Hitler and the Nazis Flashcards
(35 cards)
Why did Hitler join the German Workers party
Because he liked what was being said, as he was a ex-soldier who hated the politicians who ended the war, and it was one of the many small political parties in Munich at this time (1919)
What was the ‘Munich Observer’
The German Workers Party’s newspaper, which Hitler set up to put forward their views
When Hitler took power of the party, what things did he change
- A new flag and symbol (swastika) in order to get attention and set up the parties private army
- An army- the Stormtroopers, who beat up anyone who criticised Hitler or the party
- He changed the name to the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party for short)
Why did Hitler take over Munich
Since the Party grew from 3000 members in 1920 to 5000 in 1921, however it was still a minor party, Hitler felt confidant that he could try and take over Munich and then Germany
How did Hitler take over Munich
Interrupted a meeting in a beer hall, where Kahr (head of Bavarian government) was speaking, Hitler fired a bullet into the ceiling and announced he was taking over Bavaria, he then locked away Kahr and his companions, and his stormtroopers took control of the government buildings and arrested official, so they could eventually take over Berlin and the whole country
How did the Munich Putsch fail
Kahr was released on the promise that he would help Hitler, however he went against his word and called the police, so after a short gun battle Hitler and Ludendorff were taken to prison
What happened when Hitler was prisoned
He managed to impress the judges, and became a media sensation, while Ludendorff was set free, Hitler was sentenced to 5 years but was released in 1924
What was Mein Kampf
Hitlers book that he wrote in prison which became a bestseller, which described his life story, political and racial views
How did Gustav Stresemann improve Germany
- Stopped printing old money and replaced it with a temporary currency the Rentenmark, which was replaced by Reichsmark in 1924
- Met with Charles Dawes (US vice president) to arrange for the US to lend money to Germany and a repayment schedule was agreed on
- Improved relations with other countries, by signing the Locarno pact with Britain, France, Belgium and Italy, they also joined the League of Nations in 1926
- Money borrowed from the US is used to build new factories, houses, schools and roads, this meant more jobs available
What are the disadvantages of Stresemanns solutions
What was the 1920s in Germany called
The ‘golden age’ because artists, writers, poets and performers were finally able to be free and express themselves, this is because when the Kaiser ruled he kept tight control on all types of entertainment, however these controls were removed in Weimar Germany
Why and who didn’t like the ‘golden age’
Many older gens of Germans wanted traditional values back, Nazis and Hitler especially and when Hitler came to power in 1933 many Weimar artists had to flee Germany
What caused the Depression in Germany
German Depression was triggered by the collapse of the global economy following the Wall Street Crash of 1929, caused by Germany’s reliance on American loans, this is because America no longer had the fund to pay Germany, and they demanded all the money loaned back, German bans couldn’t pay it all back, so they went bankrupt
How did the Depression in Germany help the growth of parties
People were angry after unemployment, millions blamed the Weimar government, so they turned to political parties who promised radical solutions to make Germany great again
What are the main reasons for the growth of the Nazi Party
- The Depression
- Germans were unhappy with the Weimar government
- The appeal of Adolf Hitler
- Fear of the rise of other German extremist parties such as communists
- Nazi party’s structure, methods and tactics
Who are the main people who voted for the Nazis
- Farmers
-Nazis promised them higher prices for their crops, better quality of life and higher status - Women
- Nazis promised self discipline, family life and good morals - Middle class people
- promised to get their wages that were cut from the Depression back, and to fight communism - Young soldiers
- Promised to tear up the Treaty of Versailles, young people were impressionable - Upper class
- Promised strong leadership and go back to the old fashioned days
What is a coalition government and how was it formed in Germany
When two or more parties join together to form a majority, Germany did this as parties rarely got a majority in Weimar Germany and a chancellor was chosen from the coalition
What led to Hitler becoming Chancellor
- Presidential election, Hitler came second to Hindenburg
- Brüning resigned as Chancellor and Hindenburg replaced him with Franz Von Papen
- Reichstag elections. The Nazis became the largest party with 230 seats.
- Reichstag elections called by Von Papen to try to win a majority in parliament. Nazis lost seats but remained the largest party
- Von Papen resigned. Hindenburg appointed Kurt Von Schleicher, Von Schleicher tried to split the Nazis however he failed
- Von Papen and Hindenburg , appointed Hitler as Chancellor with Von Papen as Vice Chancellor.
How did Hitler gain alot of power despite only being Chancellor
- He arranged a new election and was a good speaker
- He had greater influence over newspapers and radio stations, and controlled the police
- Manipulated people that the fire that burnt down the Reichstag was caused by communists
- Protection Law’ gave Hitler the power to deal with Germany’s problems
- ‘Protection of the People and State’, banned communists from elections, the way Hitler dealt with this got the Nazis more votes
- Fear, Propaganda, and the Enabling Act gave him power to make laws without asking the Reichstag
- He was in charge of local councils and the secret police (gestapo)
- Appealed to woman, as he promised a traditional family
How did Hitler begin to eliminate his oppositions
- Banned all trade unions
- murdered his opponents
- took over when Hindenburg died as the president
How did Nazis change school for young Germans
Textbooks were rewritten to emphasise militarism, as well as Nazi political and racial beliefs. And subjects were changed to reflect Nazi beliefs and glorify Hitler
How did Hitler change the lives of young people in Germany
- Set up Hitler Youth Organisation
-boys: military skills, girls: good wives - Banned all other Youth groups
- Boys from ages 6-10: ‘Little Fellows’ 10-14: ‘Young Folk’, 14-18: ‘Hitler Youth’
- Girls, 10-14: ‘Young girls’, 14-17: ‘League of German Girls’
What were kids who refused to follow Nazi rules and didn’t join Hitler Youth called
Swing Youth, they formed gangs called: ‘Roving Dudes’, ‘Edelweiss Pirates’ and the ‘Navajos’, these gang beat up Hitler Youth groups
