Weimar- Great Depression

Question 1

what was the chain which caused the Great Depression?

Answer 1

1. businesses sell fewer goods so staff have to be laid off
2. unemployment rises so less money is being spent on local economies
3. businesses sell fewer goods which leads to them going bankrupt and more unemployment
4. people lose their homes as they fall into a spiral of debt due to unemployment

Question 2

what was the rise in unemployment between 1929 and 1930?

Answer 2

went from 8.5% to 14%

Question 3

what policies did Bruning try to introduce when he came to power?

Answer 3

he wanted to decrease government spending and increase taxes and introduce wage cuts

Question 4

how were these policies passed through the Reichstag?

Answer 4

it was initially rejected by the Reichstag but Hindenburg used decrees to get it passed through

Question 5

did Bruning’s policies work?

Answer 5

yes and no

he managed to prevent the devaluation of the currency which meant no hyperinflation

however it simply deepened the recession which led to unemployment peaking in 1932

Question 6

how did von Papen deal with the Depression?

Answer 6

he introduced tax concessions and subsidies for businesses which created jobs

Question 7

what problem did Germany face after Bruning collapsed?

Answer 7

the political situation outgrew the economic situation and meant that the economy was ignored

constant changes in Chancellor also made things difficult to act out

Question 8

what did von Schleicher introduce?

Answer 8

he appointed a Reich Commissioner for employment who was tasked with finding jobs the unemployed could do