Rise of Hitler and the Nazis

factors

weakness of weimar, treaty of versailles, economic difficulties, appeal of hitler and the nazis, weaknesses and mistakes of opponents

weakness of weimar - K1

Spartacist Revolt 1919, a group that aimed to create a communist government through revolt that reflected the Russian Revolution of 1917.

weakness of weimar - K2

the revolt was invaded by the Freikorps, a right wing group of ex soldiers sent by the weimar government to stop the revolt. they killed over 100 workers in what is known as “bloody week”

weakness of weimar - A

weimar relied on the friekorps revealing their weakness and instability

weakness of weimar - A+

alleged fear of communists after the violent revolt

treaty of versailles - K1

the treaty was called a ‘Diktat’ in Germany, meaning dictatorship. this is because Germany was forced to sign the treaty

treaty - K2

Germany paid £6.6 billion in reperations to the allies

treaty - A

the economy suffered from reperations, unemployment rose and Germany was humiliated

treaty - A2

resentment towards Weimar for signing the treaty made more people turn to other parties like the Nazis

economic - K1

1929 Wall Street Crash caused the USA to recall their loans to other countries including germany. As a result Germany faced the Great Depression

economic - K2

80,000 businesses bankrupt, industrial production fell by 40%, 3 million unemployed by 1930

economic - A

in 1928, 1.3 million people were unemployed in Germany and the Nazis had 13 seats in the Reichstag. In 1933, this rose to 6 million and 233 seats

economic - A+

Weimar still held support despite 2 economic crises

appeal - K1

Hitler spoke confidently and passionately in his political speeches which influenced a lot of the public and convinced them he would be a powerful leader

appeal - K2

the Nazis held large scale marches and rallies across Germany. This gave them widespread media attention and support from the public since their rallies were exciting to watch and gave them a platform to express their views policies

appeal - A

gained them support from groups such as the unemployed by promising jobs and spreading these promises across Germany. Hitler was also seen as a ‘last hope’ for Germany

appeal - A+

historians argue the theory ‘Negative Cohesion’ which suggests people only voted for the Nazis because they had doubts about the stability of Weimar and the alleged fear of communists, leaving the nazis as the only strong option remaining.

opponents - K1

socialists and communists refused to form a coalition government after the spartacist revolt. SPD had 20.4% of the vote and KPD 16.9%.

opponents - K2

former chancellor Von Papen convinced President Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor, replacing the current Chancellor Von Schleicher. Von Papen believed he could use Hitler to get back into power.

opponents - A

left wing would’ve had enough votes as a coalition to overtake the Nazis. Right wing politicians underestimated Hitler and believed they could use him.