Exhaustive Study Notes on the Rise and Rule of Nazi Germany

Adolf Hitler: Early Life and Personal Background

• Birth and Origins: Adolf Hitler was born in Austria to parents from the working class.

• Education: He left school at the age of $15$.

• Artistic Ambitions: Following his departure from school, he attempted to establish a career as an artist in Vienna.

  • Failures: He failed to launch this career on two separate occasions.

  • Rejection: He was rejected by the Academy of Fine Arts.

Germany Pre-World War I: Political Structure

• Authority Figure: Power resided primarily with the Kaiser, his ministers, and the German army.

• Executive Reliance: The Kaiser relied heavily on the Chancellor, chief ministers, and army commanders to govern.

• Legislative Status: The Reichstag (Germany's parliament) was largely ignored by the Kaiser during this period.

Germany Post-World War I: State of the Nation

• Economic Ruin: The nation faced massive debts after exhausting financial resources on the war effort.

• Political Abdication: The Kaiser was forced to abdicate his throne.

• National Morale: Germans were humiliated and demoralized.

  • Treaty of Versailles (TOV): Germany faced harsh terms under the treaty.

  • Reparations: Massive financial burdens were imposed as reparations against a backdrop of a significantly reduced active male population.

The Weimar Republic ($1919$–$1933$)

• Formation: Following the Kaiser's abdication in November $1918$, a new republican government was established in the town of Weimar by early $1919$.

• Leadership: The first President was Friedrich Ebert, leader of the Germany Social Democratic Party (SPD).

• The Weimar Constitution:

  • Definition: A system of laws governing how a country's government is chosen and the extent of its powers.

  • Rights: All citizens were guaranteed freedom of speech and religion. A Bill of Rights ensured equality under the law.

  • Suffrage: All Germans above the age of $20$ were eligible to vote, including women.

• The Problem of Popularity:

  • The Republic was deeply unpopular, viewed as the government that signed the armistice and the Treaty of Versailles.

  • The "Stab in the Back" Myth: Germans believed the army was betrayed by the government. Weimar politicians were branded as the "November Criminals."

Structural Weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution

• Problem #1: Proportional Representation:

  • This system allowed citizens to vote for a party rather than specific candidates, with seats allocated based on the percentage of votes won (e.g., if Party A receives $30\%$ of the vote in a house of $200$ seats, they receive $60$ seats).

  • Outcome: It led to a highly divided parliament with too many small, competing parties (up to $28$ parties represented in the first Reichstag). No single party could gain a majority.

• Problem #2: Coalition Governments:

  • Because no party held a majority, multiple parties had to cooperate to form a government.

  • Between $1919$ and $1933$, there were $20$ different coalition governments.

  • Extreme parties were often unwilling to compromise, leading to frequent collapses of the government and a public perception of Weimar as weak.

• Problem #3: Article $48$:

  • This provision allowed the President to dissolve parliament and rule by decree for $6$ months during an "Emergency."

  • During such times, civil rights (free speech, peaceful assembly, right to form societies) could be suspended.

  • The term "Emergency" was not clearly defined, leaving it open for future exploitation.

Early Threats to the Republic

• Spartacist Uprising ($1919$): A communist movement of people with beliefs similar to the Russian Bolsheviks. They sought a Germany ruled by Soviets (workers' councils) and took over public buildings in Berlin. The uprising was crushed by the German Army and the Freikorps.

• Kapp Putsch ($1920$): Lead by Wolfgang Kapp and the Freikorps (former soldiers), this right-wing rebellion aimed to overthrow the Republic in favor of authoritarian rule. The Putsch failed when trade unions called for strikes and civil servants supported Ebert.

Economic Crises of the $1920$s

• Reparations and the Ruhr: Germany failed to make its reparation payment of $\pounds 6.6\,billion$ in January $1923$. In response, French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr valley, Germany's most valuable industrial region.

• Passive Resistance: German workers went on strike, halting production. The Weimar government responded by printing more banknotes to pay them.

• Hyperinflation: The over-printing caused the currency to collapse in value. Prices rose at an astronomical rate.

  • Comparative Item Prices ($1913$ vs. November $1923$):

    • $1$ egg: $0.08$ vs. $80,000,000,000$ Marks.

    • $1\,kg$ butter: $2.70$ vs. $6,000,000,000,000$ Marks.

    • $1\,kg$ beef: $1.75$ vs. $5,600,000,000,000$ Marks.

    • $1$ pair of shoes: $12.00$ vs. $32,000,000,000,000$ Marks.

• Social Impact: Middle-class Germans lost their personal savings and felt the government favored industrialists and politicians over them.

Recovery and the Golden Years ($1924$–$1929$)

• Gustav Stresemann: Appointed Chancellor in November $1923$, he introduced the Rentenmark currency.

• Negotiations: He negotiated the French withdrawal from the Ruhr and convinced the Allies to stretch reparation payments over a longer period.

• Foreign Investment: He secured the Dawes Plan ($1924$) and the Young Plan ($1929$), gaining loans from the USA to stabilize the economy.

The Great Depression ($1929$)

• The Crash: Sparked by the stock market crash on the New York Stock Exchange. US bankers recalled loans and deposits from Germany.

• Economic Collapse: Businesses went bankrupt, and unemployment skyrocketed to $6\,million$ by $1932$. The average German income fell by $40\%$.

• Political Consequence: Coalition governments disagreed on how to handle the crisis. Hindenburg used Article $48$ to appoint chancellors who lacked Reichstag support, effectively ending functional democracy.

Rise of Extreme Parties

• Communist Party (KPD): Gained support as workers felt the Republic failed them. By $1932$, they had $1\,million$ supporters and increased representation in the Reichstag.

• Nazi Party (NSDAP) Growth (Percentage of Votes):

  • $1928$: KPD $11\%$, Nazis $2\%$.

  • $1930$: KPD $13\%$, Nazis $18\%$.

  • July $1932$: KPD $14\%$, Nazis $37\%$.

  • November $1932$: KPD $17\%$, Nazis $33\%$.

Appeal of Hitler and Nazi Ideology

• DAP to NSDAP: Hitler joined the German Workers' Party (DAP) in September $1919$ and renamed it the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) to appeal to more people.

• The $25$-Point Programme ($1920$): Promises included the abolition of the TOV, Anschluss with Austria, only "true" Germans living in Germany, nationalization of large industries, and provision for the elderly.

• Mein Kampf Policies: Written while in prison, it emphasized loyalty to Germany, racial purity, the master Aryan race, state control of the economy, and the need for Lebensraum (living space) in Russia and Poland.

• Definitions:

  • Nationalism: Desire for a strong, independent nation.

  • Ultra-Nationalism: Making the nation strong at the expense of others by any means.

  • Fascism: Power centralized under a dictator, suppression of opposition, and belief in war for national glory.

  • Anti-Semitism: Hostility and prejudice against Jews, who were used as scapegoats for Germany's problems.

The Munich Putsch ($1923$)

• The Event: Hitler and the Nazis attempted an armed revolt in Munich to take over the government.

• The Failure: The rebellion was met by police; $16$ Nazis were killed, and Hitler was arrested.

• Outcome: Hitler used his public trial to spread Nazi ideology, becoming a celebrity. He served only $9$ months of a $5$-year sentence. He realized the Nazis must use the "legal route" (winning elections) rather than revolts.

Rebuilding and Organizing the Party

• Network: Hitler established local Nazi party branches across Germany.

• Youth Organizations: The Hitler Youth was created in the $1920$s to groom future leaders; membership reached $100,000$ by $1933$.

• The SA (Sturmabteilung): Also known as Stormtroopers or Brownshirts. Led by Ernst Rohm, they provided security at meetings and fought political rivals.

• The SS (Schutzstaffel): The Protection Squad or Blackshirts. Led by Heinrich Himmler, they were Hitler's elite personal bodyguards, fanatically loyal and carefully screened.

Key Factors for Nazi Success

• Exploiting Fear of Communism: Many Germans (business leaders, middle class, farmers) feared a communist takeover. Hitler used the SA to break up communist meetings and received financial support from wealthy industrialists.

• Charisma and Oratory: Hitler was a powerful speaker who gauged the mood of audiences in Beer Halls. He made $3$ to $4$ speeches a day, using emotions to convince people he could solve their problems.

• Propaganda: Led by Joseph Goebbels. Used posters, leaflets, films, and radio to spread the $25$ Points. Portrayed the party as strong and united under one leader.

• Nuremberg Rallies: Mass rallies featuring flags and symbols were designed to demonstrate Nazi power and create a sense of order.

The Road to the Chancellorship ($1932$–$1933$)

• Political Deadlock: Hindenburg (President) disliked Hitler and distrusted democracy. He appointed Franz Von Papen, then Kurt von Schleicher as Chancellors, but neither could get Reichstag support.

• The Deal: In January $1933$, Hindenburg and Von Papen agreed to invite Hitler to be Chancellor. They believed they could control him by making Von Papen Vice-Chancellor and limiting Nazis to only $3$ out of $11$ Cabinet members.

Consolidation of Power ($1933$–$1934$)

• Reichstag Fire ($27\,Feb\,1933$): The parliament building was burned. Marinus van der Lubbe (a communist) was arrested. Hitler claimed a communist plot and persuaded Hindenburg to pass the Decree for the Protection of People and State, suspending freedom of speech, press, and assembly. $4,000$ communists were arrested.

• Enabling Act ($24\,Mar\,1933$): This law allowed Hitler to pass laws without consulting the Reichstag for $4$ years. To achieve the required $2/3$ majority, communists were imprisoned, and others were intimidated by the SA and SS. It passed $444$ to $94$, making Hitler a legal dictator.

• Gleichschaltung ($Apr-Jul\,1933$): The "coordination" of the state. Banned Jews from the civil service, banned trade unions, and banned all other political parties, making Germany a one-party state.

• Night of the Long Knives ($29-30\,Jun\,1934$): Hitler saw Ernst Rohm and the $3\,million$ members of the SA as a threat. The SS arrested and executed Rohm and about $400$ others (including von Schleicher). This gained Hitler the support of the regular German Army.

• Führer Status ($2\,Aug\,1934$): When Hindenburg died, Hitler combined the offices of President and Chancellor into one title: Fuehrer. The Army swore an personal Oath of Allegiance to him directly.

Economic Policies under the Third Reich

• Key Figures: Hjalmar Schacht (Reichsbank President/Economics Minister) and later Hermann Goering.

• Reich Labour Service (RAD): Unemployed men were sent to labor camps for $6$ months to work on public projects (Autobahn highways, railways, public buildings).

• Rearmament: In $1935$, Hitler reintroduced conscription. By $1939$, the army had over $1\,million$ soldiers. This created jobs in weapons, textiles, and steel industries.

• The Four-Year Plan ($1936$): Led by Hermann Goering. Aimed to achieve Autarky (self-sufficiency) and prepare for war. It barred imports and gave contracts to oil, coal, and steel industries.

• Unemployment Reduction:

  • January $1933$: $6\,million$.

  • January $1939$: $302,000$.

Impact on Workers

• Control: Trade unions were replaced by the DAF (German Labour Front). Workers were not allowed to strike and required government permission to leave jobs. Wages remained low while hours increased (up to $72$ hours/week by $1939$).

• Loyalty Schemes:

  • Strength through Joy (KdF): Provided cheap theater tickets, organized sports, and discounted cruises. Over $50\,million$ took a KdF holiday by $1939$.

  • Volkswagen Beetle: A state scheme to help workers buy the "People's Car," though no worker actually received one before the war.

  • Beauty of Labour: Improved factory conditions with washing facilities and low-cost canteens.

Social Policies and Specific Groups

• Women: Relegated to the traditional role of "Kinder-Kirche-Küche" (Children, Church, Kitchen). The Mother's Cross was awarded for bearing many children. They were excluded from politics and many professions.

• Youth and Education: Teachers had to join the National Socialist Teachers' League. The curriculum was infused with Nazi race theories. Membership in the Hitler Youth (HJ) became compulsory in $1936$, focusing on loyalty and military training.

• Minority Groups: Nazis practiced Eugenics (selective breeding). Roma (gypsies), homosexuals, and the mentally ill were considered "social parasites" and forced to undergo sterilization or were euthanized.

The Persecution of the Jews

• Stage 1: Propaganda and Boycotts ($1933-1934$): National boycotts of Jewish businesses; shops were marked and guarded by the SA.

• Stage 2: Discriminatory Legislation ($1935$): The Nuremberg Laws stripped Jews of citizenship and prohibited marriage with non-Jews.

• Stage 3: Organized Violence ($1938$): Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass). Following the murder of a Nazi diplomat in Paris, Nazis destroyed thousands of Jewish shops and synagogues. $20,000$ Jews were sent to concentration camps.

• Stage 4: The Holocaust: The "Final Solution" involved sending Jews and other opponents to death camps like Auschwitz for slave labor or gassing. An estimated $6\,million$ Jews perished.

Control, Fear, and Resistance

• Secret Police: The Gestapo (Secret State Police) and the SS monitored the population. They had unlimited powers of arrest and used torture to eliminate opposition.

• Censorship: Joseph Goebbels oversaw the Reich Chamber of Commerce. Books were burned, and owning a radio was compulsory for hearing Hitler's speeches. Listening to foreign stations like the BBC was punishable by death.

• Resistance:

  • The White Rose: University students distributed leaflets against Nazi atrocities; leaders were executed.

  • Edelweiss Pirates: Working-class teenagers who mocked the Hitler Youth.

  • Military Resistance: Various assassination attempts, most notably the July $1944$ Bomb Plot (Operation Valkyrie), which nearly killed Hitler.

Pedagogical Reflections and Strategic Questions

• Consider what the opposition from both the political left and right-wing revealed about the perceived legitimacy of the Weimar government.

• Evaluate which specific promises in the $25$-Point Programme would have most effectively attracted different social classes (e.g., the elderly, unemployed workers, or military leaders).

• Analyze why the Nazis used symbols like flags and massive physical events like the Nuremberg Rallies to influence the German psyche.

• Investigate the key learning point for Hitler after the failure of the Munich Putsch regarding the sustainability of power through force versus legal mandates.