Nazi experiment 1929-1949

Why did grand coalition collapse

Great depression- division on whether to continue welfare state, SPD wanted to maintain it, Centre party wanted compromise, DVP wanted to end.

Why did Muller step down?

Hindenburg refused to support use of Article 48 for Muller to rescue left leaning coalition following depression.

• However supported Bruning as he supported goals of Kamarilla (rise taxes, cut welfare state, stop reparation payments) marked beginning of presidential rule

Impact of 1930 and 32 election

Extremist parties made significant gains, e.g Nazi party 107 deputies and KPD with 77.

• harmed effective working of Reichstag but SPD tolerated Brunning due to fears of another election resulting in further extremist gains.

1932- Hitler gained 37 percent of the vote.

Fall in Reichstag power 1930s

1930- 5 laws passed through Article 48

1932- 66 laws passed through Article 48- only 5 using Reichstag

Why did Muller step down in 1932?

Hindenburg didn’t support Muller’s suggestions of land reform

• Wanted to use emergency decree to seize inefficient, debt ridden agricultural estates typically owned by Junkers.

• Junkers lobbied this plan, labelled it as ‘Agrarian Bolshevism’ which threatened traditional Prussian social structures—> Hindenburg Junker so sympathetic forcing his resignation in May 1932.

formation of Papen’s government

formed non-party consisting of elites/barons, doesn’t contain members from Reichstag. Papen hoped to make gov work through Nazi support for stability (held 18% of seats). Unelected, presidential gov.

Papen lifted ban on SA and used emergency powers to depose of socialist led coalition in Prussia.

Papen’s fall?

Reichstag voted no confidence by 512 to 42. Hindenburg dissolved Reichstag after one day.

• Reichstag unworkable, 1932 elections Nazi’s lost 2 million seats but KPD made significant gains, reichstag still unworkable.

• Papen proposed to permanently replace Reichstag and use army to suppress opposition, Schleicher disapproved of plan due to fears of civil warand convinced Hindenburg to dismiss Papen.

Schleicher’s attempt to partner with Nazi’s?

Believed he could tame Nazi’s and use popularity to stabilise gov whilst keeping them subordinate to conservative elite and army.

• Schleicher was in regular contact with Rohm (head of SA), wanted SA to develop closer links with army, ensuring they had access to weapons.

• Schleicher appointed chancellor, attempts to get support by appointing Nazi Strasser as vice chancellor.

Why did Schleicher fall from power

Intended to unite trade unions, left of Nazi party and Reichswehr to form cross-front coalition.

• failed as failed to divide Nazi’s, trade unions distrusted due to military background.

• Papen conspired with Hitler to convince Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as chancellor with Papen as vice—> Schleicher unable to get working majority in Reichstag.

Nazi party organisation:

established Gaues (regions), giving nazi’s a national structure helping them to promote policies across Germany.

Policy of legality

Bamberg conference 1926- centralised structure, obedience to Hitler.

Nazi propaganda

• Blut und boden appealed to farmers, idealised agrarian life.

• advertisement in theatres

  • Nazi teachers assciation, Hitler youth.