The Nazis 1929 to 1949 Flashcards
Describe what happened during the Reichstag Fire, including when it was and who was blamed.
The Reichstag was burned in February 1933 and it was blamed on communist Marinus van der Lubbe.
Hitler banned the KPD after this and used it to show it was the start of a communist revolution.
What was the Enabling Act and when was it passed?
As a result of the Reichstag Fire, Hitler asked Hindenburg for emergency powers to allow the Chancellor to rule by decree.
It passed in March 1933.
What is Gleichschaltung?
All industries must conform to National Socialist ideals (Nazification).
What was the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service?
The removal of non-Aryan people from job roles & implementation of roles for Aryan Germans.
Describe what happened during the Night of the Long Knives, including when it was and why it happened.
On 30th June 1934, Hitler ordered the SS to arrest and murder Ernst Rohm and other prominent SA members.
He thought the SA were going to try and overthrow him.
He also had to reduce the SA’s power in order for the army to swear an oath to Hitler once Hindenburg died, otherwise there was a threat of the army trying to overthrow him.
What happened to other political parties once Hitler became Fuhrer?
The KPD and SPD were banned, others were disbanded, and new parties could not be created.
What was the July 1931 banking crisis?
Germany wanted to pair with Austria in terms of a customs union.
France and Britain didn’t like this so they withdrew the currency, which caused an Austrian-German crash.
What was Schact’s New Plan?
Set up a more tightly regulated system of controlling imports and a series of trade agreements with some European countries.
It was started in 1934 with the aim of getting Germany out of an economic depression, which included a heavy debt crisis.
Describe the Four-Year Plan, including when it was, its aims, and the successes/failures of it.
Announced in 1936 by Goering, its aim was for Germany to become self-sufficient within 4 years (by 1940). This also included making Germany ready and fit for war within 4 years.
Hitler wanted Germany to no longer rely on imports for raw materials, but by 1939 it had failed to meet a number of key targets:
- The production of synthetic oil in 1939 only covered 18% of the demand
- By the outbreak of war 1/3 of Germany's raw materials were still being imported
Compare Germany’s government spending in 1932 to 1938 using statistics.
5 billion marks in 1932
30 billion marks in 1938
What two schemes did Hitler introduce to reduce unemployment?
The Law to Reduce Unemployment
Reich Labour Service (RAD)
What did the Law to Reduce Unemployment do?
Poured money into public work schemes (1933).
What did the Reich Labour Service (RAD) do?
All men aged 18-25 had to do 6 months labour (1935).
This was extended to include women in 1939.
Using statistics, compare unemployment figures in Germany in 1932 against 1938, explaining why the latter figure may be inaccurate.
In 1932 unemployment was at 6 million.
In 1938 unemployment was at 0.4 million. This figure did not include women and Jews, and the so-called ‘work shy’ were sent to concentration camps.
What did the Nazis invest in which benefitted the economy post-WW2?
Communications
Armaments
Vehicle Manufacturing
Optics
Chemical & Light engineering industries
