The Rise of Extremism and the Collapse of Weimar democracy HI290- History of Germany The Rise of Extremism and the Collapse of Weimar democracy

The Presidential Election of 1925 Hindenburg as president of the Republic, as painted by Max Leibermann, 1927

German unemployment (in millions), 1928-35 The Great Depression German unemployment (in millions), 1928-35

Political Consequences of the Great Depression 27 March 1930: collapse of Hermann Müller’s (SPD) Grand Coalition. Heinrich Brüning (Centre) appointed Chancellor. Political deadlock in the Reichstag forced Brüning to increasingly rely on Emergency Powers to pass legislation. Elections in Sept. 1930 see support for the DDP (now the State Party), DVP and DNVP collapse and people turn to the political extremes – the KPD and the Nazis. Heinrich Brüning (1885-1970)

The Origins of Nazism 1919: Anton Drexler founds the Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (German Workers Party, DAP). Sept. 1919: Adolf Hitler joined the DAP, quickly rising through the ranks to become the party’s chief theorist and propaganda officer. Feb. 1920: Hitler heads a committee which draws up the Party’s ’25 Point Programme’ which remains the basis of Nazi ideology until 1945. April 1920: The DAP renamed the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (National Socialist German Workers Party, NSDAP or Nazi for short). July 1921: Hitler ousts Drexler and is appointed Party Chairman.

The Munich ‘Beer Hall’ Putsch, Nov. 1923 The leaders of the Beer Hall Putsch pose for the cameras before their trial, Leipzig, April 1924.

The Rise of Nazism 1925: Nazi party refounded with a new commitment to achieving power through legal means. 1926: The Bamberg Conference – Hitler re- established his supremacy in the Party, overcoming the challenge to his leadership from Gregor Strasser, but was forced to concede that the 25-Point Programme (with its socialist elements) remained inviolable. Establishment of new efficient Party structure and youth and women’s organisations led to a growing membership: 27,000 in 1925 increased to 108,000 in 1928. But still had little popular support – they won only 2.6% of the vote in the Reichstag elections of 1928.

National Socialist Ideology Nazism is difficult to pin down: it is easier to say what the Nazis were against than what they were for. Some have argued that Nazism cannot be called an ideology at all: it lacks coherence & is intellectually superficial and simplistic. Most of the ideas key to National Socialism were present in Germany in the 19th century. That is not to say that Nazism is the logical result of German thought: such ideas also found receptive audiences in Britain & France. Key concepts: Race Führerprinzip Anti-Communism Nationalism Volksgemeinschaft The 25 Points: Creation of a Greater Germany encompassing all ethnic Germans Revocation of Treaty of Versailles Demand for colonies (Lebensraum) Only members of the Volk can be citizens: no Jew can be a citizens & all non-citizens to be deported The primary duty of the State is to provide a livelihood for its citizens: introduction of profit sharing & extension of welfare state.

Political Violence Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold – Founded in 1924 by the Social Democrat Otto Hörsing to protect the republic from attacks by ‘political enemies’. Officially non-partisan, but run & financed by the SPD and the Trade Unions. It had around 3 million members by 1932. Roter Frontkämpferbund (Red Fighter League) – Founded in 1924 as the paramilitary wing of the KPD. Its aim was to defend the working classes from attacks from the radical right. By 1927 it had 111,000 members. Sturmabteilung (‘Storm Division’, SA) – Founded in 1921 as the paramilitary wing of the NSDAP. Acted as a uniformed guard to protect speakers at party meetings and intimidate opposition. Had 55,000 members by 1923, rising to c.500,000 a decade later. Stahlhelm. Bund der Frontsoldaten (steel helmet. League of Frontline Soldiers) founded 1918 by Franz Seldte – antidemocratic, nationalistic, non-partisan but close to DNVP. Had 500,000 members by 1930.

The Presidential Election of 1932   First Round (13 March 1932) Second Round (10 April 1932) Turnout 86.2% 83.5% Votes Cast 37,648,317 36,490,761 Duesterberg (DNVP) 2, 557,729 (6.8%) - Hindenburg (Independent) 18,651,791 (49.6%) 19,359,983 (53%) Hitler (NSDAP) 11,339,446 (30.1%) 13,418,547 (36.8%) Thälmann (KPD) 4,983,341 (13.2%) 3,706,759 (10.2%) Source: Anna von der Goltz, Hindenburg: Power, Myth and the Rise of the Nazis (Oxford, 2011), p. 145 Front cover of Heinrich Hoffmann and Josef Berchtold‘s book celebrating Hitler‘s campaign for the presidency, Hitler über Deutschland (Munich: Frz. Eher Nachf., 1932).

Reichstag Elections, 1932

Source: G. Layton, Democracy and Dictatorship in Germany (2009) Who Voted for the Nazis? Source: G. Layton, Democracy and Dictatorship in Germany (2009) Source: R. Overy, The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Third Reich (1996)

Preußenschlag Chancellor Franz von Papen Boundaries of the Free State of Prussia, 1920 Prime Minister Otto Braun

Political Manoeuvring, 1932 State Secretary Otto Meissner (left) with Franz von Papen Oskar von Hindenburg (1883-1960) General Kurt von Schleicher (1882-1934)

Hitler’s first Cabinet, 30 January 1933: Seated (left to right): Hermann Göring, Hitler, Franz von Papen. Standing (left to right): Baron Konstantin von Neurath (No party, Foreign Minister), Günther Gereke (DNVP, Commissioner for Job Creation), Count Lutz Schwerin von Krosigk (No party, Finance Minister), Wilhelm Frick (NSDAP, Interior Minister), General Werner von Blomberg (No party, Defence Minister), Alfred Hugenberg (DNVP, Minister of Agriculture and Economics)