Unused ballot for the referendum to dissolve the Prussian state parliament
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
- Political campaigns--Germany--History--20th century.
- Propaganda, German--History--20th century.
- Elections--Germany--History--20th century.
- Germany--Politics and government--1918-1933.
Genre
- Object
- Information Forms