AS. Doughton - 5. The extent of political, social and economic change in Germany 1918-45 Flashcards
The main threats to the stability of the Weimar Republic in Germany
-By autumn 1918 Germany had been defeated. Up
until this point, Germany was led by Kaiser
Wilhelm II.
-At the end of October the German navy mutinied
and unrest began to spread across Germany.
-9 November, KW II abdicated and fled to Holland.
-As a result, a new German Republic was declared
and Chancellor Friedrich Ebert accepted the
armistice that ended WW1.
-Many Germans saw the ending of the war as a
betrayal of the German army (Reichswehr). Many
people hated the WR from the beginning.
…pt2
-1918 – Attacks on the new government.
-Elections were held for a constituent assembly (Jan 1919).
-Berlin was too dangerous. Met in Weimar instead (hence the name).
-No single party won – coalition government.
Key words
-Armistice
- An agreement between opposing armies to suspend hostilities in order to discuss
peace terms; truce.
-Republic
- a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected
representatives.
The main threats to the stability of the Weimar Republic in Germany
.
Challenge from civil service and judges
Many civil servants didn’t want Weimar because they didn’t agree with its political views.
Reichstag or the President?
Article 48 allowed the President to rule by decree without Parliament. Therefore in an emergency the
president could pass laws without the agreement of the Reichstag.
Challenge from the army
Leaders of the army wanted the Kaiser to return as their position would be maintained. Under the new
government the army would be reduced.
Proportional Representation
Created a large number of political parties and meant it was difficult to have stability. No party was able to win majority creating more coalition governments .
The treaty of Versailles
When Germany surrendered in 1918 they knew they would have to pay a price for WWI. However, the peace treaty that was created in 1919 was far more severe than they expected.
Their fate would be decided by what is referred to as ‘The Big Three’ the leaders of the three Allied countries. British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, French Prime Minister George Clemenceau, and American President Woodrow Wilson.
Terms of the Treaty
.
War Guilt clause (Article 231)
Germany had to accept full blame for causing the war. This was the term that the Germans most resented.
Reparations
Germany had to pay the allies £6600 million in war damages.
Military restrictions
-No air force, army limited to 100,000 soldiers, navy limited to 15,000 sailors, only six battleships and no submarines.
-The Rhineland would be occupied by the allies for fifteen years, no German troops allowed in the area.
Territorial losses
lost over 13% of their land.
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When the Allies came up with the Treaty of Versailles the German government refused to sign. The new government thought that it was very unfair but Britain, France and America made it clear to Germany that if they did not sign then they would resume the war.
The stab in the back
Many people in Germany felt that they could have won the First World War. The army leaders encouraged this. They said that they could have continued fighting but the weak politicians wanted peace. This led to the myth that the army had been
‘stabbed in the back’ by the politicians. They nicknamed them the ‘November Criminals’ as they had signed the peace agreement in November.
Political instability 1918-23
The Weimar government was initially unpopular among many Germans because it had surrendered in the war, established a weak government, and failed to end food shortages. Communists, socialists, nationalists and army leaders all hated Weimar. Fearful of revolution (like the communist one in Russia) the government made a deal with the army leader Groener and became dependent on them. Following this agreement there were many uprisings throughout Germany.
Revolts
(will be in on revision sheets)
Economic problems : the 19323 crisis:
-In 1921, Germany’s final reparations bill was announced as being £6,600 million. The German government asked for permission to suspend payments until the German economy recovered, but the Allies refused.
-Germany failed to make full payment in 1922, so in
January 1923 France and Belgium invaded the Ruhr to seize industrial goods for themselves. Sited in the Rhineland.
-The Ruhr occupation, which lasted until the summer of 1925, sparked anger in Germany and civil disobedience in the Ruhr itself.
Events in the Ruhr and hyperinflation
The problems facing the Weimar Republic worsened in 1923 due to the French occupation of the Ruhr and the effects of hyperinflation.
The French occupation was met with passive resistance. Germans also carried out industrial sabotage. Strikes, setting factories on fire.
The results of the occupation
-United the German people against the French and Belgians.
-German government backed the strikers – printed more money to give them a wage.
-The extra strike money plus the collapse in production turned inflation into hyperinflation.
Hyperinflation
1923 Germany experienced Hyperinflation. The value of money plummeted.
People with savings or on a fixed income found themselves penniless. People blamed the Weimar politicians.
The recovery of the Weimar, 1924-29
Following the crises of 1923, including the French occupation of the Ruhr and hyperinflation. Germany seemed to experience a period of recovery under the direction of Gustav Stresemann and with the assistance of American loans. This encouraged greater support for the Weimar Republic and less support for extremist parties.
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Gustav Stresemann became Chancellor in 1923 and he introduced a new currency, the Reichsmark. This seemed as though the Weimar government had weathered the storm and was on the brink of stability and prosperity. Germany was still unable to pay the reparation payments and persuaded the
French, British and Americans to lower the payments through the Dawes Plan (August 1924) The Dawes Plan made the repayments more manageable and USA agreed to loan Germany money. Further changes occurred in 1929 with the Young Plan where the repayments were reduced further by around three quarters and they were given 59 years longer to pay.
…pt3
Stresemann’s economic success gave way to a period of political stability as Hindenburg
was elected President and support for extremists decreased. Stresemann also introduced reforms to help ordinary people such as job centres, unemployment pay and better housing. Stresemann also had successes abroad – the Locarno Pact reinforced the existing borders in Europe, Germany was given a seat on the League of Nations in 1926 and the Kellogg-Briand Pact in 1928 signed by 65 countries in 1928 when they agreed to deal with conflict peacefully.
Consequences of Stresemann’s leadership, Dawes and Young Plan
-The economy improved with falling unemployment, rising factory production and more confidence.
-Voters were still suspicious of democracy. The Communists were still a potential threat; the Nazis wererebuilding their party organisation.
-There was a rise in number of votes for political parties supporting democracy and the Weimar Republic.
-Treaty of Versailles was still in place and very harsh on Germany.
-Germany had to continue paying reparations.
-The Locarno Pact made permanent the land that was lost under the Treaty of Versailles.
…pt2
-The politician responsible for Germany’s relative improvement, Gustav Stresemann, died in 1929.
-The number of troops were still limited, therefore Germany still felt weak and defenceless.
-The Communists and Nazis did not do well in elections compared to the parties supporting the Weimar Republic. The Nazis had only 12 seats in the Reichstag in 1928.
-Important organisations in Germany, like the army and judges, not totally convinced about supporting the Weimar Republic.
-Germany’s economic recovery depended on loans from the USA under the Dawes plan.
-Sort the consequences into successes and problems.
The rise of the Nazi party.
key words
Aryan – Pure Germans. Blonde hair, blue eyed people.
S.A – Hitler’s private army. Known as storm troopers or Brown shirts. Sturmabteilung
Propaganda – Advertising. Used to make people think and believe certain ideas.
Lebensraum – Living Space.
Fuhrer – Leader. Name given to Hitler- for him it meant absolute power and authority.
25 Point Programme – was the NSDAP’s manifesto and included beliefs such as getting rid of the Treaty of Versailles and immigrants to leave Germany.
The German Workers’ Party (DAP)
Founded by Anton Drexler after WW1.
Right wing, nationalistic.
Only 50 members by the end of 1919
Hitler sent to spy on DAP. Ends up joining.
The 25 Point Programme
Feb 1920 – Hitler and Drexler write 25 point programme.
Later this year – National Socialist added.
Party grows rapidly because of Hitler.
Good public speaker.
Becomes leader in July 1921.
Given title ‘Fuhrer’ – leader.
Fuhrerprinzip – Fuhrer principle.
Nazi’s ideas.
Aryan people would get the best jobs and be encouraged to have lots of children.
Prepare German people for war.
Help get people back to work.
Non Aryans e.g. Jews would be removed from Germany.
Destroy communism.
Use terror against people who opposed.
People who didn’t fit in e.g. homosexuals, mentally and physically disabled would be imprisoned or killed.
Hitler’s main aims:
Make Germany strong again. Win back land, create a strong army etc.
Get rid of all those who don’t fit in.
Everyone is loyal to him Terror is used to do this.
Hitler the public speaker
Hitler had a powerful and dominating personality. He was intelligent and decisive. Although he was a small man he had a great physical presence. He
had piercing blue eyes which he would fix on his listeners and he was charismatic. When giving a speech he would often arrive late then stand in
silence for several minutes. He would start softly the gradually build up to a furious finish, driving the audience wild with enthusiasm. He rehearsed
carefully for important speeches, even practising his hand gestures and posture.
Hitler’s Henchmen
Ernst Roehm
Hermann Goering
Rudolf Hess
Joseph Goebbels
Heinrich Himmler
How did the Nazis gain electoral success?
.
Immediately after the Munich Putsch the Nazi Party was banned and remained so whilst Hitler was in Prison. However 2 months after he was released the ban was lifted. Over the next few years the Nazis worked steadily to win support.
-Mein Kampf was published and became a best seller.
-Increased propaganda. More posters, speeches,
-Held public meetings to talk about issues that appealed to the public.
By 1928 the Nazi membership had doubled.
However in 1929 an event would occur that would
launch them on the path to power.
The Bamberg Party Conference
At the Bamberg conference in 1926, Hitler continued to strengthen his position as leader of the party. Other rivals for power and leadership were won over quickly. Strasser was appointed Party Propaganda Leader and Goebbels was made party leader of Berlin. Hitler created his own personal bodyguards in the form of the SS. He also created HitlerJugend or Hitler Youth. Strasser was later replaced by Geobbels as Propaganda Leader.
How did Hitler gain success?
Organisation
Were well organised. Had been in the army so brought the same
discipline, obedience and leadership to the party.
Propaganda
Used every trick to get their message across. Would secretly cause trouble at meeting and then use the SA to stop it to show how
strong they were.
Support to the industrialists
Wanted to achieve the support of powerful businessmen, Joined up
with the Nationalists to do this.
Use of technology
Used the radio for speeches. Goebbels organised planes to fly
Hitler all over Germany to speak.
Weaknesses of the opposition.
Other parties underestimated the Nazis They quarrelled amongst
themselves instead of joining together to stop them,
Promises to voters
They told people what they wanted to hear. Unemployed more jobs, business people better profits. There was something for everyone.
Flexibility
The Nazis weren’t afraid to change tactics if tings weren’t working. They all use vague statements that would appeal to everyone.
Hitler the hero
Hitler was a great public speaker. He won people over. His appearance was changed in posters to seem like a strong man and leader.
What was the impact of the Wall Street Crash and Great depression?
Despite Germany facing earlier problems in their economy with Hyperinflation due to not being able to pay Loans stated in the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was rescued by America from Reparations. Many people could see that Germany’s economy was reliant upon America. In
1929, America experienced its own problems in the form of the collapse of the stock market known as the Wall Street Crash. Bankers in America
withdrew the loans made under the Dawes Plan and Germany began to suffer considerably.
The great depression
When the Wall Street Crash hit America in 1929 Germany was hit particularly badly and Germany slumped into Depression. Factories
and Businesses had to close, people lost their jobs and unemployment began to rise. Poverty and homelessness became a big problem.
Farmers continued to suffer as there was a fall in food prices.
What was it?
-The Great Depression was like a gift to the Nazi’s. Every problem it caused they had a solution for.
-The Weimar government is weak. It couldn’t deal with the Depression. A strong leadership is needed. Hitler is the man for that.
-There is high unemployment. The Nazis will create new jobs and get people back to work.
-People are worried the Communists will take over. The SA know how to deal with them. They can stop them becoming too strong.
The impact on the Weimar Government
The economic crisis caused huge problems for the Weimar as many Germans believed that they did not have the solutions to pull Germany out of the Great Depression. There was no unified agreement on how
unemployment and poverty should be tackled. Hitler used this situation to his advantage and played on the fact that he would solve Germany’s problems – promising the voters he has the solutions and he knows how to deal with this crisis.
Explain how Hitler’s electoral support grew.
When Chancellor Bruning called a general election in 1930, the Nazis had a breakthrough and won 107 seats which made them the second largest party.
When Hitler stood against Hinenburg in the 1932 presidential election he also gained substantial support.
Political scheming – 1932-33 – Why did Hitler become Chancellor in 1933?
In 1932 the Nazis had become the largest party in Germany. Normally the leader of the most popular party would be made Chancellor but
President Hindenburg hated Hitler. The Nazis were achieving their best election results ever and Hitler demanded the role of Chancellor.
Hindenburg refused and gave the role to a man named Franz von Papen. Hitler refused to work with him and this led to the chain of events that put Hitler into power.
July 1932
- Nazis have their best election results ever.
– Von Papen is made chancellor but he is unpopular.
December 1932
– A new chancellor General von Schleicher is appointed.
January 1932
– Von Papen can see Schleicher is having trouble. He decides to work with Hitler to try and win back power.
– Schleicher admits defeat and resigns.
– Hindenburg wants Von Papen back but he is unpopular. He appoints Hitler as chancellor and Von Papen as vice chancellor.
Hitler became chancellor in 1933 due to three reasons:
-The problems with the Weimar Republic
-His own personal strengths
-Economic and political problems.
The problems with the Weimar government
-Many Germans hated the Weimar politicians for signing the treaty of
Versailles.
-The Weimar did not have any solutions for the economic crisis Germany faced.
His own personal strengths
-Hitler had one thing that other political leaders did not have –
charisma.
-After the Munich Putsch, Hitler changed tactics and decided to use legal methods to gain power.
-Goebbels assisted Hitler in becoming the most well known figure in
Germany through propaganda everyone knew the Nazis message.
-Hitler was well organised and an excellent speaker. He appealed to as
many people as possible.
-Hitler showed people that he would be able to stamp out other political parties like the communists with their threat of revolution.
Economic and political problems
-The Wall Street Crash led Germany into a Depression.
-Because of proportional representation it made it difficult for any one party to gain power.
-There was massive unemployment with many factories closing.
-Hindenburg hated Hitler and refused to make him chancellor even though the Nazis were the largest party.
-The Weimar did not have any solutions for the economic crisis Germany faced.
The establishment of dictatorship in the 1930s (the Nazi consolidation of power)
In the period January 1933 to August 1934, Hitler and the Nazis secured control of all aspects of the German state. By August 1934, Hitler had combined the posts of chancellor and president and was safe in the knowledge that the army supported him. Moreover, the banning of political parties, the control of the media, trade unions and police ensured there was little or no opposition to the Nazi regime. Once more Hitler pointed out that his actions were always within the legal framework of the time.
Who was responsible for the Reichstag fire?
The Reichstag was the German parliament building. In March 1933 elections were due to be held there and Hitler was hoping to win
the majority of the vote so the Nazis could rule Germany. But on the evening of February 27th 1933 the Reichstag building was burnt down.
…pt2
Whoever was to blame, Hitler used this event as evidence against the Communists. Emergency laws were passed. The Decree for the Protection of the People and the State (also known as the ‘The
Reichstag Fire decree’) was passed. This suspended basic civil rights such as the freedom of speech. It allowed the Nazis to imprison large numbers of their political opponents; for example, 4000 Communist
leaders were arrested and imprisoned. The Communist and Socialist newspapers were banned limiting free press.
Election of March 1933
In the elections of March 1933 even though the Nazis achieved their highest vote ever they still did not have the majority they needed to take over full leadership. Hitler wanted an ‘Enabling law’ passed
that would put all the power in the hands of the Nazis.
How did he get votes?
Ban the Communists and other Political Parties
The first step is Hitler stopped all Communists voting for the law. He blamed the Communist plot that had caused the Reichstag Fire and because of the emergency power he had this was easy to do. Communist party not counted, thus reducing the overall total and number of votes needed by the Nazis.
Intimidated the others
On the day of the election the building was surrounded by SA and SS. Under constant watch and knowing what had happened to others many were too scared to go against him.
