The Rise of the Nazi Party and Hitler in Germany and the Collapse of the Weimar Republic Flashcards
stab in the back legend
stab in the back legend blamed scapegoats and became used as propaganda for anti-democratic, right wing politicians
Weimar assasinations
between 1920 and 1923, there were 250 political assassinations including Matthias Erzberger, who signed the ToV on behalf of Germany
reasons for the failure of Weimar Republic
Stab in the Back Legend
Conservative elites maintained power
violent opposition to democracy from both sides of the political spectrum
structure (kinda) of the Weimar Republic
Friedrich Ebert was the Republic’s first president and Scheidemann was chancellor.
Weimar Constitution guaranteed basic political liberties and gave all men and women over the age of 20 the right to vote
president was the head of state and was elected every seven years
reichstag members were elected by proportional representation which made it nearly impossible for any one party to form a majority
Article 25
the president could close the Reichstag and call elections and gave them the power to appoint or dismiss the Chancellor
Article 48
gave the president emergency powers in time of crisis, the right to close parliament and issue decrees
Kapp Putsch
1920
attempted right-wing takeover of the government
led by Wolfgang Kapp
attempt was a failure due to the strike action of Berlin workers
Beer Hall Putsch
November 1923
Hitler
Hitler was arrested but received a very lenient prison sentence from a judge who was sympathetic towards his right-wing nationalist views
First Economic Turning Point for Weimar Collapse
Missed reparation payment in 1923
weimar government printed more money leading to hyperinflation
French and belgian troops occupied Rhineland in attempts to enforce reparation payments
impacts of hyperinflation
led to fear and uncertainty, and linked the weimar government with economic mismanagement.
workers in the Ruhr region went on strike, pursuing a policy of “passive resistance and non-cooperation”
government continued to pay striking workers wages
1920s position of weimar
better economic position due to introduction of Dawes Plan and the Rentenmark extremist parties got few votes Hindenburg became president in 1925 strong welfare system democracy remained fragile heavily reliant on US loans agriculture in depression unemployment at 10% in 1926 1925 election showed enduring support for Kaiser's authoritarian regime
evans historiography - political situation in Weimar
“Even in the mid-1920s, therefore, the political situation was looking extremely fragile… the brutal fact was that, even in 1928, the republic was as far away from achieving legitimacy as ever” (Evans, 2003)
Important points (kinda timeline) in the rise of the Nazis
by 1920, party membership had reached 3000
in 1921, the party newspaper the Volkischer Beobachter is launched
In July 1921, Hitler becomes leader of the party and is deemed the Fuhrer
In September 1921, Hitler sets up the SA with the purpose to protect party leaders and meetings
By mid 1923, the party had 70,000 members and 15,000 SA members
result of the munich putsch
convinced Hitler that he had to gain power legally and power by force would not be achieved. he would need support from the army. Trial brought him to national prominence
membership fell and the party was banned in Bavaria
Ideological division in the party. Strasser promoted support of industrial workers and supported more socialist aims. Hitler overpowered him and his racist, nationalist, conservative agenda became party agenda
1928 elections - Nazi results
gained only 12 seats and 2.6% of votes
september 1930 - Nazi election results
gained 18.3% of votes and 107 seats
July 1932 - Nazi election results
37.3% of the vote and 230 seats
effects of Depression on Germany
us funds were withdrawn resulting in the collapse of many small businesses and high unemployment
by 1932, 6 million people were unemployed
tariffs increased, which hurt germany who were heavily reliant on international trade
German chancellor, Heinrich Bruning undertook policy of deflation by increasing tax and decreasing government expenditure - contractionary stance
July 1931, the Danat goes bankrupt
Shirer Hitler quote
“Like most great revolutionaries he could thrive only in evil times… when the masses were unemployed, hungry and desperate… (the people’s suffering he would) transform cold bloodedly and immediately, into political support for his own ambitions.” (Shirer 1964)
Ultimate collapse of Weimar
March 1930 - the Muller grand coalition collapses and Muller resigns
Bruning is appointed Chancellor and governs on the basis of Article 48
September 1930 - Bruning calls elections - Nazis become the 2nd biggest party in the Reichstag
March 1932 - Hindenburg, Hitler, Duesterbuerg and Thalmann contest the presidential election
May 1932 - Franz Von Papen is appointed Chancellor
July 1932 - Nazis become the biggest party in the Reichstag
Hindenburg refuses to make Hitler Chancellor but offers to make him VC. Hitler refuses
December 1932 - Von Schleicher replaces von Papen.
30 January 1933 - Hitler is appointed Chancellor with Von Papen as VC
Results of 2nd 1930 Presidential electio
Hindenburg gains 53% of the votes and Hitler gains 37%
