What destroyed the Weimar Republic? Flashcards
What threatened Hitler’s power and position as chancellor in 1933?
The Reichstag, Hindenburg and the SA.
Who were the Nazis main rival political party during the Depression?
The Communists.
What sort of promises did the Nazis make to people before elections?
Solve Germany’s economic problems, provide strong leadership, ignore the Treaty of Versailles, build up the army, make Germany great again.
What does ‘Nazi’ stand for?
National Socialist German Worker’s party.
How many seats did the Nazis win in the 1933 election?
288
What happened to Hindenburg in August 1934 and how did Hitler react?
He died. Hitler then merged the position of President with Chancellor and became all powerful leader of Germany.
1When did Hitler join the Nazis?
1919
How many people were unemployed in Germany by 1932?
6 million.
Why did fear of Communism make many moderate Germans vote for the Nazis?
People who wouldn’t normally vote for the Nazis decided they’d rather have them in charge than the Communists who would take their money and possessions.
Who were the SA?
The Sturm-Abteilung or stormtroopers. Hitler’s brown-shirted private army, commanded by Ernst Rohm.
What role did Von Papen, Von schleicher and President Hindenburg play in Hitler’s becoming Chancellor?
Political deals! Von papen was unsuccessful as Chancellor so was sacked by Hindenburg who replaced him with Von Schleicher. Schleicher also had little success with the Nazi dominated Reichstag. Meanwhile, von Papen wanted his revenge on von Schleicher so made a deal with Hitler who become a ‘puppet’ chancellor to be controlled by Hindenburg and him as vice-chancellor.
What messages did Nazi propaganda give voters in 1932?
That Hitler was their last hope and that only the Nazis could save Germany from economic turmoil.
When was and what happened on the Night of the Long Knives?
29th -30th June 1934. Ernst Rohm, SA leaders and other opponents were killed by the SS on Hitler’s orders.
What month in 1933 were all political parties banned?
July.
What started the Depression in 1929?
The Wall street Crash in America.
What was the Enabling Law and when was it passed?
March 1933. It gave Hitler the power to pass laws without the Reichstag, basically ruling Germany on his own.
How did the Nazis ensure they did so well in this election?
Opponents were killed, Sa and police pressure at polling booths, the Nazis’ anti-Communist message reinforced on radio.
What happened in 1923 to change Hitler and the Nazis approach?
The Nazis were unsuccessful with the violent approach they had used in the Munich putsch and Hitler ended up in prison.
How many Reichstag seats did the Nazis win in the July and November elections of 1932?
July: 230, November:196
When did Hitler become Chancellor of Germany?
January 1933.
Why did Hitler feel that he had to choose between the German army and the SA?
Because the army didn’t like Rohm and the SA whilst Rohm wanted command of the army. Hitler knew he needed the armies support to stay in charge.
When was the Reichstag fire?
February 1933
What was it about Hitler’s style and skills that made him so popular with voters?
A powerful and inspiring public speaker, could identify with his audiences, people believed in him.
What else about the Nazis impressed voters?
They were well organised and well funded.
