WHY DID PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 19337 [1 Sxpinte dterenceberween prlamwearyapdpresdeni! 2 Bon ow presen fovermanc cme to replace Faranerery gvecrenentn SOURCE! There fb Reciog a0 | 1901 | 1992 on Reich » eit aD seg [EE Why did parliamentary government decline after 1930? You arenow entering a danger zone. Not only was this a hazardous period for the Weimar regime, butts also one that hs seen many a history stdent ‘become confsed. You have already seen Row; nthe 1924 and 1928 elections, aries loyal othe Weimar system di well These elections produced a series ‘of ealition governments that managed to get thei lisltion pseed bythe Reichstag Potenally the strongest of these was the gran coalition government led bythe Socialist Hermann Mille that too office i 1928, Fiowever even before the Depression, there were worrying signs fo he parliamentary sytem. President Hindenburg a his associates were discsing ‘4 more authoritarian system to ‘put an end tothe impotenoe [powerlessness of pallies This nee frm of government would not negotiate with parties in the Reichstag, bu instead would lyon using Arle 48 to fee decrees and would threaten Ussou "0 ofthe Reichstag It opposed the gavernment. Solel ust ryt establish a cea, base view o he period and then look a the detailed chronology ofthe changes in government. “This period sa the gradual decline of democracy, as Germany moved fom parliamenary government o presidental government, ad then wo dittorship "ner Hite. Article 8 ofthe consitution, evn the President powers tse decrees, had een intended tobe used only in an emergency, to defend the regime against potemal enemies Aer 1950 i was increasingly used lo sstain sovernments hal were unable to get thei legislation through the Reichstag. The prospec ofprlamentary government surviving was further cakened by the Reichstag elecons of 1932 n both July and November the majority of ‘ote supported the two extremist pares wh were hostile othe palamentary regime, 1B_The decline of parliamentary government tere Chanson rag ap Se) Prades Masog merit ears ‘Wm em by reng he pone’ epee ‘Chart 8 introduces youtefve of the most important pila in 1950-2, 1 8C_The President anc his Chancellors, 1930-2 Haiih Brig Karten Stelter Paul von Hindenburg, 1847-1934 [omental rc reigns Hingenbrg played key ‘ole tough his ojinmen ofChancsrs nde se {Artie 4 Have opin Heras Sleten secs iy 182 borin din Snr 193g ete et pea ace tel es hater ted 19 a Hermann Miller, 1876-1931 As Foreign Minis, Moller signed the Treaty of Verses for Grany in 1019. He was beely Chancellor ae the Kapp Puts i 120 and From that ‘year onvtards was adoro his ary, the SPD. In May 1228 he became Choncilr forthe second time and formed a grand calion government ranging fom the SPD to the DVP.Ksied wo ares om howto ind he Fising unemployment payment brovght about bythe Depression. When President Hindenburg ese oppor hime resigned n 1980. is was te ast genuine planetary government He ded within a yar ofleaving ce Heinrich Brining, 1885-1970 The sn ofaCathlle merchant, Bring became a teacher and from 1015 to 1918 served as an infty ocr 924 he was lected tothe Reichstag and became the Cone Paty’'sReisiag lender in 1920, He was apointed Chanclir in 1950. In July 105, n onder 1 win Reichstag support, he called a neve election which edt major fein for extremists Heald to ake action to reduce the impacto the Depression, find his austerity programme eared him the nlekname ofthe "unger Chanelior. He ‘was force to resign when he lest the confidence of Hindenburg over pans divide up bankruptestates imegst Germany. He-emigrted in 1954 and seed in the USA, See so pages 156-7. Franz von Papen, 1879-1969 Bor into a Catholic noble fal, Papen marred the daughter oa Saar industrialist He became a cavalry ofcer In 1021 he was elected asa Cente Paty candidate tothe Prussian LAT. He was chairman ofthe conservative newspaper Germania. At hear Papen remained @ monarchs. rend of Hindenburg, he had inte politcal teperionce bit was aked tobe Chancellor in 1952. ler is csmiss, he inrgued ‘rth Hil to replace Soler In January 1985 he was appointed Vice-Chancelo. He resigned in July 1954, becoming ambassodoro Austria, then Turkey. He was tried a Nuremberg (Se poge 426) but acquitted. In 1047 German denazfcavon cour ‘Sentenced hm ght years ina labour camp, the was leased in 148, Kurt von Schleicher, 1882-1934 Froma noble family he became an officer in Hindenbur’s egiment. Genera Shelcher ‘considered the army the trae embodiment ofthe nation far mores than the new Weimar Republi He became a confidant of Hindenburg nd his son. Between (919 and 1952 he hl various pots hiking he army and governments He also cutuvaed links with key india, wanting to make the army the centre of power. This upset ter feneal sich as Blomberg, ho wanted the army to have a lesser poll role Schlicer was responsible or gettng Hindenburg to appoint Bring, ten Papen and then eluctant. mse a Chanel. By 182, word about te power of te Nazis tnd tbe danger fil war, he red (tame ther by ineluding them in government He ‘vas murdered by the Nas inthe Night of te Long Kuives, 1954 (see page 173), Pal on Hinder byte time of Wi re-lacton a Presa i 1932, Hindenburg was BS. How might that have ected devlopraesin 1932-32 WHY DID PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1933715 WHY DID PARLAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1933? Ents 1 Bipian the ference bowen | prtanentary and presenta ovement | 2 Evpan how presen govermerteame to replace Frlanentary goverrrer t3902, SOURCED.! ‘The rle othe Rechts the Peidene 195-2 Paid SM 66 Rechag ws [98 | H) Recwag (98 TD Sasser [EN Why did parliamentary government decline after 1930? You are now entering danger zane. Not only was this a hazardous period for the Weimar regime, but it isalso one that has seen men a history student become confused. You have already seen how, nthe 126 and 1928 eections, partis loyal tothe Weimar system did well These eletons produced a series ‘of eoaltion governments that managed og their legsaton assed bythe Reichstag Poteaaly the strongest ofthese was the-prand colton government led ty the Soils Hermann Mille that ook oer in 1928 However even belore the Depression, there were worrying sigs fo the pualiamentary system. President Hindenburg and his assotates were dscusing 8 more authoritarian system to ‘pt an end tothe impotence [poweressnesd of poles’ This new form of government would not negate with parties inte Reichstag, bat instead would rey on using Article 48 issue decrees and would threaten oxsou Tov othe Reihsag it opposed the government. Solel usirst ir to establish a clear, ase view of te period ad then lok a the detaled chronology ofthe changes in government This period saw the gradual delne of democracy, es Germany moved from parliamentary goyeramentto presidential governmen; and then to dittorship lnder Her. Aric 48 of te constitution, giving the President powers tole decres, had been intended to be used ony in an emergency, to dle the regime against potential enemies. afer 1950 i was increasingly used Io ssa sovernments that were unable to get thelr leilation trough the Reiehstag ‘The prospect of parliamentary government surviving Was further Weakened by the Reichstag elections of 1952 In both July and November the majority ‘voters supported te two extremist aries who were Bost othe padamentary regime, Soest rodent Government, 120-2 erste Ae wc by» tert Chacala (any Pen Sc eho SSS cprenm eck nse or ‘ier aren by ren pont eptamene ‘Chart 8 introduces youtefve of the moet important poliians n 1950-2, 8C_The President and his Chancellors 1930-2 s) he eich ining art von Seer EEE Povlvon Hindenburg, (047-1934 {somewhat reactant Present, Hindenburg payed a key role, Uirouah his appointment of Chancellors and te use ‘of Article 4. laing refused o appoint ier aris ‘ection sues of July 1052, he reluctantly dl sin “enuary 1935 indenburg was he last potential obstacle {ollider ss dicator, but led in 1934 Hermann Miller, 1876-1931 As Foreign Minister, Mlle signed the Treaty of Verses for Germany in (918 1le was brie Chancellor afer the Rapp Pash n 1920 and rom that ‘year onvrards was leader of his party, the SPD. In May 1996 he became Chancellor forthe second time and formed grand colon government ranging rom the SPD to the DYP. lied wo agree on how to find the Fising unemployment payments brought abou by the Depression, When Present Hindenburg refused. support him, he resigned in 1950 His was the last genie pnmentarygovesnment He die within 9 year of leaving oie. Heinrich Bruning, 1885-1970 The son ofa Callie aerchan, ining became 8 teacher an rom 1915 to 1918 served a an infaniry officer 1994 he was eee the Reichstag and became the (Centre Parts Reichstag leader in 1928. He was appointed Chaneelor in 1850 In July 1050 in oder to win Reichstag suppor, he called anew eleton which fed o major tis for extremists, He filed to tae ation fo reduce the impacto he Depression find his austerity programme eared him the nickname of he“unger Chancellor. He ‘vas force to resign whe fe ost the confidence of Hindenburg over plans wo divide up Bankrupt esate in east Germany. He emigrated in 195¢and seed in the USA. See also pages 150-7. Franz von Papen, 1879-1969 Bom into Cahotie noble family, Papen mared the dagher of Saar industrials, He became. cavalry officer, n 1921 he was elected a a Cente Party candidat the Prussian Lanta. He was chairman athe conservative newspaper Germania. At hea Papen remained a monarchist. A friend of Hindenburg he had mid politial eperience but wes asked to be Chancellor in 1652, Aer his dismissal, he intued ‘ith Hier to replice Schleicher. n January 1935 he was appointed Vie-Chanceir. Fe resigned in July 195, becoming ambassador to Austra, then Turkey. He was ied al Nuremberg (see page 426) but acquit. In 1047 a Geman denaziiestion cour, Sentenced him to eight years abour camp, but he was released in 1918, Kurt von Schleicher, 1882-1934 Frama noble fanily he became an officer in Hindenburg’ regimen. General Schleicher ‘unsere the amy the re embadinent ofthe nation, far more so than the new ‘Weimar Republi He became a confdantof Hindenburg and bis son, Between 1919 and 1952 heed various pst, inking tie army and governments te also cuavated links ‘vith Key individvas wanting make te army the centeof power. Tis upset oer tener, such as Blomberg, who wate the army to havea lesser politcal oe Schleicher was responsible for geting Hindenburgto appoint Bring, then Papen and then, reluctantly himself s Chancellor. 8) 1952, sorted aout the power ofthe Nazis land the danger e vi war, he edt lame tem by beluding them in government. He twas murdered ty the Nan inthe Niht ofthe Long Knives, 1054 (ste page 179) von Hinder bythe une his election a resent in 932, Hindenburg was BS. How might that hve ected daemon 932-32 \WHtY DID PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1933?g WHY DID PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1990-3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1933? (ssn ; ‘The Briining, Papen and Schleicher governments |nmany ays tis more important to grasp the overall naire ofthe period han o get bogged down in deta The thre chancellorships had lot in common: all were looking to earer the Weimar parliamentary system Ino a more authoritarian form of government. The key difereneesbetmen te Various governments Cah be simmarsed as follows | Broning was probably more prepared o accep greater role for the Reichstag than Papen or Schleicher. He wed i ‘work withthe Reichs but found this increasingly dificul. Brinig nuded irade non leader Adm Stegerwald inhis government and planned agrarian reforms, yt his austere (har severe) polices and inability to inspire the | masses meant he was unpopular and his agrarian reforms upset somein the elt His poston was also weakened by hishosiiy to co-operation with the Nan + Papen was the most hostile tothe Reichstag, Hs government of baron’ had no real chance of geting Reichstag Support on any positive basis + General Schleicher was. complex character He considered Papen's apprasch was oo narrow and that it risked civil | var which asa general he was concerned a avoid, He described himelf aca ‘Scially minded general ad ied to tree bronde based government through inks with trae unions andthe more sali wing ofthe Nels Tis | failed and, tke Beurng hs preparedness to consider agrarian reform apse the ee, ‘Learning trouble spot Papen’s coup against the Prussian state government. ‘This event often causes confslon, and many students deldenotto bother about ast seems unimportant. All | historians ave wo decide which events aresignieant, so why'notdscarthis complex one? Homene, twas ot only Important ints cwn igh butt also ustrtes much about the Weimar Repbtie Finty i eminds us that the new Weirar Republic remained a federal sate. Prussia was by far the most important | tate government, Since 189i had Deen run by an SPD-Z.coallon which had acted effectively to reform the tate. This hasbeen seen asan example of what could have happened nationally i res hal co-operated However I 195, under the impact ofthe Depression the $D-Z ests majoiy in the Prssian Assembly, continuing asa caretaker ‘government. Daring this period there were politeal Might Inthe sees of erin, Papen ised this deeine of law and | order intervene under Article 48 to depose the sae goverament ad put under federal control parliamentary ES was thas replaced by an authoritvian government. This shows how Arie 48, designed to preel democrac, could be used to repace it. Furthermore, Papen’s coup Was massive blow to themorale ofthe Le. The SPD lst its | las sronghold without essing. The deposed Prussian government suck lo Ubeeourse of legality and just appealed he courts as intimidated by the treat ofthe Reichswehr and refused to organise mass potest since high "unemployment weakened the prospect fora general strike as had happened in 1920 aguns the Rapp Pusch, ‘When Hier became Chancellor in 1955 he inherited conto the Prussian sae and used the precedent of Papen's ction fo overthrow other state goveraments, Once again the Left di not resist. Papen's coup has thas heen see a ‘mortal bow tothe Weimar regime. 1 Foreach goveromene besween 1928 nd 1993 |) tow iccroa co power ) rman pote and aetons ©) Oe reson for er 2 How aid German voters arm de ||? prompect for priamentary Eoveramene (Source 32 onpage | | £3 wl ko hep you answer hs Seay Char 80. Match each of he desergions below to che corect Chanel, 1 Hews chy to be appoted, sinc his support was ling, However, he id tv a good chance of geting support in he Rechag Appel ruth ncigu amongst te, he war onderessted ‘The scheme behind his goverment war fo geo in atempang to anrace support rom te Nan and soc Loft, hse io bing concer a Sutras ‘he ite. He became ct of urgue amongst the he. His wat he nse gna partamantry government. To Hass the hey role of the Depreson and shows Hindenburg holy to the SO, is owoyearchaeallorsip ware’ dec sie aay Kom paretary goverment. Eventual, tome major improvements wer sen. bc he ae ‘spporto he elites, A victim of eurgue bot hs apporemant ar hal show ‘he ey rola of Hindenburg [5 His chanceorship was a btant tempest authortrn govern wih no hope of Rechtag suppor He eaceds major Blow apn the SD yo made concessions othe Nass Avice of niga eng ee sie H_8D_Chancellors and governments 1938-30 MULLER GOVERNMENT Young Pan ou he Recor nest feet aa Ste 1930-7 BRONINGS GOVERNMENT te 0 ser on Gane ars since ene ocr roe ar Se Grr fry Choco \Cretsgwerroc ton sewer be eye ang rece ha oan ey are oT Recta sae Sole Renate ope a Sn ncn new scion ba Nan edo shh by om erent puro Nase 107. KPD 77) nad oe rng ing In 8 ec pres te foams en ps es a Jerse Pape taped po moe om [Sotto saath gree ty 1932: Papers coup aging Prin nase angen power opr 6, ly 1992 Reng ection siete eka Sndeting meres merges etn orn dg ket The gies Se ensae e ge rr a Rg Fgh es 4, rings ore sr on Scavenger ‘oer cactan nd rer pow oes Bay ai Rpg He oe scene icy Sage te on pe met Sena ata es ——————— | RAY-DEC 1952 PAPEN'S GOVERNMENT ‘tei pce ont pce besos eters oy ens woman Ge re Foran 30) 1 gta 12 Poe td EEE rent gnepernse SSieares, ieee reece pe era tiem eee mince ecm somreesiores 5 Mar 19: ries Fini ow sop tee “ome pref bebe ha he Ras ary petitioners fac aca Saar (hee (he tare al Pon 0 perc Teicher gm grew So poem by Hr Heder ld Fetes me heresy ripen poms fcr sa. ‘ree Srinagar frowiguto et eyo ppp ‘pps naor eat ge Fnsege et ler pong han aor vee tiecdrin romrey Each et cay tee arto [DEC 1952-{AN 1999 SCHLEICHER'S GOVERNFENT oem Sor mand reve ay 33 TARE OMRR earn! See se orieetarto WHY DID PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1933?+ ining ook stong line on reparations: pry a a result the Depression, reparations were suspend in uly 1951 under the Hoover ‘moratorium (a lemporary legal suspension af debt repayment) Reparations svere finaly cancelled a month afer Bring lost office, + Brinig presse for equal treatment for German over lsarmament as aid 15 & fess 1 [E} Brining: potential saviour or veined Se le cg he destroyer of Weimar democracy? ior rain 1930-2 Wnt aanough sere mre persenal and sae dagrements been Seiche, WHY DID PARLIAMENTARY GOYERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1923? ezamers cane made or andes | Papen and Ilindenburg, most historians agree that they al voured replacing the Weimar system of pariamentary democracy and played a eucialrle in is death. There has, however, Dee considerable debate about Brings motives and role Was he the last defender of Weimar democracy ois enemy? Supporters of Bring would arguc that he was tying o defend the Weimar parliamentary regime in adverse circumstances, They mould st that he was near to succeeding when he was fred resign. Cres of Bring sy he Was planning to establish a more authoritarian, non parliamentary system. Furthermore, they say there were alteatives tos defatinary polices which could have ben ire if he hid wanled democracy to survive. ‘What do you think? For Brning? Against Bring? Lets now examine Briningschaneclrship in more deta Briining’s chancellorship, March 1930-May 1932 In March 1230, Brning’s Cabinet contained most of Maller ministers, xcept ‘hose from the SPD. In duly, when the Reichstag rejected Some of his austerity : measures Brining began using Artie 48 of de constitution 1 govern by presidental desee. He dissolved the Reichsag and held new elections in the hope that the new assembly would support his policies However, hi red ‘ut to bea maior mistake. In the September elections both the Commoniss and the Nazis Inereased hele representaton, making it far harder for Bening to ‘an the co-operation ofthe Releisag stead he had increasingly to rely om presidential decrees. Bruning’s economic policy Bruning was prepared to worse the eet ofthe Depression t achieve his aim af ening reparations. He told a meeting of Cente Party Reichstag deputies in August 1951 thal only deflation would consince the world that Germany ould not ford io pay reparations He alo tried o use the Depression to reverse earlier Weimar governments’ Itervenuonst welfare piss ad 10 treat leaner, more competitive economy. Ashe tld Hilr In October 1950 ‘The fest country prepared to implement al the wopopular domestic measures necessary will seo the op. Dring eee latonary ple Nance Uy are se fuer Instead, he opted for defationary policies, which included government expenditare cus spell orgeting ci servants’ wages, and ax incense, Bring et the government dt drastically (i was 38 per cent ower in 1952 ‘han in 1928). Me lowered priest help expors, but since cher coundres prices were alo fling and protectionism was widespread he achieved ite. eal incomes fll These harsh messures eared him the nickname Hunger (Chancellor. Brning has been areal blamed fr Hile’s eventual appointment a8 Chancellor. Firstly, Brunings decison to call unscheduled eleetons in 1950 | fave the Nels an opportunity lo bre it the polities! mainstream, and his Aetationary policies 1980-2 drove million ave Naz Ll in 1952, after reparations had been suspended, he embarked on & programme of public works and the economy began fo improve Foreign policy } } With behing o Hindenburg and he army, there was an over shih under Briaing trom Stesemann’s coneliatory approach oa more assertive one Brining hoped lo improve the economy, and then to se Germany's economic ‘igh to get the Treaty of Versailles overturned. He had serealforcign policy + In June 1950 the lst lle troops et he Rhineland (a had been agreed in 1029). SOURCE 3 K Saher queen ot, emer Rp 968 p. 18D ‘rnin was mot. the Last ‘haneelor before the breakup ofthe Neimar Republi, but the frst ‘chancellor inthe procs of destroying German democrary. Wha ar he danger of opting 2 ategy of aig on raters 0 get ‘horn rd achive one eh “Inge creamsances, Bring polices ware wal ig and could Fave hoped the Weer epine sue’ Do you gree? Rene the horn eersment in Sources 82-5. Do they ape with dow by the Treaty of Verses. The Disarmament Conference fall yet a Geneva in Febriary 1982. In December 1932, seven months ater Bruning Thad resigned, parity (equi) was delared, ough no action by heather powers was frlicoming Briining’s fall (n 30 May 1952 Brning was forced orsign, His propsal or land reform had ‘upset the agrarian ee. Hindenburg, himself an eastern landowner, considered [Dolshevist and withdrew his support. Braning lost office not teough a vee of no confidence by the Reichstag, but ‘becaise ne had lst President Hindenburg’ support. Brining elt he had been brought down ‘s hundred metres before reaching the goa” Historians’ assessments ‘There ee varius interpretations of Brinin'schancellorship, ll of which ean te supported b reference to his polices. The terms af the debate were Significant changed withthe posthumous (after hs deat) publication i he 1070s of his memolr. Here he claimed he had boen ying to rstore the monarchy. Some historians, however, argue tha his Wasa retrospective (ater the event alterpt to give green coherence to his chancellorship than it deserves. The picture of him as a desperate improvise, who might et have Helped some form of parkamentary system to survive ill reins suppor. SOURCE 8.2 E.Fachowange, Fem Wainars Hier 198,p 277 rining was the lst chanclor 1 govern with ay kind of eoastutional leetimacy. His personal Integrity, intelgence and devotion to duty have never been doubled by men af good He was also secretive and sometimes paranoid. The debate abou is plae in Ristary i focus on two main ise The fs ‘question is wheter hs mathod of avvernment By dere can be regarded a ast, {tet to preceree a rondilaora olden sytem or shoul Be sen as Sepping sone to dicatrship. The stand question i whether here were any ‘elite alternatives o Brinig’ polices SOURCE 84. H Monmtan, Warari farts, 99, po. 125, 1 “He deliberate intended hs pois to deepen the eoonomie eri ashe hoped this would enable Germany to el over the wort of the criss fore oer comparable states ‘Breaking the spr of the constitution, and replacing i with format legalism [sit eonority tothe tetera the ae una hs dolng This contributed tothe inal destruction ofthe Weimar Republic fst as surety asthe tematic ‘scaation ofthe eoonomie ers, which he deliberately engineered, produced the tamosphereof ler hopeless... hich Hier ould explolt more eetvely ‘han any other SOURCE 85K Honig. The Werar Repub 1919-193, 1998 p67 Many commentator atthe time and since, have argued that there were ternatioestoBrning’s dftinary polices, tht measures could have been Introduced to simulate cra formation and to create comprehensive obereation ‘hemes Busch alternatives would have wtdermined Brining’s man ‘objectives, to use the res to end Germanys reparation payments, f dismantle Feimar' comprehensive and elaborate stem of welfare provision and to reduce Germany's manufacturing cots in order to make her indusry mare compelitve ‘han tha of her European neighbours. WHY DID PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1923?WHY DID PARLIAMENTARY GOYERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-2 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1933? Was Hitler’s rise to power inevitable? Some commentators would givea clea ‘esto this question However, one ‘would then noed to consider when Hills appintment became inevitable —in 1950, o 1852, or not until the las days a onary 1933, or ws nila as far back as 1919 when the new Weimar government signed the Treaty of Versailes? ‘Many historians object to this degre of ovens, Ione argues that Hits ise was inevitable right from the beginning, it undermines the reasons ‘or studying the evens of 1920 to 1953, One wad jst be Uinkering witha ‘development that ha already been determined Party fortis reason, nist historians are very enutos about the word inevitable’, Some reat aginst 10 such an extent that they main that nothings ines able un it happens Is probably wiser tous phrases such as more key or-highly probable rather Than inevitable Here we re going look ato issues that shed light on the possible ‘nity of Hitler's appolnment as Chancellor, + Was Hiller lucky o be appointed Chancellor us asthe Nazis were onthe verge of disintegration? + Were there vabe alternatives, ether authoritarian, liberal o communist? One intriguing aspect ofthe debate onthe inevitability of Hers coming to power sihe eidence thatthe Naat Movement was in severe dices by late 1852: it seems possible that Hier had not been appointed Chancellor in anvary 1955 the Movement might well have decined. Hikers options in those ‘dreumstanees might also have een inlted For example, be might have red ‘o repeat his pusch o 1925. Given his eater mass suppor is prospects for sucees looked brighter, and there wer radial elements nthe Nazi Party, and ‘expecially the $4, who nrged a seizure of power ater he ad been reuse the ‘hancellorship in August 1052 Hier himself however, seems to have abandoned the idea ofa putsch. His strategy was Based on winning electoral ‘support to gun the chancellorship teal through controlling a majority of the Relehstag, bat if that proved impossible, by Being such a postion tha i ‘vas no allenatie io Hindenburysappeating him. With Nci electoral support Falling i indenburg had not appointed hin Hier’ prospects looked bleak. BE _The Nazis’ position in late 1932 and early 1933 1 ection reas 8) Recto ‘igNorenber 1952 te Nac ost? lon votes nd 24 seat pry because oe voters ware datisanes 3 ‘erhed aledo in power, Te prone voce tamed 12egeing nombre ‘Tolar opp) dc of te Na Some miecsvotrs ware seated by Nao ves ‘one more worn apport by tonperng to 3 Organisation The SA ad 40000 enters in 192 -mahing it fou Limes ger tan the Rican + Pay merino at 60000, tu thre was igh "There was comer cord nthe pay and SA: ome ine pry ered the SA srl behav ne Lia of conmimer to cones Nove + The rn Smgrecnt oe Nas Py we Brin varspre seein Novos 1932 andy he + Thetis wares te brgs prey he Rleag 0 te Nd dy oe econ Nove Decanter eg ron the Thargan mia cone + Injury 1953 he Nak pore reiurces eo the lkcons ne salsa of Upp thay mead tr raat time coma by ero 952, Na races were ey ow to he cou of competing mse many elections ‘hey lat yr cen i ein reugfor Conar Schlatter hse ok ‘ohh Ns Movement Sor ating cts weed sme eg Geegor Strate who resigned in December 1992 ean Nai Paty repor offow morale The SP nevog 252th ec Se SA wha apt + The Rss had tobe cel to hap the par togeher + InApe 1952 Gobet 'We mit comet power ‘heloretene rare Ober we wh career pare trom he KPO, be Ns were the ly pry nt ‘Srcited wits acredeedporarnmere| ‘Stacy Soures 46-9 and Chae 6. ihar endenc cere 2) he Nass would nave enn feat I Hier had ne been Sppoieed Chane rary 1) he Nas ary was stl wert movement dt could lateenes the course ef Geman nln wy the enarenes 2f Na ‘wears an dns ite 1932 mg acl fave econmending Hers dppevnumere SOURCE 84. Set report bythe Rech Propane Leneship & Nis pita. November 1932 ‘Weare ofthe opinion that lite canbe salvaged by way ef propaganda... New ath must Be taken Nothing moreso Be dane with words, placards and feats Now we mus ac. lt mut not cone to ancther lection. The reals ud not be imagined. SOURCE 8.7 fart rom Joe Gosia dry foe 1972 Bi tug: Noting is more deat thant el veto flushed troops that, ietory has ben snatched ot ef ther hand tug: Great hopeesnes rigs among the party comrades 15Oc: Party workars Become very nervous asa resulo these evxrtating elections. They are overworked. 8 December= Severe depresion prevails. nancial worries render all "gstomatie work impossible, The danger now eis the whole arty gong to pecs... Dr Ley telephones that the station ta the Part is becoming more rita from hour to hour... (Gregor ‘Siraser eter to the Pure resigning his oiee)s dae petoggery argumentative qubbling. Treason Treason’ Treason... For hours on end the Fuhrer walks ansousy up and down the hotel room... Once he stops and merely say: the Port should ever breakup, T make an ond of things in thre ‘minutes with revolve 15 December: Its hard to ld the Sd andthe Party ofits ta a clear course (soe suecedin holding the movement together eel ao ‘eee in saving the station 29 December: iis posible tht in of days the Puber wil havea conference swith Papen Tere new chance opens SOURCE 8.8 H Haber Ie Worry, 199.205 {By late 1972 the Nass were in barren opposition woavering between claims to legitimacy and recolutonary slogans, becen sai promises and conservative contacts SOURCE 89. T Chita, The Farman eh Nei Canes, 1986.9 254 After an ascent of unparalled swiftness the NSDAP had reached the nits of ts Sietral potential and now fn Deemer 1932 faced almoat erin deine, The policy e legal, af mess mobilisation for electoral campaigning had reached a ‘dead end. ‘The political situation in 1932 During 1982 the Brning, Papen and Schleicher governments embarked on public works programmes. Unemployment reached its peak in December 1952, ‘hen started fal To some, It seemed thatthe worst ofthe erss was over and ‘thatthe Weimar Republic had weathered the storm. Far example + Allie roops had withdrawn from Germany in 1950, ‘Reparations had been virally ended in uly 1952. + In December 1932 Germany was eanted the right to equality of armaments athe Geneva Disarmament Conference However these developments dd not stp the communis ote increasing in the Norember 1932 Relchstag election, 59 [WHY DID PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1933?14 20.3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1923? ‘WHY DID PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY Was there an alternative to Hitler? J Copy and complete the ftcwng able o assess the poll poste in ‘Germany fom 1932, wong the mater blow and ny ther knowledge You have |2. a)" "Wht ofthe opsons do you conser proved the most relste [7 Seernacve tote appemement of Hider as Chine? 3b) How song wat your oie of aerate? 5 When if seal ld Hider apoinenenc as Cranceler become ineviabe? Factors favouring sor agit ‘option ores Na enone erro Pertoriy dy ‘Was there an authoritarian alternative? Inmany ways the ost likely outcome othe polices of 1950-2 was some fom of more authoriaran government valving permanent reduction fa the powers ofthe Relhstag and the format of gvernment les dependent pon Popul elections Tis ofcourse, was what had been happening in an improvised tray withthe Bruning Papen and Schleicher governments eianton Article 48 “Theelle were ately exploring revision ofthe constitution, and perhaps eren& return osomelhing sine to Ue Second Reich wilh powerful menarehy ‘The problems wih his proach were hat to arr tout consiutionaly needed a wo thids majority inthe Relchslg, an this reactionary programme had limited mass appeal. To revoke (overthrow) the constituion unlateraly (ontheir own inluaive) might have provoke ul war, andthe plitally Dowerfl army’ was very concerned about such an eventuality. Papen was prepared to risk civil war, bt Hindenburg inital favoured Sehllcher's Ingenious seme tory to get a broader basis of suppor. When tis alle, Hindenburg’s options were lary ited However, many ordinary Germans were as dsilusioned with Weimar serocracy as were the elt, so a restoration af the sucessful Secon Reich ‘might be attractive wo many Inthe end, Hindenburg took te advice of Papen A others by trying to use Hie, with his popular appeal to enhance their own poser. This turned ou to bea aa, though understandable, miscalculation, ‘Many historians conser this decision was avery narrow one an that other uthoriatlan options might well hae succeeded Could Weimar parliamentary democracy have survived? This seems a more unlikely option, given the problems the Weimar system was ‘lead facing, even Delor the Great Depression. The mass misery this eauied ‘vas largely blamed onthe weak Weimar governments and their acceptance of the Treaty of Versailles and reparations. With Uke majority of Germans in 1652 ‘voting fr partes hostile tothe parliamentary system, with the decine of liberal pares and with key elements within the tw legest democratic paris (SPO $2) hostile to each oer the prospects looked bleak. Many histerians ako ‘these tat Weimar had fundamental prolate flea in Ue tyes of milion of Germans. Nang ofthe elitehad never been comnited to parliamentary democracy and by 150 they had moved decisively gains it However, the economic and international uations were improving by he nd of 19521 these trends had comin, itis possible thatthe maezate Daties might have regained their letra support the expense athe Extremist (4 they ad done in 1928) and formed a government backed by 2 majority in the Reichstag SOURCE S.10. Hamers of he KPO [ea eine tet Tot 0 | isa0asc60 ~ 95000 Could Germany have gone communist? Fearofcommunisin was. tal factor inthe hisor ofthe Weimar Republic ‘The first socials government had wo the peoslnal suppor af thee in order o co-operate agains the Bolshevik heat. The Comauists probably had thir best chance of gaining power inthe choos of 1019 and 1925, bu failed ko exploit the situation, From 1050 communism seed onthe advance again bot Usefrts were concentrated on elections rater than on organising a revolution However ls ened electoral support and massive presence inthe treet (especially ls paramilitary wing) encouraged members ofthe elite in {tir sty ode weak Weim slate snd thelr preparedness to co-operate ‘with the anticommunist Nazis The Communists were never able o gain more than 20 per cent ofthe vot, as thelr appeal was mainly tothe working cas, ho made up about 80 per cet of the poplton ut wh were spit plea. Membership o Une PD was very ‘id The imied peal o the Comrsunists was in stark contrast to the crss- class appeal ofthe Nazis. Further, Hiller asthe leader of nationals ani ‘omnis movement, could reasonably lok fr potential co-operation fom the ‘lie andthe authorities, whereas the KPD was an explicitly revolutionary ‘ovement whieh could ot goin thir co-operation. Thus the KPD would have ‘obtain power either through gaining a major elecsoaly or joining eoliton (weiter of which was ike) or by sting power na resolution. he Communists could oniy have ined power legals I co-operation with the Socials, butte ro Marxist parties remained ier enemies. Eber’ 'PD-led government had suppressed the communis risings of 1919-25 ad in the eyes the Communist had Betrayed the working class and sol out the ‘elite The SPD remained the main supporter of te Weimar democracy it had Founded, wheres the Communists rejected the parliamentary system. The PD’ close identification with the Soviet Union also alienated some potential supporters. nthe late 120s the KPD followed the fine a dove in Moscow by the Conmunts Intemational, which wed Soils rival and deayers of the world revolution, This reinforeed the pl between the KPD and SPD, a5 ilatrated in the KPD's slogan: Al party frees must be thrown into bate feast soil democracy? The KPD further eriially underestimated the power ‘offasism, considering it would be the prelude oa communis vitor Aer iter, us they chanted SOURCE 8.11 Hay dy denorseation bythe Commun arn Beinn 1930. SSOURCE 8.12. Religion te opie of pop a 1723 ‘Sommelstion gots onthe ie fs ory Benet 97 “aren hig ang ro God no Ker, o eb to seu 140 WHY DID PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1933?Explain che reatns why hey mrbere ofthe ete event roared he Spolnmen of Hier as Chanealor 8F Factors bringing the elite and the Nazis toy WHY DID PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1933? [By Why was Hitler appointed Chancellor in January 1933? ‘On 30 January 1955 President Hindenburg summoned Aol Iter to Belin and ‘appointed hin Chancellor. In many ways this was a surprising development. Hindenburg disk ier. Aug 1952 ef refed to appoint i {Chancel fer the Nazis grat elodoal sucess, Since then Nai support had \ecined and the movement had been era dvsions Many in he ete were aso wary ofthe radicalism andthe generally vulgar nature othe Ns Movement. Despite this in January 133, members ofthe elite persuaded Hindenburg t0 sppoit Hitler Chancellor. By 152, key indus and landowners were ery conceemed about the lack of fective government. They had never been ‘commited to parliamentary democracy and now believed thelr eats were ‘confirmed Some saw the possibility af sing the Nazis poplar supporto ‘channel he pole stem ina mare authoriarion direction, The funkers were also upset by Brtning’s and ler Schleicher’ reform proposals to by up ‘bankrupt estates to reset por farmers. This was seen by landowners as ‘agrarian Bolshevism, and contributed tothe inti thal persuaded Hindenburg to dismiss bth Brinng and Schleicher ‘Members ofthe elite used a mimaer of tactics in what hasbeen elle heir “taming strategy forthe Nazi Paty 1 The ist tactic was lo make Hier Vice-Chancellor under Papen this was put forward in August 1952, but Hier ejected it, demanding to be Chancellor Hite's rejection was risky, since he dd not get the chaneslorship andi was seen as 4 gral defeat by many Nazis 2 The second atic was use in December 1952. Schleicher, hoping split the Nazis proposed the idea of himself os Chancellor with the Naz! Gregor Siraser a8 Vice-Chancellor. This fale, an Strasse ef the Nazi Pat. 5 Thefinal tactic arranged bya Clogne banker, Kurt von Schder, members ‘ofthe Reich Agrarian League, incusrats and Oskar von Hindenburg) was to put Hier in offce as Chancel, but surrounded by Papen a View Chancellor another conservatives. The Nazis cure ificaies Would ‘make them ease to contro Hindenburg agreed, agans ison judgement Papen commented toa rend, Weve hired hin, but he was tally wong sr ~and factors that kept them 1 Why do the adorns in Souree 8.1) wove goverment eb Hert According to Melsner Source 14 why woe Hindenburg persunéed co appene Hier a ‘Wh reference wo de origin nd content of Sources B13 33 814 ow male ae they expaning Hider’ appoint? lindenburg ~ a personal motive? Some historians argue tha Hindenburg’s decision to appoint tier as Chancellor wis parla sesh move Tithe late 1920s, German agree ufered from lw pries fr farm products. Large landowners in the eas used their inluence on goxerment to fet financial help This resulted in the Othe (Help forthe Ea) programe, Frands were alloestedt large lendosners to lp them stay afoa. Hindenburg hud been given back his fami’ formers bankrupt estat at Neudeck in Eas, ssa in 1927 asa eighth bithday present. This was intended, sceesfly tte hn elas to Junker interests. However, in 1052 a Reichstag mimic investigating the misise of Osh funds fr gambling, supporting stresses, et. implieated the Neueck estate inthe scandal, This may have Influenced Hindenbur’s decision to appoint Hitler nthe hope that the {investigation would be ended. SOURCE 8.12. India’ ert Hedeburg. November 1932 Your Eden! Like ou, wear ibued ed wth an impasione oe othe Garman opt he Fathertond ogeher ah Your Exeleny we age that sneer terete overinet independ! of he patmentar aries The uicome ofthe Recsng ction of 6 November has demons hat ine preset ealing chose hones intentions noone aman he Geman people eon dowd hs fled fd scent support among he Geman people for Ieacta polices Ts quite pparnt thot another dsotion of partied, nding tt nai ener ction teal reed port pola rage ould be mimeo afl pate el exon eas and {tabi Bu ts ab appre hata contain change ta doe at have tide popular spot wuld hoe eam rer eno. Plea and moral fees. iWeihergore coder fo be rd, Your Beto humbly eg out conte recnsiuing hci ive anne ich oud guaraie h thereat posible popular suport. ‘Feder ures erm anys party pail net Bl we reegnsein the ata went hh png hough or pepe he mops begong oon eof rebith or he German cana hike nib achive by thesurmounting of cls confit ehnow thal te rebirth {tl dana great wre rebel tha hve saci wl only be made {cling wher thegreter prt ofthis nana movement ply a eadng role inthe goverment ‘The trader of rsponly fr ending o Prd ean! the leader of the large atonal group wou rane he tod sng hat natal lingo anymass movement. dare lions pope who a pres st Stanton esd ould be sort intact partiation Pulyringt Your Exley wom and Your scl’ fling Sor theuniy oy ispeple tear Your nln wth here pet svc Schock Tye Arup fond 20 other dusts) SOURCE .14. An accounby Oo Maser Sate Seereury in Hidenbur oes, elena the Noveerg vou Shar the Second Wels War Despite Papen persuasions, Hindenburg was extremely hesitant, unl the en of ‘dnuary, a make Hier Gane. He wanted to have Papen again as Chancellor Papen sinaliy wo him over o Mer with the argument that the representlives ofthe other rightwing paris ehich would Belong othe (overnment would rerit Hier’ edom af action In addition Papen expressed his misgivings ho, the present opportunity wre mised a revolt ef the atone socialists and cil war were likly. WHY DIO PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-2 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1933?E WHY DIO PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APPOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 19997 2 Does Hier’ eecton of paramenary rare creer ca source "A Serene (oh eoonoy oh Hearts SOURCESI7 41922 rant bg helo pale The ofan ising phanoranc’ Fen wha each of Source 5-17 shows ove te Wainar Repl ch a, | Learning rouble spat - 7 Did Hitler come to power legally and democratically? lis sometimes sed tha Hier was elec nto Ths ie realy | te case, The way of being ected int ofc in a paramentary | system sto win a majoniy ct members of paramere never ld |thisin fe elections. As the Weimar Repl had proportional represenation electoral system unlike Brain's it pas tne pst ‘method, Hier could ony have become Chancellor det through lens by wining ferent he vote He pael t 5 por ent. ier came to power becuse Hindenburg. eal, appolte hit Chancel indenburg hed nomads hs decison ter could not legally have become Germanys leader However, di win St per contr the tear more than anyother party except the SPD in 191) eled te lrgest party nthe Reichstag and tus hada mort (i0t |istiuinn) an be Cancer Having wo tah Rehstag elections in 192 he was appointed cnsitaionally bythe democratically elected Present y However, sme historians argue tht Hier’ se of violence means that he aot be seen a coming to poner lez The violence 1 hasbeen si tat proportions Sersereton rs cucalin beara Her | commited by the Nai inh: strets hat inteidated communist teas ‘opponent contributed bth tthe Nai electoral sucess ano the Propertonalrepresenton woul ane Hopped tim piningpowen fiehedvce | Preparedness ofthe elite to we the Nazis and ten ame them This, bean for Prestont Hindenburg Canyeu | lolence helped createan atmosphere where many favoured song Span bot were? nvernientto restore lw a onde and also mon the suport of ny foe ho mere wore yh tet a commer me al consier ef ht ier programe Was funmenall anderacaireevant ths see deocrcy dually hr rom bg onsidered a demecratialy ected ener? B Review: Why did parliamentary government decline in Germany 1930-3 and why was Hitler appointed Chancellor in January 1933? In this chapter you have studied the deline of patlamentary government and how within tat context Hiller became Chancellor. Students ean be confused aout the reatonsip between the fare ofthe Welmar Republic andthe {ppolatnent of Hiller, Was bis appointment an abrupt end wo Weimar democracy? Most historians nvr ange Ua seeing 30 January 1955 as marking the end of Weimar democracy soo simple. Indeed, itis argued that Weimar democracy was already in deep, perhaps termina, touble fom 1950 onwards Sd that some form of aaoriarian governmea! was vitualy inevitable. This ‘ould have taken many forms; the appointment of Hitler as Chancellor was just ‘one ofthe options In tis ie, the fllre a the Weimae Republic happened Forfar deeper reasons than thos Behind Hider appolntment, which might have been avoided ‘Stents also sometimes assme tat they need to explain why many Germans vated a ereatea totalitarian Nazi dcataeship. However, you need not ok for tleep reasons why Germany succumbed to oaaranise This was not he Imention ofthe elite, bt the result of ts miscaealation of how it could use Filer foritsomn purposes. In addon the milion a Germans who voted fr Hier Aid not do So because they wanted oll milion of feo start a word war "These were the eventual teu of thee ators, ba nt te reasons for ther, ‘uirfinal hwo sources are pvterfl testimony o wy many ordinary Germans were prepared to supportthe Nazis and have Hier es tei ade. SOURCE 8.18 Th dsngthed banker Janes Zab, wring 197, xpi hs ‘singe th ty 190 You have te consider Germany's general potion in) 1930-33. 4n unemployed ‘man ether joined the Communist or berame an 8 man, and so busines betcved i as btter these people Became storm troopers aster wns diepine ‘and onder you rely have to say this toda, tthe eginng you couldn tll tohetar National Socialism was samethng good with afew bad side ets, or fomething el with afew good side fects; you coulda’ tel. Fill, we end this chapter by reading Kershaw’s summary the reasons forties appointment. SOURCE 819 | Kersh, Ha 1991 9. 55 ees to Hindenburg was the ey to poe, Aerial the presidental palace tecare the focal point of itigues of pote brokers, wi freed rom insutional eonsrants conspired wih guile and eaten priate wher dealing to further their wn per ambitions. bend the maverick power broker stood the lobbying of portant elie groups, anatous to attain a politin! solution othe eis favourable to ir ners. Pe, had itera thet fr oie But by January 193), with other options apparent exhausted moss ih the Big landowners fo the fore, were prepared to fntrtatn aVir government, lad they opposed a Hite chonellorship teould have ben inconceivable Miter need the eto atin power: Bul by anuay 195, they in tart needed Hiter a he alone could deliver the mas Support required fo impose a enable cuthoritarian slut to Germanys ess ‘feta and eri of he slate WHY DID PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT DECLINE IN GERMANY 1930-3 AND WHY WAS HITLER APFOINTED CHANCELLOR IN JANUARY 1933? =