German Social Democracy and the Rise of Nazism

Nonfiction, History, Germany
Cover of the book German Social Democracy and the Rise of Nazism by Donna Harsch, The University of North Carolina Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Donna Harsch ISBN: 9780807861929
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press Publication: November 9, 2000
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press Language: English
Author: Donna Harsch
ISBN: 9780807861929
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Publication: November 9, 2000
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press
Language: English

German Social Democracy and the Rise of Nazism explores the failure of Germany's largest political party to stave off the Nazi threat to the Weimar republic. In 1928 members of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) were elected to the chancellorship and thousands of state and municipal offices. But despite the party's apparent strengths, in 1933 Social Democracy succumbed to Nazi power without a fight. Previous scholarship has blamed this reversal of fortune on bureaucratic paralysis, but in this revisionist evaluation, Donna Harsch argues that the party's internal dynamics immobilized the SPD. Harsch looks closely at Social Democratic ideology, structure, and political culture, examining how each impinged upon the party's response to economic disaster, parliamentary crisis, and the Nazis. She considers political and organizational interplay within the SPD as well as interaction between the party, the Socialist trade unions, and the republican defense league. Conceding that lethargy and conservatism hampered the SPD, Harsch focuses on strikingly inventive ideas put forward by various Social Democrats to address the republic's crisis. She shows how the unresolved competition among these proposals blocked innovations that might have thwarted Nazism.

Originally published in 1993.

A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

German Social Democracy and the Rise of Nazism explores the failure of Germany's largest political party to stave off the Nazi threat to the Weimar republic. In 1928 members of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) were elected to the chancellorship and thousands of state and municipal offices. But despite the party's apparent strengths, in 1933 Social Democracy succumbed to Nazi power without a fight. Previous scholarship has blamed this reversal of fortune on bureaucratic paralysis, but in this revisionist evaluation, Donna Harsch argues that the party's internal dynamics immobilized the SPD. Harsch looks closely at Social Democratic ideology, structure, and political culture, examining how each impinged upon the party's response to economic disaster, parliamentary crisis, and the Nazis. She considers political and organizational interplay within the SPD as well as interaction between the party, the Socialist trade unions, and the republican defense league. Conceding that lethargy and conservatism hampered the SPD, Harsch focuses on strikingly inventive ideas put forward by various Social Democrats to address the republic's crisis. She shows how the unresolved competition among these proposals blocked innovations that might have thwarted Nazism.

Originally published in 1993.

A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

More books from The University of North Carolina Press

Cover of the book A More Civil War by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book The Rise and Fall of the Branchhead Boys by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book War at Every Door by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book Mania for Freedom by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book The AIDS Pandemic by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book John M. Schofield and the Politics of Generalship by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book Invalid Women by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book Their Highest Potential by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book The Practice and Politics of Fiat Finance by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book Hallelujah Lads and Lasses by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book The Citizen Patient by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book Dictators, Democracy, and American Public Culture by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book American Dreams in Mississippi by Donna Harsch
Cover of the book Boston Against Busing by Donna Harsch
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy