The Depression and the Growth of the Nazi Party 1929-1933 Flashcards
What was the Depression?
- the Wall Street Crash in October 1929 brought about a global depression
- it meant American companies and banks went out of business and millions lost their jobs
How did the Depression impact Germany economically?
- Germany factories shut down as American consumers were no longer buying their goods causing millions of Germans to lose their jobs
- the USA demanded the money they had lent to Germany back
- this lead to high unemployment and German businesses going bankrupt
How did the Depression impact Germany politically?
- popularity in extremist parties increased (like communists and Nazis) that promised radical solutions to Germany’s problems
- in the 1930 election the number of communist and Nazi seats in the Reichstag increased
How did the Depression impact Germany socially?
many people were leaving on the streets and they were jobless, hungry and angry at their political leaders who they blamed for their problems
What reasons are there for growth in the Nazi party?
- the Depression
- appeal of Hitler
- failures of the Weimar government
- fear of communism
- Nazi Party structure and tactics
How did the Depression lead to growth in the Nazi Party?
- by 1932 unemployment stood at 6 million - the nazis promised to create jobs
- people also couldn’t afford food so Hitler’s promise of “Work and bread” appealed to them
How did the appeal of Hitler lead to growth in the Nazi Party?
He gave powerful speeches that filled people with hope and persuaded them that he could solve their problems
How did the failures of the Weimar government lead to growth in the Nazi party?
- the Weimar politicians couldn’t seem to agree on how to help get Germany out of the Depression
- two chancellors did very little to solve Germany’s problems
- many ordinary Germans felt that the democratic system wasn’t working
How did fear of communism lead to growth in the Nazi party?
- in 1917 there had been a revolution and they’re had been attempts by German communists to take over Germany (eg. the Spartacists)
- this frightened middle classes as they didn’t want to lose their wealth or positions in society
- this also worries churchgoers as communists were anti-religion
- Hitler promised to fight communism
- he send the SA to fight communist gangs
How did Nazi party structure and tactics lead to their growth?
- the Nazi party made use of propaganda through new media like radio broadcasts and news reports, they bought newspapers and printed millions of leaflets
- the Nazis repeated their core beliefs: thats the ToV was a crime, that the Jews should be blamed for Germany’s economic problems and that germany should be reborn as a powerful country
- Nazi party offices were set up all over the country to recruit more followers
- the Hitler Youth was set up to encourage younger followers
- Hitler took part in mass parades and rallies to display Nazi power
Who voted for the Nazis?
- farmers
- women
- middle classes
- wealthy classes
- youth
Why did farmers vote for the Nazis?
- the Depression hit farmers hard and the Weimar government offered little help
- the Nazis promised them a better quality of life and a higher status in society
- Nazi opposition to communist appealed to farmers - if the communists took over they would seize the farmers’ land
Why did women vote for the Nazis?
- the Nazis said that family luife good morals and self-discipline were importance for women
- some women agreed with Hitler’s view that Weimar culture had been a bad influence on the youn
Why did the middle classes vote for the Nazis?
- they feared that a communist takeover could destroy their way of life (the Nazis promised to fight communism)
- they also feared that law and order might break down during the Depression and the Nazis promised to deal with problems decisively
Why did wealthy classes vote for the Nazis?
- the Nazis promised strong leadership to make Germany powerful again
- Hitler promised to let owners run factories how they anted and his plans to build more weapons would be good for manufacturing
- the communists wanted to take over many businesses but the Nazis opposed them
Why did youths vote for the Nazis?
- Hitler’s promise to abolish the ToV and make Germany strong again appealed to young people
- they wanted to be a part of Germany’s bright future and get jobs
- many young people were unemployed
What was the result of the 1930 Reichstag election/
- no party won a majority so a coalition was formed
- the Nazis gained 107 seats to be the 2nd largest party
- Brüning became Chancellor but was unpopular for cutting unemployment pay and raising taxes
What was the result of the 1932 Reichstag election?
- Brüning resigned and Hindenburg appointed von Papen
- von Papen lacked support so he called an election
- the Nazis were now the largest political party
How did Hitler become Chancellor following von Papen’s second resignation?
- Hindenburg made von Schleicher CHancellor but he also had little support so resigned
- in January 1933 Hindenburg had little choice but to appoint Hitler as Chancellor
How did Hindenburg try to limit Hitler’s power?
- appointed von Papen as ViceChancellor
- only allowed Hitler to habe two other Nazis in the cabinet
Following the 1932, what did Hitler demand from Hindenburg and why would he not oblige?
- Hitler demanded the Chancellor’s job
- Hindenburg refused as he thought the nazis were disruptive [artu ad used is emergency powers to give the job to von Papen again
- Von Papen called another election in November and resigned as his Centre Party goy fewer votes and the Nazis were still the largest party in
