Chapter 16 - The Rise of Hitler and the Nazis in Europe

Question 1

Briefly describe the background of Mussolini up to the birth of the Nazi Party

Answer 1

1. Born in Austria in 1889, parents died when young, left school at 16 with no qualifications
2. In 1907 moved to Vienna, made small living as artist, hatred of Jews began to grow
3. Tradition of anti-Semitism in Vienna, Hitler considered Jews to be living life of luxury while he suffered in poverty
4. Failed medical for Austrian army so joined German, had exceptional war record unlike Mussolini
5. Heard about German surrender while recovering from gas attack in hospital, disgusted, believed German politicians had ‘stabbed army in back”

Question 2

How was the Nazi Party born? What did Hitler change about it after its formation?

Answer 2

1. Following war, Hitler joined small, badly organised political party called German Worker’s Party
2. Soon became leader, renamed it the National Socialist Workers Party (Nazi for short)
3. Adopted swastika as symbol, worn on arm of brown shirt
4. Two paramilitary groups set up in support of the party
   - the SS acted as Hitler’s bodyguards
   - the SA (a.k.a. the Stormtroopers) attacked enemies of the nazis (larger, led by Ernst Röhm)

Question 3

How was the Weimar Republic established?
What was it?
How did it damage the German economy?

Answer 3

1. Kaiser (German king) fled country in 1918, Germany became republic
2. New republic named after town in which it was written, blamed for accepting humiliating terms of T.o.V.
3. One solution to help deal with huge reparations bill seemed to be to print more money - led to massive inflation
4. Money became worthless, many Germans lost entire savings

Question 4

Under what circumstances did Hitler write Mein Kamf?

What beliefs did he outline in this?

Answer 4

1. On November 8 1923 he attempted to seize power by staging an uprising in Munich, but was badly organised + Hitler arrested - wrote it in jail
2. Beliefs:
   - Germans + other Northern European people belonged to superior race - the Aryan race; Germans were the Herrenvolk (master race) who produced best works of art, science, + technology, + were therefore entitled to rule over lesser people of world

• All German- speaking people in Europe should be united into one large empire
• Communism was evil, must be destroyed
• The Jews were plotting to destroy Germany, + were responsible for its WW1 defeat

Question 5

Why did Hitler find support for the Nazi Party had dropped when he was released from prison in 1924?

Answer 5

The German economy had improved due to huge loans from America from 1923-28 - but the economy was over-dependant on these loans, and when the Wall Street Crash occurred the loans stopped

Question 6

How did the Nazis seize power?

Answer 6

1. Were quick to blame the Weimar Republic, Jews + communists for ills
2. Germans turned to a Nazis as promised to restore German pride + prosperity
3. Rise to power helped by SA (ER) + SS (Heinrich Himmler) - attacked opponents of Hitler, created chaotic atmosphere in Germany
4. From 1929, Nazis steadily increased vote, by 1932 were largest single party in Reichstag (Parliament)
5. On 30 January 1933, Pres. Hindenburg appointed Hitler Chancellor of Germany

Question 7

How did Hitler go about establishing a dictatorship?

Answer 7

Having been made Chancellor, took immediate steps to increase power

1. Nazis took control of police force
2. On 27 February 1933, Dutch communist set fire to Reichstag - Hitler used as excuse to ban Communist Party
3. In March 1933, Hitler passed Enabling Law, which allowed him to rule by decree for 4 years
4. On ‘Night of the Long Knives’, 30 June 1934, Hitler arrested + executed leadership of SA - had served purpose in helping him to power, + dislikes how seemed to show more loyalty to ER than him
5. In August 1934, on death of Hindenburg, Hitler joined positions of President + Chancellor into one - known as de Führer from then
6. New Nazi regime was called the Third Reich, Hitler predicted would last for 1000+ years