Rise of the Nazis Flashcards
What was Hitler’s involvement in WW1?
Hitler fought in WW1 and was promoted to corporal
Why did the Nazis disagree with Weimar?
- ONE PARTY, ONE STRONG LEADER
-unite country
-rebuild army ( ignore treaty )
smash communism
-promote aryan race
What was the Wall Street Crash?
In October 1929, the New York stock exchange plummeted and the US recalled their loans from Germany -> everything in Germany depended on these loans so many firms went bankrupt
people were reluctant to trade with a country to economically unstable
demand drops , poverty, unemployment
GREAT DEPRESSION
How did the great depression help Hitler come into power?
Great depression meant people were DESPERATE for RADICAL change to save them
Hitler was promoted as a STRONG leader, which is what the people needed, offered the people someone to blame for their problems, and promised to save them ‘freedom and bread’
How did the Von Papen deal help Hitler get into power?
- Hindenburg didn’t want Hitler as chancellor, chose Von Papen instead
- Reichstag don’t like Von Papen, he is replaced by Schleicher
- Von papen wants revenge persuades Hindenburg to let Hitler be chancellor and Papen vice chancellor
- Hindenburg and Von Papen think they can control Hitler in this position
( HITLER ALREADY HAD WIDE SUPPORT)
What was the Reichstag fire?
In 1933, the Reichstag building was burned down
At the scene, communist Marinus Van Der Lubbe was found
Although he claimed he had worked alone, Hitler believed it was the work of COMMUNISTS
How did the Reichstag fire help Hitler eliminate opposition?
The nazis claimed the fire was a communist plot and used this as reason to arrest 4000 communist leaders
Hitler persuades Hindenburg to give him emergency rights meaning he can arrest and imprison all his opponenents
Also turns people of Germany against communists
What was the enabling act?
Passed in 1933, the enabling act allowed Hitler to be able to pass laws without consulting the president or reichstag
Marked the end of democracy in Germany
How was Hitler able to pass the enabling act?
In order to pass the enabling act, 2/3 of the reichstag needed to support it
-communists banned from voting
-Centre party bribed with church protection
only social democrats voted against
444 in favour, 94 against
How did Germany become a one party state?
The formation of new parties was banned in 1933
by this point, communist and social democrat parties were already banned, others had disbanded
No parties could be formed to rival the Nazi party
Only one party left
What was the Night of the Long Knives
1934, SA leaders dragged from their beds and shot ( including Ernst Rohm (Hitlers biggest rival / close friend)
This showed Germany how ruthless Hitler could be in search of power
Why did the Night of the Long Knives take place?
Hitler was concerned at the rising power of the SA and they were threatening to take over the army
The army was the only force strong enough to over power Hitler -> if he upset them, they would over throw him
What did Hitler do after Hindenburg died in 1934?
Hitler declared himself president and chancellor of Germany, allowing full power over the government
What the the army’s oath to Hitler in 1934 mean?
The German soldiers devoted themselves to Hitler, they swore to obey him and risk their lives for him at any moment
What steps led up to Hitler being dictator of Germany?
Wall street crash -> great depression -> Von Papen deal -> reichstag fire ->enabling act ->political parties -> night of long knives ->death of hindenburg -> army oath
