2: The Rise and Consolidation of Nazi Rule in Germany

These flashcards provide question-and-answer practice on the major political, economic, social, and ideological developments that explain how the Nazis rose to power and consolidated their rule in Germany between 1919 and 1945.

What common factors encouraged the spread of authoritarian regimes in Europe after World War I?

Political and economic instability, fear of communism, the appeal of strong nationalist ideologies, and dissatisfaction with existing democratic governments.

How did the Weimar Constitution attempt to limit government power?

By requiring that new laws receive Reichstag approval and by granting universal suffrage, including to women, to broaden democratic participation.

What major weakness did proportional representation create in the Weimar Republic?

It produced many small parties and fragile coalitions, making it difficult to form stable governments and pass legislation.

What authority did Article 48 give the German president?

It allowed the president to rule by decree and suspend civil liberties during an emergency, bypassing the Reichstag.

Why did many Germans call the Treaty of Versailles a “diktat”?

Because they felt it was imposed without negotiation, blamed Germany solely for the war, and demanded harsh reparations.

What was the Spartacist Uprising of 1919 and how was it defeated?

A communist revolt aiming to establish a Soviet-style government; it was crushed by the Freikorps with the support of President Ebert.

Who led the Kapp Putsch of 1920, and why did it collapse?

Wolfgang Kapp and Freikorps units led it; it failed when trade unions and civil servants staged a general strike that paralyzed the coup.

What event triggered the French-Belgian occupation of the Ruhr in 1923?

Germany’s failure to make a reparations payment required by the Treaty of Versailles.

How did the 1923 hyperinflation crisis affect middle-class Germans?

It wiped out their savings and pensions, eroding confidence in the Weimar government.

Which two financial measures did Gustav Stresemann introduce to stabilise Germany’s economy?

The new Rentenmark currency and the Dawes Plan (later followed by the Young Plan) to reschedule reparations and secure foreign loans.

What was the purpose of the Nazi Party’s 25-Point Programme?

To outline core goals such as abolishing the Treaty of Versailles, excluding Jews from citizenship, and creating a strong central government.

Why was the Sturmabteilung (SA) created, and who commanded it?

To protect Nazi meetings, intimidate rivals, and fight communists; it was led by Ernst Röhm (with Hermann Göring as an early commander in 1923).

What happened during the Munich Putsch of November 1923?

Hitler attempted to seize power in Munich but failed; he was arrested and the coup collapsed.

What strategic lesson did Hitler learn from the Munich Putsch’s failure?

That he needed to gain power legally through elections and then dismantle democracy from within rather than by force.

Why is Mein Kampf significant in Nazi history?

Written in prison, it set out Hitler’s ideology—racism, Lebensraum, anti-Semitism—and became the blueprint for Nazi policy.

How did the Schutzstaffel (SS) differ from the SA?

The SS was an elite, highly disciplined bodyguard unit loyal solely to Hitler, whereas the SA was a mass paramilitary force.

Why did the Nazi Party have limited appeal to urban industrial workers during the Weimar “Golden Age”?

Workers tended to support socialist and communist parties, while economic stability reduced the attraction of extremist solutions.

How did the Great Depression boost Nazi electoral support?

It caused mass unemployment, collapsed coalition governments, and discredited democracy, driving voters to extremist parties like the Nazis.

Why did German business leaders and the middle class fear communism after 1929?

They worried communists would seize private property and impose state control, so they turned to the Nazis as a bulwark.

What propaganda techniques did Joseph Goebbels use to grow Nazi support?

Mass rallies, radio broadcasts, posters blaming Versailles and Weimar politicians, and portraying Hitler as Germany’s saviour.

How did the SA and SS win public approval despite violence?

They projected discipline and order, fought communist street fighters, and were often supported by conservative police and army officers.

Why did President Hindenburg finally appoint Hitler chancellor on 30 January 1933?

Hindenburg and Franz von Papen believed they could harness Hitler’s popular support to stabilise government and control him from behind the scenes.

What occurred at the Reichstag Fire of 27 February 1933?

The parliament building was set ablaze; Nazis blamed a lone communist, using it to justify emergency measures.

What powers were granted by the Decree for the Protection of People and State?

It suspended civil liberties, allowed arrest without trial, and enabled the Nazis to ban opposition meetings and newspapers.

Why was the Enabling Act of 24 March 1933 crucial for Hitler?

It let him enact laws without Reichstag consent for four years, effectively making him a dictator within a legal framework.

What does Gleichschaltung mean, and name two steps in the process.

‘Co-ordination’—bringing all institutions under Nazi control, e.g., banning all other political parties and dissolving independent trade unions.

Why did Hitler perceive Ernst Röhm and the SA as a threat by 1934?

The SA’s three-million members and Röhm’s call for a “second revolution” challenged the army and Hitler’s authority.

What was the Night of the Long Knives (29–30 June 1934)?

A purge in which the SS executed Röhm and about 400 perceived rivals, eliminating threats within the party and winning army support.

How did Hindenburg’s death on 2 August 1934 change Hitler’s status?

Hitler merged the roles of president and chancellor, becoming Führer and head of state.

What new oath did the German army take after August 1934?

A personal oath of loyalty to Adolf Hitler rather than to the German constitution or state.

What objectives did the Four-Year Plan (1936) pursue?

Rapid rearmament and economic autarky to prepare Germany for war within four years.

How did Nazi public works projects reduce unemployment?

By funding autobahn construction, housing, and reforestation, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Which organisation replaced trade unions in Nazi Germany?

The German Labour Front (DAF) under Robert Ley.

What was the purpose of the “Strength Through Joy” (KdF) programme?

To offer subsidised leisure and cultural activities, winning workers’ loyalty while controlling their free time.

How did Nazi policies redefine women’s roles?

They encouraged women to focus on motherhood and homemaking, discouraged careers and higher education, and awarded motherhood honours.

How were schools used to spread Nazi ideology?

Teachers joined the Nazi Teachers’ League, curricula were rewritten to emphasise racism, militarism, and loyalty to Hitler.

What were the Nuremberg Laws of 1935?

They stripped Jews of citizenship, banned marriage between Jews and ‘Aryans,’ and legalised many forms of anti-Semitic discrimination.

What happened during Kristallnacht on 9–10 November 1938?

Nazi mobs destroyed Jewish synagogues, businesses, and homes, killed dozens, and arrested 20,000 Jews for concentration camps.

What did the term “Final Solution” mean from 1941 onward?

The Nazi plan for the systematic genocide of Europe’s Jews, culminating in death camps that killed about six million people.

What function did the Gestapo serve in Nazi Germany?

The Secret State Police hunted political opponents, could arrest without warrant, and created a climate of fear and informers.

How did pre-war concentration camps differ from later extermination camps?

Initially they held political prisoners and ‘undesirables’ for forced labour and intimidation; death camps were later designed for mass murder.

Who led the SS, and what were its main responsibilities?

Heinrich Himmler; the SS oversaw security, racial policy enforcement, concentration camps, and intelligence through the SD.

How did Goebbels use the 1936 Berlin Olympics for propaganda?

He showcased German efficiency and unity, masking persecution while demonstrating Aryan strength to an international audience.

Which forms of media were tightly censored by the Nazi regime?

Books, newspapers, radio, film, theatre, art, and even music—all had to promote Nazi ideals or face banning.

Why was large-scale resistance to Nazism limited inside Germany?

Total control by SS and Gestapo, harsh punishments, propaganda successes, and some economic benefits discouraged open opposition.

Who were the Edelweiss Pirates and what did they oppose?

Youth groups that resisted Nazi cultural conformity and rejected compulsory Hitler Youth activities.

What was the July 1944 Bomb Plot?

An attempt by German army officers to assassinate Hitler and negotiate peace; it failed and led to mass executions.

What was the aim of the Nazi concept Volksgemeinschaft?

To create a racially pure, unified national community loyal to Hitler, excluding Jews and other ‘undesirables.’

Which economic groups profited most from Nazi rearmament?

Large industrial firms and their managers, such as Siemens, Mercedes, and the producers of the Volkswagen programme.

How did the Nazis court support among rural farmers?

Promised protection from communism, higher agricultural prices, and targeted propaganda portraying farmers as the ‘backbone’ of Germany.

What was the Dolchstoss (stab-in-the-back) myth?

The claim that Germany lost WWI because civilian politicians betrayed the army, later exploited by Nazis to discredit Weimar leaders.

Why did the Nazis pursue autarky?

To make Germany economically self-sufficient and less vulnerable to foreign blockades in preparation for war.

What were the Dawes Plan (1924) and Young Plan (1929) designed to do?

Restructure and reduce Germany’s reparations payments and stabilise its economy through foreign loans.

Why were Weimar leaders branded “November Criminals”?

Right-wing critics accused them of betraying Germany by signing the 1918 Armistice and, later, the Treaty of Versailles.

What was the League of German Girls (BDM) and its purpose?

The female branch of the Hitler Youth, preparing girls for motherhood and instilling Nazi values.

How did the Nazi regime reshape the legal system to ensure compliance?

Judges joined a Nazi lawyers’ league, jury trials were abolished, and courts were instructed to deliver politically favourable verdicts.

What was the role of the Sicherheitsdienst (SD)?

The SS intelligence service that gathered information on actual and potential opponents of the regime.

Why did Hitler ban all political parties except the NSDAP by July 1933?

To eliminate political competition and establish a one-party totalitarian state under Nazi control.

How did Article 48 aid democracy’s collapse after 1929?

Frequent presidential decrees bypassed the Reichstag, normalising authoritarian rule and paving the way for Hitler’s dictatorship.

How did the Nazis use scapegoating to gain and maintain popular support?

They blamed Jews, communists, and Weimar politicians for Germany’s troubles, uniting supporters behind a common enemy and distracting from regime failures.