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.
