2. The Backstairs Intrigue

Question 1

How was Hitler seen in politics in 1932?

Answer 1

Inexperienced
East to manipulate
Thuggish

Question 2

What party won enough votes in 1932 to become the largest party in the Reichstag?

Answer 2

Nazi Party

Question 3

Who’s government was in power between March 1932 and May 1932?

Answer 3

Brüning’s government

Question 4

How was Brüning’s government in charge between March 1932 and May 1932 despite not having a majority?

Answer 4

Chosen by Hindenburg

Question 5

What was Brüning’s economic policy during his government from March 1932 to May 1932?

Answer 5

Reduce government expenditure

Question 6

How did Brüning go about reducing government expenditure during his government from March 1932 to May 1932?

Answer 6

Cut welfare benefits, reduced civil service and cut wages

Question 7

Who withdraw their support for Brüning during Brüning’s government?

Answer 7

Schliecher

Question 8

Why did Schleicher withdraw his support for Brüning during his government from March 1932 to May 1932?

Answer 8

Because his measures deepened the depression, drawing more support for KPD and Nazi Party

Question 9

What did Brüning impose a ban on during his government from March 1932 to May 1932?

Answer 9

The SA

Question 10

Why was Schleicher concerned with Brüning’s ban of the SA during his government from March 1932 to May 1932?

Answer 10

Because he was concerned that it would bring about a Nazi uprising

Question 11

Hitler refused to join a coalition government unless what?

Answer 11

Unless he was appointed Chancellor

Question 12

On what clause did Hitler agree not to oppose a new government during Brüning’s government from March 1932 to May 1932?

Answer 12

If SA ban was uplifted and another Reichstag election was conducted

Question 13

Who did Hindenburg appoint as Brüning’s successor?

Answer 13

Von Papen

Question 14

Who was in government between May 1932 and June 1932?

Answer 14

Von Papen

Question 15

Why was Papen’s cabinet nicknamed ‘cabinet of barons’ between May 1932 and June 1932?

Answer 15

Because it was filled with non-members of the Reichstag

Question 16

How did Von Papen’s nicknamed ‘cabinet of barons’ between May 1932 and June 1932 increase Hitler’s popularity?

Answer 16

Made Hitler come across as a ‘normal man’ and ‘one of the people’ instead of an elitist

Question 17

What did Von Papen believe to be the greatest threat to Germany during his government between May 1932 and June 1932?

Answer 17

A Communist uprising

Question 18

What did Von Papen see the Nazis as during his government between May 1932 and June 1932?

Answer 18

Useful allies

Question 19

What did Von Papen do in June 1932?

Answer 19

Lifted the SA ban which resulted in new wave of street violence

Question 20

Who received majority in July 1932 election? What percentage?

Answer 20

Nazis at 37.3%

Question 21

How did the Nazis succeed at gaining lots of voters leading up to the July 1932 election?

Answer 21

They had attracted large numbers of m/c voters and unemployed people

Question 22

What did the Nazis receiving a majority in the July 1932 election do for Hitler’s position in dealings with Papen and Schleicher?

Answer 22

Made his position stronger

Question 23

What did Papen invite Hitler to do following the July 1932 election?

Answer 23

Invited Hitler to join his government but Hitler refused

Question 24

What vote was conducted following the July 1932 election?

Answer 24

A vote of no confidence in Papen’s government

Question 25

What did the vote of confidence in Papen’s government force Papen to do?

Answer 25

Ask Hindenburg to dissolve Reichstag and call new election in November

Question 26

Who received majority in November 1932 election? What percentage?

Answer 26

Nazis with 33.1%

Question 27

What explains why Nazis lost supported in November 1932 election?

Answer 27

Many people went back to their original parties of choice as they were no longer filled with rage to turn to extreme parties

Question 28

How many voters did the Nazis lose in the November 1932 election?

Answer 28

2 million

Question 29

What party made significant gains during the November 1932 election?

Answer 29

Communist Party

Question 30

What did Papen consider doing following the November 1932 election?

Answer 30

Considered banning Nazis and Communists and using army to enforce authoritarian government style

Question 31

Why was Papen forced to resign following the November 1932 election?

Answer 31

Because of a lack of army support of his considerations to ban the Nazis and Communists

Question 32

Who’s government was in power between December 1932 and July 1933?

Answer 32

Schleicher’s government

Question 33

Why was Schliecher reluctant to be chancellor?

Answer 33

Because he preferred influencing from behind the scenes

Question 34

What did Schliecher believe his best chance of success was in during his government between December 1932 and July 1933?

Answer 34

Was in persuading Nazis to join a coalition led by him

Question 35

What did Schleicher try to do to undermine and sideline Hitler during his government between December 1932 and July 1933?

Answer 35

Tried to negotiate with other Nazis

Question 36

What did Schliecher do as a result of his failure to win Nazi support for his government between December 1932 and July 1933?

Answer 36

He tried to adopt left wing policies

Question 37

What did Schleicher ask Hindenburg to do following his failure to win Nazi support during his government between December 1932 and July 1933?

Answer 37

Asked Hindenburg to suspend the coalition, dissolve the Reichstag and give him dictatorial power

Question 38

What did Hindenburg do in response to Schliecher’s request of receiving dictatorial powers during Schleicher’s government between December 1932 and July 1933?

Answer 38

Hindenburg refused to Schleicher resigned

Question 39

What did talks between Hitler, Papen and Hindenburg’s inner circle result in following Schleicher’s resignation?

Answer 39

Led to conclusion that Hitler would form a coalition government with himself as Chancellor

Question 40

What did Hindenburg and Papen believe about Hitler?

Answer 40

Believed he would be east to control

Question 41

Members of Hindenburg’s inner circle

Answer 41

Schleicher Oskar von Hindenburg Dr Otto Meissner

Question 42

How did Schliecher lead to rise of Nazis to power?

Answer 42

Persuaded Hindenburg to withdraw support from Brüning Involved in Papen’s downfall

Question 43

What did Dr Otto Meissner try to do?

Answer 43

Tried to prevent Hitler from becoming Chancellor