Heinrich Bruning and the Dissolution of the Weimar Republic

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Cambridge University Press, Mar 30, 2006 - Biography & Autobiography - 372 pages
This is the first scholarly biography of Heinrich BrÜning, chancellor of Germany from 1930 to 1932, and the last politican with a real chance to prevent the Nazi seizure of power. This book analyzes BrÜning's cabinet's economic and fiscal policies for coping with the Great Depression, the diplomatic campaign to redress Germany's grievances against the Treaty of Versailles, and his thoughtful strategy for creating a broad anti-fascist political coalition. Finally it seeks to explain why President Hindenburg and his reactionary advisers decided to topple BrÜning, with disastrous consequences.
 

Contents

Brüning and the Prussian Tradition
1
Brüning s Political Apprenticeship
14
11 The Education of a Prussian Patriot
15
12 The Trade Union Secretary
24
13 The Parliamentarian
38
14 Physician and Heir to the Great Coalition
48
The Establishment of SemiParliamentary Government
72
21 In Search of a Parliamentary Solution
73
41 The Reorganization of the Banking System
173
42 The Formation of Brünings Second Cabinet
184
43 The Decision to Persevere with Deflation
201
44 The Primacy of Foreign Policy
213
Brünings Fall
220
52 The Reelection of the President
231
53 The SA Ban
247
54 Brünings Race Against Time
256

22 Brünings Test of Strength with the SPD
89
23 The SPD as Brünings Silent Partner
103
Foreign Policy and the National Opposition
118
32 Brünings Response to the Rise of National Socialism
130
33 Germany Takes the Diplomatic Initiative
150
Economics and Politics in the Shadow of the Bank Crisis
172
The Destruction of the Rule of Law
272
62 The Triumph of Totalitarianism
291
63 Brüning in Exile
305
Conclusion
322
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