Unused ballot for the referendum to dissolve the Prussian state parliament

Identifier
irn522530
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 2004.659.4
Level of Description
Item
Languages
  • German
Source
EHRI Partner

Extent and Medium

overall: Height: 3.500 inches (8.89 cm) | Width: 4.500 inches (11.43 cm)

Archival History

The ballot was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2004.

Acquisition

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, The Abraham and Ruth Goldfarb Family Acquisition Fund

Funding Note: The acquisition of this collection was made possible by The Abraham and Ruth Goldfarb Family Acquisition Fund.

Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

Scope and Content

Ballot distributed for the August 9, 1931, referendum on the dissolution of the Prussian Landtag [state parliament]. The Prussian state was the largest and most powerful in Germany and the most resistant to Nazi Party candidates. There was a saying that whoever controls Prussia, controls the Reich, and the state became a battleground as the Nazis sought power over all Germany. By allying with the Communists, the Nazis forced this vote to dissolve the Prussian government. The Hitlerites lost, receiving only 37% of the vote. But the violence and riots perpetrated by the Nazis against their opponents in Prussia became an excuse for an attack on the last bulwark of German democracy. On July 17, 1932, Chancellor von Papen issued a decree deposing the Prussian government. The Chancellor was made the Reich Commissioner with full powers over the Prussian state. On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany.

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on access

Conditions Governing Reproduction

No restrictions on use

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Rectangular, offwhite paper ballot with German text in Fraktur typeface printed in black ink. Near the upper edge is a question. Below are 2 black bordered square boxes with captions above; on the left, Ya [Yes] and on the right, Nein [No]. In the center of each box is a black bordered circle to mark the vote. The ballot is unused.

Subjects

Genre

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.