In May 1924, the economic crisis in the Weimar Republic ...



Hitler’s rise to power

Numeracy activity

This activity gets you to identify what is happening in Germany and to compare the level of unemployment with the success of the Nazi party in the country’s elections.

Task 1: Using the key information below you will need to draw a graph which has on the

➢ X axis plot the dates of the elections.

➢ Y axis the percentage 0 – 50%

You need to plot for each election date the percentage of

1. unemployment

2. Nazi votes

Task 2: Using the results from your graph and the key information below answer the following questions.

a) What was life like in Germany between 1924 – 1929?

b) Why do you think there were no elections between 1924 – 1928?

c) What was life like in Germany between 1929 – 1933?

d) Why do you think there were 4 elections between 1930-1933?

e) What is the correlation between unemployment and Nazi votes?

f) Why is there a break in the correlation in March 1933?

KEY INFORMATION

1. In May 1924, the economic crisis in the Weimar Republic was at its height. Hyperinflation was rampant and unemployment stood at 2 million (13.5%), its peak for the period. In this context the Nazis fought their first election and achieved a very creditable 32 seats in the Reichstag (6.7% of the total).

2. By November 1924, the economic crisis in the Weimar Republic was coming to an end. The hyperinflation had been brought under control following the introduction of the Rentenmark, and unemployment had fallen by half since May to 1 5million (6.7%). In this context the Nazi policies were far less attractive and they lost seats in the Reichstag, falling to just 14 members (2.8% of the total).

3. In May 1928, the Weimar Republic was at its popular peak. The crisis of 1923-24 seemed only a bitter memory as the economy boomed and unemployment remained relatively low. Even though it had risen to 1.5 million (10%) since 1924, this was not seen as a huge problem. In this situation the Nazis seemed to be a spent force in elections, gaining just 12 Reichstag seats (2.4% of the total).

4. By September 1930, the economy of Germany was in deep depression as a result of the Wall Street Crash of November 1929 and the recall of the American loans that had propped it up. Unemployment had rocketed to 3.1 million (15.3%), and the Weimar politicians seemed incapable of solving the problems. In this situation the Nazis began to be seen as a way out, and their support rose. They gained 107 Reichstag seats (18.5% of the total).

5. By July 1932, the economic depression that followed the 1929 crash was at its peak. Unemployment had continued to rise and now stood at 5.5 million (30.1%). The faith of the German people in democracy seemed to be totally shattered. The Nazis continued their meteoric rise in popularity in this election, winning 230 Reichstag seats (37.8% of the total).

6. By November 1932, the economic depression was beginning to come to an end. Unemployment had started to fall, but still stood at the vast figure of 5 million (27%). It seemed as though the crisis was over. Support for the Nazis fell slightly, but they still remained the largest single party in the Reichstag by far, with 196 seats (33.5% of the total).

7. The elections of March 1933 do not fit the pattern of those between 1924 and 1932. With unemployment falling (to 4.5 million or 23.3%), the trend of the graph shows us that the Nazis should have lost more seats. However their seats in the Reichstag rose to 288 or 44.5% of the total.

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