Germany and the Depression Flashcards
What major event happened in October 1929
the American stock market crashed
What happened to Germany now the stock market had crashed
-Americans called back loans
-Thousands of German firms went bankrupt
-millions unemployed and in poverty relying on benefits
-Government in debt as it paid out more in benefits than it took in in taxes
What were the 2 main political effects of the Great Depression in Germany?
-Weimar Republic looked weak as it could not solve problems
-Increased support for radical parties
What 2 extreme parties benefitted from the Great Depression
-Nazi
-KPD
What effect did the Great Depression have on the government in 1930
-Coalition government collapses
-SPD walks out as they refused to cut unemployment benefits
What did Hindenburg do as a result of the Great Depression
-Allowed Chancellor Bruning between 1930 and 32 to activate 48 giving him emergency powers.
What nickname was Chancellor Bruning given as a result of his policies and why was he unpopular
-Hunger Chancellor
-cut unemployment benefits and wages, and raised taxes.
What were unemployment numbers in 1928,30 and 32 in millions?
-1928: 2.1
-1930: 3.2
-1932: 6
How many votes did the Nazis get in 1928,30 and 32 in millions?
1928: 1
1930: 7
1932: 13.5
How many votes did the communists get in 1928,30 and 32 in millions?
1928: 3
1930: 3
1932: 5
Why were the Nazis more successful than the communists
they appealed to wider range of people
How did the Nazis appeal to the middle classes
-They feared a communist government would confiscate all property and give it to workers
-Nazis only party standing up to communists
How did the Nazis appeal to farmers
-They did not benefit from Stresemann’s recovery
-Nazis very active in going out to the countryside and holding meetings
-Farmers feared a communism takeover might result in seized land and force them onto collective farms like in Russia
How did the Nazis appeal to owners of big businesses
-They feared communism
-Liked Nazis ideas of rearmament which would mean lots of businesses supplying equipment to armed forces
-Rich businessmen donated quite a lot of money to the Nazis
What tactics helped the Nazis do well in elections
-Hitler’s leadership
-Nazi promises
-Nazi reputation
-Propaganda
-Combatting Communism
How did Hitlers leadership help the Nazis win votes
-Without him they had nothing
-His speeches were very convincing
-He gave the German people a scapegoat in Jews
-He convinced Germans that democracy was weak
-He said Germany needed one strong leader to escape from the Depression
-He would restore Germans pride
How did Nazi promises help the Nazis win votes
They promised to:
-Solve the economic crises and create jobs for the unemployed
-Ignore TOV and win back what Germany had lost
-Build up the army and make Germany strong again.
How did Nazi organisation help them win votes?
They raised lots of money off ordinary Germans and rich businessmen which they used to:
-Spend money on soup kitchens for the unemployed.
-Parades of the SA.
-Huge, impressive rallies.
-Door-to-door leafleting.
-Public meetings.
How did Nazi propaganda help them win votes?
Goebbels was in charge of Nazi propaganda. He used:
-Loudspeakers, films, radio and posters that were much more effective than their rivals
How did combatting communism help the Nazis’ win votes?
-Hitler ordered the SA to disrupt communist meetings
-They were told to beat up communists then withdraw as soon as the police arrived, giving the impression the Nazis’ respected the law but the communists did not.
Why was Hitler still not chancellor of Germany after July 1932
-He has to be appointed by Hindenburg who did not like him.
Why Hindenburg not like Hitler?
-He was Austrian
-Only been a corporal in the army
-From a poor background
-Ideas too extreme
What happened in the November of 1932 for some people to say the Nazis were “on their way out”
their votes slightly declined
Why was Hitler appointed chancellor in 1933
He struck a deal with Hindenburg and Von Papen
