GSCE Weimar and Nazi Germany

KEY TOPIC TWO

Where was Hitler born?

Austria-Hungary

How was Hitler involved in the war?

To escape the war but volunteered for Germany for purpose in life

What happened to Hitler in the War?

Saw action in Battle of Somme and reached lance coroporal. He was temporarily blinded by a gas attack and was angered by the surrender.

What was DAP?

German Workers’ Party.

Who led the DAP?

Anton Drexler

What were policies of the DAP?

Volkisch- belief of pure German people

How did Hitler join the DAP?

While undercover, he made a speech out of angry against a DAP speaker and was asked to join.

What Hitler’s role in DAP?

He was responsible for recruitment and propaganda around Dolchstoss, Treaty of Versailles, hate for Weimar and Armistice politicians and hate for jews.

What was the Twenty-Five point programme?

Political manifesto consisting of Racist, Socialist, Nationalist and Fascist ideas.

What was NSDAP?

National Socialist German Workers’ Party

How did NSDAP gain party members?

Hitler’s speeches spread influence and attracted more to meetings

What did increased membership do?

NSDAP bought and published its own newspaper and made Hitler leader in July 1921

Who were the SA?

Protection squads for Nazi Speakers

What did the 25-point programme want?

Nullify the TofV, stop democracy and get rid of Jews

What was Lebensraum?

Expansion of German territory to house the population

What were the Nationalist points of 25-point programme?

Lebensraum, Building up Military strength and only allowing Aryans to be German citizens

What were the Socialist points of 25-point programme?

Nationalising industries, all citizens had equal rights, support for mothers and children and giving every man employment

Who led the SA?

Ernest Röhm

What were long-term causes of the Munich Putsch?

* Treaty of Versailles
* Dolchstoss
* Weak Weimar Republic
* Copying Mussolini’s right-wing overthrowing and dictatorship

What were short-term causes of the Putsch?

* Occupation of the Ruhr 1923
* Hitler meeting Ludendorff

What happened on the 8th November?

* 600 SA troops threatened government leaders in Bavaria forcing support onto them.
* Röhm took control of the local police and army headquarters

How many people attended the Putsch?

1,000 SA members and 2,000 volunteers

What happened on the 9th of November?

4 police and 16 Nazis were killed and Hitler fled

What happened on the 11th November 1923?

Hitler was discovered and arrested for high treason

What were the consequences of the Munich Putsch?

Hitler was sentenced for five years in Landsberg and Nazi Party was banned until 1927

What were long-term consequences of the Putsch?

Trial gave Nazi’s publicity and Hitler publicity

What was Mein Kampf?

Book outlining his political objectives like destroying democracy, Lebensraum and inferiority of Jews

What did Hitler learn from the failure?

He had to gain power politically not by rebellion

When where the Lean Years?

1919-1923

Why did the Nazis suffer in the Lean Years?

The republic was succeeding and no need for the extremism of the Nazis

What happened to the Nazi’s and democracy in 1924-1928?

Decreased from 32-12 but had increased membership

Why did Hitler reorganise the Party?

To maximise support and to make him central as he was the charismatic leader

When was the Bamberg conference?

1926

Why was the Bamberg conference held?

To resolve tensions between Northern (socialist leaning) and Southern (nationalist leaning)

What was Fuhrerprinzip?

Complete authority and not toleration for any opposition

What did Hitler say at Bamberg Conference?

The socialist parts of the 25-point programme would not be followed

What was the effect of the Wall Street Crash in Germany?

Banks stopped lending money, industries had to fire workers and in 1932, 40% of workers were unemployed.

Why did the government fail?

Müller and Brüninh could not improve German economy and did increase unemployment benefits

What was Hindenburg’s response?

Bypassed the Reichstag with Article 48 weakening the Republic

Why did people turn to Extremism?

To solve unemployment

Why was their increased support of communism?

Communism thrives in working class and poverty

Why did support for Nazi’s increase?

Hitler’s personality and intimidation tactics

What was in Nazi Propaganda?

* Hitler Cult presented him as a Saviour
* Volksgemeinschaft- restoring traditional values and Aryan community
* Anti-semtism blaming Jews for Great Depression

How did Hitler’s message appeal to working class?

Nazis would:

* Solve the Great Depression
* Give Employment and food
* Protection from communists that could seize land

How did Nazi’s appeal to Middle class?

They would stop communism and return to tradition

How did Nazi’s appeal to women?

They would prioritise family and home

How did Nazi’s appeal to Youth?

They were an exciting movement

How much did Nazi succeed?

In 1928-1932, votes went from 2.6% to 37%

Who were the DNVP?

Conservative political party controlled by Hugenberg who was a media entrepreneur

What was the political situation in 1932?

No stable leadership and Hindenburg had been re-elected

What was the Chancellor situation in May-July 1932?

Brüning was replaced by Von papen. Hitler demanded to be chancellor but was refused, despite the Nazis being the largest party

What happened in December 1932?

Von Papen resigned and was replaced by von Schleicher but he didn’t have support.

What was von Papen and Hindenburg pact?

Hitler and the Nazi should be used to create a political majority and to make Hitler Chancellor

What was the aim of the Pact?

To overpower Hitler in control

Why did the Pact fail?

Hitler was too charismatic and they doubted his power

When was Hitler made Chancellor?

January 1933