ch6. Flashcards
what coalition was germany run by in 1929
Müller’s grand coalitions
what did german exports fall by in 1928?
55 % - slump in trade - demand for exports fell
what were 2 fundamental weaknesses in the german economy before wall Street Crash?
- balance of trade in red (debt)
- 1.9 million unemployed
although wall street crash contributed to germnay’s problems what is thesis?
it was the occasion not the cause - crisis = final push that brought the economy down
when did unemployment peak and at what
jan 1932 at 6.1 million
how did economic crisis quickly degenerate into a political crisis
- middle classes in law + medicine lost pride + money as no demand for services
- society breaking down uncontrollably - lose faith in Weimar + turn to salvation in solutions by extremists
in Germany 1932 industrial production fell to what fo 1929 level
40%
similar in USA - industrial production fallen by?
46%
why did USA not fall like Germany
-USA - well-established democracy - suggests that the depression hastened the end of the republic only because the democratic basis of government not well established
why did reparations cause issues in germany ?
very time when unity+ firm gov required - republic torn apart by re-emergence emotive issue reparations
who was alfred hugenburg?
leader nationalists + own 150 newspapers + greatest media tycoon
who did Hugenburg generate support against young plan from ?
-pan german league hitler etc
what did the national opposition (hugenbrug’s supporters) put to a referendum?
law against enslavement of german ppl - (denounced payment reparations) - not passed 5.8million / 21 million votes needed
what benefits did hugenburg’s campaign offer hitler?
- party membership 130,000 by 1929
- hitler made influential contacts on right wing + access to media empire
short term cause of muller collapse
- INTERNAL DIVISIONS on welfare
- SPD support trade unions + welfare BUT DVP (w/ big business) reduce benefits –> resigned
who was put into office after muller
bruning
(2) one of reasons why brunings ascension marks a crucial step to end of new gov
-maneuvered into power by political intriguers surrounding president Hindenburg including Von Sleicher
(2) anotehr eason why bruning in power = no democracy
attempted to balance the budget but rejected by 256 votes BUT used A48 to put policy in place + dissolved reichstag to not be challenged
1930 election who saw breakthrough and why?
nazi 810,000 –> 6 million (propoganda directed at rural + middle classes. - saw society breakdown
what did 1930 elections show?
extreme parties made extreme gains against pro-democracy
How is Brunings role as semi-dictator shown through presidential decree from 1930-32?
5 to 44 A48 laws passed
what should bruning be considered?
ultra conservative monarchist = no sympathy for republic
what was brunings two main economic measures
- cut spending
- raise taxes
what did brunings economic policies lead to ?
-worsened slump - low demand
‘Hunger Chancellor’ - decline welfare state