PDF file: History - Advanced Higher - Germany - Education Scotland

Part B: Social Welfare Provision – and Problems
The recovery of the mid to late 1920s allowed the Weimar Government to improve
living conditions for many people in terms of better transport, housing, schools and
hospitals. However, the opponents of the Republic continued to be very active whilst
its supports failed to combine together in reply. The tensions and differences finally
led to the end of what had been a reasonably stable Government over the issue of the
provision to be made for the unemployed.
Notes will be required on the following:
1. Areas of complaint
This involves considering:
(i) Farmers and their reasons for complaint
(ii) The complaints of small businessmen, craftsmen etc.
(iii) The growth of small parties representing them
(iv) The attitude of Army, Civil Service and University
(v) The forming of an alliance between far right parties.
2. Problems of Government
This involves considering:
(i) The death of Ebert and the election of Hindenburg
(ii) The dependence of German prosperity on foreign loans
(iii) Confirmed tensions between pro-Weimar parties
(iv) The death of Stressemann.
3. Success and Failure
This involves considering:
(i) The electoral achievements of moderate parties
(ii) The setting up of the Reichsbanner
(iii) The Young Plan to scale down reparations
(iv) The 1927 reform of social insurance
(v) Opposition to this and the end of the Müller Government, 1930.
Issue to clarify
Why were pro-Weimar political parties unable to work better together? Was it
personalities or policies that separated them?
History: Germany: Versailles to the Outbreak of World War II - 1918-1939 (AH) 23