Germany and the Depression Flashcards
1929 - 1934
When did the Great Depression happen?
October 1929
How did the Depression happen?
Shares hadn’t sold for as much as they were wanted, this meant that tons of people began selling their shares. Some people now couldn’t pay the bank back and many lost homes and cars to debt collectors. Many businesses collapsed and many began losing jobs.
How was Germany Impacted by the Depression?
The US bought many goods from Germany such as, cars, electricals and clothing - now they couldn’t.
The US banks now demanded the money Germany owed was to be given back and this meant the German Government tried to squeeze the money out of businesses making many bankrupt. Millions became homeless.
How did the Depression help extremist parties?
- Hunger and unemployment changed how Germans thought and behaved
- Many became open to listening to extremist parties such as Nazis and Communists
- Many parties promised for a better public life
How did the fear of the communists help the growth of the Nazi party? (4 reasons)
- People were worried about a communist revolution
- People didn’t want to lose wealth, possessions and place in society
- Worried religious people
- Hitler said he would fight the threat of communism
How did Hitler and the Nazi Party appeal to people? ($ reasons)
- Hitler was a very powerful speaker and could influence people
- Nazis promised a strong Germany
- Hitler and the Nazis appealed to many different classes
- Hitler spoke of destroying the threat of communism
How did the depression help the growth of the Nazi Party? (4 reasons)
- Businesses collapsed and unemployment rose
- People began listening to Hitler
- Nazi began using beliefs saying that the TofV was a crime, Jews were to blame for economic problems and Germany should be reborn a great nation
- People became desperate and wanted to listen to Hitler
How did German’s being upset with the Weimar Gov help the growth of the Nazi party? (3 reasons)
- Weimar politicians could not make a decision on how to help the unemployed
- Used Article 48 to occupy wealthy peoples land for the poor
- People were attracted to extremist parties as they had clear intentions
How did the Nazi Party’s structure, methods and tactics help them grow? (7 reasons)
- Hitler thought he could take over via a revolution (failed in 1933)
- After prison Hitler and the Nazis began spreading their ideas more systematically
- Set up Nazi Party offices all over Germany
–> 100,000 in 1931 400,000 in 1932 - Nazi’s used propaganda to gain support in the form of: radio, cinema, news, leaflets & posters
- Hitler took part in parades: rallies where he gave speeches
- Hitler Youth Organisation was set up to encourage the youth, they learnt how to: shoot, map read, camp and wrestle
- The Nazi’s were seen as modern party, Hitler used air travel
Which 5 groups of people would vote for the Nazis?
- Farmers
- Women
- Middle Class People
- Youth
- Rich Factory Owners
Why would farmers vote for the Nazis?
Promise of higher prices for produce, better quality of life and a higher rank in society. The threat of communism was also high so if they came to power they would seize the land of farmers
Why would women vote for the Nazis?
The Nazis believed in family life, good morals and self discipline are most important
Why would middle-class people vote for the Nazis?
They believed the law and order would break down or there would be a communist revolution. They wanted their leaders to be strong, they saw the Nazis as having order and discipline
Why would youth vote for the Nazis?
They wanted to be part of of Germany’s bright future and get jobs in the army or building new homes/roads. Hitler’s speeches also won them over by the sheer force of his beliefs
Why would wealthy business owners vote for the Nazis?
Promised wealthy classes strong leadership and a more powerful nation. They were promised that they could run businesses how they wanted. Communism was also a threat to factory owners.
What is a Chancellor?
Leader of a political party
Who was Chancellor after the 1930 election?
Heinrich Brüning
Where did Hitler’s Nazi party rank after the 1930 election?
2nd
When was the next election called and who by?
Franz von Papen 1932
What was concluded from the first election in 1932?
Nazis were the largest party
When was the next election held after 1932?
November 1932
How many Chancellors resigned between 1930 and 1933 and who were they?
3
Heinrich Brüning
Franz von Papen
Kurt von Schleicher
When was Hitler made Chancellor?
Jan 30th 1933
How much power did Hitler have to begin with?
Little - Von Papen became Vice Chancellor and restricted amount of Nazis Hitler was allowed to have on the cabinet
What did Hitler do in February 1933?
- Called for a new election in March 1933
- He now controlled the Police and radio so he could no intimidate people
What happened on 27th February 1933?
- A week before the vote the Reichstag burned down.
- Hitler claimed it was the communists
What did Hitler do on 28th February 1933?
- Hitler aske Hindenburg to pass the protection law.
- A law giving Hitler the power to deal with Germany’s problems
What happened in March 1933?
Hitler was able to ban the communists with the Protection of the People and state decree. On 5 March the Nazis got even more votes but not the majority Hitler wanted
What did Hitler do on 23rd March 1933?
Hitler had convinced enough politicians that the communists were a threat. Hitler then declared the Enabling law, a law which meant he could make laws without asking the rest of the Reichstag.
What did Hitler do on 7 April 1933?
- Nazis were now in charge of all local government, councils and police.
- The Gestapo was formed (Secret police)
- The first concentration camp was set up for political prisoners
What did Hitler do on 2nd May 1933?
Hitler banned all trade unions
What did Hitler do on 14th July 1933?
Hitler banned all political parties in Germany except the Nazis, it was known as the: ‘Law Against the Formation of New Parties’
What did Hitler do on 2nd August 1934?
Hindenburg died, Hitler now took his role as President and kept the role of Chancellor. He made the army swear an oath of loyalty to him. Hitler then gave himself the title of ‘Fuhrer’
