Exam Flashcards
Pan-German League
Kind of a system that slightly resembled Nazism as it was nationalistic, focused on German purity, was anti semitic, and emphasized heavily on a strong German state.
This nationalism that was forming in 1891 under Wilhelm II showed some of the first roots of what would eventually become the Nazi Ideology.
Paul von Hindenburg
He became the president in 1929
He was the one who eventually oversees Hitlers incorporation to power
Treaty of Versailles
Britain, France, US, Italy (Big 4) decide what happens to Germany
Military reduction
Max of 100,000 troops
Navy given to Britain, only 12 ships remain
No paramilitary forces
Clause 231 – Blame placed entirely upon Germany, guilt clause for starting war
Treaty represents a loss in prestige on the world stage
Military believed to have been handcuffed by the politicians
This heavily destabilized Germany’s economy, and contributed to the international ousting and internal German embarrassment that some believed welcomed the Nazi uprising. Many also believed that it was thanks to the Jews stabbing the Nazis in the back the welcomed this treaty.
“Stab in the back” myth
The stab in the back myth was basically the belief that the Jews conspired against the German military during the First World War to have the war ended. Many believed that the German military had a fight still in them and the Jews acting out of loyalty to other Jews abroad and profiteers of Allied victory helped influence the war’s end and the oppressionist terms of the Treaty.
This was a fueling conspiracy theory that heavily influenced the rising of far right and radicalist movements, most notably the Nazi party, who used this myth to fuel antisemitism amongst the country.
Weimar Constitution
Comes into effect in 1919, established the unity of Germany as a democratic society.
It was actually a rather progressive reform of German politics. Men and Women’s rights were recognized, and women were given the right to vote. Furthermore, it structured power around a chancellor who answered to a democratically elected parliament. This was the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the Weimar republic.
I guess what is also really important to note was that Hitler somehow (I’m a bit fuzzy on this) established some form of emergency power that wasn’t dismantled until the end of the war.
Kapp Putsch
In march of 1920, Wolfgang Kapp (a politician) led a Putsch that resulted in the fleeing of elected officials from Berlin, and the temporary seizing of power by the far right. After strikes spread throughout the country, the Putsch is swiftly brought to an end.
After this Putsch, there was no party that fully supported the republic that also was able to secure majority seats.
Gustav Stresemann
Named Chancellor in september 1923. This Chancellor ended the passive resistance and proved Germany can ‘play ball’ with other nations.
What’s important is that he essentially kickstarted the golden years for Germany, and stabilized its economy. As he became the foreign minister, he advocated for the use of peaceful means of negotiation and helped put Germany back on the world stage.
Dawes Plan
Enabled Germany to reform its currency, thus ending hyperinflation. It also standardized a payment plan for Germany.
It ended the occupation of Ruhr and led to the foreign investment into Germany
The Golden Years
This time between 1924-1929 saw a general stabilization of Germany and a reduction in inflation. Furthermore, there was an improvement to social and cultural life.
This time saw the emergence of many new artforms and a rise of entertainment engagement.
Volkisch
The idea of a “German Peoples.” This idea was used by far-right, anti semitic groups in Germany who wanted to see the dismantling of the Weimar republic.
This idea is fueled by the “stab in the back” myth and the general idea that the Jews were responsible for the collapse of Imperial Germany
Sturmabteilung
These were also known as the ‘Stormtroopers,’ and were a Nazi paramilitary organization. They played a significant role in defending Hitlers rise to power and intimidating opposition.
This paramilitary group was quite violent but helped in the consolidation of power for Hitler. In 1934 however the SA’s became increasingly threatening to the foundation of the german military, and during the night of the long knives, Hitler had the SA leader (Rohm) killed and (I think) the SA’s were dismantled.
After the purge, the SA was sidelined in Nazi Germany. Its role was largely ceremonial, with the SS (Schutzstaffel) assuming the dominant paramilitary and policing functions.
The SA continued to exist until the end of World War II in 1945 but had little real power or influence in Nazi governance.
Hitler needed the support of the German army, and the SA’s were getting in the way of that, hence why he had them pushed to the side
Beer Hall Putsch
This was Hitler’s first attempt at taking power. He thought that he could march on the capitol in a fashion similar to how mussolini did. It didn’t work though and it failed, leading to Hitlers arrest and one year imprisonment.
Although his plan failed, it did some important things.
Hitler realized that you cannot gain power through uprising, but rather he needed to gain power through technically legal means.
Hitler and the NSDAP gained international attention from this attempted seizure of power
His imprisonment allowed him to write Mein Kampf
Mein Kampf
Written while in prison, this Nazi manifesto written by Hitler outlined his beliefs on German nationalism, antisemitism, and the perpetuation of the stab in the back myth.
This book eventually became recognized as a historical document in Nazi germany, and laid the foundation for much of the motivating action that were done by the Nazis. This writing also just exeplified Hitlers overt hatred towards Jews.
Rudolf Hess
Hitler’s deputy who parachuted into Britain to try and win the country over to the German side. He was jailed, and remained jailed until he died the last prisoner serving life after the Nuremberg trials.
Joseph Goebbels
Eventually becomes the minister for propaganda and enlightenment.
When he was assigned as regional leader of berlin, he left a lasting impact on Berlin’s NSDAP standings
Heavily influenced Nazi popularity and growth during the earlier periods
He oversaw much of the press and other media for the use of propaganda
His propaganda forced the public’s support for the Nazis
Called for the creation of the peoples radio
He oversaw much of the Nazi interweaving into all aspects of society, culture, entertainment, and culture
Heinrich Bruning
Stepped in as the centre party chancellor in 1930
Intended to weaken the SPD
Introduced austerity measures
His unpopular policies welcomed more faith towards the Nazi party, which was the beginning of the decline for the republic and the emergence of a Nazi state.
“The attack on democracy began with Heinrich Bruning in 1930, not hitler
Franz von Papen
He was brought into power after Bruning was ushered out of power by Hindenburg. He worked with the Nazis, thinking that doing so would bring him more power and favorability, while being able to control Hitler. After he called an election the Nazis were the most popular party of Germany in 1933, but von Papen was soon removed from power by a non confidence vote.
He eventually asked Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as chancellor, thinking it would support their authoritarian wishes and weaken the left.
His own personal strive for power, coupled with his aiding of Hitlers ascendancy to chancellorship resulted in the eventual imposition of Hitler and the Nazis to total power.
Hermann Goring
Minister of interior prussia
Helped build evidence of a Rohm putsch
Was the original head of the Gestapo (state police that rounded political enemies)
Became the minister of economics and commander of the new German air force
In charge of the four-year-plan
He aided in the preparation of the economy for war, led the luftwaffe, and aided in the final solution
Article 48
It’s essentially part of the Weimar constitution that creates the opportunity for the president to enact total power in times of emergency, bypassing the parliament.
This was used many times to bring in and kick out many chancellors, and helped get Hitler brought into power by Hindenburg. It led towards authoritarianism behaviours within the parliament in order to bypass parliamentary gridlock.
Essentially this article 48 thing became abused and granted authoritarian actions too many times.
Reichstag Fire
The building where the parliament had met since 1894 was set ablaze by a communist party member.
After the Reichstag fire, the Reichstag fire decree was enacted, eliminated much of the left leaning resistance to Hitlers power.
Decree for the Protection of the People and the State
This was enacted right after the Reichstag fire. it involved the enactment of total power for Hitler and the president, and it eliminated much of the civil protections embodied in the German constitution, from freedom of speech to the freedom of assembly.
This consolidated Hitler’s power, and painted Hitler as the “protector” of civil liberties. It also removed much of the freedoms people previously had.
In general, it dismantled much of the democracy that remained.
Schutzstaffel
Protection squad for the Nazi leaders SS
Eventually becomes the new elite military force in Nazi Germany (replacing the SA)
Managed camps
Headed by Heinrich Himmler
They eventually became a “fiercely loyal cohort of ideologically committed political soldiers devoted to racial purity”
Crushed rivals in the night of the long knifes
Eventually became in control of all aspects of internal and foreign intelligence and policing, eliminating the distinction between the formal state bureaucracy and the party’s ideological apparatus
Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service
A law that removed leftists and Jews from civil service
Was one of the first major steps to legally remove Jews and leftists from professional society
Enabling Act
Gave Hitler the power to enact legislation for four years without the approval of the parliament
Consolidated Hitler’s indefinite power
Resulted in the NSDAP being the only recognized party of Germany
Gleichschaltung
Abolition of all non-Nazi parties
Everything becomes Nazi run
Represents the ultimate reach the Nazis had within the country in order to establish and maintain utmost power and control
Ernst Rohm
Leader of the SA’s
Wanted a second more radical revolution with the SA’s leading
Eventually became a threat to Hitlers power and was assassinated
Heinrich Himmler
Leader of the SS
Eventually controls the police and the concentration camps
He led the fiercely loyal SS and was a major force in the execution of the Final Solution
Extremely influential in the execution of the parties ideological pursuits
Night of the Long Knives
Because the SA was pushing to continue a second revolution and hindered Hitlers efforts to gain the support of the German military, Hitler began a “cleansing action” which involved the arrest and assassination of Ernest Rohm alongside other SA members. This led to a two week period where the Nazis hunted down political opponents
This consolidated Hitlers power and represented the lengths the party would go to ensure total control
1934 Nuremberg Convention
Rally’s that perpetuated the Nazi charisma and display of power
Triumph of the Will
Was a propaganda film/documentary that praised the Nazi party and displayed the Nuremberg rallies
Increased popularity for the Nazi party and created this illusion of success
Fuhrerprinzip
Celebrated seemingly natural hierarchies and gave force to the idea that each person had a unique place within the family organization, or national body.
It rationalized and made natural the hierarchical structure that kept Hitler at the top of power
Working towards the Fuhrer
Basically people felt the need to have to work towards the fuhrer. This meant that people did what they thought would please Hitler the most and hopefully shift them up the bureaucratic hierarchy.
It explained much of how things operated in Nazi Germany. Hitler would leave vague instructions, and people would act according to how they thought Hitler would want them to act. This resulted in Hitler being able to take credit and reward those for positive outcomes, and not take credit and punish those for negative outcomes.
Reinhard Heydrich
Founded and led the SD (spy agency)
Helped develop the SS
The spy agency was a central player in the murder of Jews
