Topic #2: The Rise of German Fascism

inflation

• when prices go up because the value of money goes down
• this soared in Germany after WWI

𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘳𝘢𝘶𝘮

• means "living space"
• what Hitler demanded to get for Germany in 𝘔𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘧
• Germany must expand to get this

swastika

symbol of the Nazi party

The Weimar Republic

• the government of Germany after WWI
• considered a "weak" democracy, because Germans liked to have one person in power
• blamed for not fighting more in WWI
• branded as "traitors" (specifically the politicians) for signing the Treaty of Versailles
• communism grew under this
• blamed for the bad economy
• the German people had no faith in this government
• On November 8, 1923, Hitler tried to overthrow this with the Beer Hall Putsch (spoiler alert: he was unsuccessful and faced legal consequences)

Adolf Hitler

• born 1889 in Austria
• 18 yrs: went to Vienna where he developed a fanatical anti-Semitism (prejudice against Jewish people)
• during WWI, he fought in German Army
• despised the Weimar Republic, thought it was weak
• hated the Treaty of Versailles
• vowed to overthrow the government that signed the Treaty of Versailles (Weimar Republic)
• Nov. 8, 1923 (1 yr after March on Rome): this man attempted to overthrow the Weimar Republic in the Beer Hall Putsch
• his Beer Hall Putsch failed, and he faced legal consequences (but still got the lightest sentence because Judge agreed with his cause)
• went on trial which gained him publicity for his ideas
• wrote 𝘔𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘧 ("My Struggle") in jail
• in his book, he claimed German people (𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘬) were descended from Aryans so they were members of a "Master Race"
• promises he made in 𝘔𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘧: unite all Germans into 1 nation, gain 𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘳𝘢𝘶𝘮, inferior races would bow to Aryan needs, war was needed and he would lead it, revenge, strength, glory, possibly take control of Russia?'
• 1929: Great Depression caused unemployment to rise, but Nazi membership rose to nearly 1 mil.
• this man vowed to make jobs (in factories making weapons), end reparations, and raise national pride
  -1932: ran for Prez against Paul von Hindenburg, lost, but won 1/3 of popular votes
• veterans, workers, lower middle class, small-town Germans, business people, financially anxious people, people mad at the Treaty of Versailles voted for this man
• 1933: Von Hindenburg recognized this man's popularity by awarding him the job of Chancellor (now number 2 in German gov. through legal means)
• The Enabling Act allowed this man to issue laws (ones that violated Weimar Constitution too) without approval from Parliament or Reich Prez (Von Hindenburg)

the Nazi Party

• National Socialist German Workers Party
• leader: Adolf Hitler
• 1929: the Great Depression caused unemployment and this party's membership rose to nearly 1 mil.
• veterans, workers, small-town Germans, lower middle class, business people, financially anxious people, and people angry at the Treaty of Versailles tended to support this party and its candidates
• conservatives feared Communists more than this party (spoiler alert: BIG mistake)
• Von Hindenburg and conservatives believed they could control this party and their leader better than they could the Communists (spoiler alert: they were so so wrong)
• this and Germany's coalition government blamed the Communists for the Reichstag (lower house of Germany's Parliament) Fire
• Reichstag Fire Decree helped this party: could arrest and incarcerate political opponents w/o specific charge; dissolve political organizations; confiscate private property; authority to overrule state and local laws → overthrew state and local governments
• they could get rid of their rival: the Communists w/ the Reichstag Fire Decree
• guaranteed that 2/3 of Parliament would approve the Enabling Act by: preventing all 81 Communists and 26 of 120 Social Democrats from taking seat by putting them in "protective detention" AKA Nazi-controlled camps; SA and SS members intimidated remaining representatives; beat up whoever they thought wouldn't vote for it (spoiler alert: law passed with more than requirement, only Social Democrats voting against it)

The Beer Hall Putsch

• November 8, 1923
• motivated by Mussolini's March on Rome success, Hitler attempted to overthrow the Weimar Government in this
• failed and Hitler had to face legal consequences
• but, was given the lightest sentence for leading this b/c the Judge agreed with Hitler's ideas
• the trial for this, gaining publicity for his ideas; people knew about him, his face, and were interested in his ideas

𝘔𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘧

• "My Struggle" in English
• the book Adolf Hitler wrote in jail
• claimed German people, 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘬, were distant descendants of Aryans
• Hitler claimed because the German 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘬 were descendants of Aryans, they were members of the "Master Race"
• identified enemies in this: Jewish people b/c WWI was blamed on them (jealous of economic success, separate race, middle ages hate), German Jewish soldiers b/c they were "weak," Communists were a threat
• only a true leader with absolute authority could lead the German people to their prosperous position of power over others in Europe: 𝘋𝘦𝘳 𝘍ü𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘳
• promised to unite all Germans into 1 nation
• promised to expand Germany to get 𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘳𝘢𝘶𝘮
• promised to have Slavs and other "inferior" races bow to Aryan needs
• promised to go to war, and lead it, to get their needs
• promised revenge, strength, and glory
• promised to possibly take control of Russia?
• promised to create the Third Reich in Germany that would last 1000 yrs (1st Reich = Medieval Holy Roman Empire which lasted more than 800 yrs; 2nd Reich = Empire forged by Bismarck in 1871)

The Aryans and the Master Race Theory

• some of the main ideas of Hitler's book 𝘔𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘧
• group of Indo-European nomads from ancient history
• who Hitler claimed German people, 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘬, were distant descendants of
• the German 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘬's ancestral connection made them members of the "Master Race" according to Hitler
• "Master Race" status made Germans naturally more intelligent, braver, stronger, and superior to other groups of people
• THERE IS ZERO SCIENTIFIC FACT BEHIND THIS!!

The Third Reich

• the Third German Empire started by Hitler that was said to last 1000 yrs

• First Reich: Medieval Holy Roman Empire that lasted more than 800 years

• Second Reich: the empire forged by Bismarck in 1871

• used a secret police force called Gestapo (had extra power, did not have to obey laws or wear uniforms)

• had no voting!

• 100% power went to 𝘋𝘦𝘳 𝘍ü𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘳

• rejected the Treaty of Versailles (get revenge!)

• used the SA (Brown Shirts, lots of veterans, and Hitler's first supporters) as a paramilitary, there were more of SA than SS

• used the SS (Black Shirts, top military troops, a paramilitary, the elite) to protect 𝘋𝘦𝘳 𝘍ü𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘳 and set up concentration (+led) concentration camps

• Hitler purged his own party and jailed political opponents

• restarted the production of weapons

• all men were required to fight in the military

• launched a crash program to reform Germany

• launched naval programs for submarines (forbidden by ToV!)

• built air force, Luftwaffe (also forbidden by ToV!)

• vowed to get 𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘳𝘢𝘶𝘮

• brought some businesses under government control

• preserved capitalism

• set up public work projects (JOBS!) like deforestation, huge construction (Autobahn, the no speed limit highway), and bridge building

• hosted big rallies and speeches (also played on radio)

• Hitler Youth: not required but judged if not; an extracurricular activity; LOTS of physical activity; numbed and desensitized children to war and violence; molded the soldiers fighting in WWII

• Battle of Motherhood: women have at least 4 kids = an award

• propaganda highlighted improvements or negative racism

• used scapegoats, blamed problems on an individual or group w/o evidence

𝘋𝘦𝘳 𝘍ü𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘳

• a truly great leader with absolute authority who could lead the German people to their prosperous position of power over others in Europe
• Adolf Hitler wanted to be this (spoiler alert: he did)

The Reichstag Fire

• February 27, 1933: the Reichstag (lower house of Germany's Parliament) burned to the ground as a result of arson
• the Communists were blamed for this by the Nazi Party and Germany's coalition government
• the decree that came as a result of this ended German citizen's: right to assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of press, and other constitutional protections (democratic liberties)
• permitted the Nazi Party to arrest and incarcerate political opponents without a specific charge
• Nazi Party could dissolve political organizations
• Nazi Party to confiscate private property
• Nazi Party could overrule state and local laws
• Nazi Party could overthrow state and local governments
• helped the Nazi Party get rid of a rival: the Communists

The Enabling Act

• March 23, 1933: this was passed by Germany's Parliament
• allowed Hitler to issue laws, including ones that violated the Weimar Constitution, without approval from Parliament or Reich President Von Hindenburg
• there was no longer a democracy in Germany!
• Nazi's prevented all 81 Communists and 26/120 Social Democrats in Parliament from taking their seat to vote on this Act by placing them in "protective detention" in Nazi-controlled camps
• SA and SS members intimidated the remaining representatives to guarantee their compliance to vote for this Act
• Nazis beat up people if they thought they would not vote for this Act
• in the end, this law was passed with more than the required 2/3 with only the Social Democrats voting against it
• was the cornerstone of Hitler's dictatorship
• German judges did not challenge it, further solidifying Hitler's reign
• this let Hitler do whatever he wanted, saying he was doing it for the good of the country

The Brown Shirts (S.A.)

• lots of veterans
• Hitler's first supporters
• was a paramilitary
• more members than the SS
• members intimidated representatives during the voting of the Enabling Act to guarantee their compliance

The Black Shirts (S.S.)

• top military troops, the elite
• was a paramilitary
• main job was to protect 𝘋𝘦𝘳 𝘍ü𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘳
• set up (+led) concentration camps
• members intimidated representatives during the voting of the Enabling Act to guarantee their compliance

The Gestapo

• Hitler's secret police
• had extra powers
• did not have to obey laws, could use whatever tactics they liked
• did not have to wear uniforms, don't know who is one

Dachau

• first ever concentration camp
• was operational within 6 months of the Enabling Act
• the first people sent here were political opponents

The Nuremberg Laws

• passed in 1935
• main purpose: deprive German Jewish people of their rights so they flee; strip Jewish people of citizenship
• Jewish people could not marry non-Jewish people
• Jewish people could not attend German schools or universities
• Jewish people could not teach at German schools or universities
• Jewish people could not have government jobs
• Jewish people could not practice law or medicine
• Jewish people could not publish books
• Jewish people were forced to wear the Star of David whenever they left their house
• Nazis encouraged and rewarded beating up and robbing Jewish people (they did so too)

𝘒𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘵

• November 9 to 10, 1938
• means "the Night of Broken Glass" in English
• November 7, 1938: A young German Jewish boy, college age, whose parents were deported back to Poland, shot and killed a minor Nazi diplomat in Paris → used as an excuse to launch a violent attack against the Jewish community AKA this
• Jewish homes/houses destroyed
• more than 7,000 Jewish businesses were looted, ransacked, and destroyed
• Jewish schools were destroyed
• over 1,000 Jewish synagogues burned: Nazis made sure to destroy the OLDEST Torahs, losing a lot of history :(
• Jewish hospitals destroyed
• Jewish people were forced outside to lie on the ground, cold, w/ guns to their heads ("will I die now?")
• many Jewish people were injured and killed
• 30,000 Jewish people who survived were arrested and forced into concentration camps
• Nazis made Jewish victims (who were not killed or sent to concentration camps) pay for the damages → further torment the Jewish people, further weaken Jewish people, to say that the Jewish people "deserved" this violent act
• not only occurred in Germany, but in Austria and the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia

In 1919, the Great War or World War I ended with the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles. What did this treaty force Germany to endure?

• harsh terms
• heavy reparations ($31 billion, $33 billion with taxes)
• war guilt (AKA the whole war was their fault)
• military limitations (could not make submarines or military airplanes, limited size of Germany's standing army)
• territorial loss (no more overseas colonies, Alsace-Lorraine, the Rhineland became a demilitarized zone)

In the aftermath of World War I, what political problems plagued Germany?

• they had a "weak" democracy: liked to have one person in power, blamed for not fighting more in World War I
• called politicians who signed the Treaty of Versailles "traitors"
• Communism was gaining traction

In the aftermath of World War I, what economic problems plagued Germany?

• jobs were needed
• inflation soared
• the Weimar democracy was blamed for the bad economy
• people printed loads of paper money
• prices were super high
• people paid for meals in wheelbarrows of money
• Germany had to pay for war: reparations $31 billion; $33 billion with taxes

In the aftermath of World War I, what social problems plagued in Germany?

• people could not afford everyday needs
• unemployment
• people felt wronged and humiliated by the war
• people were anxious and grieving as 2 million died in the war
• people had no faith in the government

Why were the Treaty of Versailles and Germany's post-war instability relevant to Hitler's rise to power?

• Hitler himself hated the Treaty of Versailles and people also hated the Treaty of Versailles
• Hitler vowed to overthrow the government that signed the Treaty of Versailles (the Weimar Republic)

What happened one year after Mussolini's March on Rome on November 8, 1923 in Germany?

Motivated by Mussolini's successful March on Rome, Hitler attempted to overthrow the weak Weimar Republic in an event known as a Beer Hall Putsch. But, the revolt failed and Hitler faced legal consequences.

Why was the Beer Hall Putsch a turning point relevant to Hitler's rise to power?

Because it failed, Hitler faced legal consequences so he went on trial. But the trial only served to gain in publicity for his ideas. Even the judge agreed with him and gave him the lightest sentence he could. People heard of Hitler, knew his face, and were interested in his ideas

While serving his jail sentence what book did Hitler write and what did it mean in English?

𝘔𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘧 = "My Struggle"

In 𝘔𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘧, who did Hitler claim the German people or 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘬 were distant descendants of?

Aryans, a group of Indo-European nomads from ancient history.

In 𝘔𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘧, what did Hitler claim the German 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘬's ancestral connection make them?

members of the "Master Race"

In 𝘔𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘧, what did Hitler argue about the German 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘬's status as members of the "Master Race"?

Germans were naturally more intelligent, braver, stronger, and superior to other groups of people.

What is important to note about Hitler's theories?

THERE IS ZERO SCIENTIFIC FACT BEHIND THEM!!

Hitler claimed that the 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘬 faced several natural enemies. What groups did he identify as enemies in 𝘔𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘧? Why were they enemies?

• Jewish people: WWI was blamed on them (jealous of financial success, separate race, hate from the middle ages)
• German Jewish soldiers: being weak (causing Germany to lose the war?)
• Communists = threat

Hitler's claim that only a true great leader was absolute authority could lead the German people to their prosperous position of power over others in Europe. What title did Hitler use when referring to the special leader?

𝘋𝘦𝘳 𝘍ü𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘳

What specific promises for the future did Hitler include in 𝘔𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘒𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘧 to earn the German public's support and trust?

• unite all Germans into one nation
• Germany must expand to get 𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘳𝘢𝘶𝘮 living space
• Slavs and other "inferior" races must bow to Aryan needs
• war to get their needs and he would lead it
• revenge, strength, and glory
• the Third Reich (empire) would last 1000 years
• eyeing Russia to take control

In 1929, the Great Depression devastated in the US economy, triggering unprecedented levels of unemployment, the immediate recall of international loans, and staggering drops in amounts of world trade. Why was this turning point relevant to Hitler's rise to power?

• as unemployment rose but so did Nazi membership, it reached nearly 1 million
• 30% of Germans lost jobs and Hitler vowed to make jobs (in factories making weapons)
• Hitler promised to end reparations and raise national pride

In 1932, who did Hitler run for president against and what was the result?

Hitler ran for president against Paul von Hindenburg. He lost, but still won 1/3 of the popular votes.

What groups of German voters tended to support Hitler and other Nazi Party candidates?

• Veterans
• workers
• lower middle class
• small-town Germans
• business people
• people who were financially anxious
• people who were pissed off by the Treaty of Versailles

What political party did conservatives fear even more than the Nazi Party?

Communists

What erroneous conclusion did conservatives like Paul Von Hindenburg make about Hitler and the Nazi Party?

They thought they could control Hitler and the Nazi Party better than they could the Communists. (spoiler alert: FATAL mistake!)

In 1933, Von Hindenburg recognized Hitler's popularity by doing what?

He awarded him the job of Chancellor.

Why was becoming the Chancellor of Germany an important turning point in Hitler's career?

Hitler obtained the job through legal means. He went from a nobody to number two in Germany's government.

Who did the Nazi Party in Germany's coalition government blame for the Reichstag Fire on February 27, 1933?

They blamed the Communists with no proof, they were a scapegoat.

What legal rights did the Reichstag Fire Decree end for all German citizens?

• right to assembly
• freedom of speech
• freedom of press
• constitutional protection (democratic liberties)

How did the Reichstag Fire help the Nazi Party as a whole?

• decree permitted the regime to arrest and incarcerate political opponents without a specific charge
• they could dissolve political organizations
• they could confiscate private property
• authority to overrule state and local laws and overthrow state and local governments
• with this they were able to get rid of their rival: the Communist party

What does it mean to enable?

to give someone the power to do something

What did Germany's Parliament pass on March 23, 1933 (less than a month after the Reichstag "Fire)?

The Enabling Act

How did the Enabling Act change Hitler's power in Germany?

It allowed him to issue laws, including ones that violated the Weimar Constitution, without approval from Parliament or the Reich president von Hindenburg. And there was no more democracy!

What steps did the Nazi Party take to guarantee that 2/3 of Parliament voted to approve the Enabling Act?

• they prevented all 81 Communists and 26 of the 120 Social Democrats in Parliament from taking their seat by putting them in "protective detention" in Nazi controlled camps
• had SA and SS members intimidate the remaining representatives to guarantee their compliance
• they beat up people if they didn't think they would vote for it

Why was the ratification of the Enabling Act a very significant change in Germany's history?

• it was the cornerstone of Hitler's dictatorship
• Hitler could do whatever he wanted, saying he was doing it for the good of the country
• German judges did not challenge it, further solidifying Hitler's reign

Overall, why do you think that Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party catapulted to power during the early 1930s? (OPINION)

The German people were struggling under the Great Depression and the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler and the Nazi party promised to fix it by providing jobs and other things, they won popular support with that. With the conservatives support as well Hitler became the chancellor in 1933. When the Reichstag building burned down, Hitler and the Nazi Party quickly blamed it on the Communists, their rivals. They were able to get the Reichstag Fire Decree passed, ending all German citizens' constitutional rights. That paired with the Enabling Act, which allowed Hitler to issue laws without Parliament or the president's permission, empowered the Nazis to do virtually anything without any legal repercussions, essentially catapulting to power.

Government Policies of the Third Reich

• use the secret police force called the Gestapo: had extra power, did not have to obey laws or wear uniforms
• no voting!
• 100% power to the 𝘋𝘦𝘳 𝘍ü𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘳
• rejected the Treaty of Versailles (wanted revenge!)
• SA or Brown Shirts: a lot of veterans; Hitler's first supporters; a paramilitary; more of them than the SS
• SS or Black Shirts: top military troops; paramilitary; job was to protect the 𝘋𝘦𝘳 𝘍ü𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘳; Elite; set up concentration camps and led them
• Hitler purged his own party and jailed political opponents
• Dachau: the first ever concentration camp; operational within 6 months of the Enabling Act; the first people sent there were political opponents

Military Policies of the Third Reich

• restarted the production of weapons

• all men were required to fight in the military

• launched a crash program to reform Germany

• naval programs built submarines

• built air force like Luftwaffe

• vowed to expand the Third Reich by gaining 𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘳𝘢𝘶𝘮

Economic Policies of the Third Reich

• brought some businesses under government control
• preserved capitalism
• set up public work projects or jobs in deforestation, huge construction projects (like the Autobahn, highway with no speed limit), and bridge building

Social Policies and Practices of the Third Reich

• big rallies and speeches (also played on radio, if not able to attend)
• Hitler Youth: not required but judged if not attended; an extracurricular activity; numbed and desensitized children to war and violence; children did A LOT of physical activity; the children who went through this became the soldiers fighting in World War II
• Battle of Motherhood: have at least four kids and get an award
• propaganda highlighted improvements or negative racism
• scapegoating or blaming problems on an individual or group without evidence was prominent

How did the Nazi Party identify or define a Jewish person?

An individual with at least one Jewish grandparent, 1/4 Jewish

What did the Nazis do after Hitler achieved absolute authority in Germany?

They passed rounds of legislation that systematically targeted and dehumanized Jewish people who lived in Germany.

What was the main purpose of the Nuremberg Laws passed in 1935?

• to deprive German Jewish people of their rights so they flee
• strip Jewish people of German citizenship

What specific restrictions did the Nuremberg Laws place on German citizens who were Jewish?

• could not marry non-Jewish people
• could not attend German schools or universities
• could not teach at German schools or universities
• could not have government jobs
• could not practice law or medicine
• could not publish books
• Jewish people forced to wear the Star of David whenever they were in public to identify themselves as Jewish

What historical evidence supported the following conclusion "As politically-lead prejudice against the Jewish community escalated, public anger and hostility mounted, too."

The Nazis encouraged and rewarded beating up and robbing Jewish people and they did so as well.

What happened on November 7th, 1938 that Nazi leaders used as an excuse to launch a violent attack against the Jewish community?

A young German Jewish boy, around college age, whose parents were deported back to Poland, shot and killed a minor Nazi diplomat in Paris.

What types of buildings were violently destroyed during 𝘒𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘵 (November 9-10, 1938)?

• Jewish homes/houses
• Jewish businesses (looted + ransacked + window glass shattered)
• Jewish schools
• Jewish synagogues burned (Nazis targeted destroying the OLDEST Torahs)
• Jewish hospitals

What does the German word "𝘒𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘵" mean in English?

the Night of Broken Glass

The damages of 𝘒𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘵 were not limited to vandalism of buildings. What other acts of violence occurred during this hateful event?

• Jewish people with forced out of side of their homes to lie on the cold, hard, ground while Nazis held guns to their heads, they thought they were going to die
• many Jewish people were injured and killed

What happened to 30,000 Jewish survivors of 𝘒𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘵?

They were arrested and forced into concentration camps.

How did the Nazis pay for the clean up of 𝘒𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘵?

They made the Jewish victims who were not killed or sent to concentration camps pay for the damages.

Why do you think Hitler decided to make the Jewish victims pay for the cleanup of 𝘒𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘵? (OPINION)

• to further torment the Jewish people
• to further weaken the Jewish people
• to say to the Jewish people that they "deserved" what happened to them

Did 𝘒𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘵 not occur only in Germany?

Nope, attacks also occurred in Austria and the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia.