Kieran B.

 Paul von Hindenburg- First made President in May 1925  Heinrich Brüning- Chancellor from March ’30  Franz von Papen- Chancellor after Brüning. (May ‘32)  General Von Schleicher- Chancellor from December ‘32  Adolf Hitler- Chancellor from January ’33, chairman of NSDAP  General Groener- Minister of the Interior.  Otto Braun- SPD leader

 After the Young Plan had gotten through Hindenburg looked to replace Müller.  The government were spilt over how to deal with economical issues.  March 1930 Müller resigns after Hindenburg refused to use Article 48 to support his government.  It was the last coalition government with a Reichstag majority.

 Member of the Centre Party  Had to continually use Article 48 to govern, he didn’t hold a majority in parliamentary majority, Hindenburg picked up on this  He failed to deal with the economic crisis, this helped influence the Nazi’s rise in popularity.  He had however ended reparations  It was in July 1930 when he was defeated in the Reichstag over its Financial Bill.  After this he saw himself as responsible to the President and not the Reichstag.

 The government attempted to pass it by decree.  It was rejected 236 votes to 221.  Hindenburg dissolved the Reichstag  September 1930 were the new elections  The Finance Bill was passed by decree.

 He played a massive part in getting Hitler and the Nazi’s into power.  Having only been Chancellor for a few months he persuaded Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor in  This was to get his own back on Von Scleicher who had played a part in Papen’s dismissal.

 Had influence with Hindenburg.  Became Chancellor in December  He did try to form a government with Nazi support but failed.  The Nazi’s assassinated him in Night of the Long Knives, June 1934.

 Scleicher wanted to ‘tame’ the Nazi’s of their street violence.  He wanted to create a military dictatorship with a populist backing.  Hitler agreed only if the ban on SA/SS was lifted.  Groener resigns from cabinet having been shouted down by Nazi officials in Reichstag.

 He wanted to get the Nazi’s into a coalition.  His government lacked credibility because of the lack of Nazi support.  Shown in December 1932 when an economic policy faced strong opposition.  Resigns January 27 th.

 It was in the run up to the elections. Von Papen dismissed the Prussian government under Article 48.  Otto Braun questioned the action.  Hindenburg ordered the army to take control.  The police didn’t respond to the state but to von Papen and the Reich Commissioner.

 Hindenburg refused to appoint Hitler without him first receiving a majority in the Reichstag.  However the Nazi’s could with coalitions.  This meant an effective stalemate which was continued from before. No-one could advance.

 Hindenburg wanted von Papen back in. However Papen conceded to Hitler.  Hindenburg, wanting an end to democracy saw the logic in that only the Nazi’s had the support which could see a change take place peacefully.  The left failed to challenge his appointment.  SPD didn’t know how to react.

 To a degree yes. Their actions would help lead to the rise of the Nazi’s through underestimation or through giving them some power and believing they wouldn’t have too great an effect.  With the Nazi’s in this power even with a coalition cabinet it meant that they had the chance to change the way Germany was run when an event such as the Reichstag Fire occured.