3. Hitler and Nazi Germany
Unit 1: Emergence of an Authoritarian Regime in Germany
Overview
• The Weimar Republic was politically weak facing left-wing communist, right-wing
conservative and nationalist opposition focussed on the humiliating ToV
• French and Belgian invasion of the Ruhr area in 1923 =hyperinflation; US loans
withdrawn following the Wall Street Crash → unfavourable economic conditions and
deep depression!
• Nationalist as well as Hitler’s aims and ideology had a lot of supporters. His promises to
restore Germany, provide jobs and get rid of the ToV → electoral success after 193
• March 1930: last democratic government collapsed → By 1932, the Nazis were the
largest party in the Reichstag
• Due to “backstairs intrigue” Paul von Hindenburg was persuaded into appointing Hitler
chancellor in 1933.
• Reichstag fire → law allowing imprisonment of communists and increasing support for
the Nazis in the 1933
• Hitler forced through the Enabling Acts = dictatorial power
3.1 How did political conditions in Germany after 1918 contribute to the emergence of a
Nazi state?
Before WWI: Germany had been ruled by the authoritarian Kaiser Wilhelm II, causing a lot
of political tension and pursuing an ambitious foreign policy leading to WWI. The Kaiser
abdicated in 1918 and a republic was declared.
The new socialist government signed an armistice and in 1919 a new democratic
constitution was drawn up. However, the armistice was a shock to the Germans that claimed
that the German army had been “stabbed in the back” by left-winged politicians.
The ToV caused further anger: Germany lost its colonies and 13% of its territory. Restricted
military forces, division of Germany and East Prussia and the demilitarization of the Rhineland.
Also, reparations had to be built, and war guilt had to be accepted. Many Germans were living
outside of Germany and Anschluss with Austria was forbidden.
In addition, the new constitution also contained some weaknesses and constant
governmental changes helped to weaken the support for a democratic government. Also,
the constitution provided a lot of power to the president appointing the chancellor which
the second one, Paul von Hindenburg, didn’t use his power responsively. → political
weaknesses = exposed to extremists and political threats. (Communists and Spartacus
League)
German conservatism and nationalism remained strong and many people resented the new style
of parliamentary rule. → favouring the development of right-wing extremism (like Nazism).
German nationalisms organised two Putsches from 1920-22, where 400 political murders
occurred. Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, the first attempt of the Nazi party to show its
strength, was yet another incident in this long line of political challenges → demonstrating the
weaknesses of the parliamentary democracy.
From 1924-29 the Republic enjoyed a more stable period. From 1928-30 a “Grand Coalition”
commanded over 60% of the seats in the Reichstag. However, from 1929, when economic
,problems got worse, the coalition became divided and collapsed → opened the way for the
total breakdown of democracy.
3.2 How did the economic conditions in Germany in the years 1919 to 1929 contribute to
the emergence of a Nazi state?
Costs of war, reparations as well as the impact of the wartime blockade → undermined
German economy. Returning soldiers could not find work and valuable industrial land
was lost with the occupation of the Ruhr when Germany could not meet the heavy demands
for reparations. The occupation had devastating consequences for Germany’s economy: Workers
were ordered to meet the invasion with passive resistance while still being paid money =
hyperinflation. The hyperinflation was cured in 1924 by a new currency, but still inflicted
considerable economic damage. The dependence on US loans under the 1924 Dawes Plan placed
the economy in a dangerously dependent position. The years 1925-29 saw some
improvements but agriculture never shared the boom. However, it was only the Wall Street
Crash in 1929 which dealt the most devastating blow to the German economy as the USA
recalled its loans = crisis.
→ democracy collapsed and Nazis were able to rise to power
3.3 How did the aims and ideology of the Nazi Party develop between 1919-1929?
The NSDAP was only one of the many right-wing political groups developed in the Germany in
the early years of the Weimar Republic. The party was developed in 1919 and soon fell under
the spell of Adolf Hitler.
After WWI, Hitler worked as an army informant spying on left-wing political groups.
While investigating the former Nazi party, the Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, he decided to join and in
1921, became its chairman.
The ideology of Nazism (“survival of the fittest”, superiority of the German race, anti-Semitism,
anti-communism, the cult of the leader etc.) had developed as a result of Hitler’s own experience.
His rough time in Vienna before WWI: turned him into an extreme German nationalist and anti-
Semite. The armistice agreed to by the democratic socialist politicians made him really
disappointed and the ToV strengthened his convictions. → “November criminals”, “stab in the
back”, natural weakness of democracy, anti-communism and anti-Semitism etc.
With the Nazis refusing to recognise the Weimar government, no candidates were put up
for election before 1924, but the party still increased steadily in membership through the
1920s. BY the end of 1923, the party had 55’000 members. (especially ex-soldiers, members of
the Freikorps and conservative lower middle-class workers as well as some students, all with the
desire for political change.
In 1923, Hitler launched is first attempt by attempt attempting to seize control over the
Bavarian government, as a preliminary to marching on Berlin. Following that, the Nazis
launched a Putsch on the 8 November 1923. Even though the putsch had failed it had proven
a propagandist success. The day after, Hitler and a general led a column of Nazis through
Munich which ended with Hitler’s arrest. Hitler was convicted for high treason but was only
condemned to a minimum sentence of five years. He was only held prisoner for nine months
where he wrote “Mein Kampf”:
→ In order to regain power, Germany had to fight communism which was an invention of Jews
intending on Jewish world domination. Nationalist Socialism was the only doctrine capable of
fighting communism. Liberal “middle-class” democracy was only the first stage to communism.
, Nazism ha to prepare for war in order to obtain Lebensraum in the east. In order to achieve this
there had to be racial unity: the elimination of Jews, authoritarian control and no tolerance of
diversity.
Führerprinzip: After 1924, the Nazi Party changed tactics and Hitler began to exert his
leadership because “he knew best”. The SS were set up as his personal bodyguards. In 1926, the
SA was refounded. In order to appeal to a wide spectrum within the society, the Nazi Party
created new organization directed towards women, students, children etc. The Nazis pursued
recruitment concentrating on the middle class and farmers who did not profit from the “Golden
Years” → some success but results from elections 1928 were disappointing
Hitler himself gained popularity by campaigning against the Young Plan and Nazi membership
rose to 178,000 in December 1929.
3.4 How far did the conditions of 1929-33 contribute to the establishment of the Nazi
state?
Withdrawal of US loans and collapse in the export marker = unemployment rose, Grand
Coalitions seemed powerless → fuel for extremist parties making wild promises for the future.
The Nazis claimed to keep out communism, restore order and stability, return to the traditional
middle-class values and national strength however, they did not have a specific formula on how
to tackle problems like unemployment and so on.
Following the break-up of the Grand Coalition in 1930 there were five Reichstag elections in the
next three years and the three ruling chancellors during that time struggled to remain in power.
The Nazis, in the elections of 1930 rose from 12 to 107 seats and in 1923 they won 230 seats and
became the largest German party in the Reichstag. However, they did not yet have an outright
majority of the votes and were financially exhausted after the election.
The elections in November 1932 saw Nazi support declining to 196 seats while the Communists
won 89 seats. However, the Nazis profited from these results as the KPD’s electoral victories
frightened the conservative élite thus turning to Hitler.
Chancellor from Papen founded himself faced with an increasingly hostile Reichstag and was
finally dismissed as chancellor and replaced with Von Schleicher in December 1932. Von
Schleicher had hoped to weaken the Nazis by luring the more left-wing “socialist” Nazis, under
Georg Strasser, into a coalition with the SPD. However, Hitler won “total obedience” from his
followers and Strasser, his competitor, resigned. Von Papen infuriated by Schleichers actions and
allied himself with Hitler. Meanwhile, Schleicher faced difficulties and by January 1933,
Hindenburg had no option but to dismiss von Schleicher and turn to von Papen (and Hitler)
once more.
Both von Papen and Hindenburg were convinced, that the Nazis were in decline and that it was
time to support the Party in its fight against the left. They were prepared to offer Hitler
chancellorship whilst still keeping him in check. Hitler however, called for immediate elections
and launched another massive propaganda campaign. Also, the Nazis were helped by the
Reichstag Fire in February 1933 which gave them the chance to blame the communists and ask
Hindenburg to issue an emergency decree “For the Protection of People and State” → power to
arrest and censor political opponents before the election. + all communists were expelled from
Reichstag.
In March 1933, the Nazis gained 43 per cent of the votes however, this was not enough to
change the constitution and left Hitler reliant on other parties to obtain the two-thirds majority
needed. The Nazis thus collaborated with the DNVP and the Catholic Centre Party, which
however, forced the Nazis to protect the Church in return.
Unit 1: Emergence of an Authoritarian Regime in Germany
Overview
• The Weimar Republic was politically weak facing left-wing communist, right-wing
conservative and nationalist opposition focussed on the humiliating ToV
• French and Belgian invasion of the Ruhr area in 1923 =hyperinflation; US loans
withdrawn following the Wall Street Crash → unfavourable economic conditions and
deep depression!
• Nationalist as well as Hitler’s aims and ideology had a lot of supporters. His promises to
restore Germany, provide jobs and get rid of the ToV → electoral success after 193
• March 1930: last democratic government collapsed → By 1932, the Nazis were the
largest party in the Reichstag
• Due to “backstairs intrigue” Paul von Hindenburg was persuaded into appointing Hitler
chancellor in 1933.
• Reichstag fire → law allowing imprisonment of communists and increasing support for
the Nazis in the 1933
• Hitler forced through the Enabling Acts = dictatorial power
3.1 How did political conditions in Germany after 1918 contribute to the emergence of a
Nazi state?
Before WWI: Germany had been ruled by the authoritarian Kaiser Wilhelm II, causing a lot
of political tension and pursuing an ambitious foreign policy leading to WWI. The Kaiser
abdicated in 1918 and a republic was declared.
The new socialist government signed an armistice and in 1919 a new democratic
constitution was drawn up. However, the armistice was a shock to the Germans that claimed
that the German army had been “stabbed in the back” by left-winged politicians.
The ToV caused further anger: Germany lost its colonies and 13% of its territory. Restricted
military forces, division of Germany and East Prussia and the demilitarization of the Rhineland.
Also, reparations had to be built, and war guilt had to be accepted. Many Germans were living
outside of Germany and Anschluss with Austria was forbidden.
In addition, the new constitution also contained some weaknesses and constant
governmental changes helped to weaken the support for a democratic government. Also,
the constitution provided a lot of power to the president appointing the chancellor which
the second one, Paul von Hindenburg, didn’t use his power responsively. → political
weaknesses = exposed to extremists and political threats. (Communists and Spartacus
League)
German conservatism and nationalism remained strong and many people resented the new style
of parliamentary rule. → favouring the development of right-wing extremism (like Nazism).
German nationalisms organised two Putsches from 1920-22, where 400 political murders
occurred. Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, the first attempt of the Nazi party to show its
strength, was yet another incident in this long line of political challenges → demonstrating the
weaknesses of the parliamentary democracy.
From 1924-29 the Republic enjoyed a more stable period. From 1928-30 a “Grand Coalition”
commanded over 60% of the seats in the Reichstag. However, from 1929, when economic
,problems got worse, the coalition became divided and collapsed → opened the way for the
total breakdown of democracy.
3.2 How did the economic conditions in Germany in the years 1919 to 1929 contribute to
the emergence of a Nazi state?
Costs of war, reparations as well as the impact of the wartime blockade → undermined
German economy. Returning soldiers could not find work and valuable industrial land
was lost with the occupation of the Ruhr when Germany could not meet the heavy demands
for reparations. The occupation had devastating consequences for Germany’s economy: Workers
were ordered to meet the invasion with passive resistance while still being paid money =
hyperinflation. The hyperinflation was cured in 1924 by a new currency, but still inflicted
considerable economic damage. The dependence on US loans under the 1924 Dawes Plan placed
the economy in a dangerously dependent position. The years 1925-29 saw some
improvements but agriculture never shared the boom. However, it was only the Wall Street
Crash in 1929 which dealt the most devastating blow to the German economy as the USA
recalled its loans = crisis.
→ democracy collapsed and Nazis were able to rise to power
3.3 How did the aims and ideology of the Nazi Party develop between 1919-1929?
The NSDAP was only one of the many right-wing political groups developed in the Germany in
the early years of the Weimar Republic. The party was developed in 1919 and soon fell under
the spell of Adolf Hitler.
After WWI, Hitler worked as an army informant spying on left-wing political groups.
While investigating the former Nazi party, the Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, he decided to join and in
1921, became its chairman.
The ideology of Nazism (“survival of the fittest”, superiority of the German race, anti-Semitism,
anti-communism, the cult of the leader etc.) had developed as a result of Hitler’s own experience.
His rough time in Vienna before WWI: turned him into an extreme German nationalist and anti-
Semite. The armistice agreed to by the democratic socialist politicians made him really
disappointed and the ToV strengthened his convictions. → “November criminals”, “stab in the
back”, natural weakness of democracy, anti-communism and anti-Semitism etc.
With the Nazis refusing to recognise the Weimar government, no candidates were put up
for election before 1924, but the party still increased steadily in membership through the
1920s. BY the end of 1923, the party had 55’000 members. (especially ex-soldiers, members of
the Freikorps and conservative lower middle-class workers as well as some students, all with the
desire for political change.
In 1923, Hitler launched is first attempt by attempt attempting to seize control over the
Bavarian government, as a preliminary to marching on Berlin. Following that, the Nazis
launched a Putsch on the 8 November 1923. Even though the putsch had failed it had proven
a propagandist success. The day after, Hitler and a general led a column of Nazis through
Munich which ended with Hitler’s arrest. Hitler was convicted for high treason but was only
condemned to a minimum sentence of five years. He was only held prisoner for nine months
where he wrote “Mein Kampf”:
→ In order to regain power, Germany had to fight communism which was an invention of Jews
intending on Jewish world domination. Nationalist Socialism was the only doctrine capable of
fighting communism. Liberal “middle-class” democracy was only the first stage to communism.
, Nazism ha to prepare for war in order to obtain Lebensraum in the east. In order to achieve this
there had to be racial unity: the elimination of Jews, authoritarian control and no tolerance of
diversity.
Führerprinzip: After 1924, the Nazi Party changed tactics and Hitler began to exert his
leadership because “he knew best”. The SS were set up as his personal bodyguards. In 1926, the
SA was refounded. In order to appeal to a wide spectrum within the society, the Nazi Party
created new organization directed towards women, students, children etc. The Nazis pursued
recruitment concentrating on the middle class and farmers who did not profit from the “Golden
Years” → some success but results from elections 1928 were disappointing
Hitler himself gained popularity by campaigning against the Young Plan and Nazi membership
rose to 178,000 in December 1929.
3.4 How far did the conditions of 1929-33 contribute to the establishment of the Nazi
state?
Withdrawal of US loans and collapse in the export marker = unemployment rose, Grand
Coalitions seemed powerless → fuel for extremist parties making wild promises for the future.
The Nazis claimed to keep out communism, restore order and stability, return to the traditional
middle-class values and national strength however, they did not have a specific formula on how
to tackle problems like unemployment and so on.
Following the break-up of the Grand Coalition in 1930 there were five Reichstag elections in the
next three years and the three ruling chancellors during that time struggled to remain in power.
The Nazis, in the elections of 1930 rose from 12 to 107 seats and in 1923 they won 230 seats and
became the largest German party in the Reichstag. However, they did not yet have an outright
majority of the votes and were financially exhausted after the election.
The elections in November 1932 saw Nazi support declining to 196 seats while the Communists
won 89 seats. However, the Nazis profited from these results as the KPD’s electoral victories
frightened the conservative élite thus turning to Hitler.
Chancellor from Papen founded himself faced with an increasingly hostile Reichstag and was
finally dismissed as chancellor and replaced with Von Schleicher in December 1932. Von
Schleicher had hoped to weaken the Nazis by luring the more left-wing “socialist” Nazis, under
Georg Strasser, into a coalition with the SPD. However, Hitler won “total obedience” from his
followers and Strasser, his competitor, resigned. Von Papen infuriated by Schleichers actions and
allied himself with Hitler. Meanwhile, Schleicher faced difficulties and by January 1933,
Hindenburg had no option but to dismiss von Schleicher and turn to von Papen (and Hitler)
once more.
Both von Papen and Hindenburg were convinced, that the Nazis were in decline and that it was
time to support the Party in its fight against the left. They were prepared to offer Hitler
chancellorship whilst still keeping him in check. Hitler however, called for immediate elections
and launched another massive propaganda campaign. Also, the Nazis were helped by the
Reichstag Fire in February 1933 which gave them the chance to blame the communists and ask
Hindenburg to issue an emergency decree “For the Protection of People and State” → power to
arrest and censor political opponents before the election. + all communists were expelled from
Reichstag.
In March 1933, the Nazis gained 43 per cent of the votes however, this was not enough to
change the constitution and left Hitler reliant on other parties to obtain the two-thirds majority
needed. The Nazis thus collaborated with the DNVP and the Catholic Centre Party, which
however, forced the Nazis to protect the Church in return.
