a bad example, the obvious conclusion some drew was that authoritarian government was the form most suited to the conditions in Germany, and would benefit the German people. When the prosperity of the twenties came to the end and the depression proper hit Germany once again there was a return to rule by decree, or 'presidential government.' After the last great coalition broke down in 1930, it is hard to say Hitler destroyed democracy, rather it never really got established and had most certainly broken down by 1930.
             The Republic was also disadvantaged by lacking a leader with the charisma and direction such as America had in Roosevelt. Bruning paid reparations in 1930 31 and simultaneously balanced the budget. With our grasp of Keynesian economics we can appreciate he did so at great economic cost to Germany, destabilising her economy. The self-satisfaction that oozes from the pages of Bruning's memoirs illustrates the arrogance and complacency of the man, whose failures paved the way for Hitler. The abortive attempt at a custo
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