The Crisis of the Weimar Republic 1929-33

Question 1

Question 1
What was the role of the 1924 Dawes Plan in Germany’s economy?

Answer 1

It helped recovery, but Germany was vulnerable—removal of US support would cause a total Economic collapse.

Question 2

Question 2
How did the Depression affect living conditions?

Answer 2

• Streets were filled with the homeless.
• Shanty towns emerged as people couldn’t afford rent.

Question 3

Question 3
How did unemployment impact government policy?

Answer 3

Unemployment soared - 6.1 million by 1932 - pressuring the government to make Dole payments.

Question 4

Question 4
Why were Germans ‘Doubly Bitter’ toward the Weimar Republic?

Answer 4

This was the Weimar regime’s second economic collapse.

The first was Hyperinflation in 1923.

Question 5

Question 5
How did the Depression affect individual financial security?

Answer 5

Many Germans faced wage cuts or reduced hours & lost their life savings.

This caused further disillusionment with Weimar.

Question 6

Question 6
How did the Depression impact trade & industry?

Answer 6

• Trade declined - which harmed an already struggling Economy.
• Industrial output reduced - this lead to hardship.

Question 7

Question 7
What was the impact on reparations & government policy?

Answer 7

Weimar couldn’t repay reparations; Brüning’s Austerity measures further weakened public support.

Question 8

Question 8
How did extremist parties benefit from the Depression?

Answer 8

• Nazis went from 12 seats - May 1928 - to 37% of seats in 1930.
• KPD became 3rd largest party in 1932.

Question 9

Question 9
How did the failure of multiple governments affect Weimar’s stability?

Answer 9

People became disillusioned with Weimar as numerous Governments failed to handle the crisis.

Question 10

Question 10
What was the impact of Article 48’s frequent use?

Answer 10

Led to a decline in Parliamentary Democracy & a rise in authoritarianism.

Question 11

Question 11
How did austerity measures affect political alignment?

Answer 11

Brüning’s Austerity measures were deeply unpopular, leading to further dealignment with the Republic.

Question 12

Question 12
How did frequent elections affect political sentiment?

Answer 12

Elections - 1930, 1932, 1933 - led elites to consider reintroducing an authoritarian regime as an alternative.

Question 13

Question 13
How did economic hardship fuel Nazi growth?

Answer 13

Nazis used economic suffering to recruit & radicalize their supporter base.

Question 14

Question 14
How did diplomacy change due to the Economic struggles?

Answer 14

Foreign diplomacy became more aggressive as leaders sought immediate solutions.

Question 15

Question 15
How did the Economic hardship impact public sentiment?

Answer 15

It radicalized many, increasing hostility towards the Weimar regime.

Question 16

Question 16
How did the Depression impact Businesses & Businesspeople?

Answer 16

Many Businesses closed as people had less money to spend on goods, which damaged profits.

Question 17

Question 17
How did the Government initially respond financially to the Economic crisis?

Answer 17

Taxes were increased to support growing unemployment & dole payments.

Question 18

Question 18
Why were farmers struggling even before the Depression?

Answer 18

Prices had been falling since 1925 due to a worldwide agricultural slump.

Question 19

Question 19
How did the Depression affect farmers?

Answer 19

Many people slipped further into debt, making them more likely to support the Nazis & other Extremist groups.

Question 20

Question 20
What percentage of young Germans were unemployed in 1933?

Answer 20

Over half of all 16–32 year olds.

Question 21

Question 21
How did University graduates fare during the Depression?

Answer 21

60% of new graduates couldn’t secure jobs, as employers favoured experienced workers.

Question 22

Question 22
What was the employment situation for factory workers?

Answer 22

Some people lost their jobs; others took pay cuts, struggling to afford rent & necessities.

Question 23

Question 23
By 1932, what percentage of factory workers were unemployed?

Answer 23

40%.

Question 24

Question 24
How did the government handle unemployment benefits?

Answer 24

They cut benefits to save money, worsening extreme poverty.

Question 25

Question 25 How did Germany’s authoritarian traditions affect Weimar?

Answer 25

Many still believed in the Second Reich, resisting democratic change.

Question 26

Question 26 What were the weaknesses in Weimar’s foundational structure?

Answer 26

The 1918 revolution had limited public involvement, leading to confusion around Proportional Representation & concerns over vague powers in Article 48.

Question 27

Question 27 What were the most controversial aspects of the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 27

Lack of military defense, occupation by foreign troops, unpopular reparations, and territorial losses harming national pride.

Question 28

Question 28 What forms of opposition did Weimar face between 1919-1923?

Answer 28

Revolts & Putsch attempts from both left & right-wing groups, with lingering elite hostility.

Question 29

Question 29 How did economic conditions affect Weimar by 1930?

Answer 29

The Great Depression & Agricultural crisis worsened financial instability in the Republic.

Question 30

Question 30 How did extremist parties gain power by 1932?

Answer 30

* Nazis grew from 12 seats - 1928) - to 37% of Reichstag seats -1932. * Communists (KPD) became the third-largest party with 17%.

Question 31

Question 31 Why did traditionally democratic parties lose support?

Answer 31

Economic hardship & Political instability caused many to shift toward extremist alternatives.

Question 32

Question 32 What problem arose from the 1932 election results?

Answer 32

No party won a clear parliamentary majority, worsening governmental deadlock.

Question 33

Question 33 What were four possible political outcomes during the instability of Weimar?

Answer 33

* A Communist state. * Continuation of parliamentary democracy. * A restored monarchy or authoritarian system. * A Nazi-led fascist dictatorship.

Question 34

Question 34 Why did Weimar struggle to survive after 1932?

Answer 34

The crisis exposed existing doubts around Democracy & growing impatience led people to consider alternative regimes.

Question 35

Question 35 When was Müller's Grand Coalition formed & who led it?

Answer 35

After the 1928 election & was led by SPD leader & Chancellor Herman Müller.

Question 36

Question 36 Why was it called a "Grand Coalition"?

Answer 36

It involved six parties working together.

Question 37

Question 37 What major policy did the coalition negotiate?

Answer 37

The Young Plan, which helped deal with reparations payments.

Question 38

Question 38 How did the coalition handle national opposition to the Young Plan?

Answer 38

They held a referendum, where the people voted to beack/ support it.

Question 39

Question 39 What financial crisis did the coalition face after 1929?

Answer 39

A large deficit in the welfare system due to economic downturn.

Question 40

Question 40 How did SPD and DVP differ in their response to welfare funding?

Answer 40

* SPD wanted higher taxes/contributions to maintain welfare payments. * DVP wanted to cut payments to reduce the financial burden on businesses

Question 41

Question 41 Why did the DVP resist welfare spending?

Answer 41

Their supporters were big businesses & welfare elites who opposed high contributions.

Question 42

Question 42 Why did Müller's Grand Coalition collapse?

Answer 42

SPD & DVP couldn’t agree on a welfare policy, causing the Coalition to collapse.

Question 43

Question 43 Why did the SPD support Welfare spending?

Answer 43

There supporters mostly came from the Working-class who benefitted most from the Welfare system.

Question 44

Question 44 What did Müller do when he couldn’t maintain unity?

Answer 44

He & his Government resigned. ## Footnote This sort of marked the end of Parliamentary government in the Weimar Republic.

Question 45

Question 45 Why did Hindenburg dissolve the Reichstag in mid-1932?

Answer 45

Parliamentary deadlock made governing impossible, so after he was asked by the Chancellor, he dissolved it & called for an election.

Question 46

Question 46 How did extremist parties fare in the July 1932 election?

Answer 46

Nazis & Communists won over half of the Reichstag seats combined, worsening the Governments position.

Question 47

Question 47 Why did the Nazis lose 2 million votes in November 1932?

Answer 47

Some voters saw supporting the Nazis as pointless, as Hindenburg had refused to appoint Hitler as Chancellor numerous times.

Question 48

Question 48 What was the change in Nazi vote share between July & November 1932?

Answer 48

It dropped from 37% to 33%.

Question 49

Question 49 How did the KPD perform in November 1932?

Answer 49

They gained further seats. ## Footnote This would further the inability for the Reichstag to legislate.

Question 50

Question 50 Why was Hindenburg reluctant to become President?

Answer 50

Still saw Germany as a monarchy & sought Wilhelm II’s heir's permission before accepting the role.

Question 51

Question 51 What was Hindenburg's role in governing?

Answer 51

Appointed Chancellors & increasingly used Article 48 after Müller's fall.

Question 52

Question 52 Why did Hindenburg finally appoint Hitler as Chancellor?

Answer 52

Papen convinced him that they could control Hitler &/or eliminate him.

Question 53

Question 53 When did Hindenburg die & what did his death signify?

Answer 53

Died in 1934, the last barrier between Hitler & Dictatorship.

Question 54

Question 54 What was Müller's involvement in the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 54

Signed it in 1919 as Foreign Minister.

Question 55

Question 55 How did Müller’s leadership as Chancellor end?

Answer 55

Grand Coalition collapsed in 1930 due to SPD-DVP disagreements over funding the Welfare State.

Question 56

Question 56 Why was Müller's resignation significant?

Answer 56

It marked the end of Parliamentary Government in the Republic.

Question 57

Question 57 When did Müller die?

Answer 57

1931. ## Footnote This was a year after resigning.

Question 58

Question 58 What was Brüning’s background before politics?

Answer 58

A former teacher, who served as a WWI Infantry Officer.

Question 59

Question 59 How did Brüning attempt to handle the Depression?

Answer 59

Enforced austerity measures, earning the title ‘Hunger Chancellor’ due to the measures' unpopularity.

Question 60

Question 60 Why did Hindenburg remove Brüning?

Answer 60

His plan to divide bankrupt East German estates angered Hindenburg.

Question 61

Question 61 Why was Bruning's dismissal by Hindenburg significant?

Answer 61

It was the first time a Chancellor had been dismissed because he lost the support of the President, not the Reichstag.

Question 62

Question 62 Where did Brüning go after his resignation?

Answer 62

Emigrated to the USA in 1934.

Question 63

Question 63 What was Papen’s background and political experience?

Answer 63

* Was a monarchist aristocrat. * Conservative newspaper chairman. * Had minimul political experience. * Had married a Saar Industrialists daughter.

Question 64

Question 64 How did Papen become Chancellor?

Answer 64

Convinced Hindenburg to appoint him in 1932 despite his lack of Reichstag support.

Question 65

Question 65 What role did Papen play in Hitler's rise?

Answer 65

He plotted to replace Schleicher & became his Vice-Chancellor in 1933.

Question 66

Question 66 What happened to Papen after WWII?

Answer 66

* Tried at Nuremberg, but acquitted. * Sentenced to 8 years in a labour camp by a denazification court in 1947, but released in 1949.

Question 67

Question 67 What was Schleicher’s role in the Military & Government?

Answer 67

He was an Army General & a trusted adviser to Hindenburg.

Question 68

Question 68 How did Schleicher contribute to Weimar politics?

Answer 68

He helped Brüning become Chancellor in 1930 & later, briefly led a minority government.

Question 69

Question 69 Why was Schleicher removed as Chancellor?

Answer 69

He was ousted by political scheming between Papen & Hitler.

Question 70

Question 70 What was the government structure in Germany between 1928-1930?

Answer 70

Müller’s Grand Coalition led the Government until its collapse in 1930.

Question 71

Question 71 What change occurred after Müller resigned in 1930?

Answer 71

Hindenburg appointed Chancellors he believed he could control. This shifted Weimar towards authoritarian rule.

Question 72

Question 72 Why did Parliamentary power decline between 1930-1933?

Answer 72

Most Chancellors lacked Reichstag support, leading to the increased use of Article 48 to pass laws.

Question 73

Question 73 What role did Article 48 play during this period?

Answer 73

It was used to bypass Parliamentary Democracy, allowing governance through presidential decrees.

Question 74

Question 74 How did Hitler transition from Chancellor to dictator?

Answer 74

After his appointment in 1933, he eliminated opposition. Consolidating power within a year.

Question 75

Question 75 What type of regime did Hitler want to establish?

Answer 75

A Fascist Dictatorship, dismantling Weimar democracy.

Question 76

Question 76 How did Hindenburg view Adolf Hitler?

Answer 76

disliked Hitler & referred to him as the ‘Bohemian Corporal’, mocking his WWI rank. ## Footnote Mainly because Hindenburg had been misinformed that Hitler came from Czeckoslavakia.

Question 77

Question 77 How did Hindenburg’s stance differ from Ludendorff’s?

Answer 77

Unlike Ludendorff, Hindenburg did not sympathize with or support the Nazis.

Question 78

Question 78 Why didn’t Hindenburg appoint Hitler earlier?

Answer 78

Despite numerous opportunities, he refused due to his personal dislike of Hitler & the Nazis.

Question 79

Question 79 Why did Hindenburg finally appoint Hitler in 1933?

Answer 79

He ran out of options for a Chancellor & Papen persuaded him they could control Hitler or eliminate him.

Question 80

Question 80 What financial issue did Hindenburg face before appointing Hitler?

Answer 80

His bankrupt family estate was implicated in an Osthilfe scandal, where funds were allegedly misused for gambling & supporting mistresses.

Question 81

Question 81 How might Hindenburg's potential financial scandal have influenced his decision to appoint Hitler?

Answer 81

If exposed, it would have been catastrophic for Hindenburg, so he may have hoped Hitler & the Nazis would make it go away.

Question 82

Question 82 How did Brüning become Chancellor in 1930?

Answer 82

Hindenburg appointed him on Schleicher’s advice, forming a minority centre-right government.

Question 83

Question 83 How did Brüning govern despite lacking Reichstag support?

Answer 83

Used Article 48 to make Presidential decrees to pass laws. Such as when, the Reichstag opposed his finance bill.

Question 84

Question 84 What effect did the 1930 election have on Weimar politics?

Answer 84

Nazis won 107 seats, KPD 77, making it difficult for any government to hold a majority.

Question 85

Question 85 Why did Schleicher turn against Brüning?

Answer 85

Schleicher believed Brüning’s opposition to Nazis was a mistake, favouring cooperation instead.

Question 86

Queston 86 How did Hindenburg’s estate influence his decision to dismiss Brüning?

Answer 86

Brüning wanted to break up bankrupt Prussian estates, which included Hindenburg’s own land.

Question 87

Question 87 What was Papen’s government structure?

Answer 87

A non-party Government of elites, not Reichstag members. ## Footnote This was seen as a Presidential Government.

Question 88

Question 88 How did Papen try to appease the Nazis?

Answer 88

Lifted the SA ban & called an election, which led to extremist gains.

Question 89

Question 89 What was the result of the July 1932 election?

Answer 89

Nazis won 37% of the vote, but Hindenburg still refused to appoint Hitler.

Question 90

Question 90 How did Papen lose his position as Chancellor?

Answer 90

Lost a 512-42 vote of no confidence, forcing another Reichstag dissolution.

Question 91

Question 91 What was Papen & Hindenburg's original plan after dissolving the Reichstag in 1932 & what actually happened?

Answer 91

* The planned not to call elections & rule by Presidential decree. * Schleicher advised against this as he felt it would cause a civil was, so new elections were called.

Question 92

Question 92 How did Schleicher become Chancellor?

Answer 92

Persuaded Hindenburg to dismiss Papen & appoint him instead.

Question 93

Question 93 What was Schleicher’s political strategy?

Answer 93

He attempted to build support by making Strasser Vice-Chancellor & expanding land reforms.

Question 94

Question 94 Why did Schleicher fail?

Answer 94

He couldn’t gain left-wing support & the elites feared ‘agrarian Bolshevism’.

Question 95

Question 95 How did Papen help Hitler become Chancellor?

Answer 95

He plotted against Schleicher, arranging a deal with Hitler to be Vice-Chancellor.

Question 96

Question 96 How was Hitler’s Cabinet structured?

Answer 96

* Blomberg - Defence Minister, loyal to Hindenburg. * Göring & Frick - Only two Nazi ministers allowed. ## Footnote Blomberg's appointment was so Hindenburg could maintain control of the army.

Question 97

Question 97 When was Hitler officially appointed Chancellor?

Answer 97

January 16, 1933 by Hindenburg.