edexcel igcse history: germany 1918-45

Changes to the German Worker’s Party

Changes to the German Worker’s Party

• The NSDAP became more popular

  • Hitler became Führer of the NSDAP in 1921, and was an excellent speaker, attracting audiences

  • Many sympathised with him: going against Versailles, antisemitism, anti-communism

  • His 25 Point Programme was popular and NSDAP membership was 1000+ by 1920 (plus they had the newspaper People’s Observer)

• Hitler set up the SA

  • Ex-soldiers agreed with Hitler’s anti-Versailles stance and his nationalistic ideals

  • They joined the stormtroopers, led by Ernst Röhm in 1921, giving strength to the Nazis

  • The SA fought communists and disrupted opposition meetings, playing a big part in the Munich Putsch, but were often seen as unruly and thuggish

Munich Putsch - causes and events

• There was anger about the November Criminals & the betrayal at Versailles

• Weimar was unpopular after failing to resolve the occupation of the Ruhr and hyperinflation

• Hitler, inspired by Mussolini’s march on Rome, had 20 000 supporters including Ludendorff, a war hero – the NSDAP were ready

• Hitler and the SA stormed a Bavarian beer hall on 8^th November 1923, forcing the leaders of Bavaria and its police to swear oaths of loyalty

• Ebert declared a state of emergency after the leaders escaped and the police killed 14 Nazis, arresting Hitler and Ludendorff in the process

Munich Putsch - effects

• Increased popularity of the NSDAP

  • Due to the trial, Hitler’s speeches which attacked the Government were publicised

  • War hero Ludendorff added respectability to the party – people supported the NSDAP

  • Hitler’s nationalistic views were popular and the party won 32 seats in 1924 (under another name)

• Hitler went to prison

  • Hitler was found guilty of treason and sentenced to time in prison (he only served 9 months)

  • He wrote Mein Kampf after reflecting on his beliefs on Jews, Germany, and Versailles

  • Hitler decided to stand in elections from 1924 rather than trying to overthrow Weimar

Reorganization of the Party (1924-28)

• Hitler wanted to win democratically

  • He decided to stand in elections and the party won 32 seats in 1924 (under another name as they had been banned for a year)

  • Party membership grew to 100 000 by 1929 showing many supported him

  • But Stresemann’s plans made the SDP more favourable so only 12 seats were won in 1928

• Their policies were directed at voters

  • The 25 Point Programme promoted nationalistic sentiments: Germans to be put first

  • Goebbels emphasised antisemitism in his propaganda, a popular message

  • Hitler was a good speaker and spoke to many audiences with Nazi organisations set up to appeal to certain groups of voters: e.g. Nazi Women’s League, Hitler Youth

The Great Depression

• People lost their jobs

  • Due to the Wall Street Crash in 1929, people lost their jobs (50+% of young people were unemployed in 1933)

  • Businesses collapsed as the US recalled their loans and many didn’t have money to spend

  • The Chancellor Brüning reduced unemployment benefits so many had little money and no job

• Support for extremist parties increased

  • Brüning also increased taxes (very unpopular) and had to use Article 48 to govern (66 times in 1932), undermining trust in the Weimar system

  • The NSDAP/KPD benefitted and there were 400 000 SA members by 1930

  • The Nazis claimed Jews/communists caused the Depression, and gained 107 seats in 1930

Methods of winning support

• Voters were enticed by Hitler & propaganda

  • Nazi propaganda showed Hitler as anti-communist, antisemitic, anti-Versailles etc. – appealing

  • Hitler spoke at several rallies a day, enticing young voters with marches and parades

  • Anger at the Depression led to him getting 230 seats in the July 1932 elections (with 8 newspapers to give out propaganda)

• The SA brought power to the Nazis

  • There were 400 000 members by 1930: they seemed strong at rallies and attractive to voters

  • They marched with flags, showing nationalism, and offered jobs to young unemployed Germans

  • They disrupted opposition meetings and intimidated voters at polling stations – although this did make them seem thuggish and put some middle class voters off

events of 1932 to january 1933

• In March 1932, Hitler ran against Hindenburg for President (but lost)

• Von Papen formed a coalition with the NSDAP in June but this was weak as the Nazis thought that they should be the main party in power so von Papen resigned

• Hindenburg disliked Hitler and so made von Schleicher Chancellor, despite businessmen writing and urging him to promote Hitler

• Von Schleicher lost the support of the Reichstag after he tried to suspend the Constitution and set up a military dictatorship

• Von Papen persuaded Hindenburg to make him Vice Chancellor and Hitler Chancellor (so he could influence Hitler). Hitler became Chancellor on 30^th January 1933