AS. Doughton - 5. The extent of political, social and economic change in Germany 1918-45 Flashcards
1
Q
The main threats to the stability of the Weimar Republic in Germany
A
-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.
2
Q
…pt2
A
-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.
3
Q
Key words
A
-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.
4
Q
The main threats to the stability of the Weimar Republic in Germany
A
.
5
Q
Challenge from civil service and judges
A
Many civil servants didn’t want Weimar because they didn’t agree with its political views.
6
Q
Reichstag or the President?
A
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.
7
Q
Challenge from the army
A
Leaders of the army wanted the Kaiser to return as their position would be maintained. Under the new
government the army would be reduced.
8
Q
Proportional Representation
A
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 .
9
Q
The treaty of Versailles
A
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.
10
Q
Terms of the Treaty
A
.
11
Q
War Guilt clause (Article 231)
A
Germany had to accept full blame for causing the war. This was the term that the Germans most resented.
12
Q
Reparations
A
Germany had to pay the allies £6600 million in war damages.
13
Q
Military restrictions
A
-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.
14
Q
Territorial losses
A
lost over 13% of their land.
15
Q
…pt2
A
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.
16
Q
The stab in the back
A
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.
17
Q
Political instability 1918-23
A
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.
18
Q
Revolts
A
(will be in on revision sheets)
19
Q
Economic problems : the 19323 crisis:
A
-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.
20
Q
Events in the Ruhr and hyperinflation
A
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.
21
Q
The results of the occupation
A
-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.
22
Q
Hyperinflation
A
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.
23
Q
The recovery of the Weimar, 1924-29
A
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.
24
Q
…pt2
A
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.
25
...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.
26
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.
27
...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.
28
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.
29
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.
30
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.
31
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.
32
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.
33
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.
34
Hitler’s Henchmen
Ernst Roehm
Hermann Goering
Rudolf Hess
Joseph Goebbels
Heinrich Himmler
35
How did the Nazis gain electoral success?
36
.
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.
37
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.
38
How did Hitler gain success?
39
Organisation
Were well organised. Had been in the army so brought the same
discipline, obedience and leadership to the party.
40
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.
41
Support to the industrialists
Wanted to achieve the support of powerful businessmen, Joined up
with the Nationalists to do this.
42
Use of technology
Used the radio for speeches. Goebbels organised planes to fly
Hitler all over Germany to speak.
43
Weaknesses of the opposition.
Other parties underestimated the Nazis They quarrelled amongst
themselves instead of joining together to stop them,
44
Promises to voters
They told people what they wanted to hear. Unemployed more jobs, business people better profits. There was something for everyone.
45
Flexibility
The Nazis weren’t afraid to change tactics if tings weren't working. They all use vague statements that would appeal to everyone.
46
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.
47
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.
48
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.
49
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.
50
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.
51
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.
52
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.
53
July 1932
- Nazis have their best election results ever.
– Von Papen is made chancellor but he is unpopular.
54
December 1932
– A new chancellor General von Schleicher is appointed.
55
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.
56
Hitler became chancellor in 1933 due to three reasons:
-The problems with the Weimar Republic
-His own personal strengths
-Economic and political problems.
57
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.
58
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.
59
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.
60
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.
61
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.
62
...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.
63
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.
64
How did he get votes?
65
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.
66
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.
67
The tactics worked. The law was passed with 444 votes to 94.
The Enabling Act was passed in March 1933. It gave Hitler the power to pass laws without the approval of the Reichstag or President. It was regarded as the ‘foundation stone’ of the Third Reich and allowed Hitler greater control of the nation. It started the Nazi dictatorship. The
Weimar Republic was no more.
68
How did the Nazis remove opposition to their regime?
69
Trade unions
2nd May 1933 all trade unions were banned. The Nazi Labour Front was set up to replace trade unions. Wages were decided by the Labour Front and workers were given work book to record their employment. Strikes were outlawed. Anyone who failed to conform to these rules were sent to concentration camps for re-education.
70
Political parties
The communist party (KPD) had been banned and property confiscated. The Social Democrats had its property seized.Other political parties had disbanded in June/July. In July 1933 the Nazis made a Law Against the Formation of Parties, which made the Nazi Party the sole legal political
party in Germany.
71
Control of State government (Lander)
Hitler broke down federal structure. Each Lander had previously had its own Parliament, but Hitler decided that the Lander were to be
run by Reich governors and parliaments were abolished in January 1934.
72
Who were the SA?
Also known as the brownshirts, or stormtroopers. They had helped Hitler in his rise to power . They were led by Ernst Rohm, one of Hitler’s earliest supporters, the SA protected Nazi leaders and intimidated political opponents.
Members of the SA marched with Hitler during the Munich Putsch in 1923. Rohm kept the party going while Hitler was in prison. They continued to expand and promote the Nazi party. As their numbers grew so did their use of violence. The SA believed that they would be rewarded when Hitler came to power.
73
Who were the SS?
The SS had first been formed in 1925 to act as a ‘Protection squad’ for the Nazi leaders. The men chosen to form the SS were hand picked on the basis of their physical appearance, blood purity and outward devotion to the Nazi Party. The SS were extremely well disciplined, wearing black uniforms to distinguish themselves from the SA.
They were fiercely loyal to Hitler, Henrich Himmler was in charge of them.
74
1934, Hitler had to make a choice about the Nazi leadership
1934 - a power struggle had developed in the Nazi
leadership. It was clear that Hitler had to make a choice
between the SA or the SS (army)
75
The SA
-Throughout the rise of the Nazis Hitler depended in the SA to put his polices into action.
-They had fought loyally for Hitler against the communists and helped him into power.
-By 1934 it had two million members and was very popular.
-Ernst Rohm their leader was a potential rival to Hitler and wanted the SA to take over the army.
76
The SS (army)
-The SS was smaller only had 100,000 soldiers.
-The SS were very important in helping Hitler to gain control of Germany.
-Some of the leaders welcomed his plans however some were very suspicious of him.
-SS leadership was supported by big business and they wanted Hitler to
expand the army.
77
Reasons FOR Hitler supporting the SA
They were committed Nazi’s
Rohm was an old friend of Hitler's
Fought for Hitler in Munich Putsch
It was much larger than the SS
78
Reasons AGAINST Hitler supporting the SA
The SA was beginning to get out of hand
It disapproved of some of the Nazi leaders
Hitler did not agree with some of SA’s anti capitalist policies
If Hitler used SA to control the SS he would have to go along with their demands
79
Reasons FOR Hitler supporting the SS
The SS was well trained and disciplined
It was the only organisation that had the power to remove Hitler
It had the support of big business and conservatives
An efficient army was needed for Hitler to regain land lost in the Treaty of Versailles
80
Reasons AGAINST Hitler supporting the SS
The SS was small
How loyal the SS would be to Hitler is unknown
Some of the generals disliked Hitler and the Nazis
81
The Night of the Long Knives 1934
The Night of the Long Knives "Operation Hummingbird", was a purge that took place in Nazi Germany between June 30 and July 2, 1934, when the Nazi regime carried out a series of political executions, most of those killed being members of the (SA). Adolf Hitler moved against important members of the SA and its leader, Ernst Röhm, because he was scared that they were too independent. He feared Röhm's ambition to absorb the army into the SA under his own leadership.
82
...pt2
Finally, Hitler used the purge to attack or eliminate critics of his regime,
especially those loyal to Vice-Chancellor Franz von Papen, and to settle scores with old enemies like von Schleicher.
-The final death toll may have been in the hundreds and more
than a thousand opponents were arrested.
-Most of the killings were carried out by the SS and the Gestapo,
the regime's secret police.
83
The impact of Operation Hummingbird
Hitler eradicated would be opponents and secured the support of the army.
The SA were relegated to a minor role.
Clear that terror and fear would play a significant role in Hitler’s leadership.
84
Hitler as Fuher
President Hindenburg was becoming very ill, and Hitler could now see the opportunity to combine his current role as Chancellor with that of President.
Hindenburg died in August 1934 and following the Night of the Long Knives the army swore allegiance to Hitler, and now saw Hitler as their Fuhrer.
Hitler became commander in chief of the Armed Forces. Hitler asked the German people for their approval, and in August 90% of voters (38 million) agreed with this action.
85
How did Hitler become president?
On 2nd August 1934, just weeks after the Night of the Long Knives, President Hindenburg died. Within hours Hitler had declared himself
President. He was now not only Chancellor, but Head of State and
Commander of the Army. Every soldier swore an oath of personal loyalty to Hitler. The German army had a tradition of discipline and obedience and soldiers took this oath seriously. To break it would be the most serious crime.
86
Changing life for the German people in 1933-39
87
Tackling economic problems
When Hitler became Chancellor there was unemployment of around 6 million.
- Reducing unemployment
88
The National Labour Service Corps (RAD)
-To provide young men with labour jobs. After 1935 it was compulsory for all men aged 18-25 to serve in the RAD for 6 months. Workers lived in camps, wore uniforms, received low pay and carried out military drill as well as work.
89
Job creating schemes
Hitler spent millions on job creation schemes (37 billion in 1938)
Paid money to private companies e.g. builders to create jobs Massive road building scheme created 7000 km of autobahns (motorways)
Other public work schemes included building hospitals, schools and houses.
90
Rearmament
Hitler wanted to build up the armed forces to be ready for a war. This reduced unemployment.
-Conscription (forcing men to join the army) in 1935 reduced unemployment.
-The army grew from 100,000 in 1933 to 1,400,000 by 1939. Coal and chemical use doubled 1933-39, oil, iron and steel use trebled as part of rearmament drive (used to build tanks for example.) 26 billion marks were spent in 1939 were spent on building tanks, aircraft, ship.
- Controlling the economy
91
Schacht was made Economic minister in 1934.
He used deficit spending (got the country into debt to create jobs and help the economy).
He used Mefo Bills to pay for things. These were credit notes that would be paid back with interest in 5 years’ time to people.
Schacht resigned in 1937.
92
In 1936 Goering created a 4-year plan for the economy.
This tried to ensure that Germany achieved autarky (self-sufficiency) and did not need to import raw materials from abroad.
93
Invisible unemployment
The Nazis’ unemployment figures did not include Jews sacked from their jobs. Unmarried men under 25 who were pushed into National Labour schemes. Women who were dismissed from their jobs. Opponents of the Nazis’ regime in concentration camps. Figures also included part time workers as being fully employed.
94
Controlling employment
The Nazis were determined to control the workforce to stop strikes and make sure the country could re-arm. This was done with 2 organisations - the Labour Front and Strength through Joy.
95
Strength Through Joy (KDF)
Aimed to improve workers leisure time. Sponsored concerts, theatre visits, museum tours, sporting events, weekend trips, holidays and cruises. All were provided a low cost to workers.
Beauty of Work – was a department of the KDF which tried to improve working conditions by building canteens, swimming pools, sports facilities etc.
96
The German Labour Front (DAF)
In 1933 the Nazis banned all trade unions to end strikes.
They were replaced by the German Labour Front under its leader Robert Ley. Wages were decided by the German labour Front.
It was not compulsory to join but it would be difficult to get a job without being a member.
Volkswagen Scheme - The ‘people’s car’ scheme. Workers pay 5 marks a week towards a Volkswagen car. But it was a swindle – not a single customer got a car – no money was refunded.
97
The treatment of women
Nazis had a very traditional view of the role of women – no work, no interest in politics, no make-up.
Instead of work, women expected to stick to the ‘three Ks’ – Kinder, Kuche, Kirche – ‘children, kitchen, church’.
Nazis concerned about decline in birth rate – massive propaganda campaign launched to promote motherhood and large families. Hitler’s mother’s birthday (12 August) medals awarded to women with largest families.
The Law for the Encouragement of marriage (1933) – Aim to increase birth rate by giving loans so young couples could marry, as long as the woman left her job. Women doctors and teachers forced to leave their jobs. Schoolgirls trained for work at home. However, from 1937 - had to reverse their policies to get women out to work because men were joining the army.
Appearance – encouraged to keep healthy, wear hair in buns, discouraged from wearing trousers and high heels.
98
The treatment of young people
Hitler wanted to indoctrinate (brainwash) young people to become perfect Nazis. He did this in two ways: Through education and the Hitler Youth Movements.
1) Education
Teachers – had to join the Nazi Teachers league and had to push Nazi ideals in the class room. They had to swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler
99
Textbook
Were rewritten to fit the Nazis’ views. Mein Kampf was read in school.
Hitler wanted fit and healthy people so 15% of the school day was spent doing PE.
Boys were prepared for the army/Girls learnt needlework and cookery ready to become good housewives. A new subject ‘race science’ was introduced. To put across the Nazis’ views. They were taught Aryans were better than inferior races like the Jews.
Lessons - began and ended with students saying ‘Heil Hitler’ History lessons taught the evils of the Treaty of Versailles and the evils of communism.
100
Hitler Youth Movements
All other youth groups were banned. By 1939 there were 7 million members.
Hitler Youth – Males Hitler Youth – Females Boys (at 10) join German Young People. Boys (14-18) Hitler Youth (Hitler Jungend) Took part in athletics, hiking and camping. Practiced marching and military skills.
Girls (at 10) join the Young Girls. Girls (14-18) join the League of German Maidens. Learned domestic skills ready for motherhood and marriage.
It was not popular with some of its members. Some youth challenged Nazis ideas by playing their own music (Jazz and swing), wearing their choice of clothes and growing hair long. One group was called the Edelweiss Pirates.
101
Hitler Youth Movements
All other youth groups were banned. By 1939 there were 7 million members.
Hitler Youth – Males Hitler Youth – Females Boys (at 10) join German Young People. Boys (14-18) Hitler Youth (Hitler Jungend) Took part in athletics, hiking and camping. Practiced marching and military skills.
Girls (at 10) join the Young Girls. Girls (14-18) join the League of German Maidens. Learned domestic skills ready for motherhood and marriage.
It was not popular with some of its members. Some youth challenged Nazis ideas by playing their own music (Jazz and swing), wearing their choice of clothes and growing hair long. One group was called the Edelweiss Pirates.
102
How did Nazi political policy affect life in Germany?
Political control – The Gestapo
The Gestapo (Secret State Police) set up in 1933 by Goering.
In 1936 – it came under control of the SS and was supervised by Reinhard Heydrich. It could arrest and imprison those suspected of opposing the state. These would most likely be taken to a concentration camp led by the SS.
By 1939, around 160,000 people were under arrest for political crimes.
They were feared by the German people so most would automatically conform out of fear.
103
Political control - SS
SS formed in 1925 go act as a bodyguard unit for Hitler. Clear identity – wore black and was led by Heinrich Himmler. Total obedience to the Fuhrer. By 1934 – had more than 50,000 members.
After the Night of the Long Knives – responsible for the removal of all opposition to the Nazis within Germany. Concentration camps were run by the SS.
104
Political control - the legal system
Hitler wanted to ensure that all laws were interpreted in a Nazi fashion. All judges had to uphold Nazi beliefs. Some judges were removed and all had to become members of the National Socialist League for the Maintenance of Law.
105
...pt2
1934 – a new People’s Court established to try cases of treason. The judges were loyal Nazis and were careful as they knew the Minister of Justice would check to see if they had been lenient. Hitler would sometimes alter sentenced if he thought they were soft.
106
Political control – Concentration camps.
Concentration camps were new prisons run by the SA and the SS. First opened April 1933 in Dachau.
Opponents taken to concentration camps for questioning, torture and hard labour. Used as slave labour.
Political opponents such as communists and undesirables like homosexuals. If someone was killed, family would get a letter saying they died of disease or shot escaping.
107
Political control – control over central and regional government
After the Enabling law Hitler made sure every part of the German political system was under his control – national and local.
The Fuhrer – all power came from Hitler
The Reichstag – Enabling Act took away their power to make laws and gave it to Hitler the Chancellor
The Cabinet – Hardly met and by 1938 only contained Nazis.
State (local) government - In 1933 Hitler closed down all state parliaments. They were reorganised so Nazis had a majority in each state. The country was divided into Gau (regions) each headed by a Reich Governor (Gauleiter).
108
The use of propaganda and censorship
Hitler set up the cult of the Führer, presenting himself as the greatest saviour of Germany. His image was used very carefully – he was only ever shown serving Germany.
Goebbels (Hitler’s Propaganda Minister) made sure that people were bombarded with information to keep them loyal to the Nazis. Posters, pictures, art exhibitions and films were all made to show how great the Nazis were.
109
...pt2
Hitler’s speeches were regularly broadcast on the radio to remind people of how much the Nazis were improving their lives. Cheap radios were sold to people and connected to loudspeakers so that everyone could hear.
The newspapers were banned from printing anything that hadn’t been checked by the Nazis first (censorship). Great rallies were held, such as those at Nuremberg, to show people how organised and powerful the Party was. In 1936, Hitler used the Olympic Games to showcase to the world how efficient, modern and advanced the German nation was.
110
Nazi racial policy
111
The Master Race and ideas of aryan superiority
The Nazis believed that the Aryans were the master race. Hitler wanted to keep the master race pure. This meant Aryans and non-Aryans should not have children. Hitler wanted a pure Aryan state. He was going to achieve this by; o Selective breeding o Destroying the Jews Hitler and the Nazis believed that Jews were inferior, who could be blamed for all of Germany’s problems such as the Treaty of Versailles, hyperinflation and the Great Depression. They were being used as scapegoats.
112
Undesirables in Nazi Germany
The Nazis believed in Aryan superiority. Anyone who didn’t fit in with their idea of a top class human being had to be removed from society. Vagrants and the homeless were taken to camps to be re-educated and taught how to work so that they could become useful German citizens. Homosexuals were sent to concentration camps.
Blacks and the mentally ill were sterilised so that they couldn’t reproduce or killed. Gypsies were sent to concentration camps and later (during WWII) exterminated with the Jews.
113
Increased persecution of the Jews between 1933 and 1939
Jews suffered badly in Nazi Germany and the longer the Nazis were in power the worse the treatment became.
114
Key moments of persecution were:
...
115
1933
the SA organised boycotts of Jewish shops and businesses.
116
1934
Jews were banned from public places such as parks and swimming pools.
117
1935
the Nuremburg Laws. This took away their German citizenship and banned them from marrying or having sex with Germans.
118
November 1938 - Kristallnacht
– A Polish Jew named Herschel Grynszpan shot a German official in an embassy in Paris. As a protest against the treatment of his parents in Germany as they had been deported to Poland.
-Goebbels used this as an excuse to organise anti-Jewish demonstrations. There were attacks on Jewish shops, property, homes and synagogues.
So many windows were broken it became known as Kristallnacht (Night of the broken glass).
119
Stats on Kristallnacht
About 100 Jews were killed and about 20,000 Jews were sent to concentration camps. After Kristallnacht - Hitler blamed the Jews themselves for causing the attacks. He fined the Jews 1 billion Reichmarks as compensation for the damage
Jewish children can no longer go to Aryan school.
120
1939
30 April – Jews forced into Ghettos. Sept – Jews forced to hand in radios - so can’t listen to foreign news.
121
The treatment of religion
Both have very different ideas (Nazis – hate the weak / Church – help the weak).
However, at first Hitler did not attack the church. As 2/3 of Germans were Protestant and a 1/3 Catholic.
The church had too much support.
122
Catholic church
- Hitler saw the Catholic Church as a threat. They supported the Pope more than Hitler.
-In 1933 Hitler decided to work with the church and signed a concordat or agreement. This agreed the church would stay out of politics and Hitler would leave the church alone.
123
...pt2
Hitler broke this agreement. He arrested priests. Any priest who criticised the Nazis ended up in concentration camps. Catholic schools were closed. Catholic youth groups were closed. Monasteries were closed.
In 1937 Pope Pius XI made a famous statement attacking the Nazis. As a result, 400 priests ended up in concentration camps like Dachau.
124
Protestant church
-Many Protestants were against the Nazis. They were led by Pastor Martin Niemoller.
-In 1934 they set up the Confessional Church which opposed Hitler.
-In 1937 Niemoller was sent to a concentration camp.
-The Confessional Church was banned.
125
National Reich Church
Some Protestants liked Hitler. They were called ‘German Christians’. They wore Nazis uniforms and gave ‘Heil Hitler’ greeting.
In 1933 different Church groups joined together and formed the ‘National Reich Church’
Their leader was Ludwig Muller (Reich Bishop).
The Bible was replaced by Mein Kampf. The cross on the altar by a sword.
In 1935 a Ministry of Churches was set up and all Church schools were closed.
126
Life improved
-For many Germans, life improved, especially those who have been one of the 6 million unemployed before Hitler came to power.
-Industrial workers enjoyed steady work.
- Workers who enjoyed KdF (Strength Through Joy) activities, such as cruises.
-Businessmen prepared to work with the Nazis as no trade unions (replaced by DAF).
127
Life improved pt2
-Farmers – were given government help
-Nationalists who wanted a stronger Germany.
-Housewives and mothers (if German).
-Many appreciated the new marriage loans.
-Obedient young people – Some enjoyed the Hitler youth.
-The army, Professionals, artists and academics who agreed with Nazi ideas.
128
Life did not improve
-Career women – Women doctors and, teachers forced to leave their jobs.
-Trade unionists – Trade unions banned and replaced with DAF.
-Workers had to accept an increase of working hours and freezing of wages.
-Some reductions of unemployment were overstated e.g. women and Jews were thrown of work.
129
Life did not improve pt2
Communists
Socialists
-Members of other political parties – these were banned and many were imprisoned in
concentration camps.
-Free thinkers – all workers had to join nazi organisations (e.g. Reich Culture Chamber, Nazi Teachers’ League.) Nazi Germany was a police state (political control – SS and Gestapo).
-Jews – Badly treated. Nuremberg Laws in 1935 deprived them of citizenship and right to marry Germans. Kristallnacht in 1938 destroyed their synagogues and homes.
130
Life did not improve pt3
-The disabled and mentally ill – could be murdered in hospital or sterilised.
-Jehovah’s witnesses
Disobedient young people – not everyone enjoyed the Hitler Youth. Some would rebel by listening to jazz, smoking and drinking. One example of a youth opposition group was the Edelweiss Pirates.
-Some anti-Nazi Christians – religious freedom taken. Nazis tried to take over the Protestant Church with the National Reich Church
-Gypsies, Black People, Homosexuals – many opponents of the regime found themselves in concentration camps.
-Anti-Nazi professionals, artists and academics.
131
How was life affected during the war?
132
Life during the early years, 1939-1941
At first – war had little effect on people living in Germany. Blitzkrieg (lightning war – German method of warfare) brought quick victories and little suffering to civilians.
No food shortages / each victory brought new supplies.
Successes in Poland and Western Europe make Hitler more popular.
133
...pt2
From start – Germany follows policy of autarky (self- sufficiency) controlling food supplies to avoid shortages.
Rationing introduced in 1939 – 2/5 Germans – healthier diet.
All sections of community encouraged to take part.
134
...pt3 - Hitler youth
variety of tasks like collecting metal.
Fearing bombing, children were evac. From Berlin in Sept 1940 but many soon returned. Not until the start of large air raids by the allies from 1943 onwards that mass evacuation took place.
135
...pt4 - Changing role of women
– Although Nazis believed a woman’s place in home, they had been recruiting more women into industry in the years after 1937.
Nazis reluctant to conscript women in early years of war.
136
...pt5 - Goebbels made effective use of propaganda
during the early part of the war to boost morale and ensure support for the war effort. Nazi propaganda portrayed Germany as literally smashing her enemies to pieces.
137
Life during the latter years, 1942-1945
Albert Speer - By 1942 everyone was affected by the war.
138
Total war
Total war had now been adopted. A need to improve production and productivity. Albert Speer took over as Reich Minister of Armaments in 1943. Speer overcome many problems and increased the production of weapons considerably. He made every factory self-sufficient and took control over the war economy.
139
...pt2 - Shortages and the Black Market-
As defeats grew the amount of food allowed decreased. Parks and gardens were dug up to be used as vegetable patches. Bread was rationed
to 2.4kg. Items such as soap, clothing and shoes were restricted. Illegal trading rose rapidly on the black market.
140
...pt3 - Effects of Allied bombing
Britain and USA (allies) began bombing raids on German cities. These raids were designed to disrupt German war production and destroy morale. E.g. One raid on Cologne 1942 killed 40,000 Germans; Berlin and Hamburg were in ruins; millions were made homeless; around 2.7 million bombs were dropped.
141
...pt4 - People's home guard
- By 1944 Germany’s armed forces had been stretched and Hitler created a Volkssturm – home
guard or people’s army. The Volkssturm lacked experience, the men lacked training weapons and suffered with low morale.
142
...pt5 - Changing role of women
as early as Jan 1943 – women between 17 + 45 were obliged to sign up for work.
143
The treatment of Jews during the war
Shortly before outbreak of ww2, persecution of Jews intensified. Outbreak of war changed Nazi attitudes to the Jewish question: they no longer had to worry about world opinion, early German successes increased the number of Jews under Nazi control and removed the very areas they had hoped to use for forced emigration. Had to come up with more extreme solutions, esp. because of the 3m Jews in German occupied W Poland.
144
The ghettos
First solution – Nazis gathered all the Jews into Ghettos In towns. Walls built to keep them in.
The largest ghetto was in Warsaw. Conditions were appalling. The Germans allowed only starvation rations and thousands died from hunger, the intense cold or the disease typhus. Around 55,000 Jews died in Warsaw Ghetto.
145
The Einsatzgruppen
146
The final solution
In 1941, a decision was taken by senior Nazi leaders to seek a permanent and final solution to the Jewish question, which was to exterminate them in death camps. The decision was brought about by the long-term factor, Hitler’s hatred of Jews and desire to create a pure master race.
More immediate factor – the massive numbers of Jews in German-occupied territories. The Nazis needed an efficient solution – extermination by gassing in death camps.
147
...pt2
Jan 1942 – leading Nazis meet at Wannsee in Berlin to work out details of the ‘Final Solution’. Death camps were built in Poland, far away from Germany, where Jews were to be worked to death. Gas chambers were built at camps such as Auschwitz and Sobibor.
By 1943, Jews from all over Europe were being transported to these
camps.
148
Death camps
On arrival at death camps, the Jews were divided into 2 group:
1) Those who were fit to put to work. 2) The others were sent to the gas chambers.
The survivors would be worked to death in the labour camps. Older women, mothers with small children, pregnant women, + children under 10 were usually taken immediately to be executed. Young boys would lie about their age and invent a skill in order to be given work and stay alive.
149
...pt2
Nazi aim – to carry out the Final Solution as efficiently as possible e.g., at Treblinka, 140,000 Jews were killed each month in 1942. There was little opposition as most gas chambers were fitted out as showers, they would not realise what was happening until it was too late. Bodies were burnt in ovens or left in mass pits. Prisoners not gassed were given various jobs to do, the worst being to remove the dead bodies from the gas chambers.
150
...pt3
There was a strict daily routine, the conditions were terrible, very little food, disease spread quickly. Some inmates were used for medical experiments, generally without anaesthetics. Doctors were experimenting to create the perfect Aryan type. The camps were liberated by the Allies in 1945: up to 6m Jews had been worked to death, gassed or shot.
151
Opposition to the Nazis during the war
152
Opposition from young people
Not all young people accepted attempts to convert them to Nazi ideas. As the war developed, these gangs began to organise opposition to the war as well as the Nazi party.
153
The Edelweiss Pirates
– Many of the gangs became part of a national group known as the Edelweiss Pirates.
They wore check shirts and dark trousers. Mostly working class. At weekends they would beat up Hitler Youth patrols.
During the Second World War, they collected Propaganda leaflets dropped by Allied bombers and put them through people’s doors.
They also provided shelter to deserters from the armed forces.
In Nov 1944 – Barthel Schink, the 16 yr old leaders of the Cologne Pirates, was 1 of 12 members of this group publically hanged by the Gestapo.
154
Swing groups
– Groups of mainly upper-middle-class youths, developed in large cities such as Berlin during late 1930s. They developed a rival culture to the Hitler Youth, and met in bars and nightclubs.
155
The white rose group
Set up by Hans and Sophie Scholl and Professor Kurt Huber at Munich University in 1941. The White Rose was a symbol of their belief in justice. Hans Scholl had seen the atrocities that were carried out against Jews and Poles. They believed that if these atrocities were publicised, Germans would support them in opposing the Nazis. They issued pamphlets trying to make people aware of the Nazi atrocities.
156
Opposition from the military
Army officers became more and more critical of Hitler in 1943 as the war went very badly. Two assassination attempts had been organised in 1943, but both had failed. On 20th July 1944 (July Bomb Plot), Count von Stauffenberg attempted to assassinate Hitler with a bomb in a suitcase. It was called ‘Operation Valkyrie’.
157
...pt2
However, the plot failed as somebody at the meeting moved the briefcase, so it was further away from Hitler. The bomb exploded killing 4 people, but Hitler survived with minor injuries. Stauffenberg was arrested and his accomplice, Beck, committed suicide.
Hitler took revenge on all those involved in the plot, and 5,746 people were executed.
158
Opposition from the church
The churches opposed the Nazis: Protestants set up the Confessional Church which was anti-Nazi. Protestant pastors such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Niemoller spoke out against the Nazis. Bonhoeffer was also involved in sabotage work.
159
...pt2
Niemoller was arrested and sent to a concentration camp but survived.
Bonhoeffer was arrested in 1942 for plotting against Hitler. He died in a concentration camp in 1945. Von Galen also spoke out against the Nazis; he gave a number of sermons attacking Nazi policies. He was
arrested in 1944 and died in 1946.
160
The defeat of Germany
161
How was Germany defeatd?
By the summer of 1943 – Germans were outnumbered three to one in terms of tanks by the Russians on the Eastern Front. By the end of 1944 the German army had been pushed back out of the Soviet Union (Russia).
162
...pt2
6 June 1944 – D-Day Landings – the Allies secured a second front (the other being the eastern front) by staging landings of troops from England to Normandy. During 1945 the Soviet army continued to advance and liberated the countries Germany had once occupied e.g. Hungary and Austria.
The Soviet army began to attack Berlin on 16th April 1945 with around 1.5 million soldiers.
By April 24th Berlin was surrounded, and the only people left to defend it were around 100,000 men who were
members of the Volkssturm or the Hitler Youth.
163
The death of Hitler
During the Soviet attack on Berlin, Hitler was in his underground bunker in the Reich Chancellory, cut off from the reality of the world outside. Aware that the war could not be won, & that there was no escape, he made his final plans.
On 28 th April, Hitler married Eva Braun. Hitler then wrote his political testament in which he that claimed that the war and Germany’s misfortunes had been caused by international Jewry. 30 th April – Hitler with Eva, committed suicide. Hitler with a bullet to the head, and Eva with a cyanide capsule.
164
Germany surrendered
Following these events in the Reich Chancellory – Admiral Donitz began negotiations with US General Eisenhower.
The final instrument of Surrender, the official document indicating the end of fighting was signed at Rheims, France on 7 May 1945.
A second Act of Military Surrender was signed on 8 May because Stalin felt that the Soviet representative of the previous day had not been senior enough. Germany had now surrendered.
165
Germany at the end of the war
Inside Germany, the devastation caused by the war was extensive. Around 3.25 m soldiers and 3.6m civilians had been killed and the country was swarming with refugees. Almost all major towns and cities lay in rubble. The economy was in ruins and transport system was non-existent.
166
The punishment of Germany
The Allies agreed that Germany should never again have the opportunity to destroy European peace. The Allies met at the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences and it was accepted that Germany would be demilitarised, denazified and democratised.
