AUTHORITARIAN STATES: Nazi Germany

Treaty of Versailles

The treaty that ended World War I and created harsh stipulations for Germany, such as the loss of German territory (the Saar valley, Danzig) and reparations payments

Adolf Hitler

The leader of Nazi Germany, appointed as chancellor in January 1933 and became the self-declared Fuhrer in 1934.

Weimar Republic (1918-1933)

The German democratic government established after WWI. Ended when Hitler assumed the role of Chancellor. Associated with hyperinflation and a constitution that was easy to exploit.

Propaganda

A tactic used by many political parties to promote their beliefs. Usually very biased and over-dramaticized.

Revanchism

The desire for revenge. In Germany, this relates to the losses they suffered after WWI that many deemed unfair when compared to other nations.

August 1934

After the death of Hindenburg, Hitler combines positions of Chancellor and President into the Fuhrer and appoints himself to the role. The official dictatorship begins.

Hitler's release from prison

Marks the beginning of the plans made by the Nazi party to turn Germany into a totalitarian state.

Hyperinflation in Germany

1923: German currency became worthless because government prints too much. Mainly caused by the harsh reparation payments from WWI, and the Ruhr Crisis

Hindenburg

President of Germany (1925 - 1934). His death allowed Hitler to obtain the position of Fuhrer.

Stresemann's death

October 3, 1929. He was chancellor (1923) and foreign minister (1924-29)

Revisionism

In Germany, this was the desire to alter the terms of the Treaty of Versailles to be more favorable to Germany.

SPD / KPD Conflict

KPD accused SPD of being traitors to workers' movement after failure of Spartacist Uprising. Distracted working class from Marxist goals and aided growth in capitalism and the NSDAP.

Anti-Communism in Germany

Strong public sentiments of fear existed in Nazi Germany against the communist party. Hitler/the Nazi party was very strongly against communism.

The Golden Age 1924-29

A time of economic and political stability after the crisis of hyperinflation

Dawes Plan

A plan adopted in 1924 that ended the Ruhr Crisis, making it easier for Germany to make reparation payments through loans and a more lenient reparation schedule

Leftist infighting

unwillingness to band together over similarities and opting to fight over minor differences. Which led to the right gaining more power.

NSDAP Alliances

The NSDAP collaborated with different people and other political parties such as the DNVP to gain alliances and power.

Spartacist Uprising

SPD-led uprising by Weimar gov't of Friedrich Ebert in January 1919. It was an improvised revolt in an attempt to gain power for the working class (equal distribution of wealth and power) but was crushed by superior powers in the gov't.

Article 17

Proportional representation of political parties. It caused political parties to be made that actively opposed democracy.

Article 48

let prez suspend civil liberties in case of oopsies. This allowed him to appoint hitler as chancellor even without hitler having the majority vote.

Article 231

Also known as the War Guilt Clause. Part of the Treaty of Versailles, it stated that Germany accepted responsibility for the losses of WW1

NSDAP 25 Points

The NSDAP's 25 points were a set of points that were used to try and gain mass support

Beer Hall Putsch (Munich Putsch)

Nov 8-9 1923: Failed coup d'état held by the Nazi Party, lead by Adolf Hitler. Attempted to take control from the Weimar Republic

Heinrich Bruning

The German chancellor during the Weimar Republic with the aid of emergency decrees issued by Hindenburg. May 1932

January 30, 1933

Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany by the president of Germany

Liquidation of Germany's Democratic State

1933-1934. The failure of the left to unite in defense of the Republic and the skillful manipulation of circumstances by the Nazis set the scene for a totalitarian state in Germany.

Ruhr Crisis

1922-1923. Germany announced they couldn't pay their reparations, France and Belgium occupy the Ruhr Valley to collect reparations "in Kind." (leads to Germany printing money, causing hyperinflation)

Vested Interests (Papen-Hugenburg)

Hindenburg appoints people and eventually Hitler to deal with the rise of communism, underestimating Hitler's ambition

National Socialism

ideology of the Nazi party: pride in country, totalitarian government, and anti-semitism

Night of the long knives

Adolf Hitler purges members of the Nazi party, assassinating hundreds of Nazis whom he believed had the potential to become political enemies in the future (primarily members of the SA)

Heinrich Himmler

Second most powerful man in the Third Reich; architect for the holocaust and strived to have control over the German military forces

Moritz Flamm

The medic who worked with Hatinger to uncover the systematic executions and "suicides" of Jewish people political prisoners by the SS

Von Papen

German chancellor under president von Hindenburg after Bruning; gave speech against Hitler

March 1933 Election

Nazis 44% (largest party) KPD 12.3% Most communists had been imprisoned or at least prevented from campaigning by emergency powers; able to get a plurality which gave Hitler electorate power

Law Concerning The Head of State of the German Reich

Appointed Hitler as Head of State following Hindenburg's death. Combined his position as Chancellor and President.

Ernst Thalmann

Leader of the communist party during the time of the Weimar Republic (1925 - 1933). He was arrested and killed on Hitler's orders.

Hermann Goring

German politician in Nazi Germany who founded the Gestapo and mobilized Germany for war (1893-1946)

Theodor Eicke

a high-ranking commander in the SS of Nazi Germany. He commanded the Dachau concentration camp. Eicke was one of the key figures in the establishment of concentration camps in Germany

Reichstag Fire Decree

said that Germany was under a state of emergency, started throwing Socialists and Communists into jail

Gestapo

The political police force in Germany, who eliminated anyone who was "anti-Nazi." Created by Goring, before Himmler became chief.

SA (Storm Troopers)

Paramilitary organization originally giving its members food and uniforms and eventually paid them. Organized under Captain Ernst Roehm. The chief instrument for terror and intimidation by the Nazis.

Dachau

The first concentration camp built for political prisoners. Established by Heinrich Himmler.

Josef Hartinger

Deputy State Prosecutor - Harbinger was one of the first ones to discover how inhumane the "re-education" camps were and set out to file a lawsuit against the SS.

KPD

German Communist Party

SS (Black Shirts)

The most infamous and hated of German soldiers organized to protect the Nazi regime.

Enabling Act

Act that allowed the Reich government to issue laws without the consent of Germany's parliment

Reichstag Fire

The fire was committed on the German Parliament (Reichstag) February 27, 1933. Lead to suspicions of Communist uprising.

Marburg Speech

1934 speech of Vice-Chancellor von Papen calling on Hitler to "end to rule by terror" by the SA

Research Bureau

organization under Goring's control that was responsible for wire tapping Nazi opposition

Edgar Jung

Speechwriter for Papen, famously wrote the Marburg Speech and convinced Papen to deliver it in an attempt to get Hindenburg to appoint Papen as his successor. Arrested by the Gestapo and later murdered by the SS

Joseph Goebbels

Minister of Nazi Propaganda, utilized press, radio, publishing etc to spread Nazi's message

Ernst Rohm

Close friend of Hitler and founder and leader of the Storm Troopers (SA). Was Arrested and Killed in 1934 in the Night of the Long Knives as evidence of a conspiracy to stage a coup against the Nazis was used, but was later shown to be falsely manufactured