Weimar - key topic 2 Flashcards
What was Hitler’s life like?
Born in Austria in 1889 and moved to Munich in 1913 and became obsessed with the German identity. He fought in WW1 and was shocked by German’s defeat and the Treaty of Versailles.
What was Hitler’s early political career like?
Hitler joined the German Workers’ Party (DAP) in September 1919. 1920 - Hitler became second in command. 1920 - He suggested changing it to the National Socialist German Workers’ Party or NAZI for short. 1921 - Hitler took control of the party.
What was the 25-point programme and what were some points?
It was a Nazi programme written by Hitler and Drexler in 1920. 1. Get rid of ToV. 2. Everyone should have a job. 3. Build Germany’s armed forces. 4. No Jew may be a citizen. 5. All citizens are equal.
Who were the Stormtroopers (SA) and what was their job?
A paramilitary force made up of unemployed ex soldiers. Formed in 1921 by Hitler and under control by Ernst Rohm. Nicknamed brownshirts and they controlled opposing crowds to Hitler - usually violently.
What was the Munich Putsch?
November 1923 - Hitler attempted to overthrow the Weimar government.
What were some long term reasons for the Munich Putsch? (4)
- Stab in the back mentality. 2. Reparations. 3. Loss of German colonies (13) 4. Resentment of Weimar government.
What were some medium term reasons for the Munich Putsch?
Hitler was influence by Mussolini’s right wing party in Italy. He marched on Rome in 1922; forcing the democratic gov to accept him as the leader.
What were some short term reasons for the Munich Putsch?
- Hyperinflation. 2. French troops invading the Ruhr. 3. Hitler thought he had lots of support.
What were the events of the Munich Putsch? - 8th
- 8th Nov 1923 - meeting of 300 officials of the Bavarian government in a Beer Hall and Hitler broke in with 600 SA members, with guns and forced them to support him. 2. Rohm took over local police and army headquarters.
What were the events of the Munich Putsch? - 9th
- 9th Nov 1923 - 1000 SA and 2000 volunteers marched Munich and Hitler declared himself the President. 4. They were met with police and Rohm got arrested. 16 Nazis were killed and were seen as martyrs.
What were the events of the Munich Putsch? - 11th
- 11th Nov - Hitler was arrested at his friends house.
What were some consequences of the Munich Putsch? (5)
- Hitler was arrested. 2. Nazi party banned (until 1925). 3. Hitler used his trial to publicise his views. 4. Hitler wrote My Struggle which became a bestseller when published. 5. Hitler rethought his tactics to win support nationally instead of using force.
What was the Bamberg Conference 1926?
Hitler organised this conference to address splits between the socialist and nationalist wings of the Nazi movement. Hitler’s power as leader was secured and his vision of Nazism taken forward.
Why was support limited for the Nazis 1924 - 28?
- Due to Stresemann’s increasing of living standards; people were less receptive to extremist parties. 2. They were also banned until 1925. 3. Hitler was in prison until Dec 1924; after serving 9 months.
When was the Wall Street Crash and what did it force USA to do to Germany?
October 1929 - US companies lost billions of dollars overnight which caused worldwide depression. It forced USA to stop lending money and demanded all loans to be paid.
How did the Wall Street Crash affect German businesses? (3)
- They had to pay back loans. 2. Received no more investment from USA. 3. Had to pay increased taxes to the German gov.
How did the Wall Street Crash affect the German gov? (3)
- Couldn’t borrow money so printed more money and increased taxes. 2. They made cuts in unemployment benefits. 3. Government workers had their wages cut and some lost their jobs.
How did the Wall Street Crash affect German people? (2)
- Millions of workers lost their jobs. 2. Families suffered terrible poverty.
How did Hitler’s appeal grow support for the Nazis after the wall street crash?
- He was a strong leader. 2. His image appeared on most publicity material. 3. He travelled around the country; giving speeches and talking on the radio. 4. The party adopted new technology e.g. planes.
How did the SA grow support for the Nazis after the wall street crash?
They used intimidation tactics.
How did Hitler’s propaganda grow support for the Nazis after the wall street crash? (6)
He persuaded: 1. business people that he could solve the economic crisis. 2. woking class people that he could give them work and food. 3. middle class people that he could protect them from communists; solve the economic crisis and return Germany back to their traditional values. 4. the young 5. rural communities 6. women - to save the nation and protect their families.
What happened in April 1932?
- Hindenburg stands for re election as President. 2. No party has the majority. 3. Chancellor Brunning bans the SA.
What happened in May 1932?
- Hindenburg IS reelected as President. 2. Chancellor Bruning resigns and is replaced by von Papen. 3. Coalition between Nazis and right wing occurs as long as ban on SA is removed.
What happened in July 1932?
Reichstag elections. The Nazis became the largest party with 230 seats. Hitler demanded to be made Chancellor but Papen remained.
What happened in November 1932?
Further election and von Papen goes.
What happened in December 1932?
Von Schleicher becomes chancellor.
What happened in Jan 1933?
Hitler becomes chancellor.
Why does Hitler become chancellor?
- Nazis had the majority of seats. 2. Hindenburg misjudged Hitler and thought he could control him.
