Germany In Transition (1919-1939) - Nazi Rise To Power And End Of The Weimar Republic

Question 1

What did the President of Germany say about Hitler in 1932?

Answer 1

Put him in charge of the Post Office. That is the best job he will ever be able to get.

Question 2

What was Hitler’s early life like?

Answer 2

Born on 20th April 1889 in Austrian town of Braunau
4th child
Father entered him into technical college where he didn’t do well
Quit school at 16
Father dies in 1903, mother in 1907
Refused entry to Vienna College of Art
Moved to Vienna

Question 3

What happened to Hitler during WWI?

Answer 3

Hitler avoided enlisting in the Austrian army before WWI. When military police came to him he was found to be unfit, too weak and unable to bear arms
Enlisted in Bavarian army as a runner - Iron Cross for bravery
Temporary blinded in a mustard attack in Oct 1918
Remained convinced Germany was winning war
Devastated, angry and humiliated at Germany’s surrender

Question 4

What happened after WWI?

Answer 4

He felt stabbed in the back and blamed Jews
Racist and anti-semitic views grew

Question 5

Who founded the DAP?

Answer 5

Anton Drexler in Munich, Bavaria

Question 6

What was the 25 point programme, launched in 1925?

Answer 6

A political manifesto, shortly after which the DAP became the NSDAP

Question 7

When did Hitler become leader of the DAP?

Answer 7

July 1921

Question 8

What were some of the points of the 25 point programme?

Answer 8

The union of all Germans and scrapping of TofV
No Jew to be declared a German citizen
Only German citizens allowed to vote
Foreign nationals to be deported
All non-Germans who had entered the country after 1914 to leave
Government to profit share in major businesses
All newspaper editors and contributors to be German
Religious freedom given it did not threaten Germany

Question 9

What was the Nazi newspaper known as?

Answer 9

The Peoples Observer

Question 10

Why did Hitler launch the Munich Putsch?

Answer 10

Gustav von Kahr supported the return of the Kaiser
The Weimar was weak
Nazis were growing in popularity

Question 11

How would you describe Hitler?

Answer 11

Deflects the blame
Mind like a sponge
Glorifies war
Jingoistic
Lonely
Socially awkward
Quick to anger

Question 12

What was Hitler’s number when he joined DAP and what was his role?

Answer 12

Education officer
555 (actually 55)
Allegedly jumps onto a table and makes a speech, Drexler tells him to join DAP

Question 13

Who were the SA?

Answer 13

Storm Troopers or Brown Shirts
Used violence
Protection squad
Storm section
Intimidate and attack
Demonstrate
Propaganda
March

Question 14

What was the Beer Hall Putsch 1923?

Answer 14

First attempt to take power
Poorly led and planned
Over ambitious
Adopted swastika and raised arm salute
By Nov 1923, around 55,000 members
Munich is a proud and patriotic Bavarian city
Took place at Burger-Brau Keller
Popular place to discuss politics

Question 15

What was the plan?

Answer 15

On 8th November 1923 Bavarian PM von Kahr was meeting with his two most senior officials
3000 businessmen
March to Keller
Convince von Kahr to support Putsch
Get army to support or subdue them
Take over Munich
March on Berlin

Question 16

What actually happened?

Answer 16

Marched to Keller
Convinces von Kahr to support Putcsh
Von Kahr, von Seisser and von Lossow are allowed to leave
No army support because von Kahr alerts them
Nazis and army fight
16 Nazis + 4 policemen die
Hitler injured
Nazis scatter
Breakaway group unsuccessfully attempt to rob a bank
Hitler hides
Hitler is arrested

Question 17

What happened after the Putsch?

Answer 17

People know who Hitler is and what party he is leader of
Burned papers that contained truths that the Nazis wished to hide
Trial was event
Hitler gave brave speeches
Judge was sympathetic -> serves 9 months

Question 18

What was Hitler’s time in jail like?

Answer 18

Access to food, books, newspapers
Own possessions
Could go out on weekends
Rudolf Hess was allowed to accompany him in prison
Served only 9 months out of 5 years
Dictates Mein Kampf
Allowed visitors
No security
Landsberg prison
Refused to exercise
Allowed mail

Question 19

What were the main ideas of Mein Kampf?

Answer 19

Volksgemeinschaft
Lebensraum
All ills were caused by Jews
Abolish TofV
Gave him publicity
Nazi Party banned in Feb 1924

Question 20

What was the Bamberg Conference?

Answer 20

Nazis continued in secret while Hitler was in prison
Government in Bavaria is right wing
Hitler was bale to persuade them to legalise Nazis
1924 political stability
Hitler changes Nazi structure
Creates SS
Replaces Rohm with von Solomon
Hitler Youth
Removes rivals or wins them over

Question 21

Who was the new Nazi leader?

Answer 21

Alfred Rosenburg

Question 22

When was the Golden Age?

Answer 22

1924-29

Question 23

When was the peak of the Nazi Party?

Answer 23

1932

Question 24

When was the Depression?

Answer 24

1929-1932

Question 25

How often were elections?

Answer 25

Twice a year (extreme instability)

Question 26

Who originally leads SS?

Answer 26

Julius Shreck

Question 27

Who was the original secretary of the Nazi Party in 1924?

Answer 27

Philip Bouhler

Question 28

Who was the treasurer in 1924?

Answer 28

Franz Shwarz

Question 29

How did different classes support Nazis?

Answer 29

Farmers because of economy
Middle class anti-Semitism
Wealthy businessmen hatred of communism
Donations from Bosch and Krupp

Question 30

Who was the party propaganda leader in 1924?

Answer 30

Strasser

Question 31

What happened as a result of the Depression?

Answer 31

Unemployment hit 6 million
Poverty increased
Businesses shut down
40% factory workers unemployed
5 major banks crashed in 1931
Homelessness and cost of living increase
Economically worst hit nation in the world

Question 32

Why was the Weimar weakened?

Answer 32

Unpopular economic policies
Presidential rule
Rise of extremism

Question 33

When was the Nazi Party the largest party in the Reichstag?

Answer 33

July 1932, never a majority

Question 34

What was the appeal of the Nazis?

Answer 34

Organised
Skillful
Propaganda
Support of industrialists
Technology
Promises
Weak opposition
Flexible
Hitler as a strong leader

Question 35

What factors played a role in Nazi success?

Answer 35

2 rounds of voting needed
Hindenburg did not camapign
Financial support from industry
120 Nazi owned daily/ weekly newspapers
Mass media
SA
Charismatic Hitler

Question 36

What were the 3 sections Nazis targeted?

Answer 36

Mood
Money
Manipulation

Question 37

What did Weimar do to deal with Depression?

Answer 37

High taxes
Cut benefits

Question 38

How did the number of Nazi seats change?

Answer 38

July 1932 -230 seats
Nov 1932 -196 seats
30th Jan 1933 -Hitler Chancellor

Question 39

Who was Franz von Papen?

Answer 39

Favourite of Hindenburg, did not trust Hitler. Leader of Centre Party.

Question 40

Who was General von Schleicher?

Answer 40

Former army leader who was Hindenburg’s main advisor. Supports von Papen, distrusts Hitler

Question 41

What were the main events between July 1932 and January 1933?

Answer 41

July largest party Nazis with 230 seats, Hindenburg refused to let Hitler become Chancellor
August von Papen made Chancellor but has no support
November new election called
December and 4th Jan von Schleicher made Chancellor who has difficulty keeping power. Von Papen says he will support Hitler becoming Chancellor if he can be vice Chancellor
5th and 6th Jan the army lose faith in von Schleicher
22nd Jan Hindenburg refuses von Papens request to make Hitler Chancellor
28th Jan von Schleicher resigns
30th Jan Hitler becomes Chancellor

Question 42

What are the long term and short term causes of Hitler becoming Chancellor?

Answer 42

SA
25pp
Weaknesses of Weimar
Propaganda
Leadership
Economic depression
Political intrigue