Germany 1890-1945: Germany and the Depression Flashcards
What were the consequences of the Great Depression for Germany?
- economic collapse
- industrial production went into decline
- mass unemployment
- government cut unemployment benefits
- rise of extremist dictators
How did the Nazi Party appeal to farmers?
- they changed the Nazi policy of confiscating all private land and created a new policy wherein private land would only be confiscated if the owner was Jewish
- thought that the Nazis would protect them from communist parties who had intentions of confiscating their generational land
How did the Nazi Party appeal to the middle class?
- wages had been cut
- large groups of unemployed all over the place
- fear that law and order might break down under the communist government
- Nazis promised to deal with problems decisively
- Nazis sent stormtroopers to fight against communists, showing that they weren’t afraif
How did the Nazi Party appeal to workers?
- The National Socialist German Workers part was a sign that they wanted to be seen as the People’s party
- had traditional German values
- promised work and bread on their posters
How did the Nazi Party appeal to industrialists?
- Nazis promised the wealthy classes strong leadership and a more powerful nation
- promised to let them run their factories however they want
- fight communists and won’t allow business takeover
How did the Nazi Party appeal to women?
- claim family life, good morals and self discipline are important
How did the Nazi Party appeal to young people?
- promised a bright future
How did Hitler’s personality attract support?
- patriotic and energetic
- speeches brought hope to those who listened
- depicted as a saviour in the campaigns
- many Germans had lost faith in democracy, so his role as the leader of both the Nazi party and the SA was appealing
- appeared modern by travelling by plane
- visited across Germany
What problems did the Weimar government have in the 1930s?
Chancellors such as Van Papen and Bruning were unable to form long lasting and stable governments. They failed to solve the economic crash
Why was Hitler appointed Chancellor?
There were no other options
When was Hitler appointed Chancellor?
January 1933
What deal did Hitler make with Von Papen?
If Papen would persuade Hindenburg to make Hitler Chancellor, Hitler would make Papen Vice-Chancellor
What did Hindenburg hope would happen when he made Hitler Chancellor?
- would be less extreme
- wouldn’t be able to solve the economic crash so he would be able to regain that power
Which threat did the Reichstag fire help Hitler remove?
The communist party
What was the Enabling Act and why was Hitler able to pass it?
Hitler would be able to pass any law he wanted without consulting the Reichstag, passed due to the Reichstag Fire
Why was the enabling act a turning point for Hitler?
They mark the first step towards him becoming a dictator. They were justified by claiming that they were put in place to protect the German people and therefore faced little opposition
Why did the SA become a threat to Hitler?
- too loyal to their leader Ernst Rohm
- unpopular with the leaders of the German army
- unpopular with some ordinary Germans
What happened during the Night of Long Knives?
Hitler sent men to arrest or kill the leaders of the SA, as well as his political opponents
When did the Night of Long Knives happen?
29th-30th June 1934
Why was the night of Long Knives significant?
It allowed Hitler to take out all potential opposition within the Nazi Party and sent a powerful message to the party about Hitler’s ruthlessness and brutality. It also showed that Hitler was now free to act above the Law
What was the final straw which allowed Hitler to become a dictator?
Hindenburg dies
