Germany: Part 2 Flashcards
How Germany was affected by the Depression.
- America’s Wall Street crash meant they wanted their loans repaid immediately.
- Businesses went bankrupt.
- Unemployment rocketed.
- Recent optimism vanished.
- Homelessness, shanty towns emerged. Government struggle to help.
Who Germany turned to post depression
-Communists promised a workers revolution.
-Nazis promised a return to strong rule, restoration of Germany’s status in the world.
.Hitler appealed as he promised to be a strong leader.
.Eliminating Treaty of Versailles.
How Hitler gained support
- Promises Nazis made.
- Propaganda: many leaflets were produced. He could be heard on the radio. He flew around Germany, v impressive.
- Role of SA and SS: impression of discipline. Beat up opponents.
- Personal appeal: powerful speaker.
- Negative cohesion: people disliked who Nazis disliked.
- He promise to stop the Communist threat.
Rise of Hitler
He said the unsayable.
In prison wrote book complaining about Nazis causing the loss of WWII: dictated by Goebbels who become propaganda minister in Nazi Party.
He controlled fear felt by people post depression, gave them scapegoats: Jews, people who signed the treaty, the allies, the communists.
Lost the election to Hindenburg in 1932 but only gained more publicity.
Failure of Weimar democracy
- Weimar had been disorganised, collapsing due to the depression.
- 1932 elections: The Nazis became the largest single party with 250 seats.
- Anti democratic president Hindenburg used article 48 to bypass the Reichstag.
How Hitler became Chancellor.
The current chancellor, Von Papen had no support in the Reichstag, & in November 1932, Nazis came out as the largest party.
Hindenburg had refused to make Hitler chancellor many times as he didn’t trust him, but many ppl wanted him.
In the end, they put him into power as they thought they could restrain him, but they were mistaken.
Establishment of Hitlers dictatorship: 1
30th Jan 1933: Hitler appointed Chancellor.
27 feb: Reichstag burns down, Hitler blames Communists - young Communist Lubbe arrested.
28 feb: emergency decree issued by Hindenburg, Hitler given power to arrest 4000 communists, break up meetings and frighten voters.
5 mar: Nazis win their largest ever share if votes in election: 44%.
Establishment of Hitlers dictatorship: 2
13 mar: Goebbels took control of the media.
24 mar: enabling act: Hitler could pass decrees without President/Reichstag being involved: basically he’s a dictator.
April: anyone openly opposing the Nazis is taken away.
2 may: trade unions banned.
14 july: law against formation of parties- Germany is a one party state.
20 July: agreement between state and Catholic Church. People fight hitler or agree with him.
Establishment of Hitlers dictatorship: the night of the long knives.
29-30 June 1934:
Hitler is suspicious that Rohm (leader of SA) is plotting to make SA a second army. Squads of SS break into his and other SA leaders homes and arrest them. Rohm killed. 400 others also killed including a former chancellor who criticised Hitler. After, the SA continued but never regained previous status.
After the night of the long knives.
Hindenburg died after.
August 2: hitler took over as supreme leader (führer) of Germany.
Entire army swore loyalty to him.
They agreed to stay out of politics and he spent vast sums on rearmament, brought back conscription and made plans to make Germany a great military power. Hitler had complete control.
