Part 2 - Germany and the Depression Flashcards
What was the impact of the Wall Street Crash on Germany?
- Goods made in Germany factories such as cars and electrical goods weren’t selling.
- American banks wanted the money they had lent Germany back.
Unemployment figures from 1928-1932?
1928 - 1.5 million
1932 - 6 million
Which parties grew in popularity?
Extremist parties such as:
- Nazis
- Communists
Why did the Nazi Party grow in popularity?
- The Depression
- Germans unhappy with the Weimar Government
- The appeal of Adolf Hitler
- Fear of Communists
- Nazi methods and tactics
How many seats did the Nazi have in May 1928 and July 1932?
1928 - 12
1932 - 230
What Chancellor was appointed in 1930.
- In the 1930 election Heinrich Bruning was appointed Chancellor. Bruning wasn’t popular.
What Chancellor was appointed in 1932?
- In 1932 Bruning resigned and Hindenburg appointed Franz von Papen. But von Papen didn’t have any support so called an election.
- Because of his success in the 1932 election Hitler demanded the Chancellor’s job, Hindenburg refused appointing von Papen again.
Who did Hindenburg appoint after von Papen resigned for the 3rd time?
- Hindenburg then appoint Kurt von Schleicher.
When was Hitler appointed as Chancellor?
On the 30th of January 1933 Hindenburg was left with no choice but to appoint Hitler.
How did Hitler remove the Communists as a competitor for votes?
1) In February 1933 Hitler arranged another election.
2) On the 27th of February of 1933 there was a fire at the Reichstag Hitler blamed the Communists.
3) Hitler asked Hindenburg to pass the ‘Protection Law’
4) The Protection of People and State Law passed letting Hitler banning communists from running in the election.
What was the Enabling Act?
Hitler convinced the Centre Party to join the Nazis so there was a majority.
Hitler then forced the Reichstag to pass the Enabling Act which meant he could pass laws without asking the Reichstag
What did Hitler do with his new power from the Enabling Act?
- Created the first concentration camp.
- He banned trade unions.
- He banned all other political parties.
- When Hindenburg died Hitler gave himself the title of Fuhrer.
Why did the Night of the Long Knives happen?
Hitler felt threatened by powerful members of his party especially Ernst Rohm, the leader of the SA.
Rohm wanted to merge the SA with the German army and take control of it - this would make Rohm too powerful.
What happed in the Night of the Long Knives?
On the 30th of June 1934 the SS (Hitler’s bodyguards) stormed into a hotel where Ernst Rohm and other important leaders were shot.
Over the next few days 400 people were executed.
Impacts of the Night of the Long Knives?
- Hitler had publicly got away with murder and had established violence as part of the Nazi government.
