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Problems facing Weimar 1929 - Coggle Diagram
Problems facing Weimar 1929
Revolution limited 10th Nov -Jan 1919
This was when Elbert who was anti-communist tried to prevent a revolution or civil war with the help of the Elbert-Groener pact
He called for early elections
Revolution from below - 31st Oct-8th Nov 1918
Mutiny soldiers by Kiel spread to other parts
Riots begin
Many ordinary soldiers involved, the new sailors and soviets saw a new radical political organisation
Revolution from above - 29th Sept - 3rd Oct 1918
Generals advise the Kaiser to appoint a new civilian governmnet
Authoritarian military rule ends
Reichstag deputies from liberal and socialists form a government - no longer the elites
Abdication - 9th Nov 1918
Hindenburg advises Kaiser to abdicate - he fled to Holland
Elbert becomes the chancellor and the country is ruled by Reichstag therefore ending the monarchy
New governmnet is formed of representatives of the working class
Armistice - 11th Nov 1918
New gov signs the Armistice agreement
The Wiemar is condemned and held responsible to surrender
Led at Dolchtoss or Stab in the back Myth
Treaty of Versailles - 1919
Germany was having issues following WW1
War guilt
Reparations
Demilitarization of the Rhineland
Constitution of the Weimar Republic
Elections held only led to coalitions and no party ever got a majority to hold power. There were more than 20 parties competeing
Elections were conducted using PR - Proportional Representation meaning a large number of parties could attend requiring 60,000 seats
State parliaments sent their representatives to the Reichsrat - they could propose amendments or delay legislation.
Referendums could be held on single issues if enough people petitioned.
The governments produced were fairly weak
Universal suffrage
Government accountable to Reichstage
PR produced democratic results
Reichstag approval still needed for laws etc., however President could dismiss Reichstag
Political problems
Gov unpopular for signing ToV - people had believed they were winning the war
Opposition to Weimar - voting habits, violence, debates, political assasinations
Soldiers released from war were recruited to form private armies by political parties
Survival of Weimar
Gov remained in pwoer and control - didnt have to rule by emergency decree
Better economy - restoring international prestige through agreements
Stresemann key to stability - held coalition of DVP, Centre, SPD and DDP
Political system improved as economy improved - lack of votes for extremist parties
Weaknesses were not totally resolves when Stresemann died in 1929
The Great Depression
Wall Street Crash caused 89% of its value causing many to become employed and economy to collapse.
US provided loans to Germany causing Weimar economy to collapse as it relied on them heavily
Coalition of gov of the Weimar Republic was unable to solve economic issues
Germany had unemployment rate of 30%
The effect on Weimar
Main aim to reduce expenditure
Reduced pension spending for soldiers by 1.3 making them angry
Industries in decline - couldnt afford raw materials
Bankruptcies increased significantly
Unemployment came to 1.4 million
Coalition gov led by Muller failled - couldnt agree on cuts
New gov formed by Bruning - feared hyperinflation and budget deficits
Bruning increased taxes, implemented waage cuts, and reduced government spending - caused further resentment among people
Bruning supported by Hindenburg - used decrees under Article 48 demonstrating the weakness of Weimar politics
The fall of Muller had had a majority in the Reichstag led to a large increase in anti-democratic deputies therefore hard for any other gov to get support of Reichstag
Damage to livelihood was irreparable and schemes were too late for gov to regain public confidence and support
Reasons for collapse of Weimar
Public feeling - public hated gov due to ToV, therefore they voted back Hindenburg in 1925. They had the 'stab in the back myth' meaning Weimar has an issue with other parties such as Nazi Party who used it to attack and gain votes
Wall street crash - 1929 the US economy collapsed plummeting many European countries into a depression allowing the Nazi and communist party to benefit from not agreeing on a policy.
Coalition failings - Hindenburg didn't want Chancellors who couldn't get an agreement policy, making it harder to run an affective government. Parties found it harder to work together and coalition collapsed
Rise of Hitler and Nazi party - Nazis made significant gains due to the Storm troopers. Hitler lost elections against Hindenburg. H selected Von Papen to replace Bruning. When Nazis won election Hindenburg chose Von Schleicher - Hitler didnt accept cabinet position - Paper pesuaded Hindenburg to make Hitler chancellor
Hitler appointed on 20th January 1933