Hitler’s Rise and the Weakness of the Weimar Republic

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering the weakness of the Weimar Republic, economic crises, Hitler’s abilities, Nazi ideology, electoral gains, and the political manoeuvres that led to Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor and the establishment of the Third Reich.

What were the First, Second and Third Reichs?

First Reich – Holy Roman Empire (962–1806); Second Reich – German Empire (1871–1919); Third Reich – Nazi Germany (1933–1945).

Why was the Weimar Republic created?

It replaced authoritarian rule after Germany’s defeat in WWI and was established by a new democratic constitution in 1919.

How did proportional representation weaken the Weimar Government?

It split votes among many parties, produced 20 coalition governments (1919–33), and made stable, decisive leadership impossible.

What did Article 48 allow the President to do?

Dissolve parliament and rule by decree for six months during an ‘emergency’, undermining democracy.

Which two extreme political wings opposed the Weimar Republic?

The extreme right (monarchists, nationalists, Freikorps) and the extreme left (communists, Spartacists).

What was the Kapp Putsch of 1920?

A right-wing coup led by Wolfgang Kapp and 5,000 Freikorps; it failed after a general strike paralysed Berlin.

What was the Spartacist Uprising of 1919?

A communist revolt in Berlin suppressed by the Freikorps with about 2,000 deaths (1919-20).

How many political murders occurred 1919-1922?

376, illustrating the Republic’s inability to keep order.

What triggered hyperinflation in 1923?

Over-printing of money to pay war reparations and to support striking Ruhr workers during the French-Belgian occupation.

How did hyperinflation affect the middle class?

Savings became worthless overnight, eroding faith in the Weimar Republic.

What was the Occupation of the Ruhr (1923)?

France and Belgium seized German industrial region after reparations default; German workers struck, deepening economic collapse.

Approximately how many Germans were unemployed by 1932?

Six million (about one-third of the workforce).

Which American event ended German recovery loans?

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 and ensuing Great Depression.

Who was Gustav Stresemann?

Chancellor and Foreign Minister (1923-29) who ended Ruhr occupation, introduced the Rentenmark, secured U.S. loans (Dawes & Young Plans) and reached the Locarno Pact.

Why was Stresemann’s death in 1929 significant?

Germany lost a capable leader just as the Great Depression struck, worsening instability.

What percentage of votes did the Nazi Party win in May 1928?

Less than 3 % (actually 2.6 %).

What percentage of votes did the Nazi Party win in July 1932?

About 37.3 %, becoming the largest Reichstag party.

Name four core Nazi ideological ideas.

Führerprinzip (strong leader), Lebensraum, anti-Semitism, anti-Communism / Aryan master-race theory.

What were Hitler’s Twenty-Five Points?

The 1920 Nazi programme demanding Treaty of Versailles abolition, Anschluss with Austria, ‘true Germans’ only, nationalisation of big industry, pensions, and strong central government.

How did Hitler use the Munich Beer Hall Putsch (1923) to his advantage?

Although it failed, his trial speeches gained publicity; he served only nine months and concluded power must be gained legally.

What book did Hitler write in prison?

Mein Kampf (My Struggle).

Which two paramilitary groups did Hitler create or rebuild?

SA (Sturmabteilung) brown-shirts to intimidate opponents; SS (Schutzstaffel) elite black-shirts loyal personally to Hitler.

Who masterminded Nazi propaganda from 1929?

Joseph Goebbels.

Why did industrialists fund the Nazi Party?

They feared communism and wanted an anti-communist government to protect business interests.

How did Hitler exploit fear of communism among voters?

He portrayed Nazis as the only force able to restore order and stop a Soviet-style revolution, gaining middle-class and elite support.

Which president appointed Hitler Chancellor and when?

President Paul von Hindenburg on 30 January 1933.

Why did Hindenburg and von Papen believe they could ‘control’ Hitler?

They expected to use his mass support to stabilise government while conservative elites would dominate the cabinet.

List four of Hitler’s personal abilities that aided his rise.

Charismatic oratory, skilful propaganda use, organisational rebuilding of Nazi Party, political deal-making.

What was the Reichstag number of coalition governments 1919-1933?

Twenty different coalitions.

Define the ‘Stab-in-the-Back’ myth.

Right-wing claim that the German army was betrayed by civilians and politicians who signed the 1918 armistice and Versailles Treaty.

How did the Great Depression shift voter behaviour?

Economic misery eroded support for moderate parties and boosted extremist parties—Nazis and Communists.

What emergency power did Hindenburg increasingly use after 1930?

Article 48 rule by decree, bypassing the Reichstag.

What was the Dawes Plan?

1924 U.S. loan programme that restructured German reparations and stabilised the economy.

What change did the Young Plan (1929) make?

Reduced reparations from 6.6 billion to 2 billion pounds.

How did Hitler portray himself in campaigns?

‘Man of the people’ who understood hardships, using modern media—films, radio, mass rallies—to spread his message.

Why did the Weimar Republic form a ‘golden age’ 1924-29?

Stresemann’s policies, foreign loans, currency reform, and improved international standing brought prosperity and stability.

What was the Sturmabteilung’s (SA) main domestic role?

Disrupt communist meetings, intimidate opponents, and present Nazi image of discipline and order.

Why did coalition disagreements paralyse government after 1930?

Parties could not agree on how to handle unemployment benefits and austerity, leading to deadlock in the Reichstag.

What electoral tactic followed Nazi village rallies?

Local organisation recruited members, targeted rural voters by promising aid to farmers, and vilified Weimar neglect.

Which chancellors preceded Hitler in 1932?

Heinrich Brüning, Franz von Papen, and Kurt von Schleicher.

What does ‘Lebensraum’ mean in Nazi ideology?

‘Living space’; the belief Germany must expand eastward and seize land from ‘lesser’ races for German settlers.

What was the significance of the SA’s uniformed marches?

Displayed strength, provided jobs for disaffected youths, and reassured elites that Nazis could maintain order.

Give one social effect of Hitler’s regime after 1933.

Youth indoctrination through Nazi-controlled education and Hitler Youth programmes.

Give one economic measure of the Nazi regime.

Massive public works and rearmament programmes that reduced unemployment.

What institutions enforced terror in Nazi Germany?

SS, Gestapo, concentration camps, and extensive informer networks.

How were women’s roles redefined under Nazis?

Encouraged to focus on ‘Kinder, Küche, Kirche’ (children, kitchen, church) with limited public responsibilities.

What year marked Germany’s admission to the League of Nations?

1926 (formal acceptance in 1926; often noted as 1927 in some sources).

Why did many judges and police give light sentences to right-wing offenders 1919-22?

They were monarchist or conservative sympathisers who disliked the democratic Weimar system.