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

Part B: The Weakening of Democracy; Bruning to Schleicher
Bruning became Chancellor in March 1930. At the end of January 1933, Adolf Hitler
became Chancellor. The period between these dates is a critical time in understanding
why the parliamentary democracy that had survived since the war finally came to an
end. Political dealing between parties took place against the background of the
economic depression and the effects that this had on Germany’s voters. The 1930
election saw big gains for the extremes of left and right yet the remaining parties still
seemed to fail to collaborate to resist movements determined to end parliamentary
democracy. Running through this section is the key question of how far the Weimar
Republic brought about its own downfall. Once Hitler became chancellor the
parliamentary system was rapidly dismantled.
Notes will be needed on the following aspects:
1. The Bruning Government
This involves considering:
(i) The influence of Schleicher
(ii) Bruning’s political beliefs, qualities, etc
(iii) Why Bruning replaced Müller
(iv) His reliance on Hindenburg
(v) His budget proposals and clash with the Reichstag.
2. The 1930 Election
This involves considering:
(i) The election results and the reasons for them
(ii) The problems facing the Socialists
(iii) How the Government survived.
3. The Crisis of 1932
This involves considering:
(i) The Presidential campaign
(ii) The failure of constitutional supporters to effectively organise
(iii) Army attitudes
(iv) The fall of Bruning and appointment of von Papen
(v) The July and November elections and the reasons for the results
(vi) Von Papen’s attack on the Prussian Government
(vii) The replacement of von Papen by Schleicher.
Issue to debate
What can be said for and against the view that:
‘The real turning point in the collapse of Weimar democracy was the fall of Bruning
not the fall of Müller’?
History: Germany: Versailles to the Outbreak of World War II - 1918-1939 (AH) 30