Weimar Republic Series: The Great Depression 1929-1933

Foreword

• The Weimar Republic experienced a period of economic turmoil that led to its collapse and the rise of Nazi dictatorship.
• This chapter is part of a series covering key themes and debates in the Weimar Republic's history from 1918 to 1933.

Impact of the Wall Street Crash of 1929

• The crash initiated a global economic crisis known as the Great Depression.
• Germany was heavily affected due to reliance on foreign economic aid, particularly from America.

Economic and Political Consequences in Germany

• Severe unemployment was a major issue; by 1932, 6.1 million Germans were unemployed.
• Unemployment in Germany during the Great Depression was significantly higher compared to the U.S.
• The economic crisis exacerbated severe political polarization.

Reasons for Germany's Severe Impact

• Germany's economic struggles were rooted in post-World War I inflation and reliance on foreign loans, particularly from the U.S.
• The failure to recover from the inflation crisis of 1919-1923 left Germany vulnerable.

Political Polarization

• Unemployment and economic distress led to shifts in voter support towards extremist parties, like the KPD (Communist) and NSDAP (Nazi).
• The Nazi party's appeal was partly due to their promise to restore Germany's greatness.
• The Great Depression intensified the political polarization, weakening the Weimar coalition government.

Collapse of Weimar Democracy

• Chancellor Heinrich Brüning's use of emergency decrees marked the breakdown of parliamentary democracy.
• Article 48 was used extensively, allowing Brüning to rule without parliamentary consent.

Rise of the Nazi Party

• Economic dissatisfaction led to a significant increase in Nazi votes, particularly among the youth.
• The NSDAP offered radical solutions, appealing to those disillusioned with the Weimar Republic.
• Hitler's rise was facilitated by the perception that Weimar democracy failed to address economic woes.

Conclusion

• The Great Depression was a critical factor in the collapse of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Hitler.
• It was a combination of economic and political factors that led to this transition.

References

• Lehmann, S. H. (2009). Public Choice.
• Stogbauer, C. (2001). European Review of Economic History.
• Storer, C. (2013). A Short History of the Weimar Republic.
• Winkler, H. A., & Spencer, S. (2015). The Age of Catastrophe.

These notes summarize the key points and themes regarding the impact of the Great Depression on the Weimar Republic, highlighting economic challenges, political shifts, and the rise of extremist movements during this period.