The Collapse of the Weimar Republic 1929–1933

Between 1929 and 1933, economic catastrophe, political miscalculation, and constitutional exploitation drained the life from German democracy. Was collapse inevitable once the Depression struck, or did it result from contingent political choices?

Key Definition: The Great Depression was triggered by the Wall Street Crash of October 1929. In Germany, it caused mass unemployment, banking collapse, and political radicalisation.

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The Wall Street Crash and Germany

Germany was hit harder than almost any other country because of dependence on American short-term loans.

Economic Indicator	1928	1932	Change
Industrial production (1928=100)	100	58	-42%
Registered unemployed	1.3m	6.1m	+369%
Real wages	Index 100	Index 64	-36%
Bank deposits	50bn marks	35bn marks	-30%

Exam Tip: The unemployment figure of 6 million is one of the most important statistics in modern European history. The real figure was probably closer to 8 million.

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Bruning and Rule by Decree

The Grand Coalition collapsed in March 1930. Hindenburg appointed Heinrich Bruning (Centre Party), who governed by presidential decree under Article 48. Bruning's austerity — cutting spending, raising taxes, reducing wages — deepened the Depression.

Action	Actual Effect
Cutting welfare	Increased poverty
Raising taxes	Reduced consumer spending
Cutting wages	Reduced domestic demand
Deflationary policy	Deepened the Depression

Key Definition: Rule by presidential decree means governing through Article 48, bypassing the Reichstag. Democracy was hollowed out from within.

Ian Kershaw: Bruning's chancellorship was 'the beginning of the end for Weimar democracy.'

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Rise of Political Extremism

Party	May 1928	Sept 1930	July 1932	Nov 1932
NSDAP	2.6%	18.3%	37.3%	33.1%
KPD	10.6%	13.1%	14.3%	16.9%
SPD	29.8%	24.5%	21.6%	20.4%
Centre	12.1%	11.8%	12.5%	11.9%
DNVP	14.2%	7.0%	5.9%	8.3%
Liberals	13.6%	8.6%	2.6%	3.1%

By mid-1932, over 50% supported anti-democratic parties (NSDAP + KPD).

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The Path to Hitler's Chancellorship