Life in fascist Germany Flashcards
where did fascism begin? with who?
Italy with Benito Mussolini
what is fascism?
a political movement that promotes an extreme form of nationalism, a denial of individual rights, and a one-party dictatorship
Mussolini began to rule by decree, what does this mean?
that he could make laws without going through parliament
what was Mussolini known as?
Il Duce (the leader)
what was democratic Germany called after WW1?
the Weimar Republic
what did many Germans blame the Weimar Republic for?
failing to restore Germany’s greatness, defeat in WW1, economic crisis - high unemployment and inflation
why was the Weimar Republic nicknamed “the November criminals”?
because they signed the armistice that ended the war in November 1918
what does Nazi stand for?
National Socialist German Workers Party
what were some Nazi aims/characteristics?
they wanted to scrap the Treaty of Versailles and were extremely anti-communist
how did Hitler get involved with the Nazis?
he was a German Army spy and spied on Nazi Party meetings, grew impressed with their ideas and joined them, soon becoming their leader
what was the Beer Hall Putsch? when did it happen?
a rebellion against the Weimer Republic in Munich, in November 1923
what was the book Hitler wrote in prison?
Mein Kampf (My Struggle)
what did Mein Kampf outline?
core Nazi beliefs, his vision for future Germany, racism - Jews and communists considered threats, ideas of “racial purity”, Lebensraum
what was Lebensraum?
living space - Hitler’s want to expand territory to create more living space for ethnic Germans
what ideas of the Fascist Party did Hitler adopt?
a salute, an army, an emblem
what were Hitler’s army called?
the SA or Sturmabteilung or “Brownshirts”
what was Hitler’s chosen emblem?
the swastika
what were some reasons for the rise of the Nazi Party?
the unpopularity of the Weimar Republic, the Great Depression (the Wall Street Crash played into this), Hitler’s leadership and policies, propaganda, increased popularity in elections
when was Hitler appointed Chancellor?
30th January 1933
when did the Reichstag burn down?
February 1933
what did the fire give Hitler an excuse to do?
ban the Communist Party and give extra powers to his SA
what did Hitler and the SS do to win a general election in March 1933?
attack opponents and voters
what law did Hitler create in March 1933?
the Enabling Act, which allowed him to rule by decree - creating a dictatorship
what was Hitler now known as?
der Führer (the leader)
what were some of Hitler’s economic policies?
independent trade unions were abolished and strikes made illegal, public work schemes were created for unemployed people, rearmament in violation of the Treaty of Versailles took place (e.g ships, arms, ammunition), motor industry expanded (Volkswagen) and private industry was encouraged by cutting taxes
what were some Nazi youth groups?
the Hitler Youth, the League of German Maidens
what happened to children in these youth groups?
they were indoctrinated (brainwashed) with Nazi ideas
what changes did Hitler make to education?
textbooks were rewritten to glorify Hitler, Mein Kampf became the official history book, teachers had to be members of the Nazi Party, loyalty to the Führer was taught, and a portrait of Hitler was in every classroom
could women in Nazi Germany have careers?
no, female doctors, teachers and civil servants were forced to give up their careers
what were the three Ks?
Kinder, Kuche, Kirche (children, kitchen, church)
what did Hitler do to encourage high birth rate?
mothers of over eight children were awarded a gold medal
how were women expected to dress and look?
traditional peasant costumes, flat shoes, hair in plaits or buns
what were women not supposed to do? (in relation to appearance)
wear make-up, wear trousers, dye their hair or smoke in public
who was Minister for National Enlightenment and Propaganda? what was he in control of?
Joseph Goebbels, in complete control of the press, radio, cinemas, theatres and art
what books were banned or burned?
any books by Jews or any book disagreeing with Nazism
what was the production of cheap radios called?
the people’s radio
what propaganda did Hitler use to promote himself?
posters that presented him as a godlike figure, people had to celebrate Hitler’s birthday, “Heil Hitler!” was a common greeting and the Nazi salute was made compulsory
what events were used as propaganda?
the Nuremberg Rallies (and the propaganda film “Triumph of the Will”) and the 1936 Olympics
when was the Gestapo (secret police) set up and by who?
1933 by Hermann Goering
what was the Night of the Long Knives?
a two day purge in which Hitler commanded the SS to arrest/kill the leaders of the SA. 400 people including Ernst Rohm were executed over the weekend and 1000 others arrested
when was the Night of the Long Knives?
30th June 1934
who did Hitler and the Nazis send to forced labour camps?
journalists, political prisoners (including communists), LGBT people, Roma people, people with disabilities and Jews.
what is anti-Semitism?
the hatred of, or prejudice against, Jewish people
when were the Nuremberg Laws passed?
1935
what did the Nuremberg Laws do?
took citizenship away from Jewish Germans - they couldn’t vote, own property, hold certain jobs (e.g teachers or civil servants) or marry non-Jewish citizens
what were the Aryans?
the Germans and other Nordic peoples that were considered a superior “master race”
what did Jews have to wear to identify themselves?
the Star of David, a six-pointed yellow star
what was the Night of Broken Glass (Kristallnacht)
a two-day riot where Nazis destroyed Jewish homes and businesses after the murder of a German diplomat by a Jewish teenager in Paris
