Unit 3: The Collapse of Democracy (1929-1933)

Question 1

June 1929 - Young Plan

Answer 1

• Drafted at Hague in 1929
• Reduced reparations from 132 billion gold marks to 112 billion paid over 59 years
• Led the establishment of the Geneva Protocol.

Question 2

October 1929 - Wall Street crash

Answer 2

• High unemployment in October 1929.
• The rising cost of unemployment benefit strains state finances.
• Falling tax revenues cause serious budget deficit by 1929 end.

Question 3

March 1930 - Collapse of muller coalition

Answer 3

• Represented five political parties: the left wing in the SPD and the moderate right wing in the DVP.
• This balance was part of its strengths and weaknesses.

Question 4

April 1932 – Election

Answer 4

• Hindenburg won a second seven-year term against Hitler with 53% of the national vote.
• Hindenburg becomes President of the Weimar Republic.

Question 5

May 1932 - Brüning resigns

Answer 5

Brüning resigned in response to the refusal to his land distribution policy which offended Hindenburg.

Question 6

July 1932 – Election

Answer 6

The Nazis become the major party in the Reichstag with 230 seats (37%)

Question 7

30th January 1933 - Hitler becomes chancellor

Answer 7

• Appointed by Hindenburg.
• Leads to the collapse of democracy in Germany.

Question 8

27th February 1933 - Reichstag fire

Answer 8

• Destroyed German Parliament.
• Believed to be a contrived attack by Nazi government to control public opinion.
• Dutch communist, Van der Lubbe, found in the building, blamed for the fire.

Question 9

March 1933 - Election

Answer 9

The Nazis continue being the major party in the Reichstag with 288 seats (43%)

Question 10

March 1933 - Enabling Act

Answer 10

Allowed Hitler to pass laws without the involvement of the Reichstag or President.

Question 11

April 1933 - Anti-Semitic Laws Passed

Answer 11

• Boycott of Jewish Shops
• Law Against the Overcrowding of German Schools
• Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service
• Reestablishment of professional civil service

Question 12

May 1933 - Trade unions banned

Answer 12

• Trade unions in Germany abolished with leaders arrested.
• Hitler used this to control German workers.
• Christian and liberal trade unions voluntarily submitted to Nazi control.
• German Labour Front (DAF) replaced unions, seized unions’ money and property.

Question 13

July 1933 - All non-Nazi political parties banned

Answer 13

Furthers the loss of democracy because of lack of political freedoms.