Great Depression and rise of the Nazis Flashcards
When did the Wall Street Crash occur?
29th October 1929
What event did the Wall Street Crash cause?
The Great Depression
What economic impact did the Wall Street Crash have?
Millions of Americans couldn’t sell shares for as much as paid, some couldn’t pay banks back, couldn’t buy goods and businesses collapsed causing unemployment
How did the Great Depression hurt Germany?
German factory goods not selling, American banks demand back lended money, German banks demand from businesses, which couldn’t pay, and went bankrupt, millions of Germans unemployed
What political effect did the Great Depression have in Germany?
Desperate people prepared to listen to radicals like left-wing Communists and Right-Wing Nazis
By the time Hitler became chancellor in January 1933, how many Germans were unemployed?
6.1 million
By 1928, how many votes did the Nazis get, and what percentage of the population voted for them?
received 800,000 votes, less than 3% of population voted for them
By 1928, how large were the Nazis compared to other political parties?
8th most popular German political party
What were the major factors which contributed to the Nazis’ rise to power?
The Great Depression, unhappiness with the Weimar government, Hitler’s appeal, fear of Communism, Nazi party structure and tactics
By July 1932, how big was the Nazi Party compared to other parties?
The Nazis were the most popular party
By July 1932, how many votes did the Nazi Party record?
Nearly 14 million
How did the Great Depression contribute to the Nazis’ rise in popularity?
Desperate, unemployed Germans were prepared to listen to and vote for the Nazis, whose message was the same as in the early 1920s
How did unhappiness with the Weimar government contribute to the Nazis’ rise in popularity?
Weimar politicians argued constantly, achieved very little, two Chancellors Müller and Brüning had little impact and resigned
How many seats did the Nazi Party have in the 1928 - 1932 elections?
May 1928 - 12; September 1930 - 107; July 1932 - 230; November 1932 - 196
How many seats did the National People’s Party (DNVP) have in the 1928 - 1932 elections?
May 1928 - 73; September 1930 - 41; July 1932 - 37; November 1932 - 52
How many seats did the People’s Party (DVP) have in the 1928 - 1932 elections?
May 1928 - 45; September 1930 - 30; July 1932 - 7; November 1932 - 11
How many seats did the Centre Party (Zentrum) have in the 1928 - 1932 elections?
May 1928 - 62; September 1930 - 68; July 1932 - 75; November 1932 - 70
How many seats did the German Democratic Party (DDP) have in the 1928 - 1932 elections?
May 1928 - 25; September 1930 - 20; July 1932 - 4; November 1932 - 2
How many seats did the Social Democratic Party (SPD) have in the 1928 - 1932 elections?
May 1928 - 153; September 1930 - 143; July 1932 - 133; November 1932 - 121
How many seats did the Communist Party (KPD) have in the 1928 - 1932 elections?
May 1928 - 54; September 1930 - 77; July 1932 - 89; November 1932 - 100
How did the appeal of Hitler contribute to the Nazis’ rise in popularity?
Hitler had a charismatic personality and was a powerful speaker, drawing people to the Nazis
How did the fear of Communists contribute to the Nazis’ rise in popularity?
Middle and upper class Germans, especially businessmen and landowners, and churchgoers, frightened of Communists, Hitler fought Communism from start
How did the Nazi Party’s methods and tactics contribute to its rise in popularity?
Nazi Party offices established to recruit followers; radio, cinema and poster propaganda used; Hitler in rallies made speeches, Hitler Youth Organisation set up to encourage young followers, new technology (planes, radios) used
What were some groups which the Nazis appealed to?
Farmers, women, Middle-class (small business owners, bank workers, doctors, managers), young people, upper classes and rich factory owners
When was Hitler appointed as Chancellor?
30th January 1933
How did Hitler become chancellor? (events)
September 1930 election, Brüning resigned, Chancellor Franz von Papen, July 1932 election, November 1932 election, Papen resigned, Chancellor Kurt von Schleicher, Schleicher resigned, Chancellor Hitler
How did the Nazi increase their support after the September 1930 election?
Millions of posters, mass rallies, SA beat up Communists and disrupted their meetings
What was Reichsbanner?
Organisation formed by members of SPD, Zentrum, DDP, prepared to use violence to defend parliamentary democracy
When was Reichsbanner formed?
1924
Which groups did Reichsbanner often clash with?
Nazi Stormtroopers and Communist Party members
How did Hindenburg try to limit Hitler’s power after he was appointed as Chancellor?
Franz von Papen was appointed as Vice Chancellor and Hitler could only have 2 fellow Nazis in the cabinet
When did the Reichstag burn down?
27th February 1933
When did Hindenburg pass an emergency “Protection Law” which gave Hitler power?
28th February 1933
When did a German election occur after leading Communists were banned from taking part in its campaign?
5th March 1933
When was the Enabling Act passed?
23rd March 1933
What did the Enabling Act do?
Gave Hitler the power to make laws without asking the rest of the Reichstag politicians
What was the final action which gave Hitler the Reichstag majority he needed?
Politicians in the Centre Party were persuaded to join the Nazis
When were Nazis put in charge of all local government, councils and the police?
7th April 1933
Where was the first concentration camp opened and who was it for?
Dachau, southern Germany, for political prisoners
What secret police was formed by the Nazis?
Gestapo
When did Hitler ban all trade unions?
2nd May 1933
When did Hitler ban all political parties in Germany except the Nazis?
14th July 1933
When did President Hindenburg die?
2nd August 1934
What did Hitler do after Hindenburg’s death?
Hitler took over the President’s job while remaining Chancellor, had army swear oath of loyalty to him
When did the Night of the Long Knives occur?
30 June 1934 - 2nd July 1934
How many members of the SA were executed during the Night of the Long Knives?
Around 400
How large was the German Army in June 1934?
100,000
What was the Schutzstaffel (SS) originally?
Hitler’s elite personal bodyguards
Who was the leader of the Schutzstaffel?
Heinrich Himmler
Who was the leader of the SA?
Ernst Röhm
What were the impacts of the Night of the Long Knives?
All leading Nazis who didn’t agree with Hitler dead; SS instead of SA grew in importance, responsible for Hitler’s security; murder established as method of Nazi government
