Why Nazis Gained Power Flashcards
Intro
At the end of WW1, Weimar Republic established. From the outset the Republic faced numerous challenges. Political groups on the left & right mounted attacks against them & the signing of Treaty of Versailles increased discontent with people describing it as a ‘diktat’
Line of Argument
___ quite important for rise of Nazi party however it is clear the major reason for Nazi success was Germany’s economic problems
Factors
Appeal of Hitler & the Nazis after 1928 & the resentment of the Treaty of Versailles
Weaknesses of Weimar Republic - Knowledge
Voting system used proportional representation which led to coalition governments
Became known as November Criminals as many felt government had ‘stabbed Germany in the back’ & Germany surrendered without being defeated in field
Freikorps called in to brutally suppress Spartacist revolt in Jan 1919 & leaders of revolt were murdered
Weaknesses of Weimar Republic - Analysis For
Coalition governments weak, Nazis promised return to strong leadership which many Germans desired. Actions to solve political crisis was important as actions of Weimar split KPD & SPD. This meant instead of working together to stand united against Nazis, there was limited opposition & they only grew stronger
Weaknesses of Weimar Republic - Analysis Against
Evidence people supported them & democracy. The Kapp Putsch came to an end as the people of Berlin went on strike which cut the rebellion short. This shows many German people supported democracy meaning the Republic may have survived in different circumstances
Weaknesses of Weimar Republic - Evaluation
Clear Weimar weaknesses cost the republic support however the fact during the prosperous 1924-1929 period support for pro-Weimar parties rose shows that economic factors have a bigger influence on Nazi success. As AJP Taylor states “It was the Great Depression which put the wind in Hitler’s sails
Economic Difficulties - Knowledge
1923, Germany suffered period of hyperinflation following the French & Belgian invasion of the Ruhr
Prices rocketed, many Germans lost life savings & those on fixed incomes faced hardship
1929, Wall Street Crash occurred causing depression across the world
- Germany badly affected due to reliance on American loans
Unemployment increased & businesses were forced to close, by 1932 around 6 million Germans were unemployed
Economic Difficulties - Analysis For
During the 1920s people suffered as a result of economic crisis. This made the Weimar republic look incapable & many blamed them for the issues they faced. It could be argued this drove people to support the Nazis as they offered promises of a better future
Economic Difficulties - Analysis Against
Other countries such as Britain also experienced depression & didn’t see the rise of an extremist to power. This suggests other factors must also play a part in why Hitler was appointed chancellor
Economic Difficulties - Evaluation
The fact Nazi support fell between 1924-29 but rose along with unemployment by 1933 suggests it was economic problems that persuaded Germans to give their support to Hitler
Appeal of the Nazis after 1928 - Knowledge
Promised farmer fair prices for their products & businessmen that they would protect Germany from communism
SA popular amongst working class men who liked the military aspect of this group which gave a sense of order during a chaotic time
Nazi propaganda portrayed as Germany’s saviour & was proclaimed to be ‘Germany’s last hope’ in their poster campaigns
Appeal of the Nazis after 1928 - Analysis For
People believed the Nazis were the solution to their problems. Saw Hitler as Germany’s saviour & wanted strong leadership following the chaotic years of the Weimar Republic
Appeal of the Nazis after 1928 - Analysis Against
Possible to question their popularity. Even at their most popular, the Nazis never polled a majority suggesting their appeal could’ve been overexaggerated
Appeal of the Nazis after 1928 - Evaluation
Hitler’s powerful speeches gained support from many German people. Economic problems more important as until the 1929 Depression the Nazis were losing support & were unlikely to achieve power in Germany
Treaty of Versailles - Knowledge
Germany agreed a temporary armistice to end WW1 then signed formal agreement in 1919, Treaty of Versailles
Treaty included conditions many Germans resented such as the War Guilt Clause, article 231 where Germany accepted blame for the war
Army reduced to 100,000 men
Treaty of Versailles - Analysis For
Most Germans were angry at the terms of the Treaty, it made Germany feel weak & the Nazis had pledged to reverse & end the conditions which gained votes
Treaty of Versailles - Analysis Against
Most political parties opposed the Treaty yet only the Nazis fully exploited opposition, suggesting other factors may have had an influence
Mistakes of Opponents - Knowledge
SPD & the Communists allowed past disagreements to get in the way of forming an effective coalition against the Nazis
Politicians such as von Papen wrongly believed they would be able to control Hitler with von Papen even making the claim “we’ve hired him”
Mistakes of Opponents - Analysis For
Political instability made the Weimar Republic look weak. With chancellors changing so often, people lost faith in democracy. With a lack of strong leadership the Nazis were able to attract many voters
Mistakes of Opponents - Analysis Against
Evidence that politicians tried to make democracy work. Hindenburg resisted appointment of Hitler as chancellor showing he was committed to democracy & tried to reduce Nazi influence
Conclusion
Economic difficulties most important
Weimar weaknesses
- Helped small parties gain power & undermine democracy
- Great Depression ultimately drove people to vote for extreme parties
Treaty of Versailles
- Nazis gained followers by promising to reverse conditions
- Other parties also did this, other factors must’ve contributed
Economic problems
- Chaos caused by hyperinflation led Germans to believe new political system was needed to improve lives
- Nazi support only rising during hyperinflation & Great Depression further supports this idea
