Germany OCR A-Level History

Volksgemeinschaft: Strengths

More important changes in social values, collapse of social elites, in theory a classless society, reduced mass unemployment, ready to prepare for war

Volksgemeinschaft: Weaknesses

Contradictory policies, limited social changes, Christian churches were expected to whither away but actually enjoyed support

Volksgemeinschaft: Opportunities

Schacht's economic recovery created job opportunities, young people enjoyed the social/ physical aspects of the Hitler Youth, able to manipulate through propaganda

Nazi Propaganda

posters, movies, books meant to perpetuate the idea of an Aryan nation and that Jews were to blame.

1939: controlled 69% of newspapers

Nazi Courts

The Gestapo and SS operated outside the legal system.

Arbitary punishments, no right of appeal in some courts

Judges had to take an oath of loyalty to Hitler.

New People's Courts

New People's courts and special courts were set up alongside traditional courts.

So judges who went against the government's wishes were easily bypassed.

Opposition to the Nazis

National unity (civil service and army) kept the public on side, after 1934 Hitler was legally immune from opposition,

Communists, Jews, SA leaders were unpopular with the public, 1.3 million Germans sent to concentration camps in the 1930s

Churches in Nazi Germany

Usually concentrated on only protecting themselves, remained an obstacle to the state, protestants were fairly successful in resisting nazification, Catholics initially co operated but soon criticised sterilisation and euthanasia, Concordat of July 1933 between the Nazis and the Vatican, which guaranteed religious freedom and the right to administer itself

German Army

Failed assassination attempts, including the July 1944 Bomb plot.

Problems with the 1933 Economy

Practically bankrupt, unemployment over 6 million, industrial production down to 1890s levels, German trade sunk by 90%, internationally uncompetitive agriculture was burdened with debt

Advantages of the 1933 Economy

Depression was easing, reparations were scraped in 1932, Voluntary Reich Labour Service was set up for the unemployed, wages could be set at lower levels

Wartime Economy (1939 - 42 ) - Poor Organisation

Poor Organisation:

- shortages, duplication & waste ; britain spent less but produced more than Germany

- inefficient bureauocracy

- non standardised weapons; different parts of the armed forces required different supplies, increasing costs and reducing economies of scale.

Wartime Economy (1939 - 42 ) - Labour

Not effectively used:

- factories running sub-optimally

-slow to exploit women in war-related work.

Wartime Economy (1942 - 45 ) - Problems facing Speer

Disrupted Production:

-Skilled workers conscripted

-Allied bombing campaigns

Corruption

Wartime Economy (1942 - 45 ) - Improved Efficiency

Armament Standardisation

Rationalised Transport production

Co-ordinated resource supply

Shift rotations changed to 3 per day

Increased use : concentration camps &foreign labour

Women sent to work in war related industries

Wartime Economy (1942 - 45 ) - Statistics

1943 Increased Output:

- Ammunition : 97%

- Arms : 60%

- Tanks : 25%

1943: 6.5million Jews,Poles, POWs used as forced labour

1944: Tank output 6x greater, 7.8million foreign workers in Germany

20% Farm Labour was foreign

Nazi Middle-class

Directed most of propaganda at this group; esp. anti communist.

Hadn't been effectively organised by trade unions/left parties

Resented lack of income,savings & security due to economic collapse.

Left Wing Political Opposition (Weimar)

Spartacist revolt - Communists attempted to seize power in Berlin but were brutally crushed by the military and the Friekorps - January 1919

Ruhr uprising -KPD brought up their own army and had seized the Ruhr area - also crushed by the army and the Freikorps - fragmented the hopes of trade unions - 1920

Right Wing Political Opposition (Weimar)

Kapp Putsch - took advantage of the recently disbanded Freikorps - stopped when trade unions called a general strike

Munich Putsch - Hitler - failure to secure support from the army - led to Hitler leading the Putsch by force - Hitler was arrested and sentenced to 5 years in prison - only served 9 months

Political positive (Weimar Golden Years)

Coalitions could often be seen between the SDP, center and liberal parties or a center, DNVP coalition

Political Negative (Weimar Golden Years)

Center party began to move to the right, making SPD cooperation difficult. DNVP's relationship with the center became straigned by foreign policy differences. Hindenburg favoured right wing governments and excluded the SPD

Economy Positive (Weimar golden years)

Rentenmark replaced the Reichsmark in 1923, Dawes Plan was agreed to in 1924, industrial production returned to pre-war state in 1927

Economic Negative (Weimar golden years)

People who had suffered from inflation could not be fully repayed, export prices rose, unemployment increased because production techniques and worker numbers were reduced, differences between employers and workers increased, agricultural depression occurred in 1927

1925

locarno pact.

signed by Germany, France, Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Germany accepted its borders in the west.

Germany did not accept its borders in the East, but signed arbitration treaties with Poland and Czechoslovakia.

renounced the use of force.

All countries signing the pact renounce the use of invasion and force as a method of foreign policy, except in self-defence.

stresseman currency

Rentenmark, which Stresemann had introduced to deal with hyperinflation, replaced by the Reichsmark in 1924. Inflation was controlled by limiting the money supply and keeping interest rates quite high

1924

dawes plan. not permanent

reparations would be 1,000 mil marks for five years, and then at a varying levels according to Germany's economic performance.

Germany was given an 800 million mark loan from the American banks to help stabilise the currency after the hyperinflation of 1923.

1927

Real wages grew 9%

1928

Real wages grew by 12%

1928

young plan.

permanent solution to reparation payments, reduce by 20%

not come to fruition because of the Wall Street Crash in 1930.

money which supported the plan was recalled.

1930

world trade fell by more than 60%.

1932

18,000 farmers had gone bankrupt

july 1932

The Nazis saw a dramatic rise in support, becoming the largest single party in the Reichstag, with 37.4% of the vote.

august 1932

Hitler demanded to be made Chancellor with an Enabling Act enabling him to issue decrees himself.

November 1932

The Nazis' vote fell to 33.1%.

1932

unemployment grew to 6 mil

January 1933

more female members of nazi party than men

Feburary 1933

Reichstag Fire is blamed on the communists.

February 1933

Emergency Decrees - Decree for the Protection of People and State allowed indefinite detention without trial, suspened civil liberties, Gov in control of radios & newspapers, mass arrest of left wing activists (esp.communists.)

march 1933

fresh elections. Nazi vote increased to 43.9%

DNVP got 8%, together they controlled 51.9% of the reichstag

march 1933

Hitler was already Chancellor. All parties' votes declined but the Nazi party whose vote was 43.9%. Anti-Weimar parties controlled the Reichstag.

march 1933

enabling act. many members absent and others intimidated. 2/3 majority. full power to chancellor + gov

1933

concordat with church. guaranteed religious freedom, church run itself and appoint clergy. nazis agreed not to interfere with legal and property rights of church.

in return church keep out of policies

gleichschaltung

nazification of society. co-operation. had control in some areas but not church, army or big businesses. power limited as didn't want to loose support of important groups but SA pressuring to implement further changes

14th July 1933

Law against the formation of new parties

( Gleichschaltung - one party state)

federal states

regional parliaments dissolved and abolished. controlled by central gov

trade unions

premises were occupied, funds seized and leaders into concentration camps.

May 2nd 1933 : replaced by german labour front (DAF)

Removal of political opponents 1933

SA murdered around 500 people

100,000 political opponents arrested

From March: SA overthrowing state governments so Reich government had to appoint commissioners

29 June - 2 july 1934

night of long knives. execute ernst rohm and SA leaders. removed SA and won support of conservative right. army took oath of loyalty of loyalty to hitler

secured dictatorship

motives behind the night of the long knives

Nazi infighting :

Himmler wanted the SS removed from SA control.

Hitler needed Elite Support; Army still run by elite

Papen (w/Hindenburgs approval) publically criticised the SA

Consequences of the Night of the Long Knives

-Gave Hitler the army's support

-Eradicated Hitler's opponents

-SA's role reduced

-Made it clear that fear and terror would play major roles in his rule

-90 opponents murdered (inc. over 50 SA Leaders)

hitlers role in gov

relied on subordinates to put wishes into action

avoided decision making and little contact with ministers

nazi propaganda

Joseph Goebbels oversaw Nazi propaganda, which came in many forms: printed word, posters, films, rallies, symbols, flags. Even the SA delivered leaflets.

The Nazi newspaper was the 'Völkischer Beobachter' and the party's 1929 alliance with Hugenberg's DNVP gave it access to his media empire.

Appeals were made to emotions rather than intellects.

to create volksgemeinschaft

appeal of nazis

The Nazis had different, and associated organisations for different groups: Young people, women, students, lawyers, factory workers.

The NSDAP was organised into strong, local areas under Gauleiters.

The SA attracted people. Although its violence was problematic, it also portrayed strength and an ability to fight as opposed to failing Weimar democracy.

The Führerprinzip: Hitler was a charismatic leader at a time of failing chancellors.

aeroplanes

enabled Hitler could travel across Germany in one day

von papen

had little support in the Reichstag . Only the DNVP backed him. To gain NSADP support he lifted the ban on the SA in June 1932.

This measure increased political violence on the streets of Berlin again as the SA fought communists in a 'gang warfare extension of party politics.'

Gestapo

secret state police. job to arrest opponents of nazis. only 20,000 - 40,000 agents

At most there were 30,000 Gestapo officers for 65,000,000 people.

sent thousands to concentration camps without trial ('protective custody').

relied heavily on informants and denunciations ; 50-80% of investigations ased on denunciations

SS

heinrich himmler at head. 'state within a state', main instrument of terror

1939: 240,000 members

SD

Internal security or secret service, responsible for state security.

Reported on public opinion and could investigate or monitor anyone it suspected of being an 'enemy of the state.'

Extensive network of informants.

communists - opposition

produced leaflets attacking nazis

most important was red orchestra, spy network sent info to moscow

minimal impact, many arrested after reichstag fire. more concerned with self-preservation

churches - opposition

bishop galen attacked euthanasia. most were pragmatic and preserved religious practices

not that effective but had euthanasia stopped temporarily.

Confessional Church arrested for criticsing nazi regime

Ministers taught to resist nazism & condem nuremberg

youth - opposition

swing youth, edelweiss pirates disliked military emphasis of hitler youth. behaved in anti nazi ways

Student opposition

white rose - arrested and tortured

schacht's economic strategy

followed policy of public investment.

resulted in deficit financing

adopted:

low level interest rates

assistance to farmers and small businesses

introducing public works (autobahn 5km)

result = unemployment fell but imported more raw materials and failed to increase exports

schachts new plan 1934

gov had control over all trade

gov decided which imports allowed

result = hid balance of payment problem

wanted to increase production of industrial goods and reduce arms expenditure 'guns of butter' debate

goring 4 year plan

1936.

aimed to increase rearmament and autarky so germany would be self sufficient in food and industry.

aims:

increase agricultural production

increase production of raw materials

develop ersatz products (substitute products)

results = production rose but failed to meet targets

when war broke out: still relied on foreign supplies for 1/3 of raw materials and not ready for total war

1936

unemployment fell to 1.6 mil

Kinder, Kuche, Kirche

children, kitchen, church.

1933

women offered interest free loans of 600 reichmarks to marry and give up work.

women

excluded from politics and labour exchanges encouraged to discriminate. anti feminist ideology established by nazi women's organisation

Nazi policies against women

-Women were destined to be wives and mothers

-Wanted to drive women out of heavy industry or jobs that might hinder them from bearing healthy children

-Encouraged women to pursue professional occupations that had direct practical application like nursing and social work

-Restrictive legislation against females

womens cross

bronze gold or silver depending on number of children you had

Lebensborn

aryan girls impregnated by SS members to 'improve racial standards'

11,000 children born under this

Blitzkrieg

"Lighting war", typed of fast-moving warfare used by German forces against Poland in 1939.

german victory.

economic decrees

1939.

outlined vast programmes for war production

Economic recovery by 1939

Unemployment was less than 0.2 million.

Real wages 7% up than in 1936.

Industrial production up 25% on 1928.

Military expenditure was 38% of GNP..

In 1928, prices in Germany were 40% higher than they had been in 1913. In 1938, prices in Germany were only 5.8% higher than they had been in 1913.

Government expenditure was up from 18.4 billion reichsmarks in 1933 to 37.1 billion reichsmarks in 1938.

losers : 1939 economic recovery

300,000 small businesses had gone bankrupt.

Livestock farmers faced shortages and economic hardship, unlike arable farmers.

Small farmers could not get loans to improve their farms.

Private steel companies were squeezed by RWHG.

Women who lost jobs in professional services.

total war

armaments production was lower than britain.

Rationalisation Decree

order to ensure existing resources were used effectively

1943

hamburg bombing caused firestorm which killed 30,000 and emergency services unable to cope

bombing

increased in 1945. 150,000 killed in dresden.

prevented germany reaching full economic potential, caused industrial destruction.

Plauen : 75% dwellings destroyed

Major towns/cities isolated & smaller towns/villages cut off

89% industry stopped functioning (Leipzig)

Chronic food shortages - av. 55hours off work a month to scavenge for food

morale during war

some shared hitlers belief that he would establish the 1000 year reich

gestapo forced people to keep fighting

april 1945

Hitler commits suicide

February 1945

Yalta Conference. allies agree to divide germany into 4 zones

Potsdam Conference

1945. stalin, truman, churchill and attlee.

agreed:

germany demilitarised, de-nazified and democratised.

economy run as one unit and each force to take reparations from their zone.

GDR - demilitarisation

no independent german military force

GDR - de-nazification

major war criminals tried at nuremberg

soviets argues nazism resulted from capitalism and therefore capitalism had to be destroyed:

former nazis property was taken

similar process for banks and factories

GDR - democratisation (SED)

SED led by walter ulbricht

give appearance of democracy

claimed to be liberator of fascism

controlled education + had gained popular support

free expression severely limited

1948-49

democracy formally abandoned in GDR

western zone - problems

british french and americans

food and fuel shortages

homelessness

collapse of the currency

1947

british and american zones merged to form bizonia

industries had to be dismantled to pay reparations

1949

france joined zones to create trizonia

basic law adopted which established west german state

growing divisions east and west zones

over truman doctoring and marshall aid.

black market in west due to economy so deutschmark introduced, soviet zone refused.

then began berlin blockade

russians brought in east german mark

berlin blockade

1948-49. particularly over currency. blocked access to west germany. aimed to starve west berlin and force its merger into soviet zone.

allies supplied through berlin tempelhof airport.

results = west to protect western democracy from communism

basic law

constitution of west germany established in 1949. temporary until there was a united germany by konrad adenauer (chancellor)

features of basic law

freedom of expression

representative democracy = popular participation limited to voting every few years

individual states kept much power over regional issues

temporary until germany united

all parties had to uphold democracy

powers of president limited and largely formal

all germans in former german land were allowed citizenship

chancellor appointed by president

bundesrat

upper house of west german parliament which looked after interests of the states

bundestag

lower house of west german parliament

CDU

Christian Democratic Union. many were conservative nationalists and some former nazis.

supported capitalism and competition

supported welfare system

spd

Social Democratic Party. socialists. appealed to workers

been formed from marxist and working class movements

wanted social justice

Economic Miracle

removing price controls stimulated business by allowing free competition

removing controls over wages, workers get a role in management and decision-making

possessed raw materials so not suffered as much damage by war.

not as many reparations

helped by marshall plan $2 bil

provided political stability