Germany Depth Study- The rise of the Nazis - How did Hitler become Chancellor in 1933 Flashcards
When and where was Hitler born?
Austria in 1889
What did Hitler do in 1914?
He joined the German army and fought as a soldier in the First World War.
Which political party did Hitler join in 1919?
The German Workers Party
What did Hitler’s political party change its name to in 1920?
National Socialist German Worker’s Party (NSDAP)
How many points did the NSDAP have in their programme?
25 (the 25 point programme)
Name 3 Nazi ideas from the 1920s
Strong central government, conquer lebensraum (living space for Germans), remove Jews from all positions of leadership in Germany, destroy communism, rearm Germany, abolish the Treaty of Versailles, destroy the Weimar Republic, all non-German immigration must be stopped, increase old-age pensions
Who designed the swastika?
Adolf Hitler
How else are the SA known?
Sturm-Abteilung, stormtroopers or brownshirts because of their uniforms
Why were the SA important to Hitler
They were set up in 1921 to protect Nazi speakers at meetings, stop opponents of the Nazi Party and to deliver propaganda leaflets to people’s homes
Who joined the SA?
It was made up of some Freikorps and the unemployed because the SA provided food and a uniform.
When did Hitler become the leader of the Nazi Party?
1922
Who were the other key members of the Nazi Party in the 1920s?
Josef Goebbels (propaganda), Hermann Goering (initially in charge of the SA, set up the Gestapo and helped to develop the economy), Rudolf Hess (administration), Henrich Himmler (leader of the SS and key figure in the Holocaust), Ernst Rohm (ran the SA from 1921)
Which army leader did Hitler manage to get on his side before the Munich Putsch?
General Ludendorff.
Why did the Munich Putsch take place in 1923?
Hitler believed the army could be persuaded to join with the Nazis with Ludendorff’s help. The Bavarian government was right-wing (like the Nazis) and Hitler believed they would support the Nazis. Following Stresemann’s actions in the Ruhr, Hitler thought the time was now right for a putsch, he also had more members of the Nazi party than ever.
Who was the head of the Bavarian state government in 1923?
Gustav Kahr
How many Nazis marched with Hitler 1923?
3000
Why did the Munich Putsch fail?
The support pledged by Gustav Kahr did not come and the police were ready for Hitler and the Nazis.
In what ways was the Munich Putsch a success?
Showed Hitler that he couldn’t take charge by force, he had a public trial in 1924 and this gave him a platform to spread his ideas and persuade high profile people of his opinions, he also wrote Mein Kampf in prison.
What was Mein Kampf?
A book written by Hitler in 1925 that outlined his ideas for Germany.
Where did Hitler go to prison?
Landsberg Castle for 9 months.
How did the Nazis change tactics in the 1920s?
They ran many public meetings, pushed the anti-Jewish message to win the working classes, they changed their message to reach certain people (middle-classes and farmers), they got their money from the local meetings and donations, they used a great deal of propaganda aimed at issues people think are important.
What happened to the number of votes received by the Nazi party during the 1920s?
They decreased.
Why did the Nazis fail to get into power by 1928?
The Nazis lacked the support of the working class, 1924-1929 was a time of peace and prosperity, the Nazi ideas were too extreme
What other events helped Hitler to become chancellor in 1933?
The Wall Street Crash in 1929, fear of communism, weak opposition, the political deal.
Why was the Great Depression a problem for Germany?
Following the Wall Street Crash in 1929, America recalled loans from Germany which led many German firms to go bankrupt, increased unemployment and many Germans were forced to live in poverty.
How did the depression help the extreme political parties?
Many people were angry and wanted to blame somebody, so they started to support more extreme political parties.
Who feared the spread of communism in Germany?
German business men and farmers feared communism
How did Goebbels help the Hitler to become chancellor?
He spread a great deal of propaganda showing Hitler as the saviour of Germany. He used the latest technology-loudspeakers, slide shows and films. They also used powerful propaganda posters.
How did Hitler’s own actions help him to become chancellor?
Hitler’s leadership skills-He was a strong leader and made people believe he could solve Germany’s problems.
Nazi promises-They promised what people wanted to hear. They made promises for everyone.
Nazi organisation-The Nazis were well organised and this impressed the voters. They could campaign more effectively than the other parties.
Nazi propaganda-a lot of propaganda was produced to persuade people to vote for the Nazis.
What happened to Nazi party membership during the 1920s?
It increased
How did farmers suffer as a result of the Great Depression?
Many farmers slipped into further debt.
How were businessmen affected by the Great Depression?
Many saw their businesses close, some who managed to keep their businesses saw their income fall. Many businessmen had to pay higher taxes to cover the increasing poor people.
How were young people affected by the Great Depression?
by 1933 over half of all Germans were unemployed. 60% of new university graduates could not get a job.
How were factory workers affected by the Great Depression?
40% of all factory workers were unemployed by the 1932. The government cut unemployment benefit, so many lived in extreme poverty.
What did President Hindenburg do as a result of the Great Depression?
He used Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution which gave him emergency powers.
How did the Great Depression help the Nazis?
The depression meant many people were suffering. Hitler exploited this and offered people the answers. He changed his policies to attract as many people as possible, used a great deal of propaganda which showed him as the saviour of Germany and gained the support of the industrialists.
How did the opposition to the Nazis help them get into power?
The Nazis’ opposition was weak. They were not organised whereas the Nazis worked together. They organised food and help for people who were suffering and if they joined the SA they got a uniform, the seemed like a good option.
Who was the biggest party in the Reichstag by 1932?
The Nazis
Did President Hindenburg want Hitler to be the Chancellor?
No, he did not like Hitler
What proportion of the vote did the Nazis get in the July 1932 elections?
37.3% (250 seats)
Who did Hindenburg appoint as Chancellor in 1932?
Franz Von Papen.
Did Von Papen have the support of the Reichstag?
No, there were a number of Nazis, so he struggled to gain support.
What did Hindenburg ask to happen in November 1932?
He called another election.
What proportion of the vote did the Nazis get in the November 1932 election?
33.1% (a loss of 34 seats)
Which politician stopped supporting Von Papen and started to think he should be the Chancellor?
General Von Schleicher
Who did Hindenburg appoint Chancellor in Dec 1932?
General Von Schleicher
How did Von Papen feel in December 1932?
He was annoyed that Von Schleicher was given the job of Chancellor
Who did Von Papen make a deal with in January 1933?
Von Papen could see that Von Schleicher was struggling in the Reichstag. He makes a private deal with Hitler. He agrees Hitler will be Chancellor and Von Papen will be in the Cabinet.
When did Von Schleicher resign from being Chancellor?
28th January 1933-he couldn’t control the Reichstag
How did Von Papen persuade Hindenburg to make Hitler the Chancellor?
He persuaded him by saying that they will be able to control Hitler if he is Chancellor. The want to put non-Nazis in the Cabinet so that extreme policies could be resisted. Hitler is then appointed Chancellor.
