Nazi Germany Flashcards
What were the aims of the Nazis; 24 Point Programme?
Abolish the TOV
Destroy Communism
Make Germany great
Attack Jews who they used as scapegoats for WWI
Nationalize large industries and businesses
Lebensraum
Unite all German ‘volk’
How many seats did they have in 1928?
12
What were the successful characteristics of the Nazi party?
Brilliant propaganda
Used modern technology
Used Communist ideas of state control of industry and giving land to the farmers to gain support of the working classes
Set up the Hitler Youth which indoctrinated young people to believe the Nazi message for power
Hitler was a stirring, passionate speaker
What was the Nazi failed Putsch in Nov 1923?
Hitler and the NAZIS tried to seize control of the Bavarian Government; W.R. unpopular b/c of Ruhr disaster, hyperinflation and Muss had just seized power on Rome; they thought they had support in Munich
What was the result of the failed Putsch?
Army and police were alerted
16 Nazis were killed
Hitler and Ludendorff were arrested and charged with murder
What were the benefits of the army getting involved with the Putsch?
Hitler gained an audience for is radical yet appealing values and aims for Ger; even received a minimum sentence at Lands berg castle - wrote Mein Kampf
What did the Munich Putsch mean for Ger?
It was a short term failure yet it had long term benefits in gaining recognition for the Nazi Party’s plans
Why did the Nazis decide not to support the German workers?
They were more likely to support he SDP or if they had radical views, the Communists
Who did the Nazis target in their campaigns? Why?
Peasants farmers and small businesses as well as the middle class shopkeepers in country towns.
35% of the population was rural
They were not sharing in the prosperity of the WR
Nazis praised them as the racially pure Germans; the ‘blood and soil’ of Germany as it were
Highlighted the importance of the countryside in their plans for Germany
How did the Depression help the Nazi campaign?
Government lost complete control of Germany;
SA gave impression of discipline while the police and Communists were irresponsibly fighting street battles
Unemployment became an issue, by 1932 six million were unemployed - Hitler provided jobs
The 25 Points became attractive; abolishing TOV seemed like a good idea
Hitler also provided scapegoats for Ger’s problems
How did the votes change?
1930 - 107 seats
1932 - 230 seats
What were the basis of Nazi campaigns?
modern and effective; relied on generalised slogans
repeated contempt for the Weimar democratic system
Goebbel’s effective propaganda
Soup kitchens and hostels for the unemployed
Hitler was a powerful speaker
How many votes did Hitler get for President?
13 million and Hindenburg, 19 million
How did the Nazis gain support?
NEGATIVE COHESION
Seemed like the best solution to a time of chaos in Ger
Shred dislike of democracy
Depression - many keen to look to political extremism
Fear of Communism
Fear of Trade Union growth
Hate for the decadent Weimar culture - restore old fashioned values
Nazis were fear mongerers
How did Hitler become Chancellor? DENIAL
July 1932 - General election
Nazis largest party in Ger - Hindenburg refuses to offer him position as Chancellor - appoints von Papen instead
What did von Papen do in 1932 NOV?
Called another election to get extra support
Didn’t get any
Hindenburg needed to replace unpopular Chancellor
Appoints von Schliecher as Chancellor
What did Hindenburg and von Papen (who resigned plan) ?
Needed support of a big party - Nazis biggest party in Reichstag
Offered Hitler post of Chancellor - they took a risk thinking they would be able to restrict his power
Why did H and Papen think they could restrict Hitler?
Few Nazis in the Cabinet
Hitler would rally in support for the unpopular Reichstag
Conservative were in the Cabinet who they thought would control extremism if Hitler tried
How did opponent’s weaknesses change the situation for the Nazis?
Failure to deal with the Depression meant that people were keen to listen to extremists
Failure to cooperate meant that people though WR unorganized (4 diff Chancellors and 30% vote to other parties)
Negative Cohesion - nostalgia for the militaristic times of the Kaiser
How did other factors play a role in allowing Nazis to take over?
Scheming of Hindenburg and Papen; convenient way for Hitler to get power without votes
Weimar had its own weaknesses - no Reichstag support, slow decisions, chaotic
TOV - people blamed WR for agreeing - Hitler promised to abolish it
1932 Problems - Munich Putsch gave Hitler a voice
What did Hitler do after being appointed Chancellor?
Called for another election to increase Nazi majority in the Reichstag
What was the Reichstag Fire in 1933?
During election campaign Reichstag burnt to ground
Hitler blamed the Communists and persuaded the Minister to pass an Emergency Law
Hitler used this to throw many Communists and other opponents into jail. Intimidation of other opposition
How did the Enabling Act help Hitler?
Passed in 1933 - allowed Hitler to pass laws without consulting the Reichstag - to pass it he only needed 2/3 of votes and had 1/2
What did Hitler do to characterize him as a dictator?
Banned Communists
SA intimidated all opposition
He OUTLAWED ALL OTHER PARTIES - Ger became a one party state - dictatorship
Trade Unions were banned and trade officials arrested; Workers now became part of the UNPOPULAR German Labour Front
What was the Night of the Long Knives?
Leading officers in Ger were suspicious of the SA and Ernst Rohm, its leader.
They wouldn’t support Hitler till SA was disbanded; Hitler also felt threatened by Rohm as he was in charge of 4 million men who were loyal to him - Hitler chose that he wanted SS support over SA
June 1934 SS murdered Hitler’s potential SA rivals –> 400 people were killed
Von Schiecher was murdered
Why was Hindenburg indifferent to the NOLK?
He thought that the SA was trouble anyways
What happened to the SA after this?
They became a Nazi paramilitary organization - subordinate to the SS
How did Hitler finally become Fuhrer?
Hindenburg died leaving Hitler as last powerful leader in Germany.
1934 entire army swore oath of allegiance to him and agreed to stay out of politics
What did Hitler start to do now that he was in power?
Secretly began to rearm, reintroduce conscription and made plans to make Ger a military power again
