Germnay And The Depression Flashcards
Start of the Depression
October 1929
Wall Street Crash
Economic Impact of Depression on Germany
Americans could no longer afford German goods: cars, clothing…
The US banks demanded their loans back - Germany went bankrupt trying
Political Impact of Depression on Germany
People started turning to more radical/extremist parties to solve there problems
Social Impact of Depression on Germany
People became homeless and hungry and angry at their political leaders, they blamed them for all this
Growth of Nazi Party
800,000 votes in 1928
14 million votes in 1932
Why were Nazis popular
They promised to get rid of unemployment which was at 6 million in 1932
Hitler was a very appealing leader
They were annoyed with the indecisive Weimar government
Fear of Communism
Who voted for the Nazis
Women - Nazis said family life and good morals were important
Middle Class - A fear of communism
Youth - They wanted the treaty of Versailles torn up, so that Germany was strong for them
Wealthy Classes - opposition to communism and being allowed to run their businesses how they like
Farmers - opposition to communism taking away their land and higher prices for crops
Hitler’s Power Gain
107 seats in 1930
230 seats in 1932
Became Chancellor in 1933, but Hindenburg tried to limit his power
Elimination of Political Opponents
The Reichstag burned down and Hitler blamed it on communist
Hitler passed the Enabling Act (he could pass laws without the Reichstag)
Hitler banned all trade unions and opposition parties
The night of the Long Knives
The Night of the Long Knives
30th June 1934
Killed Rohm (an SA leader who he believed had to much power) and other SA leaders
Over the next few days he killed 400 political opponents
Why did Ernst Rohm need to be killed?
He wanted to combine the army and SA and control both
This alarmed Hitler and the army generals
Hitler needed the Army generals to help get German land back
So he removed Rohm from the situation
