The rise of the Nazi party and hitler in Germany and the collapse of the Weimar republic Flashcards
The Nazi regime
What was the Weimar republic?
refers to Germany’s government from 1919 to 1933.
(It was remarkably progressive and liberal in many respects, but was also a forced first experience with democracy. There were many groups within German politics and society (from all sides) that refused to work with or support the republic. Instead, working against it for their own gain.)
What Parties were on the left?
KPD: German Communist Party wanting a Soviet style revolution. They were the source of constant revolts and strikes throughout the early 1920s
SPD: these were moderate social democrats committed to parliamentary democracy
What parties were on the right?
DNVP: coalition of nationalist-minded old imperial conservative parties. Landowners and industrialists, but also had support amongst the middle class.
NSDAP: on the extreme right is where you find the Nazi Party (NSDAP), believing in racially based nationalism or Volkisch nationalism. Did not have any real impact on politics in Weimar Germany until the mid-late 1920s
What did the social democrats believe?
Wanted to prevent a communist revolution in Germany (think Russia).
Supported the development of a parliamentary democracy.
The largest party in the Reichstag
Maintained support of the military
the Freikorps fought on the side of the government in the Spartacist Revolt. They violently suppressed the communist revolutionary effort, and played a role in murdering their leaders.
What was the spartacists, Luxembourg and liebknecht?
Radical revolutionaries desiring the creation of a Soviet style republic
Formed the German Communist Party (KPD), opposing the National Assembly and used strikes and revolts to bid for power.
Were destroyed following their attempted coup/revolution in 1919.Leaders like Rosa Luxemburg were murdered.
How did the Weimar republic operate?
President: elected by the people every 7 years. Appointed the Chancellor (usually the head of the strongest political party). Was supreme commander of the armed forces. Capacity to rule by decree at a time of national emergency.
Parliament: there were 2 houses, the Reichstag was the main law making body. Deputies were elected every 4 years. The Reichsrat was less important. It represented the states and could only initiate or delay proposals
What was article 48?
What: The head of state (president) was given the authority to suspend civil rights in an emergency and restore law and order by the issue of presidential decrees (also referred to as emergency decrees).
Why: it intended to allow the government to function in times of crisis.
What happened at the Munich beer hall putsch?
A plot between Kahr and Hitler to overthrow the state government of Bavaria. The putsch was enacted as Hitler led Nazi supporters and the SA in a march on Munich that was crushed by the Bavarian State Police (who actually opened fire on the Nazi’s). Hitler himself narrowly missed being shot and a number of Nazi’s were killed by the gunfire.
This resulted in:
Hitler in prison and writing mein kampf
the nazi party was banned
Hitler reorganised the party
Hitler realised he must take power through the system instead of staging coups
What was the stresemann era?
Stresemann was appointed Chancellor in August 1923. He:
Called off ‘passive resistance’ in the Ruhr
Government expenditure was cut
The Rentenmark replaced the mark
Negotiated the Dawes Plan to enable Germany to repay reparations based on their ability
The extremists on the left and right were defeated
Why did democracy die?
Hostility of vested interests:
Ongoing rejection from the public
Hostility from established elites
Ongoing economic problems:
Hyperinflation
reparations
impact of WW1
great depression
Limited base of support:
German liberalism was loosing support from 1924
Always caught between the extremes of left and right
Never had total confidence or support
What happened in the great depression 1929?
The German economy may have already been struggling, but the Great Depression led to:
Unemployment reaching 3 million by 1930, by 1932 ⅓ were unemployed
Increasing lack of confidence in the newly established democracy
Discontent within the Republic saw a swelling of nationalism, eventually reflected in the 1930 elections
What were key factors in the collapse of the weimar republic?
Outbreaks of violence and unarmed revolt which the weak and unpopular republican government suppressed using the German Army and the paramilitary Freikorps
● Lack of popular support for the republic. German workers were divided between those who wanted reform and those who wanted a revolution, and split along party lines for either the SPD or the KPD
● The retention of the former Imperial bureaucracy and judges who were opposed to a liberal socialist democracy
● Anti-democratic ideas expressed by philosophers and writers during the 1920s. As a mass movement, National Socialism profited from the hostility to the Republic created by certain intellectuals
● Economic problems including the period of hyperinflation, the effects of the Great Depression and unemployment and social collapse
Why did the Nazis rise in support?
Nazis radicalised the electorate system and polarised the political system
Portrayed the NAZI as fresh, dynamic, and disciplined compared to the ‘tired’ old parties of the republic
Hitler offered simple solutions to complex economic situations
