To what extent was the political situation in Gr in the years 1890-1929 affected by economic
and financial developments?
A political situation is a position in which the power of political parties changed within the
Reichstag, changes in the political setup and changes in the political landscape of a country.
Did it change and by how much?
1. Point – The financial situation of Gr in 1922-23 resulted in a growth of nationalist support
Explain – Hyperinflation period resulted in severe difficulties for those who relied upon
welfare support as well as those who held savings, now made to be worth very little. Anti-
Semitism increased, culminating in the death of Walther Rathenau, assassinated by a right
wing extremist
Evidence – 469,000 million marks
The Weimar coalition fell apart – SPD lost 43% and DDP lost 55%
DVP trebled its vote and DNVP increased 50%
Link – Impact of finance of the political situation in Gr in 1920’s
2. Point – Spartacist rising of 1919 resulted in a change in a divide between those on the left
which had an influential impact on Gr politics yet came as a result not of financial
developments but instead social.
Explain – After the crushing defeat of the Spartacist revolt, a rift emerged between those
parties on the left and they were unable to unify in support. This resulted in a political
situation whereby the SPD were forced to turn right instead of left to form a Weimar
Constitution.
Evidence – SPD won 38% of the vote – 165 seats
Combination of Centre Party and DDP gave a total of 166 seats (Z – 91) (DDP
– 75). These combined with SPD seats made 331 – No. of seats in Reichstag
was 661 and therefore the Weimar coalition had a majority
Link – A political situation had arisen in Gr that came as a result of social developments in
Gr rather than economic and financial developments.
3. Point – The political situation that existed in Gr in 1924 came largely as a result of the
structure of the government as opposed to any economic or financial developments.
Explain – In 1924, SPD abandoned its centre position in favour of a more left wing style of
politics and refused to participate in government again until 1928. This situation resulted in
the break down of the coalition government and forced the Centre Party, DDP and DVP
into a minority coalition. This resulted in a situation whereby very little could be done by
the government to address to economic and social issues that existed in Germany at the
time. This led to great scepticism emerging over the future of the Weimar Government and
the vote began to diversify as people began to look towards more extreme parties in the
1928 Reichstag election, in frustration for the way in which majority parties were holding
everything up in the Reichstag.
Evidence – Coalition 32% of vote – 68% Reichstag opposition
Nazi party began to grow – 800,000 votes (2.6%) – 12 seats
and financial developments?
A political situation is a position in which the power of political parties changed within the
Reichstag, changes in the political setup and changes in the political landscape of a country.
Did it change and by how much?
1. Point – The financial situation of Gr in 1922-23 resulted in a growth of nationalist support
Explain – Hyperinflation period resulted in severe difficulties for those who relied upon
welfare support as well as those who held savings, now made to be worth very little. Anti-
Semitism increased, culminating in the death of Walther Rathenau, assassinated by a right
wing extremist
Evidence – 469,000 million marks
The Weimar coalition fell apart – SPD lost 43% and DDP lost 55%
DVP trebled its vote and DNVP increased 50%
Link – Impact of finance of the political situation in Gr in 1920’s
2. Point – Spartacist rising of 1919 resulted in a change in a divide between those on the left
which had an influential impact on Gr politics yet came as a result not of financial
developments but instead social.
Explain – After the crushing defeat of the Spartacist revolt, a rift emerged between those
parties on the left and they were unable to unify in support. This resulted in a political
situation whereby the SPD were forced to turn right instead of left to form a Weimar
Constitution.
Evidence – SPD won 38% of the vote – 165 seats
Combination of Centre Party and DDP gave a total of 166 seats (Z – 91) (DDP
– 75). These combined with SPD seats made 331 – No. of seats in Reichstag
was 661 and therefore the Weimar coalition had a majority
Link – A political situation had arisen in Gr that came as a result of social developments in
Gr rather than economic and financial developments.
3. Point – The political situation that existed in Gr in 1924 came largely as a result of the
structure of the government as opposed to any economic or financial developments.
Explain – In 1924, SPD abandoned its centre position in favour of a more left wing style of
politics and refused to participate in government again until 1928. This situation resulted in
the break down of the coalition government and forced the Centre Party, DDP and DVP
into a minority coalition. This resulted in a situation whereby very little could be done by
the government to address to economic and social issues that existed in Germany at the
time. This led to great scepticism emerging over the future of the Weimar Government and
the vote began to diversify as people began to look towards more extreme parties in the
1928 Reichstag election, in frustration for the way in which majority parties were holding
everything up in the Reichstag.
Evidence – Coalition 32% of vote – 68% Reichstag opposition
Nazi party began to grow – 800,000 votes (2.6%) – 12 seats
