Why the Weimar Republic was weakened by the depression

Why the Weimar Republic was weakened by the depression

1. 1. In October 1929 the American economy went bankrupt. This was called the Wall Street Crash. America recalled all of their foreign loans.

2. 2. Many German businesses were forced to close. They depended hugely on loans from the US. Taxes increased to pay for unemployment.

3. 3. Many German workers and farmers lost their jobs. By 1932 there were 6 million unemployed people. The government cut unemployment benefit to save money

4. 4. Unemployment affected the young. By the end of 1932 half of Germans aged 16 to 30 were unemployed or could not find jobs.

5. Most Germans blamed the Weimar Republic for allowing the German economy to become too dependent on US loans. The government could not deal with the worst effects of the depression.

6. 1. The Weimar Constitution encouraged weak coalitions that could not provide solutions to major problems

7. 2. Germany lacked a strong leader to reduce the worst effects of the depression

8. 3. From 1930, Germnay ceased to be a democracy

   • People cared less about the Reichstag as it was not solving any problems

9. 4. Votes for extremist parties increased

10. 5. Coalition parties did not get along. They had disagreements

11. 6. Bruning's government made unpopular policies. They decided to increase taxes