Weimar Germany Essay

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The appeal of the Nazi party was not the most significant factor in explaining the collapse of democracy in Weimar Germany as there were different aspects which held more significance. The Great Depression of 1929 was a key factor as it greatly presented various economic and social issues that pushed German citizens to the extreme ends of the political spectrum. Political instability arose as parties lost majority votes and the SPD collapsed due to the rise in unemployment from the effects of the Great Depression. In addition, constitutional flaws prevailed the choices that were being made at the time, leaving people with no other option than to look at the Nazi Party, with their ideologies and aspects seeming to present a better economic future …show more content…

The abdication of the Kaiser resulted in Germany being left in hands of political groups. The growth of political groups greatly opposed democracy and the Weimar government however during this time the Reichstag was in a period of complete instability. The 1932 elections had a great appeal toward the National Socialists, they had “numbered 293,000 on January 1, 1932, the total membership exceeded 800,00” (De Ropp, William, The Rise of German Nationalism, pg 144). The SPD did not have the majority of votes compared to the National Socialists and there appeal within the Germans was a factor in the collapse of Democracy. During this time the Upper class and lower classes life was good though the great appeal of National Socialists was clearly simply as they had “policies which interested the people right and moderate left wing politics as an opposition to communism which led many landowners and businessmen to support the NSDAP and increased employment appealing traditional socialists” (Bbc.co.uk, 2014). Mary Fulbrook said “The Nazi Party was, in the early 1920s, but one among many nationalist and volkisch radical political groups. It was catapulted to prominence with the onset of economic recession in the late 1920s” (A History of Germany 1918-2014: The Divided Nation”, John Wiley & Sons, pg 44). The signing of the Treaty separated both the left and right wings and now Germans were going to the

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