Weimar Germany and the Rise of the NSDAP

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Flashcards on Weimar Germany and the Rise of the NSDAP, created by Grace Bennett on 22/05/2016.
Grace Bennett
Flashcards by Grace Bennett, updated more than 1 year ago
Grace Bennett
Created by Grace Bennett almost 8 years ago
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Question Answer
When and why did the Grand coalition led by Muller break down? -Broke down in March 1930. -It broke down as the coalition formed in 1928, had parties which spread across the political spectrum-meaning it appealed to a wide variety of people, however they had different opinions leading to arguing-which meant a time delay to get anything done. -Also due to the economic depression caused by the Wall Street Crash in 1929, there were differing opinions on what to do as the SPD wanted to raise taxes and protect benefits whereas the DVP wished to reduce benefits. Led to Muller resigning in 1930.
Who replaced Muller in 1930, and from which party was he from? -Bruning from the Z party was appointed by Hindenburg, under advise from Groener and von Schleicher: both of who opposed democracy . -Bruning himself has authoritarian leanings. -Bruning excluded the SPD from his coalition. -Bruning's government had no majority in the Reichstag so had to rule by Presidential decree (Article 48). Weimar Democracy effectively dead.
What was Bruning's response to the Depression? -To cut expenditure and raise taxes dubbing him the 'Hunger Chancellor', but had to use Hindenburg to issue a presidential decree to pass it however. This provoked a political crisis as the Presidential decree was only to be used in emergencies, and the SPD passed a motion which demanded the decree be withdrawn. Burning then dissolved the Reichstag to call an election in September 1930.
In the September 1930 election what happened to the extremist parties percentage of votes? -1930 the NSDAP had 18% of the vote. -Whereas the KPD had 13.1% of the vote. -Both of their representation in the Reichstag increased tremendously, 2 out of 5 voters within this election gave their support to anti-democratic parties.
How did the Reichstag begin to break down due to increased deputies of the Nazis? -The Reichstag became unmanageable due Nazis chanting and interrupting the proceedings- so much so the Reichstag became irrelevant - the Reichstag did not meet during February to October 1931.
Due to the Reichstag now irrelevant, where did the political struggle end up? -On the streets, with the Nazi Stormtroopers(SA) and the Red-Front Fighters' League clashing on the street as well as disrupting each other's political meetings as well as other opponents. Due to the serenity of the violence, in 1932 April Bruning persuaded Hindenburg to sign a decree banning the SA.
Did the SA ban do anything to prevent the violence? -No, it failed to curb any Stormtrooper activities. -Due to this ban, Von Schleicher withdrew his support for Burning as he was concerned that the ban would provoke a Nazi uprising, and came to the conclusion that no government could rule without the support of the Nazi Party.
What was the appeal of Nazism? Nazi ideology; hitler and the Nazis had a wide ranging ideology that appealed to people across the spectrum. National Socialism;Nazis adopted this in order to gain support from the working class, in Hitler's view Socialism and Volksgemeinschaft were one and the same. -Futhrerprinzip;the basis on which the nazi party had been run on since Bamberg conference of 1925, the basis that gave Hitler supreme control over policy/strategy. -Struggle and war;at the heart of Nazi thinking, Hitler believed struggle/conflict was the natural order of things.Nazi propaganda glorified military virtues. Power of will; The Nazi movement(SA) provided an image of discipline and unity. Anti-Semitism;Nazis exploited a variety of antisemitic myths and prompted ideas of an 'Aryan race', however only a small majority had this as a main motive fro voting NSDAP. -Hitler himself was an appeal of Nazism.
Why did Bruning's government fall in May 1932? -SA ban in April 1932, led to Von Schleicher withdrawing his support. -Political situation continued to decline. -Von Schleicher had talks with Hitler, in which he agreed to not oppose the new government if the SA ban was lifted and there was a new Reichstag election. -So Hindenburg under Schleicher's advise refused to sign a presidential decree for Bruning, so he had no other option but to resign. And was replaced by Von Papen.
When was von Papen's government and what was it nicknamed? May-December 1932. -It was nicknamed the cabinet of barons, as it was government constructed on a non-party political basis-so had limited support in the Reichstag, and ruled by decree.
What did Von Papen do which unleashed a new wave of Street violence? -Von Papen lifted the ban on the SA in June 1932, this new wave of political violence was especially evident in the Reichstag election of July 1932.
What were the percentage of votes for the KPD and NSDAP for both 1932 elections? -The NSDAP gained a 36.8% vote in the 1932 election, and then 37.3% vote in July 1932. -The KPD gained a 10.2% vote in the 1932 election, and then rose to 14.6% in July 1932. -With moderate parties suffering losses, as political opinion polarises in Germany.
What did Hitler do after the July 1932 election when it became clear the Nazis wouldn't get an absolute majority that way? -Hitler was now in a even stronger position to make dealings with Papen and Schleicher, refusing to join Papen in his government only if he was made Chancellor. -So Hitler broke his agreement with Schleicher and attacked Papen's government. -And with the communist party, the Nazis with other parties also passed a vote of no confidence in Papen's government, which led to Papen's position being weakened and was forced ask Hindenburg to dissolve the Reichstag and call for a new election.
Why did the Nazis see a slight decline in vote in November 1932? -In November 1932, the Nazis vote fell to 33.1%, this is probably due to the fact that many middle-class voters felt alienated by Hitler's attacks on Papen.
What was the role of backstair intrigue which helped Hitler into power? -Basically Hindenburg was old and his son Oskar and Meissner, along with Von Schleicher conducted backroom deals which persuaded Hindenburg's actions i.e. Fall of Bruning's government in 1932 and Von Papen. It through these deals that helped Hitler into power.
Why did Schleicher become chancellor and when? -December 1932 to January 1933. -As he believed Hitler had overplayed his hand, and believed he could put pressure of Hitler to create divisions in the party, and opened negotiations with one of the party's leaders. However Hitler was quick to get rid of Strasser, and Schleichr failed in his bid. -Schleicher realising that this would not work changed tact, and tried to break up large estates to distribute to farmers- this became too much for German elite. -Schleicher then asked Hindenburg to give him full command, of which he refused leading to Schleicher resigning.
When was Hitler appointed Chancellor? And what was Hitler's cabinet -30th January by President Hindenburg. -Only 3 post were held by other Nazi party members, and Papen was vice-Chancellor, he believed that Hitler could be controlled, and would not be able to dominate the cabinet.
After Hitler had been appointed how did Nazi use of terror escalate? -Used state money to rapidly expand the SA, form 500,000 in 1933 to 3 million 1934. -SA then gained legal authority as an auxiliary police force, and unleashed violence on any political opponents. -Concentration camps were built to place communists and socialists, in 1933 July there were 70 camps.
How was the 1933 election subject to nazi use of terror also? -As 27th February 1933, Reichstag building was burnt down and blame fell on a communist , influenced middle class fear of communism, as Nazis proclaimed it a plan to start a revolution.
How did Hitler use legal power to take control? -He persuaded Hindenburg to sign the Decree for the protection of the people and the state, this gave Hitler emergency powers and suspended civil and political rights, so government could censor and police were given increased powers to arrest.
What was the outcome of the 1933 election? -Nazis had 44% of the vote. -SA were in control of the streets. -Still not the 2/3 of majority Hitler wanted to change constitution, but he did have majority in the Reichstag when allied with DNVP.
What act did Hitler pass in 1933? -The Enabling Act- law to alleviate the suffering of the people and the country. -It enabled Hitler to basically end democracy, and issue decrees without Reichstag. -Passed in March 1933.
What were the effects of the Enabling Act? -KPD excluded- became an illegal operation. -SA intimidation everywhere. -Zentrum decided to support NSDAP. -It had passed with 83% in favour.
What was the state of Germany in March 1933? -Gleichschltung-forcing into line- was underway. -KPD banned and silenced. -Police under Nazi control, violence to Jews increased, and SA violence justified.
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