Germany 1918- 45 SUPERFACTS (1)

Page 1: After WWI and the Weimar Government

End of WWI and New Weimar Government

• Leader during WWI: Kaiser Wilhelm II.

• Coping by November 1918: Soldiers mutinied, street riots, starvation, loss of faith in the Kaiser.

• Kaiser's Action: Abdicated and fled to Holland.

• New Government Structure: Formation of Germany's first republic to hold elections.

• First President: Friedrich Ebert (Social Democratic Party, largest in Reichstag).

• Ebert's First Decision: Signed the Armistice on November 11, 1918, surrendering to Allied powers.

• Army's Reaction: Shocked; viewed Ebert's government as “November Criminals.”

• Ebert's Second Decision: Drafted a new constitution elsewhere due to dangers in Berlin.

• Positive Aspects of Constitution:

  • Voting rights for all over 21.

  • Greater freedoms and rights for the populace.

• Negative Aspects of Constitution:

  • Proportional representation led to unstable coalition governments.

  • Article 48 could be abused by the President.

• Political Spectrum:

  • Left: German Communists seeking equality.

  • Center: Social Democrats and Center Party advocating democracy.

  • Right: Nationalists and Nazis wanting a strong rule reminiscent of the Kaiser.

Page 2: Problems from 1918-1923

The Treaty of Versailles

• Definition: Harsh penalties imposed on Germany post-WWI.

• Main Decision Makers:

  • Georges Clemenceau (France): Sought revenge.

  • David Lloyd George (Britain): Wanted punishment but also a recovering Germany.

  • Woodrow Wilson (USA): Wanted a fair treaty based on 14 Points.

• Article 231: Blamed Germany for WWI, justifying penalties.

• Reparations: £6.6 billion owed to damaged countries.

• Military Punishments:

  • Army limited to 100,000 men; no air force or tanks; demilitarized Rhineland.

• Land Losses: 14% of territory lost; various regions reassigned.

• Other Punishments: Excluded from the League of Nations, viewed with suspicion.

• Public Reaction: Horror, shame, and feeling of betrayal, leading many to blame the new government.

• Historians' Opinions: Disagreement on whether the Treaty was fair or led to WWII tensions.

Page 3: Political Attacks (1918-1923)

Political Attacks on Weimar Government

• Spartacists:

  • Left-wing group wanting a Communist revolution.

  • Attack Date/Location: January 1919 in Berlin.

  • Outcome: Ebert's government used Freikorps to crush the uprising.

• Kapp Putsch:

  • Right-wing nationalists wanting a stronger leadership; led by Dr. Wolfgang Kapp.

  • Attack Date/Location: March 1920 in Berlin.

  • Outcome: Government called for a general strike, Kapp fled.

• November 1923 Incident: Hitler and Nazis attempted a coup amid government weaknesses.

  • Hitler's Goals: Collaborate with Bavarian leaders to spread rebellion.

  • Short-term Failure: Poor support; Hitler arrested after the attempt.

  • Long-term Outcome: Gained publicity and support after prison.

Page 4: Hyperinflation (1918-1923)

Hyperinflation Years

• Definition: Prices skyrocketed while wages remained static.

• Year of Hyperinflation: 1923.

• Impact of Reparations: Strained economy causing currency devaluation.

• French Involvement: Occupied the Ruhr region after missed payments, worsening the economy.

• Who Suffered: Pensioners and families struggled, e.g., bread prices escalated dramatically.

• Who Gained: Farmers and some businesses benefitted.

• Public Response: Blame directed mainly at Weimar government, fueling instability.

Page 5: The Rise of the Nazi Party

Hitler's Early Involvement

• Hitler Post-WWI: In hospital following a gas attack; furious about the defeat.

• Post-armistice Job: Worked for the Weimar government as a spy.

• Joining German Workers’ Party: Became the 7th member.

• Leadership Bid: Took over party leadership in 1920.

• Early Changes: Founded the Nazi party; began propaganda efforts and organized SA.

• Growth Strategies: Gained publicity from the Munich Putsch and writing Mein Kampf.

• 1926 Bamberg Conference: Consolidated power within the party against rivals.

• Membership in 1918 vs 1928: Grew from 7 to over 100,000 but still faced challenges during the Golden Age.

Page 6: The Golden Age (1924-1928)

The Role of Stresemann

• Stresemann's Positions: Chancellor (1923-24) and later Foreign Minister.

• Economic Policies: Introduced Rentenmark, reparation payments, and negotiated the Dawes Plan.

• International Relations: Locarno Pact, admission to the League of Nations, and Kellogg-Briand Pact.

• Public Perception: Weimar government gained popularity, leading to a Golden Age.

• Praise for Stresemann: Economic recovery and stability.

• Criticism of Stresemann: Over-reliance on American loans and temporary improvements.

Page 7: The Wall Street Crash and Depression (1929-1932)

Economic Challenges

• 1929 Events: Death of Stresemann and the Wall Street Crash.

• U.S. Reaction: Cut all loans to Germany and demanded immediate repayment.

• Consequences for Germany: Economic decline and hardship for citizens.

• Government Response: Ineffective; reliance on Article 48 increased.

• Impact on the People: Severe unemployment and hardship, rising support for the Nazi Party.

• Nazi Party Activities: Propaganda pitch to restore jobs and morale; public appearances and rallies.

Page 8: Hitler Becomes Dictator (1933-1934)

Transition to Total Control

• Chancellorship: Hitler appointed as Chancellor in January 1933.

• Opposition Targets: Communists, trade unions, and political rivals.

• Reichstag Fire: Used to justify anti-Communist measures and civil liberties suspension.

• March Elections Outcome: Nazis gained votes but lacked a majority.

• Enabling Act: Granted Hitler extraordinary legislative power.

• Consolidation of Power: Suppressed all opposition through violence and integration.

Page 9: Nazi Control of Germans (1923-1939)

Establishment of a Police State

• Definition of a Police State: Absolute power of police to enforce state ideals.

• Role of SS and Gestapo: Terrorized opponents and used spy networks.

• Legal System Manipulation: All judges loyal to Nazis; guilty verdicts assumed.

• Concentration Camps: Used for torture and forced labor; began at Dachau.

• Propaganda Control: Goebbels utilized media, censorship, and public rallies to instill Nazi ideology.

Page 10: Nazi Control of Churches

Church Relations Under Nazi Rule

• Christian Beliefs vs. Nazi Ideals: Clash between religious teachings and Nazi racial superiority.

• Nazi Strategy with Catholic Church: Initial cooperation followed by repression.

• Protestant Church Division: Formation of Reich Church supporting Nazis vs. Confessional Church opposing.

Page 11: Education and Youth Indoctrination

Nazi Education System

• Minister of Education: Bernhard Rust aimed to create loyal Nazis.

• Teacher Compliance: Required membership in Nazi Teachers’ Association.

• Curriculum Changes: Focused on Nazi ideology; physical education prioritized.

• Youth Groups: Established mandatory organizations like Hitler Youth, targeting children.

Page 12: Women’s Roles in Nazi Germany

Women's Position under Nazi Rule

• 1920s Freedoms for Women: Previous advancement curtailed by Nazi policies.

• Nazi Ideology: Promoted traditional roles of homemakers through propaganda and incentives.

• Marriage Incentives: Laws for loans, increased birth rewards, and dismantling of working norms.

• Actual Impact: Rise in birth rates but dependent on economic factors.

Page 13: Opposition to the Nazis

Groups Opposing Nazi Regime

• Youth Groups: Edelweiss Pirates and Swing Youth engaging in anti-Nazi activities.

• Military Opposition: Discontent within ranks against Hitler's policy, though ineffective.

• Religious Resistance: Notable figures like Martin Niemoller vocal against Nazi policies, albeit with repercussions.

Page 14: Nazi Economic Control

Economic Strategies Under Nazis

• Top Economic Leaders: Dr. Schacht and Dr. Ley overseeing restructuring efforts.

• Aims: Reduce unemployment and achieve autarky.

• Job Creation Strategies: Public works, conscription, and rearmament.

• Labour Front's Role: Abolished unions; organized benefits and incentives for workers.

Page 15: Minority Groups and Jewish Persecution

Racial Policies of the Nazis

• Master Race Concept: Aryan supremacy geared towards selective breeding.

• Anti-Semitism: Jews scapegoated for societal woes; series of punitive laws introduced.

• 1938 Events: Kristallnacht marked increased organized violence against Jews.

Page 16: Ghettoization and Final Solution

Jewish Persecution Mechanisms

• Ghetto Policy: Segregated poor living conditions leading to widespread suffering.

• Death Squads: Einsatzgruppen executed mass murders during invasions.

• Final Solution Initiatives: Transition to genocide with mass extermination camps established.

Page 17: Home Front During WWII

Impacts of the War on Germany

• Territorial Conquests: Extensive occupations across Europe.

• Operations and Bombing: Total war policies and impact on civilian life.

• Child Evacuations: Kinderlandverschickung initiative for children amid bombings.

• Economic Strain: Shortages, rationing, and increased demands from the government to mobilize citizens.

• End of WWII: Allies closing in; Hitler's suicide led to Germany's surrender.