Crumbling Reich: A Weimar Republic Game (Gameplay Thread)

[KaiserDave]

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CRUMBLING REICH: A Weimar Republic Game

The "Hunger Chancellor" Heinrich Brüning is despised, his austerity measures are hated and the state of the economy continues to worsen. Communists, nationalists, monarchists, and Nazis brawl in the streets as more and more Germans are left in despair, so many looking for a new path. Reich President and hero of the Great War Paul von Hindenburg is in his 80s, while sticking to a conservative, reactionary path. Germany faces both the global depression and the shadow of crippling war reparations. Everything is asking, will the Weimar Republic collapse and will the monarchy risen again, like a phoenix? Will the workers seize all power and establish a Soviet state? Will the Nazis take power, and remake Germany in their image? Or will the democracy find new support, and emerge from the crisis stronger than ever? Only time will tell.


Greetings, and welcome to Crumbling Reich, a roleplay of the chaotic Weimar Republic, set in the elections of 1932 and onwards. There will be a Federal Election, and a Presidential Election in 1932.  The RP will start during the election season in early 1932; the Presidential Election being held in March, followed by a potential run-off in April, followed by a Federal Election in June. Election results will be calculated through a mixture of roleplay quality, historical precedent, and a touch of randomness. The success of player actions will be determined by post quality, historical precedent, and randomness, as well as partly my own decision making. What you do is up to you. You can command street fights between brownshirts and red front fighters in the backroads of Berlin, you can propose legislation in the Reichstag, you can try and organize coups and all manner of political intrigue. Election campaigning will be critical, party leaders will need to declare platforms, organize candidacies, and make speeches. But truly the leaders of this roleplay are the players, and it's really all up to you what you want to do. There will be routine events on news developments in Germany, updates on dice rolls, and specific events and dilemmas for individual characters. In Germany's time of crisis, it's destiny lies up to you!

Things to remember!

• I am here to help! Whether you have an out of game concern, an in game concern, a question on what you can do or questions on the views, actions, and attitudes of NPCs, post it or message me. I am here for anything you need.
• Stay realistic, the Zentrum Party is not going to ally with the Communists, nor the Communists with the Nazis. Your character can do what they like, but things that are historically nonsensical will not be allowed. But I trust ya'll
• Don't declare the outcome of events or actions, if you command a Reichswehr Battalion to put down a group of Brownshirts, feel free to say how and with what, but I will say what happens.
• Right of Response: If you're attacking or doing something directed at another player, let them respond before doing another action in that direction again
• Try and uphold a decent standard of structure and grammar. Effort is always rewarded.
• All posts should be in English but a sprinkling of German phrases is a great way to spruce up a post
• NPCs will be managed by myself (unless someone takes them) but they can always be interacted with
• The world is your oyster, go for it!

Rules (restated from Signup Thread)

1. The OP (Me) will settle in game disputes that may appear

2. No Powergaming, Metagaming, etc. Do not determine other character actions without asking them, unless its something small like dialogue choices (as long as you're consult the other player with what the outcome of your discussions is). Don't state the result of your actions, that will be determined by me, dice, and whatever else is needed.

3. Be polite please , rudeness ain't needed. Be considerate and kind towards your fellow players and blog posters.

4. Be reasonable and stick to decent historical accuracy and realism.

5. If you commit to playing a major character or lead a major party, make sure you know you can stay active

6. There is zero tolerance for out of character advocacy of violent ideology, Nazism, or genocide. And this should be obvious, but this blog's rules are to be listened to.

7. If you have any suggestions, please provide!

8. Have fun!

[KaiserDave]

Key Reich Information



Dereich

Reich President: Paul von Hindenburg
Reich Chancellor: Heinrich Brüning



Communist Party of Germany - 77 seats

Leader: Ernst Thälmann (Devout Centrist)

Members: Willy Leow (PSOL), Walter Hirzgebau (Laki)

Socialist Workers' Party of Germany - 1 seat

Members: Karl Borromäus Frank (Ishan)

Social Democratic Party of Germany - 142 seats

Leader: Otto Wels (GoTfan)

Members: Kurt Schumacher (Representative Elcaspar)

German Centre Party - 68 seats

Members: Franz von Papen [Independent] (JacksonHitchcock)

German State Party - 20 seats

Members: Artur Mahraun (Kingpoleon)

German People's Party - 30 seats

German-Hanoverian Party - 5 seats

Bavarian People's Party - 19 seats

National Rural League - 9 seats
People's Justice Party - 4 seats

German National People's Party - 93 seats

Leader: Alfred Hugenberg (RGM)

Members:  Carl Schmitt  (Brother Jonathan) [Independent, but ideologically aligned]

German National Socialist Workers Party - 107 seats

Leader: Adolf Hitler (NYE)

Political Map

Blue - Strong Conservative

Light Blue - Leans Conservative

Red - Strong Leftist

Pink - Leans Leftist

Gold - Strong Reactionary

Yellow - Leans Reactionary

Green - Swing between Reactionary and Conservative

Orange - Swing between Reactionary and Leftist

Purple - Swing between Leftist and Conservative

[KaiserDave]

The Reich


Wikimedia Commons

6 Million Jobless: No End in Sight

The calculations of the Reich Labor Ministry have revealed that approximately 6 million Germans are out of work. The global economic depression has continued to worsen, with unemployment growing in most sectors. The unemployed, including veterans have become common sights on the streets begging for food and scrounging for welfare checks. Slums have developed in major cities as the newly impoverished gather, where there is spread of misery, pestilence, and crime. The Reich Chancellor Brüning continues to commit to a conservative economic policy, with the reduction of wages and salaries and tight credit being key to his plan for economic recovery. However the Reichstag has rejected many of these measures and the Chancellor has been forced to implement them through the President. Brüning remains unpopular, despite being appointed for his economic acumen by President Hindenburg, the economy continues to tread water. Extreme parties such as the National Socialist and Communists believe the only with a revolution, political or otherwise can Germany liberate itself from the depression, while the parties in favor of the Republic remain committed to a different economic solution. Many believe the along with the coming Presidential election, a federal election will become inevitable with the weak support of the Brüning led government.

[KaiserDave]

Note to party leaders: PM me or post the vote you are instructing your Reichstag members to vote

Major Reichstag Vote: Confidence Vote on Reich Chancellor Brüning

Result: Nein!





Dereich




Communist Party of Germany - 77 seats

Vote: Nein!

Socialist Workers' Party of Germany - 1 seat

Vote: ?

Social Democratic Party of Germany - 142 seats

Vote: Nein!

German Centre Party - 68 seats

Vote: Ja!

German State Party - 20 seats

Vote: ?

German People's Party - 30 seats

Vote: Ja!
German-Hanoverian Party - 5 seats

Vote: Ja!

Bavarian People's Party - 19 seats

Vote: Ja!

National Rural League - 9 seats

Vote: Nein!

People's Justice Party - 4 seats

Vote: ?

German National People's Party - 93 seats

Vote: Nein!


German National Socialist Workers Party - 107 seats

Vote: Nein!

[KaiserDave]

The Reich


Wikimedia Commons

1932: Year of Chaos?

The Reich has been shaken hard in the first month of the year 1932. It has started with the shocking events in Breslau in Silesia. Elements of Der Stalhelm openly attacked Jews in their communities in the city. At least a dozen Jews were killed or heavily injured by the armed vigilantes. The violence was only put to an end by the actions of the local police and chapter of Artur Mahraun's Jungdo chapter. The violence was abhorred by a many, but local reactionaries and national socialists openly praised the attacks. They has also been continued clashes in the cities between varying political paramilitaries, as politics gets more violent as elections approach.

In Berlin there is political upheaval. The Social Democrats finally abandoned Reich Chancellor Heinrich Brüning in a dramatic Reichstag scene where Social Democrat Kurt Schumacher denounced him as a Chancellor of "hunger and austerity." Without the Social Democrats the Chancellor was hopeless, and his government was voted down by a vast majority. The Chancellor has not yet submitted his resignation, but it is believed that he will before the end of the month. It is believed he is seeking a last minute solution to avoid so called "negative majority" of communists and national socialists that seems so possible. But already his resignation is demanded by both the left wing, and the reactionary Junker class, who have described him as an "agro-bolshevik." Time till tell who the next Chancellor will be.

Wikimedia Commons

Industrialist, press magnate, and DNVP Chairman Alfred Hugenberg was submitted a list of questions which he responded to below*

Q. Why do you believe that Germany lost the Great War?

A. Well, obviously, the German Army made mistakes during the Great War. Every Army makes mistakes, and we were, unfortunately, no exception. We were also outnumbered and confronted with a cruel enemy willing to do anything to bring death to Germany. However, we could still have won the Great War if not for the agitators at home. The Jews instigated rebellions, communists rose up with help from Russia, the Weimar usurpers forced the Kaiser to abdicate so that they could take power. All of these forces broke Germany from within, and they existed a long time before 1918, make no mistake. They worked in the shadows against us for the first years, and in the fourth year they revealed their ugly faces. Without their intervention, I am absolutely sure that the might of the German army and the strength of the German people would have emerged victorious over their enemies, just like they did in so many instances, and one of the priorities of the DNVP will be to deliver justice to those who betrayed us during the Great War and caused us to go through this period of misery and humiliation.

Q. Do you believe there is a plot to undermine the nationhood of the fatherland?

A. Yes, I believe there are plots against Germany within our country. And everything which has happened in the last 15 years shows us clearly that there is such a conspiracy. And its center is in the Reichstag. The usurpers and criminals of 1918 have now renamed themselves as politicians. In any other country, they would be in jail. Here, they are in the Reichstag, ordering the population around. The filth of the country is leading us. And I believe many countries are involved in these plots. The French and the British want to transform us into a colony or a puppet state at best, and use our people and resources to feed themselves. The Jews and many of the so-called Weimar democrats are involved. The Communists Slavs want to take over our country and use it as the starting point of a war against the capitalist West. So, all of these foreign countries want to subjugate us and we can only fight them back from a position of strength, which is what the DNVP will do.

Q. How will you and your party get Germany out of its current economic woes?

A. Well, first of all we will end the insane policies of the Hunger Chancellor. He is literally letting people die in the slums, even veterans, so that he can pay reparations to the French. All of his austerity policies will be over as soon as the DNVP takes power, and the German government will turn to its own citizens again. We will expand social welfare to end the horrific slums and we will invest in the military, our best chance to grow the economy given that it is an opportunity not currently in use. We will pay for it by cancelling all payments to the French, British and their allies. Once we are in power, Germany is not paying a dime to them. We will also put tariffs on imports to protect our industry from foreign products. Germany will fight for Germany again with us.

Q. How do you view the communists in Germany?

A. Well, first of all we fully expect a revolution from the Communists. Which is why our priority will be to outlaw their party. If they want Communism so bad, they should go to Russia, starve to death there. We will also immediately arrest all Communists involved in anti-national acts during the Empire and the Republic, including their militias. Once the Communist threat is swiftly neutralized, we will proceed with strengthening the government instead of the joke we have now, and we will make sure that the filth of the nation never gets to rule over us again. If we do this, we will be able to become the economic powerhouse of Europe and take back the lands that are ours by right and in which our fellow Germans live.

Q. How do you view partnership with the NSDAP in the Harzburg front?

A. Well, I still believe that the right should be united against the anti national forces, and I am still working to create such an union. However, the NSDAP was not interested in such an union and wants to gain power on its own. I respect their decision and I will not try to form alliances with it, however when our goals coincide, I am open for limited collaborations. Our priority is to convince the German people that the DNVP platform is the right one for the issues we are facing, and that is to bring back the Kaiser and the traditions that we have held for hundreds of years before the Communists and Weimar usurpers took them away. We will also tell the people that invading Russia makes no sense, for instead of gaining the so-called Lebensraum we will get millions of Communist Slavs to feed and depleted resources due to Communist incompetent management. That is what the DNVP will do.



Upcoming Events

Presidential Election First Round: 13 March
Presidential Election Second Round (if necessary): 10 April

*PM me if you want an interview

[KaiserDave]

Presidential Election and Character Dilemmas



Wikimedia Commons


The March Presidential elections are imminent, and being that the President is the most powerful figure in the Reich under the constitution, the consequences are immense. President Hindenburg is still considering whether he will run, and there is a great deal of instability all around, especially with the violence in the streets between various paramilitaries. Chancellor Bruning has agreed to resign after the Presidential elections to preserve stability in the Reich, but he seems likely to take up leadership of the Zentrum after the elections. Adolf Hitler has already declared his candidacy, having just been naturalized as a German citizen. He already has a legion of fanatical supporters behind him. But the result of the elections remains in question. There are many questions indeed for the individuals who will determine the fate of Germany.

Comrade Thälmann, you ran for President in 1925, and received 6.4% of the vote. Your supporters expect you to run again, and given that the KPD has enjoyed a surge in support since then, it seems the wise choice. But the question is, will you run?

Comrade Leow, inspired on by rhetoric of social fascism, the Red Front has fought violently in the streets with the men of the SPD's Iron Front at an increasing pace. However given the recent outbreaks of violence against Jews, should the Red Front not emphasize the reactionary Stalhelm and Nazi Brownshirts?

Comrade Hirzgebau, you are known for your stalwart opposition to the "traitors" of the SPD, what will you do to reduce their powers in politics?

Comrade Frank, as the only Reichstag representative for the Socialist Workers' Party, will you continue to do so or join the KPD or SPD?

Herr Wels, given the coming Presidential elections, everyone wants to know who the leader of the Reichstag's largest party will support. Will it be Hindenburg, will it be yourself, or perhaps a different candidate?

Herr Schumacher, your no confidence vote against the despised Brüning has gained your a lot of supporters, in fact the ADGB, one of the largest German trade unions has invited you to speak to them, will you speak?

Herr Mahraun, your star has risen considerably in the past few months alone and the German State Party looks strong, but the question is whether you will find allies on the monarchist right or pivot to the Republican center and whether you are going to run for President yourself or back Hindenburg?

Herr von Papen, you seem among the likeliest candidates to succeed Brüning as Chancellor, but the question is whether you can gain support in the Reichstag, and what you will do to this end?

Herr Schmitt, your essay was well received by the entirety of the German far right, and on the right who increasingly believe that the Weimar experiment has failed. You have received an offer from Herr Hitler to take up a position in the Nazi propaganda division. You could take it, or preserve your independence of action and see what else occurs.

Herr Hugenberg, the Reich President, through General von Schleicher has told you that he will only seek reelection if he has your support, and the support of the Stalhelm. Will you provide the President the support he wants, or open the door for 1932 to be even more unstable?

Of course, anyone who wishes to run for President, support Hindenburg, or back anyone else can of course post to do so. You can post whatever you like within the rules. Campaigning is welcomed and encouraged and will help the candidates.

[KaiserDave]

Note to party leaders: PM me or post the vote you are instructing your Reichstag members to vote

Major Reichstag Vote: Censuring Alfred Hugenberg

Result: Nein!





Dereich




Communist Party of Germany - 77 seats

Vote: Ja!

Socialist Workers' Party of Germany - 1 seat

Vote: Ja!

Social Democratic Party of Germany - 142 seats

Vote: Ja!

German Centre Party - 68 seats

Vote: Nein!

German State Party - 20 seats

Vote: ?

German People's Party - 30 seats

Vote: ?

German-Hanoverian Party - 5 seats

Vote: ?

Bavarian People's Party - 19 seats

Vote: Nein!

National Rural League - 9 seats

Vote: Nein!

People's Justice Party - 4 seats

Vote: ?

German National People's Party - 93 seats

Vote: Nein!


German National Socialist Workers Party - 107 seats

Vote: Nein!

[KaiserDave]

The Reich


Wikimedia Commons

Berlin at War

Berlin seems to be a new battleground, as political violence has reached a pitch previously unseen since 1918. Egged on by party leaders, excitable youths have taken to the streets under the red fist, the swastika, and the triple arrow. Armed with cudgels, clubs, brass knuckles, knives, and their own fists, these teenagers mostly have engaged in savage violence on the streets of the capital. Outside of Berlin the Nazi's and their brownshirts, seemed to have an edge, especially in the reactionary north of Germany in escalating fighting where Communists seem to be routinely beaten in the streets. Berlin being largely favorable to the left, the Communists had the edge in numbers and with an emphasis on fighting the Sturmabteilung (SA), won the day in many neighborhoods. The only thing stopping the Communists from taking control of most of the city totally was the arrival of Der Stalhelm in collaboration with federal police. Armed with rifles and with armored cars, they have cleaned up several neighborhoods. But alas for every Red Front Fighter beaten senseless, another two springs up. It seems that the communist ideal has pervaded so much of the capital. Peaceful campaigning off course persists, but political violence has never been higher. Artur Mahraun's Jungdo has made waves with the general population for their attempts to bring peace to the streets, and fighting off the Brown and the Red.

In response to the violence, Interior Minister Wilhelm Groener has issued a ban on the Red Front Fighters, the SA, and the Nazi SS. Though enforcement is expected to be weak. President Hindenburg is reportedly horrified at the growing Communist Party, and is increasing skeptical of the usefulness of Parliament after reading some of the writings of one Carl Schmitt. A new Chancellor is expected to be appointed soon.

Wikimedia Commons

Marxist icon, and leader of the Communist Party Ernst Thälmann responded to a list of questions submitted to him below.

Q. Do you believe that the "social fascists" of the SPD or the "imperialists" of the NSDAP are a bigger threat to the workers of Germany?

A. At present, the blatant lies and slander of the NSDAP pose a much larger threat to the German working class. Herr Hitler represents the most malignant strains of militarism, capitalism, and imperialism mixed in the speech and character of one man. Any outside observer will tell you that his deceit is perpetuated on an industrial scale. This is to say nothing of his incestuous relationship with the robber barons of the capitalist system or the bloodthirsty militarists of the Ruhr. I have no doubt that his election would mean the total annihilation of the German nation.

Q. Do you believe that the Jewish people have been specifically victimized by capitalism?

A. Der Antisemitismus ist der Sozialismus der dummen Kerle. Our Jewish brothers and sisters have been exploited ruthlessly by the capitalist system. The militarists and the industrialists, however, take this exploitation to shockingly new lows. They allege that the Jewish people are single handedly responsible for our loss in the Great War. This conspiracy is perpetuated by imperialists and monarchists who served at the highest levels of government in the pre-war Deutsche Reich. These men lie to the working class, hoping to deceive and divide us against a common goal.

Let me remind the German people that these same men sent millions of our brothers to their deaths in the fiery cauldron of the Western Front or in the snows of the Russian tundra. The blood is singularly on their hands. The national humiliation belongs to men like Hugenberg, Ludendorff, and Kaiser Wilhelm. These men failed Deutschland in 1918. I have no reason to doubt they would do the same in 1932.


Q. Do you believe that Germany has a right to historically Germanic lands?

A. The KPD believes in the ideal of working class self-determination. Should formerly German lands vote to rejoin Deutschland, in a fair and popular vote, we would gladly welcome them back into the nation. But we vociferously oppose any militarist or imperialist effort to reclaim lands lost in the Great War. We support solidarity with the working class of Europe. The international proletariat must not be undermined by jingoistic claims made by reactionaries.

Q. Do you believe the Weimar constitution should be preserved?

A. I think it’s clear that the Weimar Constitution has failed. While it provides some important rights to the working class, the document in its totality is a clear obstacle on the German road to socialism. At the bare minimum, we must put more limits on the power of the Weimar Presidency and create a fair system of representation that serves the interests of the German working class, not the capitalist class.

Q. Should the KPD enter an alliance with Social Democrats to stop Hugenberg or Hitler?


A. The KPD is willing to support the SPD against the existential threat posed by men like Hitler, Hugenberg, and Goebbels. For the German working class to survive, we must hurtle the capitalists and the imperialists into the dustbin of history. To that end, we must form an anti-fascist front against the NSDAP and their DNVP lapdogs. Whatever our misgivings with the SPD, we are willing to stand with them on this issue.

Wikimedia Commons

Willy Leow (right), leader in the RFB, pictured with party leader Thälmann (left) responded to a list of questions submitted to him

Q. What do you make of the NSDAP and the Social Democrats?

A. The rise of a new brand of bourgeois politics emulated by the NSDAP who mislead the proletariat into remaining subservient for false promises and a spectacle of sorts. In this time, with such rampant poverty, the fascists have used current conditions to scapegoat a wide array of actors and groups to gain electoral support. What with the regular bourgeois parties and SPD doing nothing to stem the poverty and continue to not realize that that Capitalism is going to end soon, I am not surprised at this last ditch attempt to preserve the system.

Q. What do you say to veterans and soldiers who shed blood for the nation in the Great War, a war that you say is "imperialist"?

A. The Great War was a disastrous war that has only served the tools of the winning bourgeois. Our country is in shambles all because of the whims of the bourgeois class here that were more willing to profit off the war. To the veterans, I say open your eyes to the reality of the conflict and how bourgeois politics uses it to sustain itself.

Q. Do you believe the Weimar constitution should be preserved?


A. Absolutely not, it is reliant on up keeping the failure of Liberal Democracy that consistently fails the German workers.

Q. What do you say to those who accuse you of being lapdogs of Moscow?

A. Nothing but lies. While we have cordial relations with the leaders of the Soviet Union, we are not subservient to them or any other lie the opposition will cook up.

Q. What do you view as the primary role of the RFB?

A. Protecting the German worker from expressing themselves and ensuring a helpful hand in making it to a Communist society.




Upcoming Events

Presidential Election First Round: 13 March
Presidential Election Second Round (if necessary): 10 April

*PM me if you want an interview
**Presidential campaign post will be next opening up the campaigning phase which will last roughly 4-5 days depending on how things go

[KaiserDave]

Presidential Election of 1932


Wikimedia Commons

Campaign Season


Campaigning has begun in earnest for the German Presidential Election of 1932. Pamphlets litter the streets and posters cover the buildings and street posts. Flags of the Republic and the Empire fly in the streets, but in Berlin no flag is more common that the red flag. Protesting the ban of the Red Front Fighters on the onset of the campaigning, thousands of communists march in the streets with posters proclaiming "Down with Groener" and "Down with Fascism." They are singing the Internationale, and the Marching Song of the Red Front. The protests have been mostly peaceful but on the periphery fighting has broken out between Red Front Fighters and Brownshirts despite both groups being illegal. Der Stalhelm, and the Jungdo, have both tried to contain violence, though Der Stalhelm has largely acted in support of the Brownshirts despite the Brownshirts being an illegal group. The political tensions have never been higher since the Kapp Putsch or even the heavy days of 1919. In this tension there is a presidential election, and a critical campaign. Here are the declared candidates:

Reichpräsident Paul von Hindenburg: Independent
Herr Adolf Hitler: NSDAP
Herr Ernst Thälmann: KPD
Herr Karl Borromäus Frank: SAP

Hindenburg is a strong favorite to be reelected, but if the Social Democrats nominate their own candidate everything could be thrown into chaos. Perhaps giving Hitler an opening to pull out an unthinkable win, and give him access to dictatorial authority. The winner of this election will be able to pick the next Chancellor and hold great power. But it will be up to the voters.



Presidential Election First Round: 13 March
Presidential Election Second Round (if necessary): 10 April

First Round results will be calculated and released July 12th, until then, campaign! You can still declare a candidacy, but please do soon. Results will be determined by a dice roll, quality of posts, historical precedent, and in game political alliances and maneuvers. Best of luck!

[KaiserDave]

The Reich


Interviewing Kurt Schumacher

Wikimedia Commons

Social Democrat, and ardent Republican Kurt Schumacher responded to a list of questions submitted to him below.

Q. Who do you believe is the greatest threat to the Republic?

A. It's insidious right-wingers in the form of the DNVP and the NSDAP. They have often been the arbiters of violence against the citizens of Germany, as has been shown frequently in the recent months. The attacks against innocent citizens in Breslau committed by Die Stalhelm is nothing more than a terrorist attack, and it certainly doesn't show Hugenberg as a preserver of peace, especially when he calls it an act of justice and then proceeds to take the stolen property. Not to mention the actions of both Die Stalhelm and the Sturmabteilung in Berlin. It's quite Hitler's fault that Berlin turned into a battleground, and Hugenberg just made it all the worse by joining in with the SA.

Q. How would you put an end to the massive unemployment in Germany?

A. Trough the application of public works programs, relief for the unemployed, stimulation of the economy and nationalization of some industries. The public works programs will ensure at least some temporary employment among the population, as well as giving some activity in the economic sector. The unemployment relief will give some temporary help to suffering and unemployed Germans. A direct injection of money into the economy could potentially kick the economy into gear. The nationalization of certain industries which are to be determined, serves the purpose of getting more people employed by removing the profit motive of businesses, therefore allowing the government to employ more people even if it is at a loss. These are the things i believe will help us out of the current economic depression.


Q. Would you support a plebiscite on the Hohenzollern monarchy being restored?

A. As a firm supporter of the Republic i am firmly opposed to any reinstatement of the Hohenzollern Monarchy. So if any such plebiscite were to take place i would firmly campaign against it. And i would only support such a plebiscite if there is a major show of support for such a measure.


Q. Do you believe that socialism must remain the irreconcilable goal of the SPD??

A. The vision of the SPD should always be that of achieving a Demokratisch-Sozialistische Gesellschaft. A society where there is not just democracy in the political sphere, but in the economic sphere as well. A society where the minerals and energy of the land are brought to the service of the community at large. A society that allows every German to live in dignity. A society with a strong welfare system that makes as few people as possible fall trough the cracks. A society where the average German need not worry about the cost of education or healthcare. And these are just some of the things the SPD should strive for. The end goal of the SPD should be the fulfillment of the Heidelberg Program, which will lead us to this Demokratisch-Sozialistische Gesellschaft.

Q. Do you support President Hindenburg staying in office?


A. Only if he seems to be the only viable alternative. I would personally prefer that someone from our own party runs, or if not that at the very least someone closer to the political center than Hindenburg is. So overall i would prefer not to see Hindenburg staying in office, but if the other options are not viable i will reluctantly do so.





Upcoming Events

Presidential Election First Round: 13 March
Presidential Election Second Round (if necessary): 10 April

[KaiserDave]

Note to party leaders: PM me or post the vote you are instructing your Reichstag members to vote

Major Reichstag Vote: Ernst Thälmann (as proposed by Herr Hugenberg)

Result:





Dereich




Communist Party of Germany - 77 seats

Vote: Nein!

Socialist Workers' Party of Germany - 1 seat

Vote: Nein!

Social Democratic Party of Germany - 142 seats

Vote: ?

German Centre Party - 68 seats

Vote: Ja!

German State Party - 20 seats

Vote: ?

German People's Party - 30 seats

Vote: Ja!

German-Hanoverian Party - 5 seats

Vote: Ja!
Bavarian People's Party - 19 seats

Vote: Ja!

National Rural League - 9 seats

Vote: Ja!

People's Justice Party - 4 seats

Vote: ?

German National People's Party - 93 seats

Vote: Ja!


German National Socialist Workers Party - 107 seats

Vote: Ja!

[KaiserDave]

The Reich



Custom

Hindenburg Wins First Ballot: Second Round Necessary

The results of the first round of the German Presidential Election have been fully tallied. From Königsberg to the Rhine, the German people have put in their ballots, and the total votes are in.

Reichpräsident Paul von Hindenburg: 44.1%
Herr Adolf Hitler: 33.2%
Herr Ernst Thälmann: 18.5%
Herr Karl Borromäus Frank: 4.0%
Others: 0.2%

President Hindenburg has won a plurality of the vote, with Hitler in second and Thälmann in third, Frank in fourth. Hindenburg has won the ballot, though many note the highly disappointing margin with which he won, unable to net 50% or getting at all close to it. Though this is a Hindenburg win, the momentum feels entirely robbed from his campaign. Hitler performed beyond beyond most's expectations, securing over 30% of the vote. He was noted to carry many of Hindenburg's vote from 1925, winning much of his reactionary right wing coalition. Hindenburg's coalition was primarily made up of the moderate right, social democrats, and Catholics. He did win a solid segment of the reactionary vote, mobilized by Der Stalhelm, but there was indeed a flight to the Nazi ticket. The Communists performed quite well, over doubling their 1925 performance, Ernst Thälmann leading the Communists to over 18%, shaking the foundations of German politics with their Marxist-Leninist platform. Overall, the establishment of Weimar politics is certainly shaken to its core. The second round looks to be even more chaotic. The question is now whether every candidate will proceed into the next round, perhaps even if the President wants to continue his campaign.





Wikimedia Commons

Interview with Carl Schmitt

Q. What do you believe is the biggest threat to the German Volksgemeinschaft?

A. The greatest threat at the moment, quite simply, is the disorder in our political and social community. This disorder, and the failure to respond effectively to it, flows directly from the failure of the government to exercise the power of the sovereign and step in to take what action is needed to bring order back to Germany. Really, this is a deep rooted problem, as the much ballyhooed "liberal constitutionalism" seeks to undermine and replace the basic concept of a sovereign leader capable of acting to save the nation with a framework based around abstract laws, which can never be utilized to truly bring needed order. Disorder, then, is the inevitable consequence of a too liberal constitution and political discourse.

Q.  What do you believe should be the ideal replacement of the Weimar system?

A. I make no secret of the fact that I think there are a great many flaws with the Weimar system, but I do think it contains the tools of its own salvation if we are only willing to use them. The state of exception found in the constitution can be used by the President to, in essence, take what steps are needed to restore order by going outside the parliamentary system, which is fundamentally unable to adjust and grapple with what is in essence an inevitable by-product of overly liberal government. We must be willing to recognize that our normal legal means are incapable of controlling the present chaos, and the state of exception is needed to give to the President the powers he needs to step outside of the ossified and decidedly inert political system.

From this state, we must create a nation where the right of the sovereign to rule in times of emergency is respected and normalized. We can do this within the structures of the Weimar system, but I do fear it is becoming increasingly difficult to save the system from itself. Any new government must, if nothing else, provide the sovereign with the power to step outside the law to ensure order. The rest, truly, is superfluous. It is a powerful sovereign that is needed for any system of government to function, and it represents the only difference between a proper nation state and a militarized debating society.

Q. Who do you believe should lead this ideal state?

A. Within our current structure, of course, we have the President, and should we act to save the Weimar system and the social substructures underpinning it in time, we can likely keep things largely as they are. I do fear that is, at this juncture, largely impossible. But be it in a new system or in a preserved version of the current, the head of state, whatever their title, must be sovereign, and therefore be able to take what we might call extra-legal or dictatorial action to ensure order in times of discord such as these.

Q. Why do you believe that Germany lost the Great War?

A. My knowledge of the Great War is mostly limited to my service as a volunteer in it. I must confess that I have largely left the scholarship of the war to those who make the study of such things there primary profession, and from them I gather a combination of domestic betrayal and several other factors brought about the defeat. I would leave that question, however, to Herr Hitler, Herr Hugenberg, and indeed perhaps Herr Hindenberg, who have in different ways much more to say on the subject, much more insightful things as well.


Q. Do you believe that Germany should aspire to acquire Germanic lands such as the Polish corridor, Austria, the Sudetenland, Alsace-Lorraine, and even more?

A. Politics is, ultimately, the exercise of antagonism, of the conflict between us and the other across societies, of dichotomies between friends and enemies. To that end, the Germanic peoples can and must be seen wherever they reside as a cohesive political entity. That is not to say that an Austrian a Germanic Pole are of one political mind, but rather that within their respective political entities, Austria and Poland, they serve as one grouping in conflict with others as part of political society. I hesitate to offer policy in areas of which I know little, and the acquisition of land is a discussion best left to others, but I do think that it is only natural that we should desire that those we see as our closest friends and brothers be brought into a cohesive German nation.




Upcoming Events:


Presidential Election Second Round: 10 April

[KaiserDave]

Presidential Election of 1932


Custom

Campaign Season II


The first round is over and the second round is just beginning. Hindenburg's disappointing margin in the first round had led some to speculate that he was dropping out, though it is rumored that General von Schleicher, General Beck, and the President's own son Oskar urged him to continue on, saying that if he dropped out there would be a mad power struggle that could lead to Hitler or even Thälmann winning it all. In that spirit Hindenburg has applied to contest the second round, but as has Hitler and Thälmann. The fate of the Reich remains very much in the air.

Reichpräsident Paul von Hindenburg: Independent
Herr Adolf Hitler: NSDAP
Herr Ernst Thälmann: KPD

Hindenburg is a strong favorite to be reelected, but if the Social Democrats nominate their own candidate everything could be thrown into chaos. Perhaps giving Hitler an opening to pull out an unthinkable win, and give him access to dictatorial authority. The winner of this election will be able to pick the next Chancellor and hold great power. But it will be up to the voters.

Presidential Election Second Round: 10 April

Second Round results will be calculated and released July 14th or 15th, until then, campaign! You can still declare a candidacy for the second round, but please do soon. Candidates can also drop out but that's up to you. Remember to try and appeal to a broad base if you want to win, coalition building is everything. Results will be determined by a dice roll, quality of posts, historical precedent, and in game political alliances and maneuvers. Best of luck!

[KaiserDave]

(Results will either come late tomorrow or the day after to give you guys time to strategize-and I am paying attention to your PMs, they will matter)

[KaiserDave]

The Reich



Wikimedia Commons

Hindenburg Re-elected!

The results of the first round of the German Presidential Election have been fully tallied. From Königsberg to the Rhine, the German people have put in their ballots, and the total votes are in. Not without instability it must be said. The final rallies of the election were marred with conflict and violence. DNVP counter rallies were stormed by Red Front Fighters, many of who were clutching rifles. Brownshirts and Red Front Fighters continue to brawl in the streets at an alarming rate, while reactionaries in Der Stalhelm continue to enforce their own rule over certain areas. Meanwhile, to the alarm of every established party, the KPD continues to gather arms and funds at an alarming pace. But in any case the votes have been counted.

Reichpräsident Paul von Hindenburg: 44.5%
Herr Adolf Hitler: 37.1%
Herr Ernst Thälmann: 18.2%
Others: 0.2%

President Hindenburg has won a plurality of the vote, with Hitler in second and Thälmann in third. Hindenburg has won the election, and he will serve again as President, but the margin is surprisingly close. Adolf Hitler has come within 8 percentage points of near supreme authority, and the Communists have leapt beyond any expectations of their performances. President Hindenburg has indeed won however, and despite the increasing chaos in the nation, the reactionary establishment of the Prussian elite has held onto the presidency. His voting coalition however was not very reactionary. Compared to the right wing coalition that propelled him into power in 1925, the coalition this time was more moderate. He may not have even won a majority of his 1925 voters. His coalition was made up of Catholics, Social Democrats, moderates and liberals, and other smaller factions. However it must be noted that there was a sizable right wing vote for the President, rallied by the DNVP which may very well have made the difference. Things are far from certain, with extremist parties such as the NSDAP and KPD winning a comfortable majority of votes. While the President has held onto power, and for now the country is safe from further instability, the future is anything but stable.

[KaiserDave]

Character Dilemmas



Wikimedia Commons


The Presidential elections are over. But the questions on the future of Germany remained unanswered. The Nazis and the Communists have never been more powerful, and the Weimar coalition of Social and Christian Democrats more vulnerable. With a new government imminent, and perhaps federal elections, there are many questions and dilemmas for those steering Germany forwards, and decide its destiny.

Comrade Thälmann, your success in the presidential election is unprecedented, and you have both cemented yourself as undisputed leader of the KPD in the eyes of Germans and the Kremlin. Indeed the Great Stalin is impressed with your performance. The question is now whether you will put more resources into electoralism, or into revolutionary action. What will you do?

Comrade Leow, despite the Groener ban of the RFB the Red Front marches on regardless. With May Day approaching, the party has a chance to truly flex some muscles. Brandenburg party boss Walter Ulbricht has tasked to organize with you an event for the first of May to make Berlin a truly red city, but the decisions are up to you.

Comrade Frank, your presidential campaign has endeared you a large segment of Social Democrats estranged by the party's support for Hindenburg and opposed to the KPD. They are asking you to expand the SWP to more voters.

Herr Wels, the Republic is being tested. As one of the crucial vanguards of the Republic, the SPD has much to do in regards to the defense of the Republic. A new government is imminent, will the SPD seek new elections imminently, or try and influence the new government to achieve greater stability?

Herr Schumacher, the left of the SPD looks to you for guidance. Do you keep trust in Herr Wels' leadership, or do you attempt to change things within the party?

Herr Mahraun, word is is that you may be under consideration for the next government. In any case you have the ear of the President. Now...what to do with it?

Herr von Papen, the phone rings, you slip into your shoes, into your coat and out into your private car. It's the most important drive of your life, President Hindenburg has tasked you with forming a government, and when he meets you he appoints you Chancellor. Now, the job is yours to form a government.

Herr Schmitt, your support on the German right has grown considerably. Rumor has it that the President reads your every column, and Herr Göring in particular is a fan of your writings. But the question is now what to do with this wide readership?

Herr Hugenberg, despite the fact that Paul von Hindenburg dislikes you, he can only be grateful for the efforts you showed in the election. He is also angry that his voting coalition was mostly made up of Social Democrats and Catholics, and is likely to move to the right. He has even told Chancellor von Papen to appoint you to the government, but where, and will you accept?

Herr Hitler, your performance in the presidential election has smashed expectation, and your popularity has soared. However the National Socialist German Worker's Party remains fragmented. Gregor and Otto Strasser push for large scale nationalizations of industry, Ernst Röhm desires a "national socialist revolution" against the capitalist classes, but Thyssen remains one of your biggest financial backers, and many in the industrialist circles are supporters and you will need them for the wars to come. What will you do to mend these divisions, or will you root out dissent instead?

[KaiserDave]

Note: I am making von Papen an NPC unless the old rejoins, or I am successful in recruiting a new player
 In any case please react to the dilemmas and expect the cabinet and its first actions to come soon

[KaiserDave]

The Reich



Wikimedia Commons

The von Papen Ministry


The Reichstag is open again with a new head of government. Franz von Papen is now officially Reich Chancellor, and yet already he faces a vote of no confidence. While for now the vote is buried in procedure, it is expected that it will lead to new federal elections. Chancellor von Papen is expected to announce his first moves soon, likely through the support of President Hindenburg and his powers of decree, unless he can gather necessary support in the Reichstag. For now at least his cabinet has been published in the morning papers. The cabinet is listed below:


Reich Chancellor: Franz von Papen (Independent)
Vice Chancellor: Kurt von Schleicher (Independent)
Reich Minister of Foreign Minister: Arthur Mahraun (DSP)
Reich Minister of the Interior: Alfred Hugenberg (DNVP)
Reich Minister of Finance: Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk (Independent)
Reich Minister of Justice: Carl Schmitt (Independent)
Reich Minister of the Reichswehr: Wilhelm Groener (Zentrum)
Reich Minister of Economics: Joseph Joos (Zentrum)
Reich Minister for Food and Agriculture: Paul Freiherr von Eltz-Rübenach (Independent)
Reich Minister for Labour: Heinrich Brauns (Zentrum)
Reich Minister for Postal Affairs: Franz Bracht (Zentrum)
Reich Minister for Transport: Franz Seldte (DNVP)
Reich Minister without portfolio: Franz Gürtner (DNVP)
Reich Minister without portfolio: Fritz Schäffer (BVP)


The cabinet is right wing, more so than the Brüning cabinet. Especially with the stalwart reactionary monarchist Hugenberg at the Interior Ministry, and the Der Stalhelm bully Franz Seldte as Transport Minister. Carl Schmitt, who has so repeatedly called for the state of exception is now at the Justice Ministry with tremendous authority, reportedly at the direct request of the Reich President. Arthur Mahraun is a surprise to be sure, at Foreign Minister, although even he it is said wants a restoration of the Hohenzollern monarchy. Observers and experts agree, the von Papen ministry is certainly a swing to the right. With Hugenberg at the Interior Ministry commanding the law enforcement, it may be even by an existential crisis for some political factions. But as for the new conservative Reich Chancellor? We should find out his intentions soon.

Meanwhile, the streets are filled with red flags as the working classes celebrate May Day. The Communists in particular have filled the streets calling for the destruction of the capitalist system, and a few particularly petty landlords in some localities have found themselves beaten in the streets. The Social Democrats have also organized rallies and marches, waving the flag for the democratic left. Many Germans indeed have rallied around Herr Wels as the last hope for the Republic. There is also the fighting, with more leftists in the street there has been more conflict. Brownshirts fight the Iron Front, the Iron Front fights the Brownshirts, the Brownshirts fight the Red Front, and the Red Front, egged on by the latest speech from Comrade Thälmann fight the Iron Front. Der Stalhelm has also lept into the streets fighting communists, but this time the communists have also been armed, more and more Red Front Fighters carry a sidearm. Many some towns hear the din of rifle shots as they train. German is indeed about to boil.

Wikimedia Commons


By Invitation of the Reich President Generalfeldmarschall Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg,

You are invited to a reception hosted by the Reich President at the Presidential Palace at Wilhelmstraße No. 73 and where the Reich Chancellor will be present to eat, drink, and discuss political and social life.

Cordially Signed,

Oskar Wilhelm Robert Paul Ludwig Hellmuth von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg

(Invitations were messaged privately)

[KaiserDave]

Hugenberg sends Police on the streets on May Day

Alfred Hugenberg has sent thousands of police officers on the streets to stop the celebrations of the communists. Reportedly they were there to keep the order, however in practice they joined the SA, Iron Front or Der Stalhelm whenever they fought the communists. Hugeneberg is decided to use the new tool at his disposal to finally defeat the communists.

Note: You're not quite empowered to do so yet, but note that local police departments will usually side with Der Stalhelm against the RFB

[KaiserDave]

ACHTUNG

We have a new Florida green avatar joining us! @Dereich will play as Von Papen, please direct or redirect any messages on FvP to him and please CC me. Thank you!

[KaiserDave]

Wilhelmstraße No. 73

Paul von Hindenburg leaned in to listen to Herr Mahraun who sat next to him across form the Reich Chancellor, the chair creaking as he did. He quietly nodded, and leaned back as the chair creaked again. Oskar leaned in to his father and whispered into his air, Hindenburg nodded and silently motioned for a pen and paper. Hindenburg began writing, his shaky hand leaving scratchy and somewhat disordered writing. He then signed it and gave it to his new foreign minister, authorizing him to act directly on the behalf of the Reich President.

Oskar then spoke, standing to the entire room.

"My father the Reich President has called you today to build plans for the formation of a strong, conservative government, and plans for the future. He is particularly concerned by the growing numbers of the Communist Party, and the training of Communists with rifles. The Reich President is keenly aware of the threat of a Bolshevik revolution, and seeks to do everything to protect the fatherland and the social system from this menace. It is for that purpose he has called you here."  Hindenburg quietly nodded as the floor opened to new voices.

[KaiserDave]

Otto Wels to the Reichstag

"Today, I am introducing the Autobahn Act. This act provides the means to construct a national highway network connecting all of the nation's major cities. Aside from the benefits that comes with ease of transportation between major cities, this will generate thousands of jobs for men that are out of work.

If this government supports public works as its Interior Minister proclaims it does, then i assume that the government will give this bill its undivided support."

(I gave the speech at a private reception)

(The DNVP presented its plan for recovery early on)

(which said nothing of public works lol)

(Keep this in signup thanks )

[KaiserDave]

The Reich



Wikimedia Commons

1848: Will it happen again?

More chaos, More questions
The Papen cabinet was just sitting down to the tasks of government as the nation was torn asunder again. May Day was a mess. Red Front fighters tossing rocks as armored cars manned by Der Stalhelm, and then drawing revolvers to defend themselves. Brownshirts led a torchlight parade led by Ernst Röhm on horseback through the streets, while Ernst Thälmann spoke to a cheering crowd of thousands. It's not just Berlin, in every major city of the Republic political violence has reached a fever pitch. Fortunately in the days following May Day the violence has calmed down, with thanks to the timely arrival of the Jungdo. Which is a group with increasing political sway, with their Grand Master now Foreign Minister.

However while the violence may have calmed, the political scene has only become more exciting. Rumors swirl as to the intentions of the new government, as the von Papen cabinet wrestles with how to reform the police to end the violence, relieve the persistent crisis of unemployment, and secure a bright future for the German völk und vaterland. However the first priority of the von Papen cabinet has to be how they plan to deal with Hitler's no confidence vote, a vote that comes ever closer. Will they simply call for new elections? Or will they fight it? Or, as Carl Schmitt our new Minister for Justice proposes, will they do away with the Reichstag and request President Hindenburg to take extraordinary powers to restore order.

Many dedicated Republicans have never been more worried. Rallied by the stirring speeches by Otto Wels in defense of the constitutional Republic, thousands of Germans poured into the streets today, most notable in Berlin and Dresden flying the black, red, and gold banner of the Republic. They sang the national anthem, carried copies of Phillip Veit's Germania, portraits of Friedrich Ebert, Friedrich Hecker, and Philipp Scheidemann aloft, and flew the Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold standard as well. Not to mention the banners they carried illustrated with the slogan of Wir stelehn als eins! Für die Repiblik! Despite the rising threat of extremism, there remains still a dedicated group of Republicans. However this was not simply a Republican march. They had a demand, a demand to their leader. It was illustrated on their banners and shouted in their chants. Gegen Papen! Gegen Reaktion!

The next political decisions will prove crucial.

 

[KaiserDave]

Note to party leaders: PM me or post the vote you are instructing your Reichstag members to vote

Major Reichstag Vote: Confidence in the Government

Result: Ja! 292-285





Dereich




Communist Party of Germany - 77 seats

Vote: Nein!

Socialist Workers' Party of Germany - 1 seat

Vote: Nein!

Social Democratic Party of Germany - 142 seats

Vote:
Nein!: 106
Ja!: 32
Enthaltung: 4


German Centre Party - 68 seats

Vote: Ja!

German State Party - 20 seats

Vote: Ja!

German People's Party - 30 seats

Vote: Ja!

German-Hanoverian Party - 5 seats

Vote: Ja!

Bavarian People's Party - 19 seats

Vote: Ja!

National Rural League - 9 seats

Vote: Ja!

People's Justice Party - 4 seats

Vote: Ja!

German National People's Party - 93 seats

Vote: Ja!


German National Socialist Workers Party - 107 seats

Vote: Nein!

[KaiserDave]

The Reich



Wikimedia Commons

von Papen: JA!

The Reichstag has voted, and after a tense voting procedure, the result is in. The Reichstag has confidence in the von Papen government. It was not easy. First, Chancellor von Papen spoke to the hall. While most of the parties of the chamber applauded his statements, the Communists and Nazis heckled and booed him. Social Democrats too booed, declaring him a "weapon of reactionary terror." Outside the Reichstag chambers, a crowd mostly consisting of republican marchers carried banners denouncing von Papen as an enemy of the Republic. Brownshirts marched in step with banners shouting anti-Papen chants. As Reichstag members filed into the hall, there was more booing and heckling. A baseless rumor even spread that President Hindenburg had dissolved the body and declared a state of martial law.

When the voting started everything went as expected, the conservative parties voted in confidence, the Communists and the National Socialists against. It would really all come down to the Social Democrats. SPD leader Otto Wels declared that he would let each Reichstag member for the SPD vote their conscience. When the SPD voted it proved decisive. The vast majority of the party voted against the government, but a crucial minority voted for it. Panicking at the prospect of new elections that would benefit the far left and far right, they voted for stability and calm.

Unfortunately so far it seems it has guaranteed anything but. When the result was announced to the crowds in Berlin, there was jeering, the beginnings of a riot had to be contained by local police and Jungdo. When the result was announced over the radio there were marches in the streets. Red flags were flown in Dresden and Kiel by communists believing the Republic now enters its death throes. And while new elections may not come, it appears this may not even bring stability to the von Papen government, who now relies on a small sliver of Social Democrats who share almost nothing with it ideologically. Again, the Reichstag votes, but it provides more questions than answers. The von Papen government now has a chance to govern, but who knows whether another no confidence vote is coming?