Life In Fascist Germany Flashcards
Fascism
Is a form of government that is a one-party dictatorship.
Mussolini founded the idea in Italy.
Rule by decree
You could make laws without going through parliament
The Acerbo Law
Mussolini won the Acerbo law using violence and bribery.
This allowed him to Rule by Decree
Reasons for Hitlers rise to power
Many Germans were depressed after the Treaty of Versailles was signed. Germany was in an economic crisis with very high levels of unemployment
When was the Nazi Party formed
In 1919.
Hitler and the Nazi party
Adolf Hitler was a spy for the German army. While spying of Nazi Party meeting, he grew impressed by their ideas. He joined them and was soon chosen as party leader
The Beer Hall Putsch
Hitler and the Nazi Party organised a rebellion in Munich in November 1923. It was quickly stopped and Hitler was sent to prison.
Hitler in Prison
While Hitler was in prison, he wrote Mein Kampf, which outlined the core Nazi beliefs and his vision for Germany. He claimed that Jews and Communists were major threats. He wanted to end the humiliating Treaty of Versailles. He also wanted Lebensraum.
Hitler admired Mussolini’s Facist party and adopted many ideas.
Lebensraum
More living space for Germans, essientally gaining more territory for Germany
The Rise of the Nazi Party
The unpopularity of the Weimar government. The Great depression Hitlers leadership and policies Propaganda Increased popularity in elections
On 30 January 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. He began to form his dictatorship.
Creating a dictatorship
On February 1933, the Reichstag building was set on fire, allegedly by a comunist. This gave Hitler an excuse to ban the Communist Party.
The SA
An army for the Nazi Party and Hitler
Waffen SS
Hitlers bodyguards
The Enabling Act
Hitler created a law named the Enabling Act in March 1933. This allowed him to rule by decree. Hitler was now known as der Führer
Life in Hitlers Germany: Economic Policies
Between 1933 and 1939, Nazis dramaticall improved Germany’s economy.
Independent trade unions were abolished
Public works schemes were created.
Rearmament, this involed arms and amunitions.
The motor industry also expanded
Hitler cut taxes to encourage private industry.
Life in Hitler’s Germany: Education
Hitler concentrated on the young because they were the future of the Nazi Party.
Nazi youth groups were set up, the Hitler Youth and the League of German Maidens were brainwashed with nazi ideas.
In schools, textbooks were rewritten to glorify Germany and Hitler.
Teachers had to be members of the Nazi Party.
Life in Hitler’s Germany: Women’s lives
Women were expected to stay home and look after the family. Women with jobs were forced to give them up. Even near the end of the war, women were not asked to serve in the armed forces.
The womens job was the three Ks’ :Children, Kitchen, Church.
Hitler wanted a high birth rare, mothers who had more than 8 children were awarded a gold medal.
Women wore flat shoes, they had their hair in plaits or buns. They couldnt wear make-up or trousers, dye their hair or smoke in public.
Life in Hitlers Germany: Propaganda
Joeseph Goebbels was made Minister for National Enlightenment and Propaganda.
Book burnings took place to rid of books by Jews.
They made radios cheap so everyone can afford it and listen to Hitler’s speeches.
Many posters were placed.
“Hail Hitler” was a common greeting, the Nazi salute was made compulsory
The 1936 olympics were held.
The Nuremberg rallies showed the power of the Nazi army.
Terror in Hitler’s Germany
In 1933, the Gestapo or secret police were set up. People were encouraged ro report opponents or communists to the secret police.
By 1934, Hitler believed that his SA were a threat to him. On 30 June 1934, the Night of the Long Knives, the SS killed the leaders of the SA.
From as early as 1933, people who disagreed or were considered undesirable with Nazi Germany were sent to forced labour camps, such as communists, LGBT people, people with disabilities and many Jews.
Anti Semitism
Is a hatred of, or prejudice against, Jewish people. Hitler used anti-Semitism to gain popular support.
The Nuremberg Laws
The Nuremberg Laws were passed in 1935, these laws removed the rights of Jews: to be German citizens, to vote, to own property, to hold certain jobs and to marry non-Jewish people. They were also forced to wear the Star of David, on their clothing.
Aryans
Germans and other Nordic peoples were a superior ‘master race’
Hitlers treatment for Jews got worse
A jewish teenager murdered a German diplomat. This was followed by the Night of the Broken Glass. Thousands of Jewish buildings were destroyed and at least 100 Jews were killed. Thousands were sent to concentration camps.
Many Jews fled the country.
