Conditions for Authoritarian State in Germany (1918-1933)

Flashcards covering economic factors, social divisions, the impact of war, and weaknesses of the political system that contributed to the rise of authoritarianism in Germany.

Reparation Payments (1918-1933)

Adverse impacts on Germany led to printing money instead of raising taxes, causing hyperinflation and economic instability.

economic factors

adverse impacts of reparation payments, the hyper inflation crisis of 1923, reliance of international loans and investment, the great depression

Hyperinflation Crisis of 1923

Wiped out the savings of the middle class and devalued the German mark, which created conditions for political exploitation.

Reliance on International Loans

Dawes and Young Plans propped up the German economy but made it vulnerable to world economic events, splitting the country along class lines.

The Great Depression (Germany)

Led to business failures, mass unemployment, welfare system collapse, and agricultural crisis, causing political polarization.

social division

society was divided along social and economic lines, a large underclass of workers and farmers felt alienated from their political system, social groups felt that their culture and values were under attack by modernity, mass culture, and liberal democracy

Social Division in Germany (1918-1933)

Deep divisions along social and economic lines led to alienation from the political system and susceptibility to extreme ideas.

Underclass Alienation

Workers and farmers felt alienated, leading them to seek political alternatives and become susceptible to extreme ideas due to tough conditions.

Culture Under Attack

Social groups felt their culture and values under attack by modernity, mass culture, and liberal democracy, causing conservative shifts.

impact of war

bitterness and resentment, the belief that Germany had been humiliated by the armistice and the treaty of Versailles

Impact of War (WWI)

Bitterness and resentment among nationalist groups who believed Germany was humiliated by the Armistice and the Treaty of Versailles.

Humiliation and Betrayal (Armistice)

Germans felt betrayed, shifting blame to socialists, Jews, pacifists, and war profiteers, creating social divides.

november criminals

the politicians that accepted the terms of the Armistice and were blamed for Germany's defeat in WWI.

Treaty of Versailles

The 'diktat' led to the Weimar Republic being associated with military defeat, making it hard for Germans to be loyal to the system.

weakness of political systems

political instability, lack of legitimacy, substantial use of emergency decree

Political Instability (Weimar Republic)

The Weimar Republic never established itself on stable footing, exploited by parties like the Nazis who made authoritarianism appealing.

Lack of Legitimacy (Weimar Republic)

Allowed the rise of extremist political groups such as the Nazi party, capitalizing on the dissatisfaction of the German population.

Emergency Decrees (Article 48)

Misuse of Article 48 by President Hindenburg caused Germans to lose faith in democracy, manipulated by political parties.