Nazi Consolidation Flashcards
Hitler Book
Mein Kampf Hitler’s 1925 in prison after the Beer Hall Putsch
Outlines anti-Semitic views, political ideology and future plans for Germany
Great Depression in Germany
- Statistics of unemployment
In 1929 October there was the Wall Street Crash.
Between 1929 and 1932 the official number of unemployed in Germany rose from 2.5 million to 6 million
About the system of Reichstag
Members of the Reichstag were to be elected every 4 years by all Germans over the age of 20, and the chancellor and the ministers, appointed by the president, were responsible to the Reichstag.
In … Nazis received …% of the vote in Reichstag
1928
2.6%
Positive and Negative side of Stresemann’s Germany
Women’s rights, 1927 Unemployment Insurance Act
Signed the Locarno Pact 1925 and joined the LoN in 1926
Democratic parties polled up 50% of the vote
Agriculture was in depression since 1926
“Nazi” stands
- Ideology
- Method in spreading Nazi views
- Armed forces
- Members
National Socialist German Workers Party (“NAZI” Party - 1920)
- Nationalistic
- Anti-Semitic/Communist
Published its own newspaper to spread Nazi views in 1920
Stormtroopers (SA) to fight opponents 1921
Members:
January 1919 = 50
1923 = Over 50 000
Hitler Sentence Munich Beer Hall Putsch
Guilty of high treason and sentenced to 5 years, eligible for early release after 6 months
Nazis method in rising to power
- Stats of the Reichstag
Used speeches and propaganda to gain support of average citizens
e.g. posters, 9 Nazi owned newspapers, pamphlets, mass rallies and public meetings → Joseph Goebbels
September, 1930 = 18% of votes (seats increased from 12 to 107) in Reichstag
1932 = 37% of votes (doubled)
What Hitler offered to do as a politician
Restore Germany to greatness
Workers – end unemployment
Strong leadership vs. indecisive Weimar Government
Exploited the Great Depression and blamed “others” for Germany’s problems
- “November Criminals”
- “Weimar Republic”
- Jews (scapegoat)
Factors for Nazi success
Generalised slogans
Nazi image disguised their violence against political opponents
Rallies effectively to promote a sense of excitement about their campaign
Provided soup kitchens and hostels for unemployed
Great Depression
- Unemployment
When Hitler became Chancellor (1933) 1 in 3 Germans were unemployed, hitting 6.1 million.
Industrial production had halved over the same period
Effect of propaganda by …
3 main themes
Joseph Goebbels and had 3 main themes:
- The Führer cult. Hitler was always portrayed as Germany’s saviour
- Volksgemeinschaft. One German community that would make religion or social class less relevant
- Jews portrayed as sub-human, or as a threat to racial purity and economic future
Event: Nazi consolidation
Act passed on … despite a lack of majority in the Reichstag … majority required to pass was achieved)
This let Hitler …
Enabling Act passed on March
2/3
make laws without asking the Reichstag for consent - giving him dictatorial powers
Gleichschaltung
Law passed on … where Nazi party was the only party allowed to exist in Germany except for the …
German term for secret police
Nazi prestige was enhanced when a referendum on Hitler’s administration on … result …
July 1933 Law against Formation of New Parties
NSDAP
Gestapo
November 1933, 90% approval of Hitler’s rule and the decisions he had made since becoming chancellor.
An event that eliminated political enemies to consolidate Hitler’s power and when was it?
How many were murdered?
What other victims were there?
Victims
June 1934, Night of Long Knives
400 people were executed
- Hitler used Heinrich Himmler’s SS to murder Rohm and 50 other SA leaders.
Communists, Jews, outspoken politicians and trade unionists even Schleicher who was Hitler’s predecessor as chancellor.
