Social
Studies
Unit Breakdown for World War Section One
(Reasons for War and Early Axis Victories)
-Post World War I conditions in Germany
a) Economic Problems: Inflation
–In World War 1, Germany borrowed instead of raising taxes, leaving a huge debt
-Simply printed more money, made it worth less
-1922-300 marks=1 U.S. dollar, 1923-50,000 marks=1U.S. dollar
-Paper mills going 24/7 to keep up with money flow
b) Political Instability
-At end of WW#1 Germany had over 25 political parties
-Broken down into three groups (Communists, Social Democrats, Nazis)
-Each group supported by different segment of society
c) The Treaty of Versailles
-German people humiliated by this, felt it was unjust
, -War Guilt clause especially upsetting
-Terms made it virtually impossible for Germany to rebuild
d) Depression and Unemployment
-1929 US stock market crashed
-Can no longer afford to buy foreign made goods (including Germany’s)
-US banks could not loan Germany money
-Many people out of work, cold and starving, taking desperate measures
-Hitler would take advantage of this
-Hitler Comes to Power
-Joins and soon becomes leader of Nazi Party
-Pronounced Aryans “Master Race”
-Blames Jews for Germany’s problems (Obsessed with “Anti-Semitism”)
-Took control in 1933 (Becomes “Dictator”) “Stormtroopers” are his secret police
-Media, books and learning strictly controlled
-“Hitler Youth Movement” is started and Germany becomes a “Totalitarian State”
-Widespread persecution of Jewish people begins (Many civil rights are taken
away)
-Became impossible to make a living for Jews and many left the country (Including
Einstein)
-Just before war started, Jews were being rounded up and forced into Concentration
camps and ghettos
-The Steps to War
Studies
Unit Breakdown for World War Section One
(Reasons for War and Early Axis Victories)
-Post World War I conditions in Germany
a) Economic Problems: Inflation
–In World War 1, Germany borrowed instead of raising taxes, leaving a huge debt
-Simply printed more money, made it worth less
-1922-300 marks=1 U.S. dollar, 1923-50,000 marks=1U.S. dollar
-Paper mills going 24/7 to keep up with money flow
b) Political Instability
-At end of WW#1 Germany had over 25 political parties
-Broken down into three groups (Communists, Social Democrats, Nazis)
-Each group supported by different segment of society
c) The Treaty of Versailles
-German people humiliated by this, felt it was unjust
, -War Guilt clause especially upsetting
-Terms made it virtually impossible for Germany to rebuild
d) Depression and Unemployment
-1929 US stock market crashed
-Can no longer afford to buy foreign made goods (including Germany’s)
-US banks could not loan Germany money
-Many people out of work, cold and starving, taking desperate measures
-Hitler would take advantage of this
-Hitler Comes to Power
-Joins and soon becomes leader of Nazi Party
-Pronounced Aryans “Master Race”
-Blames Jews for Germany’s problems (Obsessed with “Anti-Semitism”)
-Took control in 1933 (Becomes “Dictator”) “Stormtroopers” are his secret police
-Media, books and learning strictly controlled
-“Hitler Youth Movement” is started and Germany becomes a “Totalitarian State”
-Widespread persecution of Jewish people begins (Many civil rights are taken
away)
-Became impossible to make a living for Jews and many left the country (Including
Einstein)
-Just before war started, Jews were being rounded up and forced into Concentration
camps and ghettos
-The Steps to War
