Germany and the Depression Flashcards
When was the Wall Street Crash?
October 1929.
What was the impact on Germany?
The depression meant that Americans couldn’t afford to buy goods. Germany was hit particularly hard. Goods made in German factories such as cars, electrical goods and clothing were not selling, so factories had to close down and million became jobless.
What had made matters worse in Germany?
American banks demanded back all the money they had lent to Germany after the First World War. German banks tried to get this money from German businesses, which could not pay, and went bankrupt.
Why was there a growth in support for extreme parties after the depression?
Unemployment and hunger changed the way many Germans thought and behaved. Millions blamed the Weimar government. people were prepared to listen to political parties (like Communists or nazis) whose leaders promised them radical solutions to all Germany’s problems, and a way of making their lives better
What had happened to the rate and number of unemployment by September 1930 in Germany, a year after the Depression hit?
By September 1930, unemployment had more than doubled, to about 3 million.
How many Germans were out of work by when?
Within 3 years of the Great Depression, over 6 million Germans would be out of work.
