Hitler⭐ Flashcards
Why weakness of the Weimar government was a favourable outcome
The coalition governments kept breaking up, leading to frequent changes in the government. For example, there were altogether 20 different coalition groups under the Weimar Government. The frequent changes made it difficult to put in place long term plans to develop the country and a lack of political continuity. This affected the effectiveness of the Weimar government in solving problems and improving the lives of Germans. Its credibility was consequently affected. As a result, many Germans lost faith in the government and were willing to support extremist parties such as the Nazis. Hence, the ineffectiveness of the coalition governments gave Hitler and the Nazis an advantage, therefore rising to power.
Why the Great Depression was a favourable outcome
A stock market crash in 1929 at the New York stock exchange sparked an economic depression in Germany as they heavily relied on US loans and investments. The USA realised all loans given to Germany, causing many German businesses and factories to close. About 6 million lost their jobs, suffered poverty and hardships. This economic crisis led to a political crisis as the Weimar Government failed to solve the economic crisis and lift the Germans out of poverty. This economic crisis made Germans lose their faith in the Weimar Government, they became desperate and were willing so support extremist parties such as the Nazis, who offered more effective ways to solve Germany’s problems. The Nazis used this opportunity to openly criticise the government for their economic woe and promised to give the people jobs and hope. This swayed Germans into supporting Hitler and the Nazi party won its highest percentage of votes at the height of the Great Depression. Therefore, one reason for the rise of Hitler was the Great Depression.
Appeal of Nazi ideology - Hitler’s abilities
Many Germans were attracted to Nazi ideology and its promises. Hitler had always been against socialist ideas, especially those concerning sexual and racial equality. For example, the Nazi party’s Twenty-Five points promised to undo the humiliating Treaty of Versailles and restore Germany’s national pride. Hitler’s ideas of rebuilding Germany into a strong nation and establishing a Greater Germany for all German-speaking people appealed to many Germans and won their support. The Nazis promised to deliver the Germans from their woes of the Great Depression by providing “Jobs” and “Bread” and having a strong central support won the support of many Germans, who were already disillusioned with the Weimar Government and were desperate for help. Thus, Hitler was able to rise to power by using a simple but relevant ideology that appealed in the needs and sentiments of Germans. Therefore, one reason for Hitler’s rise to power was through Nazi ideology.
Charisma & Oratorical skills - Hitler’s abilities
Hitler was a powerful speaker and communicator with a strong belief in himself. He was able to relate to the people’s hardships and whip up the crowd with his stirring speeches. Through his speeches, he made Germans believe that he understood them and could solve their problems. Hitler toured the country frequently and conducted mass rallies. These rallies were organised with floodlights and marching music to protect a positive image of Hitler. Hitler also exploited the circumstances, where he put blame on the Weimar Government for the sufferings from the Great Depression. Thus, Hitler’s strength as a passionate speaker helped him to convince the people and the party that he could offer a credible solution to end their problems and misery. Therefore, one reason for the rise of Hitler was his charisma and oratorical skills.
Political impact - Consolidation of power: Reichstag fire
In February 1933, the Reichstag fire took place and a Dutch communist member (Marinus Van Der Cubbe) was caught at the scene of the fire. The Nazis accused him of being part of a communist conspiracy. He and 4000 communist members were arrested for attempting to overthrow the government. Hitler also convinced President Hindenburg to invoke Article 48, which would establish emergency powers and suspend civil liberties such as freedom of press and right to public assembly. The suspension of civil liberties affected the election campaign of political parties in preparation for the March elections. And from the aftermath of the Reichstag fire, it helped Nazis remove their biggest rival, the communists, by weakening them through arrests and heightening the people’s fear of communism. Hitler cleverly manipulated the events surrounding the Reichstag fire to eliminate his most formidable opponent, and reduce their threat and chance to win the March elections. Therefore, one impact of Hitler’s rule is the consolidation of power.
Economic impact - Organising workers’ lesiure time
To win the support of workers and control leisure time, the Nazis set up “Strength through joy” to provide cheap recreational activities such as cruises and sports events for workers. The “Beauty of Labour” programme was set up to improve working conditions and facilities. And lastly Hitler started a scheme where Germans can save 5 Deutsche a week to a buy a volkswagen car. The Kdf programme was very popular, as it made it possible for workers to afford social activities they previously could not. However, these planned recreational activities also led to the Nazis having control over their lives and watching over them. Therefore, one economic impact of Hitler’s rule was the control over worker’s leisure time.
Economic impact - Control of trade Unions
Hitler imposed a wage freeze on all workers in 1935. He banned all trade unions and forced all workers to join a worker’s organisation called the German Work/Labour Front, where workers were strictly controlled by the Nazis. Although workers could not be sacked, they were no longer allowed to go on strike or bargain for higher pay or better working conditions. And workers could not change jobs without the government’s permission. All workers were given “work books” in which employers made comments about them. Though the economy was improved and there was greater industry peace with fewer strikes, it was at the expense of a worker’s wage, benefits and freedom to switch jobs, and it also meant that workers lost the platform to protect their interests. Now the Nazis had strict control and could monitor German workers. Therefore, one economic impact of Hitler’s rule was control of trade unions.
Social impact - Propaganda
Hitler used propaganda to project a positive image of himself and the Nazi-party, so that he can win the continued support and loyalty of the people. Joseph Goebbels was put in charge as the head of the Reich ministry of public enlightenment and propaganda Goebbels controlled and ensured that all forms of media such as films and posters carried pro-nazi messages. Goebbels would also stir up anti-semtism feelings and anti-communist feelings. Mass rallies such as the Nuremberg rallies were organised to showcase German might and develop a sense of belonging. Education was also placed under strict Nazi control to propagate Nazi ideas such as loyalty to Hitler. Teachers and professors were closely monitored to ensure they did not teach anti-Nazi ideas. Thus, the use of propaganda to project the Nazis i; a positive image helped the Germans obey Hitler as the saviour of Germany, since all that the Germans could read, listen and see idolised Hitler. Hitler gained people’s loyalty and secure his hold of the people. It also increased the popularity of the Nazis for all Germans, and remind them of the Nazi achievements. Therefore, one social impact of Hitler’s rule is propaganda.
Social impact - Rise of secret police
To make Germany a totalitarian state with no opposition to challenges his rule. Hitler see violence to instil fear into the people. Hitler turned Germany into a police state by using the SS (Blackshirts) and the Gestapo to hunt down his opponents. The SS were responsible in destroying “The enemies of the state”and Cary out Hitler’s racial policies. They ran concentration camps where opponents of the state or undesirables were tortured and laboured. The Gestapo were staffed by affairs of the SS. It had almost unlimited power to eliminate Nazi threats. They were responsible to no one and can detain without trial. They tortured, arrested and intimidated opposers by sending them to concentration camps. The use of violence by the SS and Gestapo struck fear in the people and helped Hitler consolidate his power as no one dared to oppose his authority for fear of arrest, punishment or being sent to concentration camps. The people lived in constant fear and suspicion because they did not know when they could trust. Many informers were working for the Nazis and any criticism can warrant an arrest. There was a lack of freedom and expression of ideas. Therefore, one social impact of Hitler was the rise of the Soviet police.
