Emergence of Hitler up to 1933

Impact of WWI on Germany

Germany lost WWI, leading to national humiliation and harsh terms in the Treaty of Versailles

Treaty of Versailles impact

Reduced German economy and military; created widespread resentment and economic hardship

Weakness of the Weimar Republic

March 1930: Grand coalition collapsed, leading to instability and rise of extremist parties

Nazi Party electoral rise

By July 1932, Nazis were the largest party in the Reichstag

Military loyalty issues

Government had no real control over the military; German navy mutinied in Oct 1918

Right-wing violence

Right-wing groups assassinated Weimar politicians (e.g., Matthias Erzberger, a Jew)

Democratic collapse

1930: Collapse of democracy led to rise of parties like Nazis and Communists

Post-war economic burden

Germany left with large war debts and reparations from WWI

Hyperinflation crisis

Gov printed more money → hyperinflation, middle-class savings wiped out, currency worthless

Great Depression (1929)

Wall Street Crash led to mass unemployment; 1/3 of Germans had no regular wages

Unemployment and poverty

Returning soldiers couldn't find work; industrial land was lost

Social unrest

Clashes between Communists and Nazis; political street violence and instability

Anti-Semitism and scapegoating

Jews and minorities blamed for WWI defeat and economic problems

Treaty resentment

Large parts of population opposed Versailles Treaty and wanted revenge

Hitler's rise – role of leader

Exploited economic crisis and fear; Wall Street Crash helped boost support

Enabling Act (1933)

Gave Hitler dictatorial power to make laws without Reichstag for 4 years

Effect of Enabling Act

Removed power from Reichstag; legally laid foundations for authoritarian state

Nazi propaganda – youth indoctrination

Used Hitler Youth and Nazi-controlled education to influence children

Nazi propaganda techniques

Used cartoons mocking Jews and socialists; created nationalistic imagery

Mein Kampf – ideology

Claimed communism was a Jewish invention; promoted anti-Semitism, racial purity, war prep

Nazi ideology summary

Anti-Semitic, nationalist, anti-communist, anti-democratic; aimed to restore Germany's strength

Nazi promises to public

Promised jobs, restored prosperity, and to destroy the Treaty of Versailles

Freikorps

Paramilitary group similar to Italy’s squadristi, used violence against opposition

Legal coercion

Used laws and threats to force opposition groups to align with Nazi ideology

Gleichschaltung

Policy of forced conformity; removed non-Nazi influences from all areas of life

Gestapo

Secret police who arrested anyone suspected of anti-Nazi actions

Historical interpretations of Nazism

A.J.P. Taylor and William Shirer: Germany’s aggressive nature

Karl Bracher's view

Emphasized political and economic crises as the cause of Nazism

Marxist historians’ view

Nazism was backed by capitalists afraid of communism/socialism

Bullock and Kershaw's argument

Highlighted Hitler’s personality and character as central to Nazi rise