Great Depression: Germany and the Depression: History: GCSE (9:1)

1928 election

The KPD (communist party) won 54 seats. The Nazi party won just 12.

1930 election

The KPD (communist party) won 77 seats. The Nazi party won just 107.

Wall Street Crash

In October 1929 a financial crisis hit America - businesses and banks closed, millions lost their jobs

American loans

As the American banks were struggling, they asked German banks to repay the loans they had made to them from 1924

German banks

Demanded the money be paid back from the businesses they had lent the money to. The businesses could not afford to repay the loans and closed.

Trade with America

Americans had bought cars, electrical goods, equipment and clothing from Germany. When Americans lost their jobs and closed their businesses they stopped buying from Germany

Great Depression

Was an international crisis sparked by the Wall Street Crash which led to business closures and mass unemployment in Germany, as well as other nations

Muller

Chancellor in 1928. He was in charge of a coalition government with a majority, however, they were divided over whether to increase taxes to aid the unemployed and Muller called an election in 1930.

Bruning

Chancellor 1930-32. His coalition government did not have a majority and were forced to rule by Presidential decree using Article 48 of the constitution.

Bruning's priority

Was to stop reparations payments rather than aid the unemployed. This led many unemployed and desperate people to turn to extremist parties who promised jobs.

Unemployment

Workers lost their jobs as businesses closed by 1933 there were 6 million people unemployed

Youth

School leavers and university graduates could not find a job

Homelessness

Families could not afford to pay their rent and were evicted

Blame

People from both the left and the right of politics believed the government was responsible and some started to question the democratic Weimar system.