Stability of Weimar democracy 1924-29

Evidence of stability (6)

-Stresemann continues as Foreign minister

-No attempted coups from Left or Right

-No major political figures were assassinated

-Democratic parties increased their vote in 1928

-More votes for main democratic parties in 1924 than 1920

-Extremist parties didnt gain mass support

What is

-Stresemann continues as Foreign minister

-No attempted coups from Left or Right

-No major political figures were assassinated

-Democratic parties increased their vote in 1928

-More votes for main democratic parties in 1924 than 1920

-Extremist parties didnt gain mass support

Evidence of instability

How did Stresemann being foreign minister help Weimar’s stability?

Meant continuity in diplomatic policies that benefitted Weimar

2 lack of political violence that shows stability in Weimar’s 1924-29

-No attempted coups from Left or Right

-No major political figures were assassinated

Weimar voting 1924-29 that shows stability

-Extremist parties didnt gain mass support

-More votes for main democratic parties in 1924 than 1920

Evidence for instability due to political system (4)

-Growth of narrow sectional interest encouraged by PR eg: Reich party for People’s Rights + revaluation

→ reduces chance for broad compromise

-Voters in the 35 electoral regions vote for party, not deputy so dont get to choose

-6 short lived coalitions 1924-29, most didnt have a secure majority in Reichstag

-Need for constant bargaining to stay in power discredited gov

3 causes of instability

-Political system

-Poor leadership

-Influence of CONS elites

What is

-Political system

-Poor leadership

-Influence of CONS elites

3 causes of instability

What is

-Growth of narrow sectional interest encouraged by PR eg: Reich party for People’s Rights + revaluation

→ reduces chance for broad compromise

-Voters in the 35 electoral regions vote for party, not deputy so dont get to choose

-6 short lived coalitions 1924-29, most didnt have a secure majority in Reichstag

-Need for constant bargaining to stay in power discredited gov

Evidence of instability due to political system

How many govs 1924-29?

6 short lived coalitions

Problem with voting for deputies

Voters in the 25 electoral regions voted for parties, not deputies so didnt get to choose

How did growth of narrow sectional interest parties effect Weimar?

Made it difficult for the broad compromise needed for a democratic government

Eg: Reich party for people’s rights + revaluation - compensation for losers of hyperinflation

Evidence of instability due to poor leadership (4)

-Parties often divided amongst themselves

-On any issue, the moderate left (SPD) + moderate right (DVP) might join forces w/ radicals to defeat gov policy

-Politicians in coalitions couldn’t cooperate

-Weimar lacked a charismatic leader

What is

-Parties often divided amongst themselves

-On any issue, the moderate left (SPD) + moderate right (DVP) might join forces w/ radicals to defeat gov policy

-Politicians in coalitions couldn’t cooperate

-Weimar lacked a charismatic leader

Evidence of instability due to poor leadership

What might moderate left (SPD) or moderate right (DVP) do to defeat gov policy?

Join up with radicals

What did Weimar lack?

A charismatic leader

Evidence of instability due to influence of CONS elite (3)

-Many industrialists resented what they saw as growing burdens of the welfare state + tried to reassert greater control of wages

-Centre right moved to the right in the late 20s, some leaders like Bruning began to favour more authoritarian

-Many employees of the state retained distaste for democracy eg: judged + civil servants + army full of generals who wanted a more authoritarian state

What is

-Many industrialists resented what they saw as growing burdens of the welfare state + tried to reassert greater control of wages

-Centre right moved to the right in the late 20s, some leaders like Bruning began to favour more authoritarian

-Many employees of the state retained distaste for democracy eg: judged + civil servants + army full of generals who wanted a more authoritarian state

Evidence of instability due to CONS elite

What happened to centre right in the 1920s?

Moved to right + some leaders like Bruning began to favour more authoritarian leaderships

Why did many industrialists resent Weimar?

Saw it as growing burdens of a welfare state + tried to reassert greater control of wages

Who retained distaste for democracy?

Many employees of the state such as judges + civil servants