exam 2 Flashcards
What was the Treaty of Versailles, and how did it contribute to the Nazi Party’s rise to power?
The Treaty of Versailles was a peace settlement that ended WWI, imposing harsh reparations, territorial losses, and military restrictions on Germany. It created resentment and economic hardship in Germany, which Hitler exploited by promising to reverse the treaty’s terms and restore Germany’s strength.
How did the Great Depression impact Germany and aid the Nazi Party’s rise?
The Great Depression led to massive unemployment and economic instability in Germany. The Nazi Party capitalized on public discontent by promising economic recovery, jobs, and stability, which attracted many to their cause.
What were the core beliefs of Nazi ideology?
Nazi ideology promoted racial purity, nationalism, anti-communism, and anti-Semitism. It advocated for a strong, authoritarian state and the superiority of the Aryan race (Herrenvolk), with hostility toward communists, Jews, and other minorities.
: How did the Nazi Party exploit popular fears to gain support?
The Nazi Party stoked fears of communism, economic decline, and social disorder. They presented themselves as the only force capable of defending traditional German values, defeating communism, and restoring prosperity.
How did the Nazi Party’s organizational and tactical skills contribute to its rise?
he Nazis used propaganda, disciplined organization, and violent paramilitary groups (like the SA) to intimidate opponents, spread their message, and gain influence. They also tailored their message to different social groups to maximize support.
What were the stages of Nazi policies toward Jews and other minorities from 1933 to 1945?
Policies began with discrimination (1933), escalated to segregation (Nuremberg Laws in 1935), and culminated in genocide (Final Solution from 1941 onward), leading to the systematic extermination of Jews and other groups in concentration camps.
What forms of resistance and opposition existed within Nazi Germany?
Opposition came from various groups, including communists, socialists, churches, and youth movements like the White Rose. However, due to Nazi repression, organized opposition was limited, and dissent was often underground.
Why was resistance to the Nazis difficult?
Nazi Germany was a police state with strict censorship, surveillance, and violent repression by organizations like the Gestapo and SS, making it extremely dangerous to oppose the regime openly.
What contributions did Gustav Stresemann make to Germany during the Weimar Republi
Stresemann was a Weimar Republic statesman who helped stabilize Germany’s economy through the Dawes Plan and improved its international standing, although he could not prevent the rise of the Nazis after his death.
: Who was Adolf Hitler, and what was his role in Nazi Germany?
: Adolf Hitler was the leader of the Nazi Party, Chancellor of Germany (1933), and later Führer. He directed Nazi ideology, state policies, and the war, driving Germany into WWII and orchestrating the Holocaust.
Who was Paul von Hindenburg, and what was his role in Hitler’s rise to power?
: Hindenburg was President of Germany who, under pressure, appointed Hitler as Chancellor in 1933. His decision was a crucial step in Hitler’s path to consolidating power.
What role did Alfred Krupp play in Nazi Germany?
Alfred Krupp was a German industrialist whose company supplied arms to the Nazi military. His industry profited from the regime’s expansion and war efforts.
Who was Joseph Goebbels, and what was his role?
Goebbels was the Nazi Minister of Propaganda, responsible for controlling German media and spreading Nazi ideology, creating a cult of personality around Hitler.
: What was Hermann Göring’s position and role in the Nazi state?
Göring was a high-ranking Nazi official, head of the Luftwaffe, and key organizer of the economy for war. He played a central role in planning the Final Solution and expanding German militarism.
Who was Heinrich Himmler, and what was his role in the Nazi regime?
Himmler was the head of the SS and oversaw the concentration camps and police forces. He was a chief architect of the Holocaust and played a significant role in Nazi racial policies.
