Part two: The rise of Hitler and the Nazi party 1933-1945 Flashcards
1
Q
Why was Hitler so popular?
A
- After the Munich Putsch and Mein Kampf he ran in the 1932 election and increased his fame
- he was portrayed as one of the people who understood their problems as he was a worker and soldier
- He was a persuasive speaker, coming off as a great leader and promised things that suited each group in society
2
Q
How did the SA contribute to Hitler’s appeal?
A
they used fear and violence to stand up to the communists and sabotage opposition parties
3
Q
How did Hitler appear better than Weimar Germany?
A
He emphasised the failures of the democratic gov and his forceful style made him look decisive in comparison to the unreliable Weimar democracy
4
Q
Who were the SA?
A
They were the stormtroopers formed by Hitler in 1921. Wore brown uniforms. Grew to around 3 million by 1934. Increased support for nazis during 1930-1932 elections using fear and violence.
5
Q
Who did Hindenburg appoint as Chancellor in June of 1928 and then later in 1930?
A
Hermann muller but they disagreed on how to tackle the depression so then Heinrich Bruning
6
Q
What percentage of the votes did Hitler win in April 1932?
A
36%
7
Q
What did president Hindenburg do in June 1932?
A
He appointed Franz Von Papen as Chancellor as suggested by Kurt Von Schleicher who is not a member of the Reichstag
8
Q
Who did Hindenburg appoint as Chancellor in December 1932?
A
Kurt Von Schleicher
9
Q
What happened between May 1928 and March 1932 (control in reichstag)?
A
May- moderate parties win most votes
October 1929- Wall Street crash
Sep 1930- major gains by extreme parties
March 1932- no candidate wins 50% vote for president
10
Q
Who resigned in May 1932?
A
Bruning
11
Q
What happened in July of 1932 with Reichstag elections?
A
The Nazis become the largest party but don’t have a majority. Hindenburg refuses to make Hitler Chancellor. Papen continues to rule through presidential decree than the reichstag
12
Q
Why does Hindenburg sack Papen in November 1932?
A
He followed Schleicher’s advice but Schleicher has little support from the Reichstag nor the German people.
13
Q
What does Papen convince Hindenburg to do in January 1933?
A
To appoint Hitler as Chancellor and himself as vice-Chancellor
14
Q
How did Franz Von Papen contribute to Hitler becoming Chancellor?
A
He ruled with the Cabinet of Barons who except for 2 were not members of the Reichstag. He disliked Hitler but agreed with Manu of his ideas and thought that he and Hindenburg would be able to control Hitler
15
Q
How did Paul Von Hindenburg contribute to Hitler becoming Chancellor?
A
He was never fully supported by the Reichstag and undermined the Weimar Republic by appointing chancellors who were not in the Reichstag. He underestimated Hitler and thought that he and papen could control Hitler.
16
Q
When did the Reichstag fire happen?
A
27th February 1933
17
Q
Who was accused of causing the Reichstag fire?
A
Marinus Van Der Lubbe ( dutch communist) was arrested and executed
18
Q
How did Hitler use the Reichstag fire to secure his dictatorship?
A
1.He accused the communist party of conspiring against the government and 4 thousand were arrested.
2. issued emergency decree to giving himself powers to imprison political opponents and ban opposition papers
3. Persuaded Hindeburg to call March 1933 election to secure more Nazi seats
19
Q
What was the Enabling act and when was it passed?
A
1933 Act proposed by Hitler to destroy the power of the Reichstag and give himself total power to make laws
20
Q
What were the terms to the Enabling Act?
A
- The Reich cabinet could pass new laws
- The laws could rule over the constitution
- Hitler would propose the laws so Germany would no longer be a democracy
21
Q
Timeline for the elimination of political opposition and trade unions:
A
31 March 1933- regional parliaments closed down and reorganised with Nazi majorities
April 1933- Nazi opponents rooted from civil service and law
May 1933- Trade unions broken into and officials were arrested and taken to concentration camps workers now belonged to German labour front
22nd June 1933- SPD banned as they were “hostile to nation and state”
14th July 1933- Law against the Formation of New Parties banned all parties except for the Nazis
22
Q
What was the Night of the Long Knives?
A
30th June 1934 Hitler invited Rohm and 100 SA leaders to meeting in Bad Wiessee to rid himself of their threat. They were arrested by the Stand taken to Much to get shot. After, Papen’s staff were arrested and he was put on house arrest. Schliecher killed.
23
Q
Who were the SS?
A
Hitler’s bodyguards set up in 1925. Run by Schreck then Himmler. Wore black uniforms
24
Q
Why were Rohm and the SA removed?
A
Rohm led 3 million SA which made him a serious rival as he disagreed with some of Hitler’s policies. Officers believed he wanted to make the SA the new army but Hitler needed the army’s allegiance. SS was more disciplined and its leader was closer to Hitler
25
What happened on 2nd August 1934 and what did it lead to?
President Hindenburg died and within hours Hitler merged the role of President and Chancellor, making a new office for the supreme leader- Fuhrer
He made the army swear allegiance to him and not to Germany
26
What did Hitler use propaganda to make himself look like?
To ensure that he looked all powerful and he was portrayed to have superhuman, heroic qualities as a result of the "Heil Hitler" campaign
27
What was the National Labour Service (RAD)?
It was started by the Weimar government but continued by the Nazis. From July 1935 all men aged 18-25 had to serve 6 months. Men worked on public work programmes and farms. The pay was low, hours long and work boring.
28
Which people were taken out of the job market?
1. Jews were forced out of jobs
2. Women were dismissed or left
3. After 1935 many men over 18 were conscripted in armed forces
4. opponents of regime were sent to concentration camps
29
What are some examples of public work programmes?
1. Building new schools and hospitals
2. Planting trees
3. Building 700km of motorways
4. Building and improving public buildings
30
What were the two main economic policies Nazis had to face because of the war?
Rearmament and sufficiency
31
Who was made minister of the German economy?
Hermann Goering in 1937
32
What was the Four Year Plan of 1936-40
1. rearmament to provide weapons, vehicles and equipment for the expanding navy, army and air force
2. make Germany self sufficient in raw materials and food to avoid another blockade
33
What was the policy of autarky?
Policy of self sufficiency which was a failure. Germany was still dependent for 1/3 of its raw materials.
34
How did the German gov try to achieve self sufficiency?
1. Farmers given cheap labour from RAD but food production only grew by a little
2. Partially successful campaigns to make Germans buy German goods
3. Controls put on imports- luxury imported goods increased
4. Scientists funded to find substitutes for resources Germany did not have e.g oil, rubber, cotton
35
Rearmament in Germany from 1933:
More jobs were created and prisoners in labour and concentration camps were used. Some businesses benefitted from designing manufacturing arms. 1939 met with labour shortages
36
What were the pros to Nazi economic policies?
-unemploymet was reduced as most men were in work
-large businesses benefited from wage restrictions and loss of trade unions
-RAD provided better transport, services and homes
-average weekly wages rose form 86 to 109 marks between 1932 and 39
37
What were the cons to Nazi economic policies?
-the cost of food rose cancelling out wage increases
-working hours increased
-available German products were sometimes inferior
-the Four Year plan led to food shortages in late 1930s
38
What was set up in August 1939 during the war?
Rationing system which became more severe come 1941 as the army was bogged down my Russia
39
Who was used as forced labour during the war?
Foreign workers from occupied countries, prisoners of war and inmates from concentration camps
40
What was the 'Total war' Germany was in during WW2?
Germany suffered from weapon and equipment shortages as the 4 year plan failed. The whole economy worked towards the war effort.
-All businesses not involved in war work or food production were closed
-Cinemas were used for propaganda films but other places of entertainment were closed
-services such as post were suspended
41
Impact of war on refugees:
Millions flew in from Poland, East Prussia and Czechoslovakia. From 1945 Russian troops entered Germany. Cities were put under more pressure
42
Impact of rationing due to the war:
From 1943 shortages of food and goods increased so rations reduced. By 1945 people relied on the black market or had to scavenge for food.
43
Impact of bombings due to the war:
Up to 500,000 killed and 70,000 injured during bombing raids. 7 million left homeless. Businesses affected as property and goods were destroyed.
44
Impact of labour shortages due to the war:
After January 1943, all men aged 16-45 and women 17-45 had to work. Hitler Youth and League of German maidens helped with farm work.
45
Why did Nazis have strict policies about women?
They had very traditional views about women. They believed that women's role was to breed and raise a 'master race of Germans' to make Germany bigger and stronger
46
What was the role of women in Nazi Germany?
- natural appearance with long hair tied back and no makeup
- marry and have children
- believe in 'kinder, kuche, Kirche (children kitchen church)
- to stay at home and not work
47
How did the Nazis stop women from working?
From 1933 women were banned from professional careers. Propaganda was used to persuade women to stay at home and not take 'mens jobs'
48
What was the impact of women not being able to work?
Between 1933-36 the number of employed married women fell. After 1939 there was a shortage of workers due to war. Women were encouraged back to work.
49
How did the Nazis encourage women to get married?
The Law for the Encouragement of Marriage 1933. If the women agreed to stop working, marriage loans were given to newly weds
50
What was the impact of the Nazis wanting women to get married?
The number of marriages increased but it my have been because of a stronger economy.
51
How did Nazis encourage women to have at least four children?
Couples were let off 1/4 of their marriage loans for each child they had. From 1936 women were given monthly payments to help raise children. German Women's enterprise gave women medals for having children.
52
What was the impact of the Nazis encouraging women to have at least four children?
Birth rate increased but it may have been because of a stronger economy.
53
How did the Nazis enforce their belief that a woman's role was to look after her children?
The German Women's Enterprise (DFW) ran classes and radio programmes on home matters. Girls' education was towards being a good housewife. 1937 grammar schools banned.
54
What was the impact of Nazis enforcing their belief that a woman's role was to look after her children?
The DWF had 6 million members which means many accepted the policies. The number of women attending university dropped drastically.
55
What were young people told about their life in loyalty to the Nazis?
Their first loyalty was to Nazi Germany and not they family. They were encouraged to regard Hitler as a father figure.
56
What were the reasons for Nazi policies towards young people?
- to create proud Germans who supported an independent Germany
- to make sure that the next generation would be loyal Nazis
- to help children be strong and healthy to produce more children
- to prepare boys to be soldiers and work and girls to being domestic
57
What were examples of Nazi Youth groups?
Hitler Youth (aged 14-18)
League of German Maidens (14-18)
58
What were the policies for Nazi youth groups?
- 1933 all groups for young people except Nazi ones were banned
- Those who didn't fit into Nazi racial ideas were not permitted to join groups
- March 1939 it was compulsory to join
59
What are some examples of youth group activities for boys?
shooting
military drills
helping fire brigade during the war
formed military brigades to defend Berlin
60
What are some examples of youth group activities for girls?
cookery
needlework and craft
learning to look for a good husband
learn about babies and childcare
61
What are some examples of youth group activities for boys and girls?
hiking and camping
learn about Hitler
sing patriotic songs
taking part in Nazi marches and rallies
reporting people who made anti-Nazi comments
62
What were Nazi education policies for schools?
- separate schools for boys and girls
- set curriculum for all schools
- state school until 14 then optional
63
What were Nazi education policies for teachers?
- compulsory to be Nazi party members
- had to teach Nazi ideas
- nearly all joined the 'Nazi's teacher league'
64
What were Nazi education policies for subjects?
- 15% of time was spent on PE to ensure healthy and strong population
- both sexes taught traditional subjects like German, history, Geo and Maths
- new subjects: race studies and Nazi eugenics (controlled breeding to produce the perfect human)
65
What were Nazi education policies for propaganda?
- lessons began and ended with Hitler salute
- Nazi flags and posters in schools
- traditional subjects glorified Germany
- anti semitism and racial ideas taught
66
How successful were Nazi Youth and education policies?
- some opposed and refused to go (Edelweiss pirates, Swing Youth)
- young Germans were generally more loyal and enthusiastic than parents
- activities improved fitness of children
67
Why were churches a threat to Hitler?
- God was their ultimate authority not Hitler
- believed that everyone was equal in the eyes of God not aryan racial superiority
- believed that peace should be strived for not war and militarism
- strong should look after the weak not dominate them
68
What happened when Hitler tried to work with the Catholic Church in 1933?
- reached a concordat that Catholics could continue to worship but bishops had to swear loyalty to Hitler
- Hitler broke promises as he banned Catholic youth organisations and schools and some churches
- 1937 Pope spoke out against Hitler criticising Nazi policies, some priests did this but were sent to concentration camps
69
How did the Protestant churches react to Nazi regime?
- initially supported Nazis as they feared communism
- summer of 1933 Protestant churches merged to form 'reich church' which supported Nazi views and policies, dismissed non-aryan members, sometimes displayed Nazi symbols
70
Which protestants did not accept the Nazi state?
The confessional Church taught only what was in the Bible. Nazis tried to repress by closing them down, harassing members, sending pastors to concentration camps
71
How far were churches under Nazi control?
- Many Nazi opponents were religious
- 6,000 protestant churches in confessional church but only 2,000 in reich church
72
What were the characteristics of the "aryan" German
blue eyed
tall
blond haired
-men: athletic, strong for work and being soldier
-women: athletic and strong for producing babies
73
What was the Nazi racial hierarchy?
Aryans, White western Europeans, eastern Europeans, Black people and Gypsies, Jews
74
What did Hitler say about Gypsies and Jews?
They were sub human, the worst of the undesirables who were not worthy of life
75
Why were Jews hated by Hitler?
- associated with communism
- often successful so people were jealous
- seen as alien because of they practices and beliefs
- blamed for Germans defeat in ww1 as some of Weimar politicians were Jewish
- long history of anti semitism in Europe
76
Who were deemed 'undesirables'
- physically and mentally disabled people
- gay people
- tramps and beggars
- socialists
- trade unionists
77
Untermenschen (sub-human):
- Aryans banned from being with non-aryans
- slavs constantly reminded they did not fit into aryan ideal and were treated badly by the invading Germany army in ww2
- mixed race children sterilised
- worst policies and persecution were to jews
78
The Nuremberg Laws 1935:
- only those with German blood could be citizens
- Jews can not vote, have a German passport or work for the gov
- people were defined Jewish if they had three or more Jewish grandparents
79
What law led to the sterilisation of over 300,000 disabled people between 1934-45?
The 1933 Law for Prevention of Hereditary Diseased Offspring
80
From 1940-41 what was done to mentally ill and disabled adults?
They were killed by gas in the T4 programme until protests led by catholic bishop stopped it
81
What was Kristallnacht?
7th November 1938, Polish jew shot German in embassy in Paris, Goebbels used this to stir hatred towards Jews by attacking homes and synagogues, nationwide attack decided, 9-10th November groups of gangs destroyed and burnt homes shops businesses and synagogues
82
What were the consequences of Kristallnacht?
100 Jews were killed. 814 shops and 171 homes and 191 synagogues destroyed. Goebbels blamed Jews for it and ordered they pay damage. jews fined 1 billion marks.
83
What were some laws placed on Jews between 1933 and 1939?
1933- SA organised one day boycott on Jewish shops, Jewish teachers sacked.
1934- benches painted yellow for jews and banned from public places
1935- jewish businesses taken over by Aryans and passports had to be stamped with a J. Israel or Sarah added to jewish names
1939- jews banned from owning businesses
84
How did Nazis plan to finally rid of Jews?
The final solution to exterminate Jews across all Germany territory in Europe during summer of 1941
85
Timeline of Jewish persecution 1939-1942:
October 1939- First ghettos built in Poland to separate jews from rest
June 1941- SS killing squad (Einsatzgruppen) followed Germany in invading Soviet Union. rounded up and killed all jews. shot and buried in mass graves.
December 1941- chelmno death camps. Jews were first killed by gas trucks
January 1942- Leading nazis met at Wansee conference to decide final solution
March 1942- first gas chambers used
86
What were Ghettos?
Area of city enclosed by high walls with barbed wire on top. Guards shot people who tried to escape. Very overcrowded and much starvation and disease. Goods severely restricted.
87
What was the process of the 'final solution'?
On arrival, the "undesirables" were stripped, hair shaven off, possessions taken away and killed in gas chambers, buried in large pits or cremated in big oven
88
Along with death camps what were there also at Madjanek and Auschwitz?
prison camps , those found fit enough were sent to work camps until they died from the labour
89
Who was Joseph Goebbels?
Nazi minister of Enlightenment and propaganda. Controlled newspapers, radio, film, art, books
90
What were some methods of censorship?
- public burning of books by jewish writers or those who disagreed with Nazi views
- only radios that couldn't receive foreign stations were used
91
Methods of propaganda:
- Olympic Games held in Berlin 1936 to promote Nazi ideologies and "successes"
- Cinema films showed subtle Nazi messages
- Posters posted everywhere that empahsised Nazi beliefs and ideologies
- Hitler made radio speeches which played in public spaces
92
What were the effects of propaganda?
As the war began to go more badly, people heard information from soldiers that contradicted Nazis. Most stopped believing as they experienced bombings and food shortages
93
What was the Reich chamber of Culture?
Set up in September 1933 and was headed by Goebbels. Aimed to ensure that art, literature, music, theatre and architecture was controlled by Nazis.
They instead promoted entertainment that glorified war, showed inferiority of jews and communists, depicted Hitler as a great leader
94
How was art controlled?
painters and sculptors were not permitted to produce art unless they were members of the Reich chamber of Visual arts. Prizes were given to encourage artists to make work that Nazis liked.
95
How was music controlled?
Music by Jews or Jazz by black people was banned. Marching music and traditional classics like Beethoven was preferred. Richard Wagner composed about German heroes so he was promoted.
96
How were films controlled?
Details of planned films had to be approved by Goebbels. All films had to show Nazi newsreels before. Nazis made their own films.
97
How was literature controlled?
Only new books approved by Chamber of Culture could be published. Millions of books burned on public bonfires.
98
How was architecture controlled?
Modern architecture was disapproved. Building often in style of Ancient Rome and Greece.
99
What is a police state?
Controlling people's lives through repression. SS and Gestapo used for frightening people into behaving as th nazis wanted.
100
Who was Heinrich Himmler?
One of hitler's closest colleagues. Led SS from 1929 until his power extended to being the leader of all police and security services. Had control of racial policy and occupied countries in the east after 1939.
101
What was the legal system like in Nazi Germany?
Very difficult to get a fair trial. Trial by jury abolished- only judge. Cases of treason tried in secret by special judges. All judges belonged to a special League.
102
What was the role of the SS?
- had unlimited powers to search property, arrest and imprison people without trial
- recruits had to be pure aryans who breeded aryan children
- put in charge of Einsatzgruppen during ww2
- After 1936 they controlled whole police system and ran concentration camps
103
What was the role of the Gestapo?
- They were the secret police
- no uniforms so hard to identify
- aim was to identify opponents
- spied on people using general population and used torture during questioning
- sent people to concentration camps
- led by Heinrich Muller under control of Himmler and SS
104
What was the impact of the Gestapo and SS on the German people?
People were paranoid and so behaved as the Nazis wanted them to in fear. People were careful about what they discussed so debates about Nazi regime was minimal. Informants could be rewarded for information so spying was encouraged.
105
Why was there very little opposition and resistance against Nazi regime? 1933-39
People feared the SS and Gestapo.
Opposition groups banned so difficult to join with others.
Genuine support for hitler and his policies.
106
How were opponents dealt with up to 1939?
People arrested and threatened into silence. Sent to concentration camps for 're-education'. Nazis disapproved of Edelweiss Pirates and Swing Youth but did not see them as a serious threat.
107
Who were the Edelweiss pirates?
- Group of mainly boys of working class districts who copied American clothing
- Formed in late 1930s and by 1939 had 2,000 members
- listened to pre 1933 folksongs and went on camping trips to the countryside to escape the stifling control of nazis
108
What did the Edelweiss Pirates sing?
"Smash the Hitler Youth in twain, our song is freedom, love and life"
109
Who were the Swing Youth?
-Largely made up of wealthy children
-They challenged the Nazi image of youth by growing their hair and wearing fashionable clothes.
-They also listened to swing music, which was seen by the Nazis as Black music and met at secret dance halls
-Gathered to drink alcohol, smoke and dance.
110
Who was the White Rose Group? 1939-45
- Set up at Munich university by Hans and Sophie Scholl and Kurt Huber.
- white rose= symbol of justice
- they informed people of the atrocities as Hans had witnessed murders
- they were caught and executed
111
What did the Edelweiss Pirates do as they grew in numbers and became more political and violent? 1939-45
- spread allied propaganda leaflets
- attacked Hitler Youth members and some Nazi officials
- killed head of Cologne Gestapo in 1944 and so 12 were publicly hanged
112
What was the July plot of 1944?
Count Stauffenberg devised 'operation Valkyrie' to assassinate Hitler using a bomb in a briefcase at military conference in east Prussia on 20th July 1944. Hitler was only injured. Stauffenberg and 5746 others were executed for their role.
113
How effectively was opposition dealt with between 1939 and 1945?
- dealt with more harshly during the war
- e.g sent to concentration camps of listening to jazz music and inappropriate clothes
- considered opposition as serious threat, publicly hanged and shot
- opposition within army was first genuine threat to Nazi rule. killed as warning to others.
