Germany Flashcards
the kreisau circle
It failed due to people not resisting and Nazis being too established, Hitlers success blinded the elites
and majority of the army generals stayed loyal to Hitler because of the army oath.
► In 1939- 41, some army officers and foreign office officials became outraged by the criminality of the
massacres and destruction on the eastern front
► As a result, an organised resistance emerged from 1942. The Kreisau circle was a wide ranging group
who met at Kreisau estate of helmuth von moltke. These meetings included discussion on plans for a
new Germany after Hitler.
► In August 1943 ‘Basic Principles for the New order’ contained conservative principles strongly
influenced by Christian values.
► One key member of the Kreisau Circle is Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-45). Bonhoeffer was part of the
confessional church and was banned from preaching in 1940. As a result of this, he made contact
with the active resistance movement. He was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943 and murdered in
Flossenburg concentration camp.
► Another key member of the Kreisau Circle was Helmuth James Graf von Moltke (1907-45). He was a
leading member of the Kreisau circle; who was eventually arrested tortured and executed.
white rose
led by brother and sister Hans and Sophie Scholl.
► The group started to make leaflets that were highly political and openly condemned the morals and the spiritual values of the Nazi regime, these leaflets were then distributed amongst the students of Munich University.
► Due to the groups weak security, in February 1943 gestapo arrested, tortured and swiftly executed the six leaders which included Hans and Sophie Scholl.
► Sophie Scholl openly said in court ‘What we wrote and said is in the minds of you all. You just don’t say it out loud.’
The Stauffenberg plot
remaining members of Kreisau circle Formed bomb plot of 20th June 1944
- civillian resistance figures approached army officers + formed a plan to assassinate Hitler as they believed it was the only way to stop the Nazis.
- Leader of the pior = colone von
Stauffenberg wno once admired Hitler but his catholic morais have lead him to oppose the Nazis.
- operation valkyrie → kiling Hiter
- placed a bomb in H’s briefing room bur ir was sligny moved so H only sustained minor injuries
- 5000 conspirators killed including Beck, Tresckow + Stauffenberg
Edelweiss Piraten
- general name for working-class youth who formed gangs (e.g. Roving dudes, Navajos)
- these groups were alienated by military emphasis + discipline of Hitler Youth
- was generally non-conformist until the war where they took a more active role.
How did the church oppose the Nazi regime?
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
he was a consistent opponent of Nazis. 1940 he was politically resistant which brought him into contact with conservative elites (Kreisau circle). Over the next 3 years he helped jews emigrate and actively worked within the resistance until he was caught by the Gestapo in 1943. - Bishop von Galen of Münster
conservative nationalist aristocrat and a strong anti-communist. 1930s he began to have doubts about Nazi policy. In 1941 he delivered 3 sermons which criticised the Nazis. He had such a great impact on his congregations that he was arrested and stopped the programme. - Alfred Delp
a member of the inner Kreisau Circle. He was implicated in the stauffenberg plot and was executed in 1945.
who were the Gestapo?
The Gestapo were the secret police in Nazi Germany during World War 2
what and when was the Dawes plan?
1.) An agreement between the allies + Germany to make it easier for Germany to pay reputations by them being reduced (would increase when Germany’s economy was stable) and USA giving Germany loans
2.) 1924
what and when was the Kapp Putsch?
1.) Gov tried to disband the friekorps. They didn’t want to become unemployed like they had when WW1 ended so they turned against gov. When they marched on Berlin Ebert ordered the German army and o stop them but they refused as they didn’t want to act against former soldiers. Friekorps took over Berlin and declared a new gov led by Wolfgang Kapp who invited the kaiser back. Weimar gov encouraged berlin workers to go on strike this caused the new gov to collapse as all essential services were stopped so it collapsed after 4 days
when was Hitler appointed chancellor and by who?
1.) 30th January 1933
2.) Hindenburg
What was Hitlers strengths in January 1933?
- Leader of largest party in the Reichstag
- Nazi party organised
- Access to state resources
- Underestimated by rivals e.g. Von Papen
- Hitler’s political skills
What were Hitlers weaknesses in January 1933?
- No majority in Reichstag (proportional representation)
- Coalition gov (non-nazis dominated cabinet)
- Other forces = more powerful e.g. the army
Describe March 1933 election
- Nazis had large election funds and control of state media
- Nazis won 43.9% and gained 288 seats
- Hitler expected 50% (disappointed)
- Didn’t give Hitler 2/3rds needed to change constitution
what did the Enabling Act do?
Allows chancellor use of emergency powers without use of Article 48
How was the Enabling Act passed?
-KPD members of Reichstag were arrested + SPD member were intimidated.
when was the Enabling Act passed?
March 1933
Describe Reichstag fire
- 27th February 1933
- Dutch communist Van der Lubbe was blamed for starting the fire
- Hitler used this to justify using Article 48
- Passed Reichstag Fire Decree
- This decree led to removal of the Communist Party (KPD) + its leaders arrested and imprisoned or executed
when was the Gestapo established?
26th April 1933
