Topic 2: Hitler’s Germany 1929-41
2.1 Why did Hitler gain power in 1933?
2.1 - 1 Problems facing Weimar politicians from 1929
Problems of the Weimar Evidence Explanation
Government
Undermined by the Treaty of (1) Called the “November Criminals” and the treaty Many Germans hated the Weimar government for signing the treaty of
Versailles was called “Diktat” Versailles, especially many nationalistic groups, who believed that
(2) Recovery was stunted by the clauses: Germany still had a chance in winning.
- Accept war guilt (Clause 231)
- Pay reparations to the Allies of $6.6 billion The Treaty caused Germany to lose 10% of its land, and 13% of its
pounds population, many being pure Aryans.
- Army can only have 100,000 men
- No conscription allowed This caused the entire German nation to be humiliated, especially by
- No air force article 231, hence, many became very nationalistic and wanted the
- Only 6 battleships government to revoke the treaty, but the government did nothing.
- Alsace Lorraine returns to France
- Rhineland demilitarized HOWEVER, from 1924 to 1929, during Streseman’s rule, the hatred for the
- Saarland will be governed by the LON, and government lessened, as Germany was recovering due to the Dawes Plan
coalfields will go to France and Locarno Pact.
- No more colonies
- Not allowed to unite with Austria
(3) The Weimar republic was the by-product of the
Allies
Economic recession (1) $6.6 billion pounds reparations Germany was already in debt due to the Kaiser’s unwise spending
(2) After the Great Depression, the Dawes Plan was decisions during the war, hence, it was unrealistic for Germany to pay this
canceled and was called in by the US amount of reparations. This made many angry and hate the government
for signing the treaty.
Weimar leaders’ ineffective (1) The Great Depression 1929 The government was hesitant about spending money or printing more
government measures towards - Unemployment: 2 million by 1929 money to help ease the Depression as they were scared they would spark
the problems of the Great - Unemployment: 6 million by 1932 off inflation again.
Depression - National Production fell by 50% in 1929
(2) Problem of proportional representation
Political threats (1) Nazi Party got the majority of seats in the After the Great Depression, the government’s flaws became evident
Reichstag again, and people started supporting the Nazis as they promised to solve
- 1928: 12 seats and 2.6% of the vote all of their economic problems.
- 1930: 107 seats and 18.3% of the votes
, - 1932 July: 230 seats and 37.3% of the vote
- 1932 Sep: 196 seats and 33.1% of the vote
- 1933 March: 288 seats and 43.9% of the vote
Hindenburg’s abuse of power (1) Issued 44 decrees in 1931 This made the government look unorganized and corrupt. It made it clear
(2) Issued 60 in 1932 that democracy was ineffective.
(3) Used article 48 to appoint and dismiss
chancellors from 1930 to 1932
2.1 - 2 Growth of support for Nazism after 1929
The Zeitgeist 1924-1929
During the period where Gustav Streseman was chancellor, Germany was in a time of prosperity. With the Dawes Plan intact, Germany was finally starting to recover as well
as repair relations with the allies. Thus, during this time, the Nazis and other extremist parties did not gain a lot of support as the German public was content with the
government and did not want any radical ideas to affect their recovery. However, after the Great Depression in 1929, things quickly escalated for the worse. People began to
look for extreme solutions again to solve the economic crisis.
Appeal of Nazism Evidence Explanation
Anti-communism (1) The Great Depression 1929 This appealed to the middle class and capitalists/industrialists.
(2) Anti-comintern pact 1936
The Depression made all capitalists, and even normal Germans, to worry
over their possessions. Hence, they were all scared of a communist
uprising; Nazis promised to protect their wealth and property from the
communists.
Nationalism (1) Remilitarisation of Rhineland 1936 This appealed to nationalists and ex-soldiers, as well as the general
(2) Sports; Berlin Olympic 1936 german public
(3)
Anti-semitism (1) Nuremberg Laws 1935 This appealed to most Christian Germans, which made up most of the
(2) Was an idea imbedded into German society and population
culture
Totalitarianism (1) Failure of the Weimar Republic This appealed to nationalists, radicals and the general public.
The German public were fed up and dissatisfied with the weak Weimar
Republic, and wanted a strong leader. A totalitarian state also promoted
law and order, which was what man wanted. In addition, many were
unaware of how aggressive Hitler would get once he was in power, hence,
they did not worry too much about a totalitarian state.
2.1 Why did Hitler gain power in 1933?
2.1 - 1 Problems facing Weimar politicians from 1929
Problems of the Weimar Evidence Explanation
Government
Undermined by the Treaty of (1) Called the “November Criminals” and the treaty Many Germans hated the Weimar government for signing the treaty of
Versailles was called “Diktat” Versailles, especially many nationalistic groups, who believed that
(2) Recovery was stunted by the clauses: Germany still had a chance in winning.
- Accept war guilt (Clause 231)
- Pay reparations to the Allies of $6.6 billion The Treaty caused Germany to lose 10% of its land, and 13% of its
pounds population, many being pure Aryans.
- Army can only have 100,000 men
- No conscription allowed This caused the entire German nation to be humiliated, especially by
- No air force article 231, hence, many became very nationalistic and wanted the
- Only 6 battleships government to revoke the treaty, but the government did nothing.
- Alsace Lorraine returns to France
- Rhineland demilitarized HOWEVER, from 1924 to 1929, during Streseman’s rule, the hatred for the
- Saarland will be governed by the LON, and government lessened, as Germany was recovering due to the Dawes Plan
coalfields will go to France and Locarno Pact.
- No more colonies
- Not allowed to unite with Austria
(3) The Weimar republic was the by-product of the
Allies
Economic recession (1) $6.6 billion pounds reparations Germany was already in debt due to the Kaiser’s unwise spending
(2) After the Great Depression, the Dawes Plan was decisions during the war, hence, it was unrealistic for Germany to pay this
canceled and was called in by the US amount of reparations. This made many angry and hate the government
for signing the treaty.
Weimar leaders’ ineffective (1) The Great Depression 1929 The government was hesitant about spending money or printing more
government measures towards - Unemployment: 2 million by 1929 money to help ease the Depression as they were scared they would spark
the problems of the Great - Unemployment: 6 million by 1932 off inflation again.
Depression - National Production fell by 50% in 1929
(2) Problem of proportional representation
Political threats (1) Nazi Party got the majority of seats in the After the Great Depression, the government’s flaws became evident
Reichstag again, and people started supporting the Nazis as they promised to solve
- 1928: 12 seats and 2.6% of the vote all of their economic problems.
- 1930: 107 seats and 18.3% of the votes
, - 1932 July: 230 seats and 37.3% of the vote
- 1932 Sep: 196 seats and 33.1% of the vote
- 1933 March: 288 seats and 43.9% of the vote
Hindenburg’s abuse of power (1) Issued 44 decrees in 1931 This made the government look unorganized and corrupt. It made it clear
(2) Issued 60 in 1932 that democracy was ineffective.
(3) Used article 48 to appoint and dismiss
chancellors from 1930 to 1932
2.1 - 2 Growth of support for Nazism after 1929
The Zeitgeist 1924-1929
During the period where Gustav Streseman was chancellor, Germany was in a time of prosperity. With the Dawes Plan intact, Germany was finally starting to recover as well
as repair relations with the allies. Thus, during this time, the Nazis and other extremist parties did not gain a lot of support as the German public was content with the
government and did not want any radical ideas to affect their recovery. However, after the Great Depression in 1929, things quickly escalated for the worse. People began to
look for extreme solutions again to solve the economic crisis.
Appeal of Nazism Evidence Explanation
Anti-communism (1) The Great Depression 1929 This appealed to the middle class and capitalists/industrialists.
(2) Anti-comintern pact 1936
The Depression made all capitalists, and even normal Germans, to worry
over their possessions. Hence, they were all scared of a communist
uprising; Nazis promised to protect their wealth and property from the
communists.
Nationalism (1) Remilitarisation of Rhineland 1936 This appealed to nationalists and ex-soldiers, as well as the general
(2) Sports; Berlin Olympic 1936 german public
(3)
Anti-semitism (1) Nuremberg Laws 1935 This appealed to most Christian Germans, which made up most of the
(2) Was an idea imbedded into German society and population
culture
Totalitarianism (1) Failure of the Weimar Republic This appealed to nationalists, radicals and the general public.
The German public were fed up and dissatisfied with the weak Weimar
Republic, and wanted a strong leader. A totalitarian state also promoted
law and order, which was what man wanted. In addition, many were
unaware of how aggressive Hitler would get once he was in power, hence,
they did not worry too much about a totalitarian state.
