Appeal Of Communism

Question 1

Why was there a surge in communism? ( 4 out of 8)

Answer 1

1) 1928 - 1932 : 22 million
2) 1929 membership 117 000
1932 membership 360 000
3) KPD moved focus from trade unions to unemployed after the Crash.
4) Hunger marches
5) Protested benefit cuts
6) Tried to persuade wild cliques to attack police , reform schools and labour exchanges
7) Defending working class from Nazism
8) Some districts fell under communist control

Question 2

What was the KPDs ideology and policies?

Answer 2

Wanted to end wage and benefit cuts
Legalisation of abortion close co-op with USSR
Workers state and workers militia
Cut military spending

Question 3

How did the depression change the KPD?

Answer 3

They thought that a Workers revolution was inevitable
Replace SPD as main party
SPD - social fascists

Question 4

What were the strengths of communism? ( 2-3 out of 6 )

Answer 4

Appeals to the consumer
“Bread and freedom”
Internationalism Emphasised
Appealed to post crash desperate
Nov 1932 : 16.9% of the Reichstag
Success at street neighbourhood level

Question 5

Weaknesses of the KPD?

Answer 5

Over 50% of new members left after a few months
Support contained to industrial areas
Limited appeal of woman
Short money
Focused too much on fighting the SPD rather than nazis
Social fascists over actual fascists