never came close to launching a successful revolution
• More than 50% of new members in 1932 left within a few months
  Failed to attract support from outside industrial areas and had limikted appeal to women
  KPD was forever short of money

Question 34

Reason for Hitlers appointment as chancellor ?

Answer 34

• the failures of the Weimar republic and an underestimation of him from the other politicians
• charisma alongside very persuasive propaganda
• the economic depression

Question 35

most important reason hitler needed up as chancellor? ev

Answer 35

• Muller cutting budget for war pensions and failing to tackle the depression led to the Nazis substantial gain in votes in the
• Sept 1930 election where they gained 6.5 million votes
• In 1933 Hindenburg invited Hitler to lead a new ‘government of national concentration’ in which Hitler was appointed chancellor
• After the July 1932 election Von Papen asked hitler to join his govt. - refused unless chancellor
• Nov 32 election Nazis lost 2 million votes (opportunity)

Question 36

most important reason hitler needed up as chancellor? ex

Answer 36

Hitler played to to others weaknesses more than his own strengths.Using the political damage of the depression to curate more support,voting against Von Papen’s government and not joining any coalition in which he wasn’t chancellor.There were opportunities for the Nazis to be destroyed but due to a lack of belief in Hitlers ability this was never acted upon.

Question 37

charisma alongside very persuasive propaganda lead him to be chancellor ? ev

Answer 37

• Speech often went on four hours,containing repetition and out-right lies but he had a hypnotic effect
• With money provided by big business leaders such as Hugenberg and Thyssen,Hitler was able to travel by air and car to make speeches in all the main cities in Germany
• The Nazis had their own newspapers,posters and leaflets
• The nazis put on film shows and staged rallies than made a power statement about Nazi strength

Question 38

charisma alongside very persuasive propaganda lead him to be chancellor ? ex

Answer 38

It was hitler himself who had the charm and hypnotic effect on potential voters.With him alone being able to convince people that the Nazis were going to offer help without any actual plans clearly highlights how persuasive he was able to be.

Question 39

how was the economic depression the cause of Hitler becoming chancellor?ev

Answer 39

• Unemployment reaching 6 million in 1933 people were desperate for change
• The nazis 25 point programme was economically radical and anti-capitalist eg the confiscation of war profits and of land from large estates without compensation to the landowners which applied to the working class most heavily affected by the depression
• Similar to farmers who had been severely affected,Nazis promising higher prices and protection against imports ➡️ secured 68% of vote in NW 1930

Question 40

how was the economic depression the cause of Hitler becoming chancellor? ex

Answer 40

Hitler was able to see an opportunity and use it to his advantage,the Nazis ability to adapt to different audiences was key to Hitler ultimately becoming chancellor as this increased their support and took away from their opponents.