Why did Weimar Germany collapse? Flashcards
(14 cards)
3 Main reasons for collapse of WG
1) Impact of the WSC and depression
2) Weimar government’s actions
3) Nazi party actions
What fell in 1930 and who got made chancellor?
Muller’s Grand Coalition. Bruning.
How many emergency decrees did Hindenburg use in 1931 compared to 1930? What does this suggest?
44 vs 5 (using article 48), weakness of the coalition governments and inability to get laws passed. (Also lack of support).
What did Muller and Bruning manage to cancel in 1932?
Reparations.
Which party refused to work in any coalition government? in WG
KPD; constant turnover of chancellors, government unable to function in any meaningful way.
Who did Hindenburg make chancellor in 1933?
Hitler.
How much did National income shrink by due to the WSC?
39%
What did American companies do? How many German businesses closed? in WG
Recall their loans; led to closure of 50,000 German businesses.
What did unemployment reach in 1931?
4 million.
What did the Hoover Moratorium do?
Halted payment of all war debts for one year. Allowed more spending on the Depression.
What were the three key themes of Nazi political messaging?
1) Hitler as Germany’s saviour from depression (Fuhrer cult)
2) Volksgemeinscahft- one GErman community.
3) Scapegoating of Jews
What did Goebbels use to make Hitler mainstream?
Modern inventions- the radio, airplanes to sell the ‘Hitler Myth’.
What percent of the vote did the Nazis get in July and November 1933?
37%, then 33%. ‘The future looks dark and gloomy’.
How many members of the SA were there at the end of 1933?
170,000.
