Impact of Depression

• What years did Hitler believe the Nazis would come to power?

  1924-28
• What event provided the Nazis their opportunity to rise to power?

  The Wall Street Crash of October 1929
• What were the economic consequences of the Depression for Germany?

  • Withdrawal of foreign investments
  • Collapse in overseas orders (61% decline in exports)
  • Increased unemployment and wage cuts
  • Decline in domestic demand for goods
• What was the unemployment figure in Germany in July 1929?

  1,251,000
• How many farmers went bankrupt by 1932 due to the Depression?

  18,000 farmers
• What was the impact of the Depression on the Weimar government's revenue?

  Declining revenue due to fewer taxpayers
• By how much was the budget for war victims’ pensions cut between 1928-1933?

  By a third
• What were the social consequences of the Depression in Germany?

  • Increase in diseases like tuberculosis
  • Rise in malnutrition among children
  • Higher suicide rates
  • Growth of shanty towns
  • Increased crime rates
• What percentage of males aged 14-25 were unemployed during the Depression?

  39%
• What were the political consequences of the Depression for the Weimar government?

  • Coalition government fell apart
  • SPD and DVP disagreed on budget measures
  • Rise of extremist parties like Nazis and KPD
  • Loss of faith in Weimar government by middle classes
• Who was the Chancellor of the Weimar government from 1928-30?

  Chancellor Muller
• What was Chancellor Bruning's main economic strategy?

  To prove Germany couldn't pay reparations
• What nickname was given to Chancellor Bruning?

  The 'hunger chancellor'
• How did the failure of the Weimar government affect the political landscape?

  • Discredited the Weimar parties
  • Increased support for Nazis and KPD
  • SPD lost support to KPD
  • DNVP lost support to Nazis
• What was the Nazi vote increase from 1928 to September 1930?

  From 810,000 to 6,409,600 votes
• What was the share of the Nazi vote in September 1930?

  18.3%
• What factors contributed to the Nazis' rise in the 1930 election?

  • Disillusionment with Weimar politicians
  • Effective propaganda by Goebbels
  • Appeal to first-time voters
  • Perception of Nazis as strong leaders
• What was the outcome of the Reichstag budget vote in July 1930?

  Rejected by 256 votes to 193
• What did Bruning do after the Reichstag rejected his budget?

  Asked Hindenburg to dissolve the Reichstag
• What was the significance of the Wall Street Crash for the Nazis?

  • Provided an opportunity for power
  • Shifted public mood against Weimar
  • Increased support for extremist parties
  • Enabled Nazis to present themselves as saviors
• What was the percentage of the Nazi vote in the 1928 election?

  2.6%
• How did the mood in Germany change after the Depression?

  Increased anger towards Weimar politicians