(U1) Developments In Nazi Germany 1933-39 (including Opposition During The War) Flashcards
1
Q
How strong was Hitlers position as chancellor when first appointed
A
- not initially strong (broad coalition - only 3 nazis in cabinet)
- Von Papen believed he and Hindenburg could control Hitler
- however Frick role as Minister of interior gave widespread power over policing and justice
2
Q
What was Hitler’s first action as chancellor?
A
- 31st January 1933: radio address to the nation
- asked German people for 4 years (a precursor of the enabling act)
- set out Nazi plan and helped gain trust of people
3
Q
When was the reichstag fire and how did the nazis react
A
- Feb 27th 1933 Reichstag set ablaze
- Dutch communist Van Der Lubbe imprisoned and executed for the fire
- Hitler described it as ‘God given signal’ and golden opportunity for Nazis
- Portrayed as attack against Germany
4
Q
What was the Decree for the Protection of the People and State? (5 policies)
When was it signed?
What was its affect (for the Nazis)?
A
- signed February 28th 1933
- took away freedom of assembly,
- allowed government to access communications,
- allowed internment,
- freedom of press curtailed,
- death penalty for certain offences
- increased power of Nazis hugely
5
Q
What did Hitler do after the reichstag fire?
and
What did this demonstrate?
(Other than Decree)
A
- banned the KPD (Feb 28th 1933)
- sent clear intentions of Nazis about eliminating competition
- illustrated Nazi view that communism and being German were incompatible
6
Q
What were the results of the March 5th 1933 election (3)
What was the backdrop to the election?
A
- No overall majority by Nazis 43.9% (288)
- joined with DNVP 52.6% (340)
- KPD banned - Nazi coalition majority up to 60%
- widespread violence by SA - intimidation during election
7
Q
What was the Enabling act?
How was it passed? (3)
A
- Law that would give Hitler dictatorial powers for 4 years - bypassing the Reichstag
- required 2/3 Majority in reichstag to pass
- achieved through intimidation and coersion e.g Z party by promising to respect rights of Catholic Church and uphold religious values
- passed 441 to 94 only SPD went against
8
Q
When was the Enabling Act passed?
A
March 23rd/24th 1933
9
Q
What moves did the Nazis take to eliminate opposition in local govt?
A
- March 31st 1933: local govts disbanded and reconstituted to 60% Nazi majority in every district
- April 1933 to Jan 1934: Länder progressively outlawed, centralising govt
- also introduced Reichstadthalter (governor roles)
10
Q
What moves did the Nazis make against Trade Unions (2)
Why?
A
- May 2nd 1933 Trade Union offices occupied and assets seized
- Replaced May 10th by German Labour Front (DAF)
- Seen as potential opponents to Nazis regime
11
Q
What happened to the other political parties in Germany in 1933? (3)
A
- June and July 1933 DVP, DNVP and Z party voluntarily fold SPD banned
- Law against formation of political parties - July 14th
- Germany now one party state, gave Nazis legitimacy
12
Q
What was the Law of Unity of Party and State?
What was its effect?
A
- made it compulsory to be a Nazi party member to hold government position
- NSDAP became synonymous with Germany and third Reich
- Ties Nazi party to every part of the German state
13
Q
What was the Law for Reconstruction of the German State?
When was it passed?
A
- Reichsrat abolished local governments made subordinate to ministry of interior
- end of federalism (centralism)
- January 1934
14
Q
What were the reasons for the Blood Purge? (3)
A
- 2-3 million SA soldier loyal to Röhm who was openly critical of Hitler - power threat
- Röhm wanted to merge with the army and lead it - Hitler sought their loyalty for control
- Röhm was a socialist who wanted another revolution which made him an opponent of Hitler
15
Q
What happened during the Night of Long Knives? (3)
When was it?
A
1.
- 200 SA officer arrested and executed
- Rohm executed
- other political opponents arrested or executed
- clear sign of Nazis ruthlessness
- June 30th 1934
16
Q
What was the final step of the Nazis consolidation of power politically? (3)
A
- 2nd August 1934 Hindenburg dies office of Fuhrer created same day
- army oath of allegiance to Hitler - Aug 1934
- August 19th 1934 - plebiscite on creation of Fuhrer receives 89.9% endorsement
17
Q
How many Jewish people where in Germany in 1933?
A
503,000
18
Q
Where did the Nazis lay out their opinions on the Jews (earlier documents) (3)
A
- 25 Point programme clearly references anti semitic ideas
- Mein Kampf more specific about Hitlers plan for Jews
- Secret book of 1928 also referred to Nazi attitudes to Jewish people
19
Q
After gaining power what was the Nazis first anti semitic action?
What was this in response to?
What was its effect?
A
- Boycott on Jewish owned businesses on April 1st 1933
- Response to American boycott on German exports
- supposed to be indefinite but only lasted one day due to lack of popular support
- led to more gradual propaganda focused policy
20
Q
What was the Nazis first discriminatory legislation against Jewish people?
When was it passed
What did it entail?
A
- April 7th 1933 Law for restoration of the professional civil service
- barring Jewish people and other opponents from holding civil service positions except WW1 veterans or long service
- Applied on religious grounds not racial
21
Q
What other professions where Jewish people barred from? (1933)
A
- April 1933 law for the disbarment of non-Aryan lawyers
- Policy on Jewish doctors and practice of medicine in Germany
- Journalism (1933 Editors Law) and Dentistry targeted as well
22
Q
Why did Nazi Anti semitic policy slow during 1934
A
- Hjalmar Schacht appointed minister of Economy
- Cautioned against overt and over zealous anti semitism that could damage economic recovery
- Schacht got his was saying ‘ economic realism outweighs ideological prejudice
- only 23,000 Jewish people emigrated opposed to 37,000 the previous year
23
Q
Why did the Nuremburg race laws happen
A
- After relaxed 1934 rabid anti semites like Julius Streisser demanded action
- Annual party conference in Nuremburg in September
- Nazis called Reichstag into session at Nuremburg to enact race laws
24
Q
What was involved in the Nuremburg race laws
A
- Law for protection of German blood and honour ( law against race mixing or race defilement)
- Reich Citizenship Law (only racially pure permitted to have citizenship) Meant Jewish people lost Constitutional rights
- November 14th 1935 Decree on the Citizenship Act (if had 3 or more Jewish grandparents considered Jewish)
25
Q
Why did overt anti semitism slow down in 1936
A
- Berlin was the host city of the Olympics
- anti semitism eased as world attention was on Germany emigration lessened and 70,000 returned believing the worse had happened
26
Q
what was Germanys first solution to the Jewish question
A
- 1937 SD under rabid anti semite Heydrich given control of Jewish affairs
- new policy of emigration for Jews more intense than before
- 1937 Central Office for Jewish emigration created after Anschluss added 200k Jewish people to Germany
- Coercive emigration led to emigration of 50k from Austria 19k from Germany and 17k from the Sudetenland between August to November 1938
27
Q
Why did Kristallnacht happen
A
- November 1938 17 year old Polish Jew Herschel Grynzspan assassinates German diplomat Ernst Vom Rath in Paris
- Munich November 8/9th 15th anniversary of Munich Putsch and 16 Martyrs
- Goebbles at Munich hears of Rath’s death and gathers nearby Nazis to begin a riot beginning Kristallnacht
28
Q
What was the result of Kristallnacht
A
- SA took lead in atrocities
- 8,000 Jewish businesses attacked and destroyed
- 200 synagogues destroyed
- 90 died
- 30,000 sent to concentration camps
29
Q
What was the cost of the damages and how where they paid
A
- 6.1 billion reichsmark worth of damage to be paid by the Jewish people
- Jewish people forced to clean up damage in the streets and decree of confiscation of Jewish properties passed to pay for damages
30
Q
What was the Ewian Conference
A
- Conference with delegates from 32 countries to discuss refugee crisis brought about by German expulsion of Jewish people
- by 1938 150k Jews had fled approximately 1 in 4
- countries like US and UK refused to allow free access the Jewish refugees in spite of their protests and condemnations of German actions against the Jewish people
31
Q
What was the Nazis economic plan before they came to power
A
- Had no clear economic policy
- Vague promises of party programme were:
- Curb big businesses
- Abolish department stores
- Aid small businesses, farmers and artisans
32
Q
What was Hitlers view of capitalism and socialism and how did this affect policy
A
- Hitler lukewarm to the more socialist parts of his party
- however he moved to reassure business leaders that they shouldn’t fear Nazis
- ‘Capitalism and Bolshevism two sides of same Jewish international coin’
- developed third way when in power a mixed economy with free market capitalism while state sponsored public works reduced unemployment
33
Q
what were the main issues that faced the economy in the early years of the Nazis
A
- Main was issue was unemployment which official reports estimate 6 million while higher estimates say 8.5 million
- Trade declined 50%
- Agriculture burdened by debt and uncompetitive internationally due to lack of investment from Weimar regime
34
Q
What were the 3 main goals of Nazi economic policy
A
- Deficit financing using public works to help reduce unemployment (Keynesian economics)
- Autarky and self suffiency cutting themselves from international trade focused on by Hjalmar Schacht in his New plan
- Wehrwirtfchacht or war economy focusing on reading the German economy for total war
35
Q
what were some of the advantages for the Nazi economic position though
A
- Great depression was easing and sign of growth beginning to show
- Von Schleicher already has public works plan to build on
- Reparation payments scrapped in 1932
- Reichsmark left gold standard
- Voluntary Reich Labour Service already established
- Fewer people entering workforce due to low birth rate during Weimar regime
36
Q
What was Hitlers economic promise to the German people
A
- Hitler promised to resolve unemployment in 4 years
- Crucial for creation of Hitler Myth
37
Q
How did the Nazis tackle unemployment (8)
A
- Young people removed form unemployment list and ‘employed’ in Voluntary Reich Labour Service
- Conscription in 1935 gave 100,000 young men jobs in military
- Law to reduce unemployment in June 1933 took women out of workforce
- marriage loans granted to keep women out of workplace
- 1 billion reichsmark invested into public works
- government subsidies for house building
- Tax concessions for automotive industry lead to 40% increase in employment in that industry by June 1933
- Cut down average working week so more workers needed
38
Q
How much did unemployment fall from 1933 to 1939
A
1933- 6.1 million
1939- 302,000
39
Q
What was the New plan
A
- Froze all interest payment son foreign debt
- strictly regulated imports with special supervisory offices
Bilateral trade agreements with South American and Balkan countries paid in reichsmark targeting trade partners outside British and French control - switch from civilian to military production consumer goods 25|% economy 1935 17% in 1937
- creation of MEFO bills
40
Q
What were MEFO bills
A
- used to place orders with industries for military
- Reichbank paid holder cash
- 4% interest rate per Anum
- Banks forced to invest 30% of deposits on MEFO bills
41
Q
How effective was the New plan
A
- imports increased from trade with south America and Balkans
- due to acceleration in rearmament demand for resources skyrockets e.g. December 1934 copper demand increased by 100% but not enough foreign capital to pay for it
- need for foreign capital led to using profit from exports
- contributed to balance of payments deficit due to trade deficit
42
Q
What was Schachts warning to the Nazis around the economy
A
- Warned them about increasing cost of rearmament which was ignored by Nazi hierarchy
- 1936 Goring appointed minister for raw materials and currency
- September 1936 4 years plan announced illustrating Hitlers intention to prepare for war
43
Q
What legislation for the Mittlestand did the Nazis pass and what the result
A
- Law for protection of trade barred department stores from opening new branches
- marriage loan vouchers also couldn’t be redeemed in department stores
- In the end Nazi promises weren’t kept as number of small businesses fell between 1933 and 1939
- factory workers made more on average than self employed
- meanwhile department stores didn’t close and in one case Hermann Tiez’s chain of stores saved by government loan saving 14,000 jobs
44
Q
what did the Nazis promise the Mittlestand
A
- Mittlestand made out of lower middle class, farmers, small business owner and white collar workers
- Nazis promised to help this group who believed were forgotten by the Weimar regime
- Nazis knew they hated big businesses so promised to curb their influence
- big business represented by large department stores which the Nazis promised to legislate in favor of the Mittlestand against them
45
Q
Why was agriculture so important for the Nazis
A
- saw failure to produce food as reason for defeat in WW1
- Viewed peasants as ‘life source of nation’ and propagandized with ‘blood and soil’
46
Q
What policies did the Nazis pass in 1933/34 for farmers
A
- Hugenberg Minister of food paused peasant debt in October 1933
- set up tariffs on agricultural imports
- helped dairy farmers my insisting butter be added to margarine
- Richard Darré replaced him in June 1934 setting up the Reich food estate which had responsibility for all aspects of food production
- prices set up and agreed by produces, wholesalers and retailers
47
Q
what was Hitlers long term economic aim and how was this shown?
A
- rearmament was always Hitlers long term aim
- Autobahn was primarily for military mobility, improvements in automotive industry also to improve military and even RAD was to toughen young men for future war
48
Q
what were the 6 departments for the 4 year plan
A
- production of raw materials
- distribution of raw materials
- labour force
- agricultural production
- price supervision
- foreign exchange matters
49
Q
what were the results of the 4 year plan
A
- labour and agricultural departments basically subordinated to 4 year plan
- private industry relied on
- large focus put on production of synthetic oil and rubber which proved costly and ineffective
-in 1938 Austrian works appropriated and Skoda works proved vital to Germans in war when seized after taking the sudentland - huge production increases but never reached targets so imports remained draining German resources
50
Q
what issues faced the German economy before war
A
- 1933-1939 money in circulation doubled eased by Walther Funk the minister for economics’ ‘new finance plan’ in March 1939
- rearmament paid with 40% of manufacturing paid for by tax certificates
51
Q
what issues did re armament make to the German economy
A
- production bottlenecks due to inter-service rivalry for scarce resources
- labour shortages due to 900,000 being in military and RAD ate up labour force
- lack of foreign exchange to pay for imports
- danger of inflation due to increase of money in circulation by 3x between 1923 and 1939
52
Q
what were the 7 sub sections of the Reich Chamber of Culture
A
- Fine arts
- Music
- theatre
- press
- radio
- literature
- film
53
Q
how did the Nazis affect music in Germany
A
- celebrated famed German classical composers such as Bach and Beethoven while Mahler and Mendelssohn were banned due to being Jewish
- banned new music genres such as jazz and dance band music for being ‘degenerate’ and ‘negroid’
54
Q
How did the Nazis affect literature in Germany
A
- Between 1933 and 1945 over 2,500 writers left Germany reflecting views of the new cultural atmosphere e.g. Thomas Mann (liberal & democrat), Berthold Brecht (communist) and Erich Maria Remarque (pacifist).
- The Nazis wanted to create a very uncomfortable space for those who held alternative views
- They were replaced by a lesser literary group who accepted or embraced the new regime and its restrictions
- the general quality of literary work fell and few works from the time lasted the test of time
55
Q
How did the Nazis affect visual arts in Germany
A
- modern schools of art held in contempt for showing decadence and moral corruption of failed democratic experiment
- Bauhaus style heavily censored for presenting ordinary people in everyday life and is therefore a comment on society and therefore politics
- in 1937 to contrasting exhibitions shown one entitled ‘degenerate art’ and the other ‘Great German Art’ The artists most in favour were the sculptor Arno Breker, the architect Albert Speer and the artists Adolf Zeigler and Hermann Hoyer
56
Q
How did the Nazis affect cinema in Germany? (2)
A
- many major studios held by Nazi sympathisers. Many Jewish film makers and directors left Germany e.g. Fritz Lang
- The ministry of Propaganda and Public Enlightenment funded films. Divided into 3 main categories:
- Overt propaganda: e.g. The eternal Jew 1940, Hitlerjunge queux
- pure escapism: e.g. adventures of Baron von Muchhausen
- emotive nationalism: e.g. Olympia, Our Flags lead us forward 1933
57
Q
How did the Nazis use Radio for propaganda
A
- Hitler and Goebbels both appreciated the effectiveness of the spoken voice
- broadcasting had been organised on a regional basis. Goebbels changed this by bringing all broadcasting under Nazi control creating the Reich Radio Company
- 13% of those employed were removed on racial or political grounds and replaced by those loyal to himself and Nazism.
- Goebbels: ‘By this instrument (radio) you are the creators of public opinion.’
- In 1932 around 25% Germans had access to radio which was relatively high but not enough for effective propaganda
- the Nazis set about producing a cheap and affordable radio which they named Volksempfanger or the ‘People’s Receiver’. By 1939 70% of German households had a radio which represented the highest figure in the world.
- Broadcasting was also directed toward the public in other ways. Public Address systems were placed in public squares, in restaurants, factories and offices and the Nazi message would be delivered directly to the people.
58
Q
How did the Nazis use press media for propaganda
A
- Germany had over 4700 daily newspapers when the Nazis came to power in 1933 and this particular means of mass communication would not be so easily controlled. Each region had a strong individual identity and were reluctant to surrender that unique identity. These publications were all owned privately and consequently had no loyalty to a central authority
- The Nazis established a publishing house Eher Verlag. This organisation bought up newspaper titles and by 1939 controlled about 2/3 or 67% of the newspapers
- In October 1933 the Editor’s law was passed which meant that the content of a newspaper was the sole responsibility of the editor. It was his job to satisfy the requirements of the Ministry for Propaganda & Public Enlightenment
- Goebbels introduced daily press conferences at the Ministry for Propaganda & Public Enlightenment
- The various news agencies were merged into one organisation, the DNB. All news had to be filtered through this organisation before it got to the journalists.
- standard of journalism fell significantly in Germany in this period and the circulations of newspaper fell by 10% before 1939.
59
Q
how did the Nazis minimize opposition in certain groups early on
A
- 1933 concordat between Nazis and catholic church
- press coordinated with DNB and editors law and other decrees on journalism
- police state coordinated with SS, gestapo people’s court and Nazification of judiciary
- broadcast media brought under control with tighter regulation
- military arguably most influential pillar of Germany had to take oath to Hitler creates appearance of Nazis sway over army
60
Q
who were the Edelweiss Pirates
A
- most famous is a collective group called Edelweiss pirates
- collection of smaller local clubs such as the Kittlebach Pirates, Travelling dudes or the Navajo
- predominantly working class who rejected Nazi conformity ideologically opposed to Nazis and refused Nazi plan for youth
- took part in acts of vandalism and even sabotage as well as harboring deserters during war
- eventually assassinated gestapo officer
- 460 arrested 12 publicly executed
61
Q
who were the swing youth
A
- Nazis labelled American jazz and swing music ‘degenerate’ and ‘negroid’ eventually banning it
- mostly middle class young people joined together to support the style and music
- though not a threat many still suffered hugely at hands of Nazis
62
Q
how did the KPD oppose the Nazis
A
- banned in February 1933 forced underground
- most former members joined rote Kapelle or the red orchestra a resistance cell established in factories 81 in Berlin alone
- called for resistance through pamphlets or papers
- uncoordinated acts of violence
63
Q
why did KPD opposition struggle
A
- suffered due to allegiance with USSR deemed unGerman and traitors to their people
- Nazi Soviet pact Aug 1939 led to them being abandoned by USSR especially after 1941 invasion
- also hindered by leaders leaving to fight in Spanish civil war
64
Q
how did the SPD oppose the Nazis
A
- socialists also forced underground after being outlawed May 1933 with many leaders being arrested or exiled
- opposition hurt by inability to work with communists
- used names like Manheim group during war
65
Q
who were the white rose
A
- university group led by Hans and Sophie Scholl as well as professor Kurt Huber
- produced anti Nazi pamphlets and organised demonstrations around Munich University
- Scholls arrested by Gestapo, tortured tried found guilty and executed February 1943
66
Q
why didn’t the church oppose the Nazis
A
- distrust of left wing politics believing they were Godless
- nationalist sympathies within the church
- fear of the Nazi state
67
Q
how did the church provide opposition to the Nazis
A
- came in shape of individuals such as Bishop Galen of Münster who opposed euthanasia
- protestant clergymen such as Pastor Martin Niemoller and Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer became important opposition to Nazi regime
- Niemoller set up confessional church as opposition to Nazi Reich church
- Niemoller arrested in 1937
- Bonhoeffer joined conservative opposition later
68
Q
who were the conservative Elite who opposed the Nazis
A
- many within social, economic and academic élite were opponents of Nazis
- opposition grew as war went against Nazis
- included some high ranking military personnel
69
Q
what was the Blomberg-Fritsch affair
A
- 1937 Hossbach meeting and memorandum showed Hitlers intention of annexing Czechoslovakia
- many in military agreed with strategy even if it meant war with USSR
- Others including Blomberg (minister of Defense), Ludwig Beck and Fritsch disagreed with strategy and claimed Germany wasn’t ready
70
Q
what was the result of the Blomberg-Fritsch affair
A
- Hitler furious with insubordination
- led to removal of Blomberg using wife’s past as reason for dismissal
- Fritsch also threatened with exposure of homosexuality if he didn’t resign
- large scale purge of armed forces ensued
71
Q
what was the Beck-Goredeler Affair
A
- Ludwig Beck, Carl Goredeler and Ulrick von Hassell became convinced of foolishness of war with Czechoslovakia
- believed it would lead to unwinnable war with USSR
- planned a putsch to remove Hitler and get allied assistance
- policy of appeasement disrupted their plan so nothing happened
- Beck the army chief of staff resigned over Czech war
72
Q
what was the Kreisau circle
A
- group of academics ,aristocrats, business leaders and military hierarchy created an alliance
- led by Helmut von Moltke and Peter Wartenberg met secretly at Moltke’s country estate
- plan to overthrow Hitler and establish democratic Germany these plans where the ‘Basic principles of the New Order’
- became involved in numerous attempts to overthrow Hitler most famously operation Valkyrie
73
Q
what was operation Valkyrie
A
- assassination plot to happen at Wolfs lair
- Claus von Stauffenberg would deliver explosives
- once Fuhrer was dead new government formed and peace sought with allies
74
Q
what was the result of operation Valkyrie
A
- the Fuhrer survived
- Von Stauffenberg and co-conspirators pursued, arrested and executed
- in total 5,000 executed including Beck, Moltke, Rommel and Goerdeler
75
Q
why did the conservative Elite fail
A
- too late to oppose the well established regime
- army tied to Hitler through July 1934 oath of allegiance
- police state well embedded
- early Nazi successes won over officer corps
- planning was fraught with difficulties and various conspirators had different views on future of Germany after Nazis
