Rise of the Nazi Authoritarian State: Conditions and Methods

Comprehensive question-and-answer flashcards covering conditions for the emergence of the Nazi authoritarian state and methods used to establish dictatorship.

Who introduced a new currency to stabilize Germany's economy during the early Weimar hyperinflation crisis?

Gustav Stresemann introduced a new currency and helped stop the Great Inflation, though underlying economic weaknesses remained.

How did Nazi electoral support change in Germany between 1928, 1930, and 1932?

Nazi electoral support grew from 2.6% in 1928 to 18.3% in 1930, peaked at 37.4% in July 1932, and then dropped to 33.1% in November 1932.

In "With Germany's Unemployed", what previous period did Heinrich Hauser compare the extreme economic suffering and starvation of the Great Depression to?

Heinrich Hauser compared the conditions to 1917–18, emphasizing starvation, lack of food, famine-like conditions, and the dehumanization of unemployed people.

According to historian Catherine Epstein, what was the role of the Great Depression in Hitler's rise to power?

The Great Depression was the leading cause that helped destroy the Weimar Republic and open the door to Nazi success, but Hitler's rise was not inevitable and ultimately depended on political circumstances and elite intrigue.

What percentage of political parties represented in the Reichstag following the 1919 elections were committed to republican democracy?

76% of parties (including the SPD, Catholic Center, and German Democratic Party).

What was Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution, and how did its practical impact differ from its original intention?

Article 48 gave the President emergency powers, originally intended to prevent threats such as a socialist takeover; in practice, it created a "backdoor" for an authoritarian dictator.

What actions did Chancellor Brüning take in July 1930 and March 1931 that weakened Weimar's democratic parliamentary government?

In July 1930, Brüning began Presidential government by issuing a budget through decree and dissolving Parliament; in March 1931, he restricted press freedoms and critics of the government.

What action did Franz von Papen take on July 20, 1932 using Article 48?

Papen dissolved the Prussian government and made himself Reich Commissioner in Prussia, further undermining democratic structures.

When was Adolf Hitler constitutionally appointed as Chancellor of Germany by President Paul von Hindenburg?

January 30, 1933.

What four specific factors does Catherine Epstein identify as reasons for Germany's defeat in World War I?

Bad alliances (Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire), lack of natural resources among the Central Powers, the entry of the United States into the war, and the British naval blockade.

What territorial and population losses did Germany suffer under the Treaty of Versailles?

Germany lost 13% of its territory, 10% of its population, its overseas colonies, Alsace-Lorraine, the Polish Corridor, and eastern territory to Poland.

Who negotiated the 1918 armistice for Germany, and what happened to him as a result of the stab-in-the-back myth?

Matthias Erzberger negotiated the armistice; he was vilified as one of the "November Criminals" and later assassinated.

What concept explains why Protestant middle-class communities yielded higher Nazi support than Catholic or urban worker demographic groups?

Political Confessionalization, which posits that people's political behavior and voting choices were heavily influenced by their social surroundings.

What antisemitic forgery associated with Mathieu Golovinski emerged around 1895–1899 and was published by Henry Ford's newspaper in 1920?

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which falsely claimed to reveal a Jewish plan for world domination.

What is the primary argument of the Sonderweg historiographical debate, and which historians challenged it?

Sonderweg argues Germany failed to undergo a middle-class revolution to build liberal democracy; historians Blackbourn and Geoff Eley challenged this idea, and Catherine Epstein agreed with their rejection.

Which historians argued that Germany's long-standing aggressive, militaristic, and authoritarian traditions explain the emergence of the Nazi state?

Robert Vansittart and A.J.P. Taylor.

What decree followed the Reichstag Fire on February 27, 1933, and what powers did it grant?

The Reichstag Fire Decree, which suspended important civil liberties and allowed political opponents to be arrested.

What was the significance of the Enabling Act passed on March 23, 1933?

It stripped the Reichstag of legislative power and gave Hitler's cabinet authority to create and alter laws without parliamentary consent, serving as a major step toward dictatorship.

According to historian Richard J. Evans, what provided the quasi-legal basis for introducing and maintaining the Nazi dictatorship?

The Reichstag Fire Decree and the Enabling Act.

What 1929 publication by Joseph Goebbels demonstrated that extreme Nazi antisemitic ideology existed well before mass electoral success?

The Damned Nazis (1929), published when Nazi political support was only 2.9%.

What was the first Nazi concentration camp opened in March 1933?

Dachau.

What was the Night of the Long Knives (June 30–July 2, 1934) and why was it significant?

Hitler ordered the SS to eliminate SA leaders (including Ernst Röhm) and other perceived political enemies; it eliminated internal rivals and placed Hitler's personal authority above legal constraints.

What events occurred on August 2, 1934 following President Hindenburg's death?

Hitler combined the offices of President and Chancellor to become Führer, and the German army swore an oath of loyalty directly to Hitler.

According to historian Ian Kershaw, when did Hitler become firmly convinced of his messianic role as Germany's leader?

During his imprisonment following the failed Beer Hall Putsch.

According to historian Volker Ullrich, what does the collapse of the Weimar Republic demonstrate about democracy?

It demonstrates the fragility of democracy when democratic institutions and civil society fail to prevent anti-democratic forces from gaining power.