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

Part A: Economic Depression and Mass Unemployment
The world economic crisis that developed rapidly from the collapse of the USA’s
Wall Street Stock Exchange in October 1929 soon made its impact on Germany. In
March 1930 Bruning of the Centre Party had become Chancellor and for two years he
struggled no deal with the crisis that hit German farming, industry, trade and finance.
In the election that Bruning called in September 1930 pro Weimar parties did badly,
extreme parties (especially Nazis and Communists) did well. It is against this
background, and heavily dependent on President Hindenburg’s support, that Bruning
tried to cope with the economic crisis.
Notes will be required on the following aspects:
1. World Depression
This involves considering the background to the crisis in Germany including:
(i) Wall Street Crash and the stock market crisis
(ii) Bank failures
(iii) Crisis in farming and industries and price falls
(iv) World trade problems and increasing tariffs.
2. The Depression in Germany
This involves considering:
(i) German dependence on foreign loans and the withdrawal of loans
(ii) Business failures and problems of trade
(iii) Farming crisis
(iv) Banking troubles
(v) Rising unemployment.
3. Government policies under Bruning
This involves considering:
(i) Falling government tax revenues
(ii) Government cuts and their consequences
(iii) The problem of sustaining the Mark’s value
(iv) Tax increases
(v) The unsuccessful attempt at customs union with Austria.
4. The End of Reparations
This involves considering:
(i) Bruning’s aim of ending reparations
(ii) Hoover and US readiness to end inter-allied debts
(iii) British and French responses
(iv) The virtual end of reparations.
History: Germany: Versailles to the Outbreak of World War II - 1918-1939 (AH) 28