Germany Chapter 4- The Impact Of The Depression Flashcards
Germany 1890-1945- Chapter 4
What happened in 1924 that contributed to the Depression 5 years later?
-foreign banks/especially American ones lent huge amounts of money to Germany
-to build factories and businesses
-creating more jobs/money and a better standard of living
When was the Wall Street crash?
October 1929
What was the Wall Street crash?
-financial crisis that hit the USA
-American companies and banks went out of business
-Millions lost their jobs
-Soon became known as the Depression
What was the economic impact of the Depression on Germany?
-Americans had bought many GER goods such as cars, electrical equipment and clothing
-But couldn’t afford these anymore because of the Depression
-So GER factories shut down + millions lost their jobs
-Troubled US banks demanded back the money they had lent to GER after WW1
-GER banks tried to reclaim this money from GER businesses
-GER could not pay so went bankrupt
What was the political impact of the Depression of Germany?
-People listened to different often extreme political parties (left wing- communists, right wing- Nazis)
-that promised radical solutions to GER problems + wats of improving lives
What happened in the 1930 election? (Political impact of Depression)
-communists seats in Reichstag 77 (from 54)
-Nazi seats in Reichstag 107 seats (from 12 seats in 1928)
What was the social impact of the Depression on Germany?
-Many were soon living on streets
-> jobless, hungry, angry at their political leaders who they blamed for problems
How much did the Nazi party grow from 1928 to 1932?
-1928-> 8th most popular party in GER (800,000 votes)
-1932-> most popular (14 million votes)
Why did the Depression help the Nazis become so popular?
-By 1932, unemployment-> 6 million
-Nazi party promised to create jobs
Why did Hitler’s appeal help the Nazis become so popular?
-charismatic personality, convinced people he could be trusted + make GER a great nation
-powerful speeches filled audience with hope
Why did discontent with the Weimar government help the Nazis become so popular?
-Weimar politicians couldn’t agree how to help unemployed + get GER out of depression
-Several different chancellors appointed by President Hindeburg (Muller, then Bruning) who made little impact
-Many ordinary GER felt that the democratic system wasn’t working
Why did fear of communism help the Nazi party to become so popular?
-GER communists SPARTACISTS tried to take over after WW1
-alarmed middle class + wealthy GER who didn’t want to lose societal wealth + position
-Communists-> anti-religion, worrying churchgoers
-Hitler said he would fight communisms + gained support from middle + upper classes
Why did the Nazi party structure, methods and tactics help the Nazis become so popular?
-After failed Munich Putsch (1923), Hitler changed tactics to legally win power in elections
-Nazi offices set up all over country to recruit followers
-The SA (Stormtroopers) protected Hitlers meetings + influenced voters at elections
-Hitler joined mass parades + rallies, displaying Nazi power
-Hitler youth set up
-Radio, cinema, bought newspapers + printed millions of leaflets + posters reaching wide audiences
-Joseph Goebbels (one of Hitlers most loyal followers) put in charge of propaganda in 1928 -> spread Nazi message
Why did farmers vote for the Nazis?
-Affected by depression, Weimar govern offered little help
-Nazis promised higher prices for crops, better life quality and society status
-Nazi opposed communists- if communists took over they would seize farmers’ land
Why did women vote for the Nazis?
-targeted by Nazis-> family life, good morals, & self-discipline important
-Some agreed Hitler’s view of Weimar culture had been a bad influence for young.
