(3) The Hidden World War : The Rise Of The Nazis

1) The Establishment of the Weimar Republic and Its Early Problems:

Abdication of the Kaiser and the German Revolution (1918-19)

• The abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II in November 1918 marked the end of the German Empire, triggered by widespread unrest and military defeat in World War I. The subsequent German Revolution led to the formation of workers' and soldiers' councils (Räte) and culminated in the establishment of the Weimar Republic.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the New Republic and Its Constitution

• Strengths:

  • Established a parliamentary democracy with a federal structure.

  • Granted extensive civil liberties and universal suffrage, allowing both men and women to vote.

  • Supported by a new constitution which aimed to unite various political factions under a democratic system.

• Weaknesses:

  • The proportional representation system resulted in fragmented parliaments with numerous parties, making it difficult to form stable governments.

  • Article 48 allowed the president to rule by decree in emergencies, which led to misuse of power and undermined democratic principles.

Reactions to the Treaty of Versailles

• Most Germans perceived the Treaty of Versailles, signed in June 1919, as a humiliation.

  • Key provisions included the loss of territory, disarmament, and heavy reparations, which ignited resentment and fueled nationalistic sentiments among the population.

  • Politically, it gave rise to extremist groups who promised to overturn the treaty and restore Germany's honor.

Challenges from Right and Left

• Kapp Putsch (1920):

  • A failed coup attempt by right-wing paramilitary forces aimed at overthrowing the Weimar government.

  • Highlighted the instability of the Republic and the lack of support from the military.

• Spartacist Uprising (1919):

  • A left-wing revolt led by the Spartacist League, seeking to overthrow the government and establish a socialist regime.

  • The uprising was suppressed with the help of right-wing Freikorps, demonstrating the government's reliance on paramilitary groups.

French Occupation of the Ruhr

• In January 1923, France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr region in response to Germany's inability to pay reparations.

  • The occupation led to passive resistance from German workers, exacerbating economic issues, and contributing to hyperinflation.

Causes and Effects of Hyperinflation

• Hyperinflation reached its peak in 1923 as the government printed excessive amounts of currency to support striking workers during the Ruhr occupation.

  • People witnessed their savings evaporate, leading to widespread poverty, social unrest, and a loss of faith in the Weimar Republic.

2) The Recovery of Germany, 1924-29:

The Work of Stresemann

• Gustav Stresemann served as Chancellor and Foreign Minister, implementing policies to stabilize the economy and improve Germany's international standing.

  • Promoted reconciliation with the Allies and reintegration into the international community.

Rentenmark, Dawes and Young Plans

• Rentenmark: Introduced in November 1923 to stabilize the currency and restore public confidence.

• Dawes Plan (1924): Restructured reparations, tying payments to Germany's ability to pay and securing foreign loans, particularly from the U.S.

• Young Plan (1929): Further reduced reparations and extended payment periods, providing economic relief.

Successes Abroad

• League of Nations (1926): Germany was admitted, signaling its reintegration into global politics.

• Locarno Treaties (1925): Agreements between Germany, France, Belgium, and Britain which secured the western borders and promoted peace.

• Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928): Germany committed to renouncing war as a tool of foreign policy, strengthening its diplomatic relations.

3) The Rise of Hitler and the Nazis to January 1933:

Hitler and the German Workers’ Party

• Adolf Hitler joined the German Workers' Party (DAP) in 1919 and quickly rose to prominence due to his oratory skills and radical ideas.

  • He transformed the DAP into the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP) in 1920, promoting anti-Semitism and extreme nationalism.

Changes to the Party (1920-22)

• Restructured the party with a paramilitary wing (SA) for protection and intimidation, while redefining its message.

  • Adopted the 25-point program outlining Nazi ideology, emphasizing German nationalism, anti-Semitism, and anti-communism.

Munich Putsch (1923)

• The failed coup aimed at overthrowing the Weimar government saw Hitler briefly imprisoned, during which he wrote Mein Kampf.

  • Although unsuccessful, the Putsch gained him national attention and support for his ideas.

Reorganization of the Party (1924-28)

• Following his release, Hitler focused on rebuilding the Nazi Party, emphasizing grassroots organizing and strategic alliances with conservative elites.

Impact of the Great Depression

• The global economic crisis of 1929 devastated the German economy, leading to massive unemployment and public discontent with the Weimar government, causing support for the Nazis to surge.

Nazi Methods to Win Support

• Use of targeted propaganda, powerful speeches, and mass rallies helped the Nazis to appeal to a broad audience by promising stability, order, and national revival.

The Role of the SA

• The Sturmabteilung (SA) played a critical role in intimidating political opponents, protecting Nazi gatherings, and attracting young and disenfranchised men to the party.

Events of 1932-January 1933

• Political maneuvering by figures like Franz von Papen and Kurt von Schleicher ultimately led to Hitler's appointment as Chancellor on January 30, 1933, as conservative elites believed they could control him.

4) Nazi Germany, 1933-39:

Establishing the Nazi Dictatorship

• Following the Reichstag Fire in February 1933, the government passed the Enabling Act, granting Hitler dictatorial powers.

  • The Night of the Long Knives (1934) eliminated political adversaries and solidified Hitler's control, declaring him Führer.

Methods of Nazi Control

• Establishment of a police state led by the Gestapo, censorship of the press, and extensive propaganda campaigns reinforced the regime's power.

Nazi Policies

• Education: Curriculum focused on militarism, nationalism, and loyalty to the regime.

• Women: Promoted traditional roles as homemakers and mothers, while also involving them in the workforce for war efforts.

• Youth: Hitler Youth indoctrinated children into Nazi ideology.

• Churches: Attempts made to control or limit their influence through the Reich Church and suppression of dissenting religious views.

Racial Policies

• Implementation of increasingly harsh measures against Jews, including the Nuremberg Laws (1935) which institutionalized racial discrimination and laid the groundwork for future violence.

Employment Policies

• Policies aimed at reducing unemployment included public works projects, rearmament, and the establishment of the Labour Front which coordinated labor relations under Nazi control.

5) Germany and the Occupied Territories During WWII:

Nazi Policies Towards Jews

• Systematic persecution escalated through the establishment of ghettos, Einsatzgruppen (death squads), and the systematic implementation of the Final Solution, leading to the Holocaust.

The Home Front

• Altered gender roles as women took on various war-related roles; total war mentality affected society with rationing measures implemented and civilian life disrupted by Allied bombing campaigns.

Growth of Opposition to Hitler

• Underground groups like the Edelweiss Pirates and the White Rose protested against Nazi policies, highlighting the existence of dissent within Germany, while the July Bomb Plot of 1944 aimed to assassinate Hitler but ultimately failed.

Hitler’s Death and the End of the Third Reich

• Hitler committed suicide in April 1945 as Allied forces closed in, leading to the eventual surrender of German forces and the dissolution of the Nazi regime, marking the end of the Third Reich.