Weimar Political Parties Flashcards
(32 cards)
What are strengths of a multiparty system in Germany?
- No attempted coups after 1923
- No major political figures assassinated between 1924-29
- After 1924 the major democratic parties gained more support
- Able politicians like Stresemann helped build stability
- Presidential election 1925- election of ultra conservative Hindenburg as president may have attracted Conservatives to support the Republic
Relatively high electoral turnout maintained (76% in 1928)
What happened in the 1925 election?
68.9% turnout
17 candidates stood
2nd round of election
- 7 candidates
- Main= Hindenberg (right), Marx (centre left), Thalmann (far left)
- Split on the left (idealists on the left mean the right wins by slim majority)
What are weaknesses of a multiparty system in Germany?
- Frequent street fights between KPS and Nazis, over 50 people were killed
- Move away from liberalism? DDP vote declining, Zentrum moved towards the right
- 6 Weimar government between 1924-29. Each a short lived coalition. Most lacked secure majority in Reichstag. Politicians stuck to their principles rather than accepting compromises
- Germans began to see politics as a matter of manoeuvring by politicians rather than something the people controlled
- Voters voted for a party list rather than individual candidates. Not close tie between voters and their deputies
- Many parties still divided amongst themselves
- PR allowed many small parties with narrow sectional interest into government ie Compensation for losers on hyper inflation
- Controversy over red/black/gold flag
- Lack of characteristic leader who could build dynamic support for Weimar
- Presidential election of 1925 – liberal Wilhelm Marx lost out to ultra-conservative Paul von Hindenburg.
Who won the 1925 election?
Hindenburg elected with plurality of votes (under 50%)
- Veteran of Franco-Prussian War
- Conservative, nationalist
- Anti socialist
Disliked democracy openly
When was the DDP (German Democratic Party) established?
1918
Who are the key figures of the DDP?
Hugo Preuss, Walther Rathenau, Otto Gessler
What are the ideas and beliefs of the DDP?
- Core values of Liberalism + Social Democracy
- Want a Weimar government and constitution
- Opposed to Treaty of Versailles + reparation payments
- Support League of Nations + improve relations with Allies
- Support protection of Ethnic minorities
- Oppose militarism, anti Semitism
Not socialist but moderate party
Who are the main DDP supporters?
Middle class entrepreneurs, teachers, civil servants, scientists, craftsmen. Most Jews. Protestant middle class. Lawyers, doctors, academics.
When was the DVP (German People’s Party) established?
(est. 1918)
Who are the key DVP figures?
Gustav Stresemann
What are the DVPs ideas and beliefs?
- Centre Right party
- Dislike radical changed to government or economy
- Become committed to Weimar system + moderate social reform
- Support free trade
- Want deregulation of business, private ownership of business, land + property- support corporate interests
- Strongly believe in traditional Christian values
- Moderate nationalists
- Want revision of Treaty of Versailles
Don’t want tax to fund the welfare state-> want private education, healthcare and benefits
Who are the main DVP supporters?
Protestant middle class. Industrialists favouring free trade.
When was the DVNP (German National People’s Party) established?
(est. 1918)
What are the DVNPs ideas and beliefs?
- Conservative + oppose rapid change
- No support for Weimar
- Want to work with Weimar govt to achieve policy goals + entrepreneurial Germans
- Want to restore German army + navy to former glory- militarism
- Oppose Treaty of Versailles
- Anti Semitic party, blame jews for Germany’s issues
Oppose all forms of socialism (even moderate SPD), want a right wing counter revolution
Who are the DVNP’s Key figures?
Alfred Hugenberg
Who are the main DVNP supporters?
Industrialists, large landowners. Some smaller farmers and artisans. Conservative elements among white collar workers. Aristocrats, former military men.
When was the KPD (German Communist Party) established?
(est. 1918)
Who are the KPDs key figures?
Ernst Thälmann
What are the KPDs ideas and beliefs?
- Revolutionist Marxist party committed to a soviet style system
- Believe strongly in idea of class struggle- rich keep the poor people poor
- Oppose Weimar republic, resent government for killing Liebknecht + Luxemburg
- Favour a Russian Style dictatorship- want government to control all aspects of society
- No private ownership
- Women are equal to men, prominent female party leaders
- Oppose SPD as they joined Weimar government and abandoned socialism
Oppose anti Semitism
Who are the KPDs main supporters?
Overwhelmingly working class. Few women or Jews in support, despite representation in KPD leadership. Radical workers. The unemployed. Some more radical intellectuals.
When was the NSDAP (Nazi Party) established?
(est. 1920)
Who are the NSDAP key figures?
Adolf Hitler, Anton Drexler
What are NSDAP ideas and beliefs?
- Fascist group
- Strongly oppose Weimar Republic
- Anti semitic- Jews are responsible for Germany’s problem and are a lesser race
- Greatness of Germany above all other nations, want a Greater Germany of Austria, Poland etc
- Strongly opposed to the Treaty of Versailles
- Only people of German blood can be German citizens
- Strong authoritarian control
- Duty of every citizen to work hard in the interest of Germany
- Traditional German family values
- Support militarism and rejuvenation of armed forces
- Government intervention should be limited
Who are NSDAP main supporters?
Young men, ex-military. Lower middle class - mittelstand. The leaders including Hitler were Catholic, but Catholics were urged not to vote Nazi.
