Nazi rise to power 1929-1933 Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is the Sonderweg theory of Germany? Name a proponent of this theory
Means “special path”, or the theory that Germany had always been destined to a military dictatorship because of its consistent militarism. Proposed by William Shirer
How did German romanticism contribute to a tendency towards dictatorship?
Nazis promote it, and it celebrates a mythic past for Germans already humiliated by war guilt
Who were the Wandervogel?
A youth group who would take communal hikes and celebrate Germay’s mystical origins with nostalgia. Nationalist and anti-industrialist
What presidential elections did Hitler do his Hitler over Germany tour?
1932 elections
What did Hitler introduce to the Nazi party?
- Swastika emblem
- Right arm salute
What did Hindenburg call Hitler?
‘That Bohemian Corporal’
How much did unemployment go up between 1929 and 1931?
Doubled (2 million to 4.5 million)
What government was formed in 1928?
Herman Muller’s “Grand Coalition”
Why did the entire grand coalition cabinet resign?
- Hindenburg refuses to support it
- There is utter chaos within it about how to deal with overwhelming unemployment benefits coupled with not enough taxation
- SPD and DNVP completely conflict with each other
Which chancellor followed Muller? What parties did his cabinet consist of?
- Bruning
- Coalition of Z, DVP, DDP, other right wing parties
- SPD not in the cabinet despite being the largest party
How did Bruning’s government signify the end of democracy?
- With the SPD in the Reichstag, he had to force through finance bills promoting austerity through presidential decree
- Bruning stops even trying to gain approval for policies
- SPD ask for Bruning’s finance bill to be removed and he responds by dissolving the Reichstag
When is the SA banned?
1932
How many emergency decrees were used in Bruning’s chancellorship?
109
Why did Bruning eventually lose the support of Hindenburg?
- Hindenburg tries to alter the constitution to give himself absolute power. Bruning fails to win support for this
- Prussian Land Reform is opposed by Hindenburg after Schleicher advises against it
Who replaced Bruning? How was this completely undemocratic at this point?
- Franz von Papen
- He wasn’t even a Reichstag member at the time, so he’d only able to rule by decree
What was the Prussian coup?
- Shows further authoritarianism
- A series of riots in Prussia mean that the army take over where an old SPD gov used to be
- Papen appoints himself Reich Commissioner, giving him direct control of the Prussian government
Who does Papen try to suck up to? How?
- The Nazis
- Lifts ban on the SA
- Curbs communist press
- Calls new election a month after he’s appointed at Hitler’s request
What did the KPD and NSDAP unexpectedly collaborate on after the July 1932 elections?
They both unite in a vote of no confidence against von Papen’s gov, forcing the Reichstag to dissolve once more
Why did von Papen stop being chancellor? Who replaced him?
- Couldn’t assemble a government
- So Schleicher becomes chancellor after persuading Hindenburg against Von Papen’s plans to ban both the Nazis and communists and asking the army to support him
What does Schleicher do to try and win over workers and unions?
Cancels Papen’s wage and benefit cuts and adds job creation schemes, also tries Prussian land reform (though this fails and alienates Hindenburg)
Who ultimately persuades Hindenburg to appoint Hitler? How?
Oskar, Hindenburg’s son, who says the Nazis are weak
What does von Papen do in January 1933?
- Wants revenge, so opens talks with Hitler
- Together agrees that Hitler will be offered the Chancellorship and him the vice Chancellorship
Why might have Hindenburg had a personal motive to appoint Hitler?
Some suggest Hindenburg may have wanted to avoid an investigation into his misuse of government funds
