Hitler’s Rise – Governments of Germany 1930-33
Jason Kazazis IBDP
Notes
Impact of Wall St. crash
In 1927-28 Germany borrowed 5 times the amount of money
needed for reparation payments
People rushed to exchange their money for gold
Banks were overwhelmed, huge sums of money were moving out of
Germany, governments ordered banks to close and introduced
restrictions
Shortage of printed money, heavy industry hit badly
From 1929 to 1932 demand for steel, machinery, chemicals fell
drastically
Value of German exports reduced by 55% from $630 million to $280
million (1931)
Unemployment
From 132,000 in 1929 rose to 3 million within a year
5 million by Spring of 1931
6 million registered unemployed in 1932, real total over 8 million
4/10 Germans with no job
Brüning’s governments
Hindenburg nominated Brüning who was part of the Centre party to
form a minority government
Ad hoc alliances to back each piece of legislation proved to be time-
consuming
July 1930 Finance Minister proposed solutions to the economic
problems
WHICH INCLUDED
o Tax increases
o Reduction in government expenditure (no public spending)
o Also took SA out of the streets
This was rejected by the Reichstag and passed due to the use of
Article 48
There was sharp reaction from the SPD which led to Hindenburg
dissolving the Reichstag and calling for elections
This was the turning point for democracy as the chancellor lost his
role and became dependent on Hindenburg
New elections influenced extremism (huge rise in Nazi and
communist party)
William Carr said: Two out of 5 Germans voted for parties that
opposed the Republic
Hitler:
Saw his party’s votes increase drastically
Attracted German industrialists after he opposed the Young Plan
Jason Kazazis IBDP
Notes
Impact of Wall St. crash
In 1927-28 Germany borrowed 5 times the amount of money
needed for reparation payments
People rushed to exchange their money for gold
Banks were overwhelmed, huge sums of money were moving out of
Germany, governments ordered banks to close and introduced
restrictions
Shortage of printed money, heavy industry hit badly
From 1929 to 1932 demand for steel, machinery, chemicals fell
drastically
Value of German exports reduced by 55% from $630 million to $280
million (1931)
Unemployment
From 132,000 in 1929 rose to 3 million within a year
5 million by Spring of 1931
6 million registered unemployed in 1932, real total over 8 million
4/10 Germans with no job
Brüning’s governments
Hindenburg nominated Brüning who was part of the Centre party to
form a minority government
Ad hoc alliances to back each piece of legislation proved to be time-
consuming
July 1930 Finance Minister proposed solutions to the economic
problems
WHICH INCLUDED
o Tax increases
o Reduction in government expenditure (no public spending)
o Also took SA out of the streets
This was rejected by the Reichstag and passed due to the use of
Article 48
There was sharp reaction from the SPD which led to Hindenburg
dissolving the Reichstag and calling for elections
This was the turning point for democracy as the chancellor lost his
role and became dependent on Hindenburg
New elections influenced extremism (huge rise in Nazi and
communist party)
William Carr said: Two out of 5 Germans voted for parties that
opposed the Republic
Hitler:
Saw his party’s votes increase drastically
Attracted German industrialists after he opposed the Young Plan
