Germany KT2 Flashcards
(38 cards)
when and where did Hitler begin his political career
he began in the German workers’ party - a nationalist party led by Anton Drexler. He joined in January 1919 when he was still in the Germany army. He became known for his talent as a passionate and skilled speaker. Crowds gathered to hear him talk and he became the voice of the party.
In relation to the German workers’ party what happened to Hitler in 1920 and 1921
the party began to rely on him to get new members and in 1920 he was made chief of propaganda
in 1919 they had around 60 members
in 1920 they had around 2000 members
The party set up a permanent headquarters and Hitler became second in command
in 1920 the party was re-branded as the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (the Nazi party)
In July 1921 Hitler became it’s leader
Hess, Goering, Streicher and Rohm were some of his supporters
what political stance was the National Socialist German Workers’ Party
Nationalist - thought that the interests of Germans should be at the centre of government policy
It was also anti-Semitic (anti jewish) and was opposed to the Weimar republic.
Above everything it wanted “to restore Germany’s greatness”
what was the 25 point programme
In February 1920 the Nazi Party promoted its policies in the programme. Things the party promised to accomplish
the programme stressed the superiority of the German people and promoted anti-Semitism. they wanted to raise pensions and improve health and education but only for Germans
the programme appealed to many as it rejected the treaty of Versailles and stated it should be abolished. It also stated that only people with German blood should be classed as citizens - anti-Semitism. the programme gave the Nazi’s a nationwide appeal
what is anti-semitism
anti-jewish (against the jews)
who did the 25 point programme appeal to and give an example of a policy
an ex WW1 solider :
land and territory from the treaty of Versailles to be returned
a working class German: a new and better education system look after the health of children, introducing more sport and healthier lifestyles
would appeal to a nationalist:
non- Germans are only guests in Germany and not real citizens
all journalists have to be German
anti-Semite:
jews are not members of the German race
help for small business and large department stores often owned by Jews to be closed down
what did Hitler do in 1921
Hitler founded his own party militia called the SA (storm troopers or brown shirts). They were political thugs and they carried out violent anti-sematic attacks and intimidated rival political groups.
Many people were scared of them but some people admired them
The SA gave the party a military feel which made it seem more organised and disciplined. It also gave many ex-soldiers a job and a purpose
what happened to his mum when he was a boy that affected his views in life
she died of breast cancer and couldn’t be helped and he was told this by a jewish doctor
what did Hitler believe about the Jews
they were causing moral decadence
what were four reasons why Hitler’s support grew
- charisma
- Nazi emblem turned the party into a household brand
- the SA as he could swiftly remove opposition
- close supporters, he surrounded himself with people he knew were loyal and could do his dirty work for him and he would reward them with power positions
what was the aim of the Munich Putsch
overthrow the government of the German state of Bavaria in November 1923
who were General Ludendorff and Gustav Von Kahr
General Ludendorff - a famous WW1 army general who was well respected by the army and German people
Gustav Von Kahr - Bavarian prime minister, Bavaria is a region in the South of Germany where Munich is with some of its own powers
what happened in 1923 that made it an ideal time to carry out a putsch
- hyperinflation was at it’s peak and people were mad at the government and wanted an alternative
- German workers’ party was increasing
- occupation of the Ruhr in January left many Germans angry and were mad at the government for surrendering
- Weimar republic seemed weak
- angry at the TOV
- Hitler was inspired by Mussolini’s successful March of Rome in 1922
- Germany lost the war in 1918 and signing of armistice
what were the events of the Munich Putsch of 8th and 9th November 1923
- during crisis of 1923 Hitler plotted with Kahr
- 4th October Kahr called of rebellion
- 8th November Hitler and 600 SA burst into a meeting Kahr was holding in a Beer Hall and held a gun to his head
- General Ludendorff let Kahr go home
- SA took over army headquarters and local government newspaper offices
- 9th November Hitler and Nazi’s marched into Munich but were met by army and police that Kahr had called
- Hitler put on trial in March 1924 for 24 days
- sentenced to 5 years in prison but parole after 9 months
what was the significance of ‘Mien Kampf’
vital in spreading Nazi ideology - millions of Germans read it
it introduced Hitler’s belief that the Aryan race (which included Germans) was superior to all other races and that all Germans had a right to ‘Lebensraum’ (more space to live)
what did the Munich Putsch teach Hitler
VOTES NOT VIOLENCE
what evidences the Munich Putsch as a failure in the SHORT TERM
- Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison
- there was little desire amongst the German people for an armed revolution
- Hitler was shot in the arm
- Hitler was betrayed by Kahr
- 16 Nazi’s died
- he didn’t succeed in taking over the government
what evidences the Munich Putsch as a success in the LONG TERM
- The Munich Putsch was a headline in Germany and Hitler who was previously known by few became a household name over night
- He was able to speak/defend himself at his trial/ speak about the weaknesses of the Weimar republic, he used the trail to spread his ideas on a large scale
- Hitler realised votes not violence
- the Nazi’s gained a lot of media attention
- he only spent 9 months in prison out of his 5 year sentence
- prison gave him a chance to sort out his ideas and write his book mien kampf
- people were allowed to visit him in prison and his cell was a comfortable room
- the trail exposed how political people opposed the Weimar constitution because Hitler’s sentence was lenient
why might historians have different views about the success of the munich putsch
Hitlers time in prison for example could be seen as a failure because it meant he had failed and people lost respect for him. However some people may say it was a success because it gave him a break from the outside world to formulate a new plan/strategy and write his book
what happened after the Munich Putsch in relation to the Nazi’s
1923 was the munich putsh
1924-1929 was the golden era
while Hitler was in prison the German economy began to recover under Stresemann and as a result the general support for the Nazi’s declined and overturning the government through a coup no longer seemed realistic
the dip in support showed how important economic unrest was for success because Nazi ideology thrived when Germany was struggling
The Nazi party was banned after the Putsch along with the SA but Hitler was released from Prison in December 1924 and the ban on the party was lifted in February 1925 after Hitler persuaded President of Bavaria Henrich Held. Hitler re-established the Nazi party with himself as supreme leader.
who was Alfred Rosenberg
when Hitler went into prison he looked after the party but he was weak and the party split into several rival groups. Hitler chose a weak leader that wouldn’t make bold moves and so he wouldn’t be liked more than Hitler
define Gaue and Gauleiter
Gaue -A Nazi party branch following their restructure
Gauleiter - A superior of Nazi branches
what was the Bamberg conference
Sunday 14th February 1926
aimed to
- squash concern in Northern branches of the party
- show Hitler’s loyalty lies with the South he chose a location and day that would be difficult for the North to attend
- establish the Fuhrerprinzip
- unite the North and south
- solidify the 25 point programme
- establish that the party was not democratic
How did Hitler’s tactics change after the munich putsch
he now tried to gain control through the democratic system by restructuring the Nazi Party so it could compete more successfully in national elections
Bamberg conference:
- he made it clear that the party would only follow his agenda and division was not acceptable as is socialism
the party adopted a national framework and became more centralised. Hitler appointed Gauleiters and were controlled by the parties leadership in Munich and brought every level of the party under Hitler’s control
Nazi propaganda was increased and centrally controlled by the team in Munich making the campaigns more efficient. In 1926 Hitler re-established the SA and began using them for propaganda purposes
created new organisations for different social groups. Hitler set up the Hitlerjugend (hitler youth) who rivalled other youth group who by 1925 had 5000 members and by 1930 had 26000. He also established societies for different professions to make everyone feel included and valued
he adjusted the 25 point programme so land could only be confiscated if it was owned by a jew
