German Political Crisis 1930 - 33

Muller's Grand Coalition collapses

Mar 27, 1930

The last government to try an operate through the Reichstag collapses over the issue of how to pay for increasing levels of unemployment.

Bruning Appointed Chancellor

Mar 30, 1930

He wishes to use the economic crisis to put pressure on the allies to end reparations. He uses Article 48 to push through a very unpopular economic policy which increases taxes and cuts spending. Unemployment doubles during his reign.

General Election

Sep 14, 1930

Nazis gain 107 Reichstag seats, up 95 seats from 1928 election.

Presidential Election

Apr 10, 1932

Hindenburg 19.4 million votes (53%)
Hitler 13.5 million votes (36.8%)

Bruning Resigns

May 30, 1932

His postion was weakened in the background by Scleicher who spread rumours about Bruning's personal life. Bruning's plan to give bankrupt estates to the unemployed was denounced as 'agro-bolshevism' by Hindenburg. The President was convicned to sack Bruning and appoint Papen.

Papen appointed Chancellor

Jun 1, 1932

Papen led the "Cabinet of Barons" - a government who's members were not members of the Reichstag. He was ultra-conservative and wished to see the return of a more authoritarian system of government. He lifted the ban on the SA in an attempt to gain support of the Nazis. He also sanctioned the "Prussian coup d'etat" in July declaring a state of emergence and dissoving the left-wing Prussian Lander government.

Papen lifts ban on the SA

Jun 15, 1932

Papen lifts the ban on the SA in the hope of winning support of the Nazis in the Reichstag. This fails and eads to an increase in street violence.

Prussian coup d'etat

Jul 20, 1932

A major step towards the end of the Weimar democracy. On July 20, 1932, President Paul von Hindenburg issued an emergency decree under Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution which dismissed the cabinet of the Free State of Prussia, the largest German state and put the Prussian police force under von Papen's control.

General Election

Jul 31, 1932

Nazis win 230 seats (up 123 from 1930) making them the largest party in the Reichstag.

General Election

Nov 6, 1932

Nazis win 196 seats (down 34 from July). KPD win 100 seats (up 11)

Thyssen and Schacht letter

Nov 20, 1932

Frtiz Thyssen (a multi-millionaire business leader) writes a letter to Hindenburg in an attmept to presuade the President to appoint Hilter as Chancellor. The leeter is comter-signed by Hjalmar Schacht former head of the Reichsbank. (The cartoon shows Thyssen with a Hitler puppet. Thyssen is pulling the strings)

Schleicher becomes Chancellor

Dec 3, 1932

Schleicher's intrigues had been responsible for the downfall of both Bruning and Papen. He was now given the taks of gaining support in the Reichstag. He met with Gregor Strasser and offered him the vice-chancellorship in return for Nazi support.

Strasser resignation

Dec 8, 1932

Gregor Strasser resigns from his organisational role in the Nazi Party in protest at Hitler's insistance on an "all or nothing" policy. Hitler threatens suicide unless other leading Nazis stand firmly behind him.

Hitler is appointed Chancellor

Jan 30, 1933

Hindenburg relents to pressure and appoints Hitler as Chancellor. Papen remarks that Htiler has been "hired" and that he will be so tightly controlled "he will squeak". Papen acts as Hitler's Vice-Chancellor and only three cabinet positions are given to Nazis.