How and why did the Weimar Republic collapse between 1929 and 1933?
Key themes
Social and political impact of the Depression on the Weimar Republic
The reasons for growing support for the Nazis
Role of the SA
Propaganda
Political extremism and scheming 1929-1932
Germany was reliant on US loans. When the Wall Street Crash happened in October 1929, the US withdrew its support for Germany and the German economy fell into a severe depression.
The Depression created the political and economic circumstances that caused millions of Germans to switch their voting habits and support extreme parties - the Nazis and Communists. The Nazi Party gained support after the economy collapsed in 1929 and by 1933 they were the largest party in Germany.
A combination of Nazi propaganda and an increasing willingness to listen to the promises of the Nazis led to increasing support. The weakness of the Weimar constitution and political scheming led to Hitler being made Chancellor in January 1933.
