17
HI136 The History of HI136 The History of Germany Germany Lecture 10 Lecture 10 The Rise of Extremism The Rise of Extremism and the Collapse of and the Collapse of Weimar Democracy Weimar Democracy

HI136 The History of Germany Lecture 10 The Rise of Extremism and the Collapse of Weimar Democracy

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

HI136 The History of HI136 The History of GermanyGermany

Lecture 10Lecture 10The Rise of Extremism The Rise of Extremism

and the Collapse of and the Collapse of Weimar DemocracyWeimar Democracy

Left-wing ExtremismLeft-wing Extremism Jan. 1919: A number of radical socialist groups came to together to Jan. 1919: A number of radical socialist groups came to together to

found the found the Kommunistische Partei DeutschlandsKommunistische Partei Deutschlands (KPD). (KPD). Suppression of the Spartacus Uprising (Jan. 1919) and the murder Suppression of the Spartacus Uprising (Jan. 1919) and the murder

of Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg left a legacy of bitterness of Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg left a legacy of bitterness and meant the German left was split throughout the Weimar period.and meant the German left was split throughout the Weimar period.

The KPDs support mostly came from the unskilled working class The KPDs support mostly came from the unskilled working class and the unemployed.and the unemployed.

April 1920: The ‘Leftists’ expelled and form the April 1920: The ‘Leftists’ expelled and form the Kommunistische Kommunistische Arbeiter Partei DeutschlandsArbeiter Partei Deutschlands (Communist Workers Party of (Communist Workers Party of Germany, KAPD).Germany, KAPD).

October 1920: The collapse of the USPD benefited the October 1920: The collapse of the USPD benefited the Communists, whose membership swelled to over 400,000.Communists, whose membership swelled to over 400,000.

But their electoral appeal was limited: in the Reichstag elections of But their electoral appeal was limited: in the Reichstag elections of 1920 the KPD won just 2.1% of the vote.1920 the KPD won just 2.1% of the vote.

Involvement in insurrections in 1921 and 1923 underlined the Involvement in insurrections in 1921 and 1923 underlined the Communists’ fundamental opposition to the democratic system.Communists’ fundamental opposition to the democratic system.

Right-wing ExtremismRight-wing Extremism Interwar Germany a fertile breeding ground for radical right-wing Interwar Germany a fertile breeding ground for radical right-wing

organizations.organizations. 1919: Anton Drexler founds the 1919: Anton Drexler founds the Deutsche ArbeiterparteiDeutsche Arbeiterpartei (German Workers (German Workers

Party, DAP).Party, DAP). Adolf Hitler joined the DAP in Sept. 1919, quickly rising through the ranks to Adolf Hitler joined the DAP in Sept. 1919, quickly rising through the ranks to

become the party’s chief theorist and propaganda officer.become the party’s chief theorist and propaganda officer. Feb. 1920: Hitler heads a committee which draws up the Party’s ’25 Point Feb. 1920: Hitler heads a committee which draws up the Party’s ’25 Point

Programme’ which remains the basis of Nazi ideology until 1945.Programme’ which remains the basis of Nazi ideology until 1945. April 1920: The DAP renamed the April 1920: The DAP renamed the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Nationalsozialistische Deutsche

ArbeiterparteiArbeiterpartei (National Socialist German Workers Party, NSDAP or Nazi for (National Socialist German Workers Party, NSDAP or Nazi for short). short).

July 1921: Hitler ousts Drexler & is appointed Party Chairman.July 1921: Hitler ousts Drexler & is appointed Party Chairman. November 1923: Attempt to seize power through violence in the failed November 1923: Attempt to seize power through violence in the failed

Munich Beer Hall Putsch.Munich Beer Hall Putsch. 1925: Nazi party refounded with a new commitment to achieving power 1925: Nazi party refounded with a new commitment to achieving power

through legal means.through legal means. But still had little popular support – they won only 2.6% of the vote in the But still had little popular support – they won only 2.6% of the vote in the

Reichstag elections of 1928.Reichstag elections of 1928.

Paramilitary Paramilitary OrganizationsOrganizations

Loss of state monopoly of violence in 1918.Loss of state monopoly of violence in 1918. Cult of vigilantism and Cult of vigilantism and FehemordeFehemorde (vendetta killings) by right-wing (vendetta killings) by right-wing

groupings.groupings. Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-GoldReichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold – Founded in 1924 by the Social – Founded in 1924 by the Social

Democrat Otto HDemocrat Otto Hörsing örsing to protect the republic from attacks by to protect the republic from attacks by ‘political enemies’. Officially non-partisan, but run & financed by the ‘political enemies’. Officially non-partisan, but run & financed by the SPD and the Trade Unions. It had around 3 million members by SPD and the Trade Unions. It had around 3 million members by 1932.1932.

Roter FrontkämpferbundRoter Frontkämpferbund (Red Fighter League) – Founded in 1924 (Red Fighter League) – Founded in 1924 as the paramilitary wing of the KPD. Its aim was to defend the 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 working classes from attacks from the radical right. By 1927 it had 111,000 members.111,000 members.

SturmabteilungSturmabteilung (‘Storm Division’, SA) – Founded in 1921 as the (‘Storm Division’, SA) – Founded in 1921 as the paramilitary wing of the NSDAP. Acted as a uniformed guard to paramilitary wing of the NSDAP. Acted as a uniformed guard to protect speakers at party meetings and intimidate opposition. Had protect speakers at party meetings and intimidate opposition. Had 55,000 members by 1923, rising to c.500,000 a decade later.55,000 members by 1923, rising to c.500,000 a decade later.

Stahlhelm. Bund der FrontsoldatenStahlhelm. Bund der Frontsoldaten (steel helmet. League of (steel helmet. League of Frontline Soldiers) founded 1918 by Franz Seldte – antidemocratic, Frontline Soldiers) founded 1918 by Franz Seldte – antidemocratic, nationalistic, non-partisan but close to DNVP. Had 500,000 nationalistic, non-partisan but close to DNVP. Had 500,000 members by 1930.members by 1930.

The Great DepressionThe Great Depression October 1929: the Wall Street Crash led to October 1929: the Wall Street Crash led to

a worldwide economic downturn.a worldwide economic downturn. Germany was particularly hard hit – the Germany was particularly hard hit – the

German economy was heavily dependent German economy was heavily dependent on foreign loans and the banking system on foreign loans and the banking system was geared towards short-term credit to was geared towards short-term credit to finance long-term ventures.finance long-term ventures.

As foreign investment dried up and debts As foreign investment dried up and debts were called in, German firms folded and were called in, German firms folded and banks collapsed leading to mass banks collapsed leading to mass unemployment.unemployment.

2 million Germans out of work by the 2 million Germans out of work by the winter of 1929-30. winter of 1929-30.

Unemployment reached 3 million in 1931 & Unemployment reached 3 million in 1931 & had risen to 5.1 million by Sept. 1932. It had risen to 5.1 million by Sept. 1932. It peaked at 6.1 million in early 1933.peaked at 6.1 million in early 1933.

This led to material hardship, but also had This led to material hardship, but also had an important psychological effect – fear, an important psychological effect – fear, uncertainty, loss of pride and status, uncertainty, loss of pride and status, feeling that the fabric of society was feeling that the fabric of society was unravelling.unravelling.

The economic crisis quickly became a The economic crisis quickly became a political crisis as the social insurance political crisis as the social insurance system became overloaded. system became overloaded. Soucre: R. Overy,

The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Third Reich (1996)

The Final Crisis, 1930-33The Final Crisis, 1930-33 March 1930: Hermann MMarch 1930: Hermann Müller’s Grand Coalition collapsed when the DVP üller’s Grand Coalition collapsed when the DVP

and SPD members of the Cabinet could not agree on how to solve the and SPD members of the Cabinet could not agree on how to solve the crisis.crisis.

Hindenburg appointed Heinrich Brüning, leader of the Centre Party, Hindenburg appointed Heinrich Brüning, leader of the Centre Party, Chancellor. His lack of charisma and unpopular deflationary policies (cuts in Chancellor. His lack of charisma and unpopular deflationary policies (cuts in public spending & tax rises) meant that he was unable to command a public spending & tax rises) meant that he was unable to command a majority in the Reichstag. Thus from the summer of 1930 onwards he was majority in the Reichstag. Thus from the summer of 1930 onwards he was forced to use emergency powers to pass any legislation.forced to use emergency powers to pass any legislation.

But the Depression had radicalized German politics and the parties of the But the Depression had radicalized German politics and the parties of the extreme left and right continued to gain support – a very real fear of extreme left and right continued to gain support – a very real fear of communist revolution amongst conservatives and the middle classes.communist revolution amongst conservatives and the middle classes.

By 1930 the Nazis were the 2By 1930 the Nazis were the 2ndnd largest party in the Reichstag. largest party in the Reichstag. Oct. 1931: the Harzburg Front – anti-republican alliance between the Nazis, Oct. 1931: the Harzburg Front – anti-republican alliance between the Nazis,

Alfred Hugenburg’s DNVP and the Alfred Hugenburg’s DNVP and the StahlhelmStahlhelm. . 1932: Hitler confident enough to challenge Hindenburg for the Presidency. 1932: Hitler confident enough to challenge Hindenburg for the Presidency. By May 1932 Brüning had lost the support of the President and his advisors By May 1932 Brüning had lost the support of the President and his advisors

– his policies had not significantly solved the problems caused by the – his policies had not significantly solved the problems caused by the Depression or stopped the escalating violence in the streets.Depression or stopped the escalating violence in the streets.

June 1932: Franz von Papen head the right-wing ‘Cabinet of Barons’.June 1932: Franz von Papen head the right-wing ‘Cabinet of Barons’.

General Kurt von Schleicher(Non party)

Dec. 1932 – Jan. 1933

Franz von Papen(Centre Party)

June – Dec. 1932

Heinrich Brüning(Centre Party)

March 1930 – May 1932

Chancellors, 1930-33Chancellors, 1930-33

The Final Crisis, 1930-33The Final Crisis, 1930-33 July 1932: July 1932: PreussenschlagPreussenschlag – The illegal constitutional coup in which – The illegal constitutional coup in which

the elected SPD government of Prussia deposed by the army on the the elected SPD government of Prussia deposed by the army on the orders of von Papen. A Reich Commissioner was installed and orders of von Papen. A Reich Commissioner was installed and Social Democratic and liberal officials were replaced by Social Democratic and liberal officials were replaced by conservative civil servants.conservative civil servants.

Nov. 1932: Papen replaced by General Kurt von Schleicher.Nov. 1932: Papen replaced by General Kurt von Schleicher. Papen enters into secret negotiations with the Nazis, big business Papen enters into secret negotiations with the Nazis, big business

and large landowners designed to bring about his return to power and large landowners designed to bring about his return to power with a majority in the Reichstag. with a majority in the Reichstag.

Jan. 1933: Hindenburg reluctantly agrees to dismiss Schleicher and Jan. 1933: Hindenburg reluctantly agrees to dismiss Schleicher and replace him with Hitler.replace him with Hitler.

The Conservatives convinced that they would be able to control The Conservatives convinced that they would be able to control Hitler and the Nazis – Papen was Vice-Chancellor and their were Hitler and the Nazis – Papen was Vice-Chancellor and their were only 3 Nazis in the Cabinet.only 3 Nazis in the Cabinet.

Hitler’s first Cabinet, 30 January 1933:Seated (left to right): Hermann Göring, Hitler, Franz von PapenStanding (left to right): Baron Konstantin von Neurath (Foreign

Minister), Günther Gereke (Commissioner for Job Creation), Count Lutz Schwerin von Krosigk (Finance Minister), Wilhelm Frick (Interior

Minister), General Werner von Blomberg (Defence Minister), Alfred Hugenberg (Minister of Agriculture and Economics)

Reasons for the Collapse Reasons for the Collapse of Weimar Democracyof Weimar Democracy

Domestic Factors:Domestic Factors: Lack of popular supportLack of popular support Constitutional flawsConstitutional flaws Role of established elitesRole of established elites

International Factors:International Factors: Legacy of VersaillesLegacy of Versailles World economic crisis (the Great Depression)World economic crisis (the Great Depression) General crisis of liberal democracyGeneral crisis of liberal democracy

Lack of support for Lack of support for DemocracyDemocracy

The Republic never enjoyed much popular support – people The Republic never enjoyed much popular support – people accepted it, but there was never widespread identification with the accepted it, but there was never widespread identification with the Republican system and values.Republican system and values.

No strong tradition of participatory politics in Germany – democratic No strong tradition of participatory politics in Germany – democratic institutions relatively new.institutions relatively new.

Negative experience of democracy – the Republic associated with Negative experience of democracy – the Republic associated with political & economic crisis, failure to solve the problems of the political & economic crisis, failure to solve the problems of the Depression.Depression.

Factional nature of party politics – most parties relied on their core Factional nature of party politics – most parties relied on their core constituencies & did not reach out to other groups. Parties on the constituencies & did not reach out to other groups. Parties on the left and right fundamentally opposed to democratic politics. Split in left and right fundamentally opposed to democratic politics. Split in the left the left → → parties unable or unwilling to work together to defend the parties unable or unwilling to work together to defend the system.system.

The Nazis much better than other parties at targeting their message The Nazis much better than other parties at targeting their message at disaffected groups.at disaffected groups.

Constitutional FlawsConstitutional Flaws

Proportional RepresentationProportional Representation 1 seat in the Reichstag for every 60,000 votes.1 seat in the Reichstag for every 60,000 votes. Led to the proliferation of parties.Led to the proliferation of parties. Led to weak coalition governments.Led to weak coalition governments.

Article 48Article 48 Allowed the President to assume emergency powers Allowed the President to assume emergency powers

and pass bills into law without the approval of the and pass bills into law without the approval of the Reichstag.Reichstag.

Open to misuse when the President is not supportive Open to misuse when the President is not supportive of the Republican system.of the Republican system.

Role of ElitesRole of Elites Powerful established interest Powerful established interest

groups – big business, groups – big business, landowners, the Army, Civil landowners, the Army, Civil Service etc. – ambivalent Service etc. – ambivalent towards democracy.towards democracy.

The military-conservative The military-conservative clique of advisors around the clique of advisors around the President had been President had been considering an authoritarian considering an authoritarian reconfiguration of the Republic reconfiguration of the Republic since 1929.since 1929.

The middle and upper classes The middle and upper classes saw the Communists as a saw the Communists as a bigger threat than the Nazis.bigger threat than the Nazis.

The Legacy of VersaillesThe Legacy of Versailles The Republic blamed for The Republic blamed for

signing the humiliating peace signing the humiliating peace in 1919.in 1919.

The ‘Stab in the Back’ a The ‘Stab in the Back’ a powerful theme in the powerful theme in the propaganda of the right.propaganda of the right.

On-going frustration over the On-going frustration over the failure to revise the peace failure to revise the peace settlement.settlement.

Germany continues to feel like Germany continues to feel like a second-class power. a second-class power.

All of this undermines support All of this undermines support in the Republican system and in the Republican system and the moderate parties.the moderate parties.‘What we will lose!’ – propaganda

poster opposing the Treaty of Versailles

(c. 1919)

The Great DepressionThe Great Depression Radicalized German society Radicalized German society

and politics.and politics. Moderate parties and the Moderate parties and the

democratic system apparently democratic system apparently unable to solve the problems unable to solve the problems of unemployment and social of unemployment and social insurance.insurance.

So people turned to the parties So people turned to the parties of the extreme left and right of the extreme left and right who offered radical solutions who offered radical solutions and strong leadership.and strong leadership.

The unemployed turned to the The unemployed turned to the KPD, while the middle classes KPD, while the middle classes turned to the Nazis.turned to the Nazis.

Soucre: R. Overy, The Penguin Historical Atlas of the

Third Reich (1996)

The European ContextThe European Context 26 democratic states in Europe in 1920. By 1938 there were only 26 democratic states in Europe in 1920. By 1938 there were only

10.10. Reasons for democratic collapse (Robert Pearce):Reasons for democratic collapse (Robert Pearce):

Threat from the LeftThreat from the Left Fear of the spread of “the bacillus of Bolshevism” from Soviet Russia.Fear of the spread of “the bacillus of Bolshevism” from Soviet Russia.

Aggrieved NationalismAggrieved Nationalism The post-war settlement left many nations (both victors and vanquished) The post-war settlement left many nations (both victors and vanquished)

dissatisfied. dissatisfied. Economic CrisisEconomic Crisis

Fears of the collapse of capitalism and the spread of Communism. Growing Fears of the collapse of capitalism and the spread of Communism. Growing feeling that democratic politicians could not run the economy effectively and feeling that democratic politicians could not run the economy effectively and that the liberal democratic system was unable to cope with the problems of that the liberal democratic system was unable to cope with the problems of the modern world.the modern world.

Weak democratic institutions/traditionsWeak democratic institutions/traditions ““History proves that dictatorships do not grow out of strong and successful History proves that dictatorships do not grow out of strong and successful

governments, but out of weak and helpless governments.” (Franklin Delano governments, but out of weak and helpless governments.” (Franklin Delano Roosevelt)Roosevelt)