GERMANY: REASONS THE NAZIS GAINED POWER

Question 1

REASONS THE NAZIS GAINED POWER - background

Answer 1

Germany had lost WWI by 1918, and as a result the Nazi party would be formed in 1919
Chaos at the end of the war would lead to a series of events which resulted in the appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor in 1933, giving the Nazis power

Question 2

ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES background

Answer 2

123 Billion marks in reparations would not have been paid off until 1986, as Germany struggled to pay – so France and Belgium took resources from the Rhine
This led German workers to strike, the Weimar govt agreeing to pay them more and printed more money to do so – causing hyperinflation and price increase

Question 3

ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES - for and against

Answer 3

The different economic crisis began to develop anger and resentment towards the Govt that persuaded many to believe a different political system may benefit them
Without the treaty causing hyperinflation, Germans would not have panicked so much during the depression

Question 4

TREATY OF VERSAILLES background

Answer 4

The Treaty of Versailles was the legal agreement which ended WWI, but it contained the War Guilt Clause which meant Germany had full responsibility for WWI
It also meant Germany lost territory, the Rhineland was demilitarised and Germany’s military was reduced 100,000

Question 5

TREATY OF VERSAILLES for and against

Answer 5

One of the Nazis key premises was to reverse the Treaty of Versailles, gaining them support – the reparations had to led to hyperinflation which caused economic problems and anger which won the Nazis support
Hitler’s own political skill and the global Depression meant Versailles was not the only reason the Nazis came to power

Question 6

WEAKNESSES OF THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC - background

Answer 6

German elections and proportional representation (59% of the vote meant 59% of the seats caused many small parties to be elected and Governments were always coalitions
After the Kaiser abdicated, a German republic was set up in 1919, and the system of Government was known as the Weimar Republic which gave full voting rights to those over 20

Question 7

WEAKNESSES OF THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC - for and against

Answer 7

Weimar’s election system undermined confidence, proportional representation allowed extreme parties to get elected and led to coalitions which made taking action difficult to agree
Between 1924-29 the Weimar Republic became richer, it was only after the Wall Street Crash in 1929 that Weimar collapsed, suggesting democracy was supported before the economic crisis

Question 8

APPEAL OF THE NAZIS AFTER 1928 - background

Answer 8

After his time in prison for the Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler began to build strong sections of the party, including the SS in 1925 and Hitler Youth
With the help of Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi’s propaganda took over cinemas, radio, posters and newspapers

Question 9

APPEAL OF THE NAZIS AFTER 1928 - for and against

Answer 9

There were many political groups in Germany that could have exploited problems in Germany, but the Nazis were the only ones organised enough to do this
Although Nazi organisation had improved, Nazi support had dipped from 1924-9, only rising after the Wall Street crash

Question 10

WEAKNESSES AND OF OPPONENTS - background

Answer 10

Paul Von Hindenburg was in his 80s by 1933, and stood for president against his wishes in 1932 to stop Hitler coming into power
In spite of his strong dislike of Hitler, he appointed him Chancellor taking over from Kurt Von Scheidler

Question 11

WEAKNESSES AND MISTAKES OF OPPONENTS - for and against

Answer 11

Many political groups had concerns over the Nazis, but placed personal issues before stopping his rise
The Weimar way of governing could have survived without incontrollable economic problems, of which Hitler exploited