Political Resistance from the Left Flashcards
(21 cards)
What fueled compliance and acceptance during the Nazi regime?
Propaganda
Propaganda created a depoliticized life and led to widespread acceptance of the regime.
What was the general perception of Nazism compared to the Weimar Republic?
Order of Nazism better than chaos of Weimar
This perception contributed to the acceptance of Nazi rule.
What was a key idea about resistance according to the text?
The fire of resistance only needs a spark.
What methods did the KPD use for resistance?
Organising workers, handing out leaflets, establishing connections
The KPD focused on promoting communism and encouraging resistance within trade unions.
What was one method used by the SPD against the Nazis?
Voting against the Nazis
The SPD continued to vote against Nazi policies until they were banned.
How did the SPD establish support in working-class zones?
By establishing supporters in factories.
What was the Berlin Red Patrol?
A group organized by the SPD for resistance activities.
How did the KPD and SPD differ in their approach to resistance?
KPD was radical and prepared for violent methods; SPD was lawful and democratic
The KPD had attempted to overthrow the government before, while the SPD focused on maintaining democratic principles.
What were Hitler’s worries regarding leftist parties?
SPD and KPD posing a threat.
What was the reality of the left’s resistance against the Nazis?
Left too divided to pose serious threat.
What happened to the SPD by the end of 1933?
Thousands of activists murdered or in ‘preventive custody’.
Who was Ernst Schumacher?
An SPD member in Prague.
What was the primary focus of the SPD during the Nazi regime?
Survival and wait rather than challenge.
What happened to the KPD shortly after the Nazis came to power?
First party banned; Thälmann arrested
The KPD leadership suffered significant losses, with 10% killed in 1933.
What was the impact of the Gestapo on KPD activities?
Gestapo broke up cells.
What was the assessment of the political left’s threat to Nazism between 1929 and 1934?
The political left posed a serious threat, but lacked effective capabilities.
Fill in the blank: The Reichstag Fire led to the passage of the _______.
Enabling Act.
What significant action did the SPD take against the Enabling Act?
Voted against it.
What was the status of the SPD in the Weimar Republic?
Second most powerful party.
What was the fate of Ernst Thalmann, the KPD leader?
Put inside a concentration camp.
What percentage of KPD leadership was killed in 1933?
10%.
