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History > Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-39 > Flashcards

Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-39 Flashcards

1
Q

What were the social impacts of WW1 on Germany?

A
  • By 1918, Germany was only producing 50% of the milk and 80% of the butter and meat which had been produced before the war
  • Winter of 1916-17, the supply of potatoes ran out
  • 3.$ million German citizens died from the combined effects of huger and disease
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2
Q

What were the economic impacts of WW1 on Germany?

A
  • War cost Germany about $40 billion
  • The economy suffered from rationing and shortages; for example, from 1915 until the endow war, germans were forbidden to drive a car in order to save fuel
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3
Q

What were the political impacts of WW1 on Germany?

A
  • Germany was ruled by a military dictatorship by the Kaiser and his army leaders, which weakened the Reichstag further
  • The Reichstag was weak. Working class and middle class people had little say in the way Germany was run and there was no effective opposition to the Kaiser
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4
Q

What was the buildup to the armistice being signed on 11 November 1918?

A
  • 25th October 1918: Naval commanders at Kiel sent ships to fight the British fleet. The sailors mutinied
  • 26th October - 5th November: The Kaiser and government didn’t try to send the army to crush the mutiny and it was quickly followed by strikes and demonstrations. Soldiers mutinied and joined the protests
  • 6th November 1918: Soldiers and workers councils had taken control in many cities. The Social Democrats were the leading party. Their leader wanted to save age Kaiser but his colleagues knew that if they did left wing revolutionaries would take over
  • 7th November 1918: Social Democrat leaders sent an ultimatum to the Kaiser that unless he abdicated they would join the revolution
  • 9th November 1918: general strike in Berlin. SD were afraid extremists would gain control pf revolution so there was no announcement of setting up new government
  • 10th Nov 1918: Kaiser Willhelm fled to exile in Holland
  • 11th Nov 1918: Armistice signed between Germans and Allies
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5
Q

What was Article 48?

A

In an emergency the President can rule on their own, without having to pass rules through the Reichstag

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6
Q

What were the positives of the Weimar Constitution?

A
  • Proportional representation meant parties had same percentage of seats as votes
  • All men and women could vote (more democrats than Kaiser)
  • Some traditional powers retained by local governments
  • The central government had more power than it did under the Kaiser
  • President elected by the public every 7 years
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7
Q

What were the negatives of the Weimar Constitution?

A
  • Small parties won seats, so no party had a clear majority, meaning coalitions were formed which resulted in a lack of clear, strong policies as well as disagreements. This led to the average coalition lasting 6-9 months before collapsing and creating instability
  • Article 48 allowed president to rule by decree, without support of Reichstag
  • Local states could resist the authority of central government
  • The new constitution was created out of violence, with no real public enthusiasm. It was opposed by extremists and considered flawed by moderates
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8
Q

What was the Sparticist uprising?

A
  • The Sparticists were a Communist group, lead by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht. They strongly opposed the Weimar Republic
  • On 5th January 1919, extreme member seized government newspaper headquarters. they tried to organise a general strike but had no support
  • The day after, Ebert used 4000 ex-soldiers (Freikorps) to help put down the uprising. Freikorps hated the communists and liked fighting. By Jan 15th the Sparticist uprising was crushed
  • The leaders were arrested and shot on their way to prison
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9
Q

What were the clauses of the Treaty of Versailles?

A

Land
Army
Money
Blame

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10
Q

What were the land terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

A
  • Alsace-Lorraine returned to France
  • West Prussia and Posen lost to Poland
  • The Saarland was taken over by the League of Nations for 15 years
  • Germany lost all its overseas colonies
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11
Q

What were the army terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

A
  • No aircraft or submarines
  • Navy reduced to 6 battleships and 15,000 sailors
  • Army reduced to 100,000
  • Rhineland demilitarised
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12
Q

What were the money terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

A
  • War guilt clause meant the victorious powers could demand compensation from Germany for damage caused by the war (reparations)
  • In 1921, reparations were fixed at $6.6 billion paid in annual instalments
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13
Q

What were the blame terms of the Treaty of Versailles?

A
  • Article 231 said Germany was to blame for causing the war
  • The was the term most resented by Germans as they believed other countries had caused the was and Germany acted in self-defence
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14
Q

What were the positives of the Sparticist uprising for Weimar?

A
  • Uprising was unsuccessful
  • Got the support of the army but had to promise to not change army leadership
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15
Q

What were the negatives of the Sparticist uprising for Weimar?

A
  • Highlighted the instability of the Weimar Republic
  • Had to rely on support of the Army, but many in the Army hated the Weimar Republic
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16
Q

What was Kapp Putsch?

A
  • The Freikorps hated the Treaty of Versailles because it reduced the Army to 100,000, so the Freikorps were disbanded
  • The Freikorps were furious when the treaty came into effect of jan 1st 1920. In March 1920, led by Wolfgang Kapp, they tried to take power in Berlin with Kapp setting up a new government
  • The Weimar Government fled to Dresden, where they called upon trade unions in Berlin ti organise a general strike, which cut off gas, electricity, goods and coal
  • The chaos caused by the stroke meant Kapp couldn’t rule Germany so he fled to Sweden
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17
Q

What were the negatives of Kapp Putsch for Weimar?

A
  • Revealed the lack of support from the army who sympathised with the aims of the Putsch
  • Weimar government fled to Dresden
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18
Q

What were the positives of Kapp Putsch for Weimar?

A
  • Kapp couldn’t rule because of the chaos
  • Showed that the republic gained support from workers
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19
Q

Why did France invade the Ruhr in 1923?

A
  • The German government was unable to make the first reparations payment in 1922, so requested extra time, but France refused
  • France marched into the Ruhr to get payment
  • The German government was unable to offer armed resistance so the workers chose passive resistance and went on strike
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20
Q

What were the positives of the Ruhr invasion for Germany?

A
  • United Germans against French invaders
  • Popularity of Weimar temporarily increased as they backed the strikes
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21
Q

What were the negatives of the Ruhr invasion for Germany?

A
  • It had disastrous effects on the economy
  • Strike meant fewer goods produced, so inflate got worse
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22
Q

How did hyperinflation occur in Germany in 1923?

A
  • German government decided to print more money to pay striking workers
  • Now more money, so it became less valuable
  • As money became less valuable, prices began to rise
  • As prices rose, people demanded higher wages
  • As wages rose, the government had to print more money
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23
Q

What were the consequences of hyperinflation?

A
  • People’s savings became worthless
  • Wages rose slower than prices
  • Businessmen who borrowed could wipe out their debts
  • Farmers benefited from rises in food prices
  • Rich people had land and possessions so were protected from the effects of inflation as their assets kept value
  • People on fixed incomes had less
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24
Q

What economic problems did Stresemann face?

A
  • Hyperinflation
  • Reparation payments
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25
Q

What were Stresemann’s solutions to hyperinflation?

A

New currencies 1923:
Introduced a new currency called the Rentenmark as the old one collapsed. It was guaranteed by the value of German resources
Followed by the Reichsmark, which was guaranteed by gold

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26
Q

What were Stresemann’s solutions to Germany’s reparations payments?

A

Dawes Plan 1924
Young Plan 1929

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27
Q

What was the Dawes Plan 1924?

A

Germany get 800 million gold mark loan from USA
They also get 3 billion from US banks, to kickstart the economy
Reparations are linked to ability to pay and are reduced
Allies control German railways
French leave the Ruhr

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28
Q

What was the Young Plan 1929?

A

Germany are given full responsibility to pay
Reparations are reduced again
There is a timetable of reparation payments up until 1988

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29
Q

Did Stresemann’s solutions solve the problem of hyperinflation?

A

Yes - the old currency collapsed and the new currencies are guaranteed by something, so hyperinflation comes down and people can afford basic things

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30
Q

Did Stresemann’s solutions solve the problem of Germany’s reparation payments?

A

Yes - many germans are pleased as the international community are listening and they feel trusted as they have responsibility
No - nazis and many right wing/national groups aren’t happy that Allies have any control. Many Germans believed they shouldn’t pay any reparations as they believe they weren’t responsible for the war

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31
Q

What foreign policy problems did Stresemann have?

A

French invasion and strike
French fear of Germany
International distrust of Germany
General fear of war in Europe

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32
Q

What was Stresemann’s solution to French invasion and strike?

A

Strike end 1923
He tells the workers to stop the strike and they do

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33
Q

What was Stresemann’s solution to French fear of Germany?

A

Lorcano Treaty 1925
Germany promise to respect Western borders and not invade

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34
Q

What was Stresemann’s solution to International distrust of Germany?

A

League of Nations 1926
Germany joins because of Stresemann
Stresemann wins Nobel Peace prize

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35
Q

What was Stresemann’s solution to General fear of war in Europe?

A

Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928
Promise to not use violence - signed by many countries

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36
Q

Did Stresemann’s solutions solve the problem of the French invasion and strike?

A

Yes - there was no more strike or hyperinflation
No - people like Hitler believe stopping the strike is surrendering to France

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37
Q

Did Stresemann’s solutions solve the problem of French fear of Germany?

A

Yes - many people were happy
No - nazis thought they were beating France and wanted to invade again

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38
Q

Did Stresemann’s solutions solve the problem of international distrust of germany?

A

Yes - many germans happy as they are being respected and trusted
No - nazis don’t want to be part of it and want to invade

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39
Q

Did Stresemann’s solutions solve the problem of general fear of war in Europe?

A

Yes - many pleased and don’t want violence
No - nazis policy was based in violence and they wanted to invade

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40
Q

What were the positive changes to standard of living in 1924-29?

A
  • 1928: increase in wages by over 10%, German workers some of best paid workers in Europe
  • 1928: homelessness reduced by over 60%
  • Between 1924-31 more than 2 million homes were built, while almost 200,000 were renovated or expanded
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41
Q

What were the positive changes to women in 1924-29?

A

-1926: 32 women deputies in the Reichstag (higher than US and Britain)
- Number of female doctors doubles from 2500 in 1925 to 5000 in 1939
- Women had more rights
- Young single women had financial independence, divorce rates went up, women enjoyed more social freedoms like drinking and smoking

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42
Q

What were the positive changes to culture in 1924-29?

A
  • Architecture flourished especially in Bauhaus
  • Period encouraged literature from right and left in politics
  • Economic recovery after 1924 created finance to fund the arts
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43
Q

What were the negative changes to standard of living in 1924-29?

A
  • Unemployment stayed high among those who worked in professions such as lawyers, civil servants and teachers
  • April 1928: almost 184,000 middle class workers were seeking employment and almost half of them didn’t qualify for unemployment relief
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44
Q

What were the negative changes to women in 1924-29?

A
  • After the war, better paid jobs were taken by men
  • Married women who worked were criticised for working and neglecting their homes
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45
Q

What were the negative changes to culture in 1924-29?

A
  • criticism that artists were undermining traditional German values, especially from the right wing. They said cultural changes were immoral
46
Q

How did Hitler come to be the leader of the Nazi Party?

A
  • Hitler was a soldier in WW1 and was deeply humiliated and angry at Germany’s defeat
  • Hitler was employed by the German army after WW1 to check up on small extremist parties, but was impressed by the DAP and joined them
  • He quickly became head of propaganda for the DAP, bought a newspaper (The Observer), co-wrote the 25 point programme, changed the name to “national socialist German workers party’ (NAZI) and designed the logo
  • He became the Nazi’s speaker and attracted many people to the party. He became party leader in 1921
47
Q

What were some policies of the 25 point programme?

A

Left wing:
- profits of big German companies shared among the people
- more welfare for the elderly

Right wing:
- All germans should live in a country called Germany
- Treaty of Versailles should be cancelled
- No Jew can be a German

48
Q

What were the reasons for early Nazi popularity?

A
  • Appealed to working and middle classes
  • Promised to get rid of Treaty of Versailles
  • Showed they would deal with communists with violence
  • Hitler’s personal charisma
  • Appeared to German pride
  • They hated Jewish people
49
Q

What was the swastika and how did it make the Nazis popular?

A

A red, black and white image with an Asian good luck symbol which made the Nazis stand out
It used left wing and right wing colours to attract more people. It used colours of the old German flag, so attracted traditionalists, but the symbol was new, attracting younger people

50
Q

What was Hitler and how did it make the Nazis popular?

A

He was a talented and energetic speaker and came up with many of the Nazi’s big ideas
Many Germans were convinced by his personal charisms

51
Q

What was the SA and how did it make the Nazis popular?

A

A paramilitary group that attracted many ex-soldiers, especially from the Freikorps. They acted as Nazi bodyguards, held parades and beat up their opponents, especially communists
They impresses many with parades and violence - beating up communists was popular with some

52
Q

What was the 25 point programme’s nationalism and how did it make the Nazis popular?

A

It promised to tear up the Treaty of Versailles, rebuild Germany’s army, take back German land and even take land from other countries
Appealed to patriotic Germans who wanted to restore German pride

53
Q

What was the 25 point programme’s socialism and how did it make the Nazis popular?

A

A promise to share companies wealth and to share out German land
Appealed to workers because it offered them a fairer, better life

54
Q

What was the 25 point programme’s anti-semitism and how did it make the Nazis popular?

A

Hatred for Jewish people, who the Nazis believed were responsible for Germany’s problems
Appealed to those who wanted a “scapegoat”

55
Q

What was the 25 point programme’s anti-communism and how did it make the Nazis popular?

A

Nazis said that communism was un-german and a Jewish idea
This appealed to large and small businesses and the middle classes who wanted to protect their own money and property

56
Q

How did the Munich Putsch happen?

A

In 1922, the Italian fascisst Mussolini successfully marched on Rome and became dictator of Italy - inspiring for the Nazis
By the end of 1922, the Nazis had about 55,000 members, a large private army and Hitler was famous around Munich
In January 1923 the French invade the Ruhr
In September 1923, Weimar ended the strikes - Hitler was furious
Many Germans, led by Hitler grouped together to protest
A group led by the Nazis wanted to March to Berlin and overthrow the government, but this was opposed by local leader, Von Kahr
On 8th November 1923, Von Kahr was holding a meeting in a Beer Hall
The Nazis burst in and announce “the national revolution has begun” and Hitler forced Von Kahr to support this revolution
After Von Kahn’s support, WW1 hero General Ludendorff announced his support
The next day Hitler marched through Munich with Ludendorff and 2,000 SA
Von Kahr dient show up, armed police stopped the march, 16 nazis dead, 100s injured
Hitler and Ludendorff taken to prison

57
Q

What happened after the Munich Putsch?

A

Hitler was shot at and arrested, 16 nazis killed
Nazi Party banned until after 1925
Failure of putsch meant the nazis were forced to change to a more realistic strategy
In prison, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, which set out his ideas and inspired some
Hitler realised that to get power he would need to get more powerful friends and would have to do it legally
He used his trial as propaganda and publicity for the nazis and to attack Weimar
Banned Nazi Part fought elections with a different name and won 32 seats in 1924
His putsch established him as a dynamic leader
He had special conditions in prison - private room and was visited by many supporters
Failed to win support of important politicians
He received minimum sentence and only served 9 months of it

58
Q

How did Hitler reorganise the party in 1924-28? - propaganda

A

‘Mein Kampf” published as propaganda - everyone knew the Nazi message
People like Dr Joeseph Goebbels hired to do propaganda speeches, and newspapers were used

59
Q

How did Hitler reorganise the party in 1924-28? - organisations

A
  • Nazi League of Students and Hitler Youth as propaganda for young people
  • Black-shirted SS set up for dedicated Nazi fanatics
60
Q

How did Hitler reorganise the party in 1924-28? - the SA

A
  • They were ordered to tone down the violence
  • Focused on marching and parading in uniform
  • Huge annual rallies at Nuremberg which looked very organised and impressive to many germans
  • Local leaders called ‘gauleiters’ e.g. Goebbels in Berlin
61
Q

How did Hitler reorganise the party in 1924-28? - Bamberg conference

A

Hitler defeated his leadership rivals and convinced Nazis he could lead them in elections
He was now the Fuhrer and centre of the Nazi movement

62
Q

What evidence shows the Nazis to be doing well in 1924-28?

A
  • Hitler got huge publicity from the trial and became like a celebrity who stood up to Weimar
  • More people were aware of the Nazi message
    -Nuremburg rallied impressed many
  • They are a united national party - Hitler is unopposed and they are a party machine
  • The organisations set up raised Nazi profile and increased membership
63
Q

What evidence shows the Nazis to be doing badly in 1924-28?

A
  • They got banned (seen as weak)
  • Still did badly in elections (only won12 seats in 1928)
  • Germany was doing well, so people weren’t interested in Hitler’s message
  • Big change could cause them to lose members
64
Q

Results of German elections 1924-34

A
  • May 1924, Nazis get 32 seats
  • May 1928, Nazis get 12 seats
  • July 1923, Nazis get 230 seats and become th biggest party
65
Q

How did the Wall Street Crash (1929) affect Germany?

A
  • 6 million germans became unemployed in January 1933
  • Taxes raised and unemployment benefits cut
  • Value of savings crashed
  • Employers cut wages
  • Many could no longer afford rent
  • Businesses’ incomes fell and many closed
  • 1933, over half of germans 16-30 unemployed
  • 60% of new graduates couldn’t get a job
  • In 1930s farmers started slipping further into debt
66
Q

What were the consequences of the Wall Street Crash for Germany?

A
  • Moderate parties failed to solve the problems
  • Stresemann died and Weimar lacked a strong leader
  • Chancellor Bruning raised taxes to pay for unemployment benefits, but then reduced the benefits
  • Germans turned to extremist parties like the Nazis and the Communists
  • 1928 election; Nazis 12 seats, communists 54
  • 1932 election; Nazis 230 seats and communists 89
67
Q

Why was there support for the Nazis from big businesses?

A
  • Leaders of big businesses were targeted by Nazis
  • Hitler persuaded wealth businessmen that the Nazi party was their best hope from the rise of Communists
  • Wealthy businessmen poured money into the Nazi Party
  • Alfred Hugenburg allowed Goebbels to use his newspaper for Nazi propaganda
68
Q

Why was there support for the Nazis from the working class?

A
  • The name National Socialist German Workers’ Party was an obvious sign of the appeal to the working class.
  • Policies appealed to workers.
  • Nazis supported traditional German values and aimed to create a strong Germany.
  • Promised ‘work and bread’ on their posters.
    More workers did prefer the Communists.
69
Q

Why was there support for the Nazis from the middle class?

A

Contained professional people such as teachers and lawyers.
Great Depression hurt the middle classes – saw Hitler as a strong leader to help the country recover.
Afraid of Communism, saw the Nazis as protection against this.
Liked the return to traditional values promoted by the Nazis.

70
Q

Why was there support for the Nazis from young people?

A

For young people the Nazi Party was exciting.
Rallies were colourful and full of atmosphere.
Hitler’s speeches were stirring and promised more than the traditional parties.
Hitler attracted many young people to become members.

71
Q

Why was there support for the Nazis from women?

A

At first, many women did not support the Nazis.
Nazi Party argued that women should play a traditional role in society as wives and mothers.
Nazi propaganda made special appeals to women.
Claimed that voting for the NSDAP was best for the country and their families.
Women did come to see this as attractive.

72
Q

Why was there support for the Nazis from farmers?

A

1928 – Nazi policy of confiscating all private land was changed.
New policy said that private land would only be confiscated if it was owned by Jews.
Farmers hoped Hitler would protect them from the Communists.
Farmers were a strong section of support for the Nazis.
1930 Election – Nazis gained 60% of their vote from rural areas.

73
Q

Political developments March 1932 - January 1933 that led to Hitler becoming chancellor

A
  • March 1932 Presidential Elections: between Hitler and Hindenburg, Hindenburg wins, but Hitler still does well and it is massive publicity. His campaign was ‘Hitler over Germany; he flew to many places and was very impressive
  • May 1932 Fall of Chancellor Bruning: Bruning raises taxes to pay unemployment benefits because of the Wall Street crash, the rest of parliament disagree with him so he resigns
  • May 1932 Von Papen Government: Von Papen becomes a dictator (article 48) because of economic crisis and parliament do not back him
  • July 1932 elections: Hitler gets 230 seats, Nazis are the biggest party, Hindenburg doesn’t like Hitler (thought he was uneducated, not posh enough and Nazis were too thuggish) so blocks him from becoming chancellor
  • July-November 1932 Another Von Papen Government: no one wanted it, he has no support so can’t govern
  • November 1932 elections: Nazis still the biggest party, but only 196 seats, Hitler still not chancellor
  • Dec 1932 - Jan 1933 Von Schleicher government: Von Schleicher becomes chancellor and rules by decree, his government falls apart because of lack of support
  • January 1933 Schemes and Regulation: Hitler is offered vice-chancellor, but says no because he wants to be chancellor, Von Papen tells Hindenburg there will be a civil war if Hitler isn’t chancellor, Hitler becomes chancellor and Von Papen is vice chancellor
74
Q

What problems did Hitler have in January 1933?

A
  • Nazis only had 3 positions in government
  • Hitler relied on Hindenburg’s support
  • Left wing trade unions, SPD and KPD were extremely opposed to the Nazis and had a large number of seats in the Reichstag
  • Nazis didn’t have a majority in the Reichstag, so could face an opposition
  • Army didn’t trust the Nazis and particularly hated the SA
75
Q

Key events of 1933

A
  • Reichstag Fire, January: Reichstag was burned down and the communists were blamed, Nazis arrested 4,000 communists
  • Emergency Action Decree (Reichstag Fire Decree): meant police could search houses without warrant, confiscate property, imprison people without trial - used against communists
  • March 1933 election: Nazis got slightly more seats than in 1932, but not enough to change the constitution (need 2/3)
  • Enabling Act: Nazis got 2/3 majority by arresting communists, getting other parties to support Hitler (Nationalist and Catholic centre), intimidation by surrounding Reichstag with SA, banned state parliaments, trade unions (apart from Nazi ones) and rival political parties
76
Q

Events of 1934

A
  • Night of the Long Knives, June: Hitler believed SA were now a threat, so the SS arrested and executed the leader of the SA (Ernst Rohm, who wanted to take over the army and rival Hitler) and 150 SA leaders and told the German public that he had to in order to stop a revolution. Now the SA can’t remove Hitler, and it impresses the Army and Hindenburg
  • Death of Hindenburg, August: Hitler gets all of Hindenburg’s powers as president, but calls himself Fuhrer
  • Army Oath of Allegiance to Hitler, August: means army must do whatever Hitler asks
  • Referendum on Hitler becoming Fuhrer, August: he wins with nearly 90% of vote, showing he had public support
77
Q

What were the parts of the Nazi police state?

A

The SS
The SD
Gestapo
Concentration Camps
Judges

78
Q

What was the SS?

A

Controlled by Himmler, had a range of roles such as Hitler’s bodyguard
They were the Nazi police force, involved in rallies and running concentration camps

79
Q

What was the SD?

A

Security service created by Himmler in 1931, they spied on known opponents and kept records with the details

80
Q

What was the Gestapo?

A

Set up in 1933
Didn’t wear uniforms and followed up reports and information about the general public making critical comments/actions
Spied on people, tapped phones, used torture when questioning people
Only about 30,000 people

81
Q

What were concentration camps?

A

Labour/prison camps
First opened in Dachau in March 1933
Usually in remote areas away from public attention
Contained political prisoners, and ‘undesirables’

82
Q

What was Nazi control of the legal system like?

A
  • Trial jury was abolished and trials were decided by single judges who were all members of the Nazi party
  • New People’s Court was created to hear cases of treason against the state
  • Trials were held in secret
  • No right of appeal
83
Q

What was the Reich Church?

A

A state Reich Church under the leadership of the Nazi Bishop Ludwig Müller was established to unify the different branches of Protestantism. This enabled the Nazis to use a group called the ‘German Christians’ within the Reich Church to promote Nazi ideas.

84
Q

What was the concordat?

A

In 1933 Hitler agreed a Concordat with the Pope, which said that he would not interfere in the running of the Catholic Church if it stayed out of political matters. The Catholic church were more scared of communists than nazis. Hitler didn’t keep his side of the bargain, however, as the Nazis attempted to infiltrate the Church and spread their propaganda.

85
Q

How did the Nazis use censorship?

A
  • Nazis had control of the state and could censor anything
  • New books couldn’t be published without approval for the Chamber of Culture and existing books were censored
  • They censored articles and photos they didn’t want printed
  • Newspapers that opposed the Nazis were closed down
  • Goebbels instructed newspaper editors on what they could print
  • No foreign radio stations, so people didn’t receive alternative news
  • 2,500 books banned and book burning ceremonies were held
  • Radio broadcasts could be censored and were all under Goebbels’ control
86
Q

How did the Nazis use propaganda?

A
  • Goebbels became minister for propaganda and enlightenment in 1933
  • Films had underlying messages
  • Sporting events incorporated Nazi salute and swastika, reinforcing importance of physical fitness
  • Propaganda reinforced Hitler’s image as the ‘saviour’ or Germany
  • Parades and rallies and massive Nazi party rally held every year at Nuremberg
  • 1936 Berlin Olympics - opportunity to display Aryan superiority. Germany won 33 medals and it was held in a stadium that had a capacity of 110,000
  • ‘The People’s Receiver” was manufactured at a cheap price. By 1939 70% of German homes had a radio
  • When Hitler made speeches they had to be broadcast in factories and cafes and played over loudspeakers in the streets
87
Q

Nazi control of culture and the arts

A
  • The Reich Chamber of Culture was set up in 1933 with separate departments covering music, art and literature (all run by Goebbels)
  • Checked all aspects of culture fitted with Nazi ideas
  • Artists had to be members of the Reich chamber of Visual Arts
  • Disapproved of modern art, preferred romanticised views of Germany’s past and a focus on families, country life, loyalty and self-sacrifice
  • New buildings designed by Albert Speer in the style of Ancient Greece and on a huge scale to show the power of Germany
  • In 1936 over 12,000 paintings and sculptures had been removed from galleries
  • Modern architecture such as Bauhaus which was developed in Weimar Germany was disliked
  • Jazz music banned because it originated among black musicians and the works of Mendelssohn were also banned because he was party Jewish
88
Q

Why was there limited opposition to Nazi control and dictatorship?

A
  • Police state meant there was little significant opposition
  • Many were grateful to have a job and better standard of living so put up with Nazi control
  • Hitler created his dictatorship legally
  • Many policies were popular
  • Repressive policies were not obvious to ordinary people
  • Propaganda was effective
  • Occasionally, Nazis dropped unpopular policies
  • Opposition was disorganised and didn’t work together
  • Police state made people afraid to express criticism
89
Q

Church opposition to Nazi control and dictatorship

A
  • 1933, Protestant pastors set up the Pastor’s Emergency League (PEL) to oppose the Reich Church
  • They also set up the Confessional Church in 1934, 6,000/8,000 pastors joined
  • Individual pastors such as Martin Niemoeller (original supported NAzis and expressed anti-semetic views) openly criticised Hitler, but 800 ended up in concentration camps
  • Individual Catholic priests spoke out, especially Cardinal Galen
  • Galen wasn’t punished but 2 priests who printed his sermons were arrested and sent to concentration camp
  • 400 Catholic Priests sent to Dachau
  • Confessional Church and Catholic Church had lots of popular support, but want organised opposition
90
Q

Youth opposition to Nazi control and dictatorship

A
  • Number of young people did not want to join the Hitler Youth
  • Groups developed in working class areas of big cities e.g. Roving Dudes in Essen
  • Each group identified themselves by wearing the white edelweiss flower and were known as the Edelweiss Pirates
  • Edelweiss Pirates were mainly teenagers, especially young males who resented the military discipline of Hitler Youth, also wore hair long and copied American style
  • Activities similar to Hitler Youth – singing, hiking, camping but also told anti-Nazi jokes and painted graffiti
  • Swing Youth movement was middle-class youth who admired American and British culture met and played jazz, smoked and drunk alcohol
  • Youth opposition was limited, only about 2,000 Edelweiss Pirates
  • Tended to focus on resisting ideas than organising opposition
91
Q

Nazi views on women and the family

A

Women’s role was important in society but was based on the home and family
(Kinder, Kuche, Kirche) - Children, Kitchen, Church.
Women were expected to have a traditional appearance. Were not supposed to wear trousers, make up or smoke. This was reinforced through propaganda.

92
Q

Nazi policies towards women

A
  • In Weimar Germany there was a number of educated and professional women - lawyers, doctors, teachers, judges etc. were pushed out of many jobs, especially professions like Law, Medicine, Education.
  • Were discouraged from higher education because was not necessary to their role in society.
  • Law for the Encouragement of Marriage, 1933, said that when a couple got married they could receive a loan of 1,000 marks if the woman gave up work and the amount they had to repay was reduced by one-quarter for each child they had.
  • After 1935 - pure Aryan women were encouraged to visit Lebensborn clinics in order to become pregnant by pure SS men and they could receive financial aid.
  • Some women disliked Nazi policies. The first women’s concentration camp was opened in 1933, another in 1938 and a third in 1939.
  • The Mother’s Cross was awarded to women, bronze for 4 children, silver for 6 and 8 for gold.
  • By 1937 due to preparations for war, there was a demand for workers. A compulsory year of labour was introduced, where women were expected to work on farms or in factories. In 1933 there were 5 million women working in Germany, by 1939 there were 7 million.
  • 1938 - divorce laws were changed to encourage men to separate from wives who could not have children
93
Q

Education in Nazi Germany

A
  • Weimar Germany, education was compulsory until 14. There were separate schools for boys and girls.
  • Hitler wanted to bring the education system under control - Bernard Rust became Minister for Education in 1934.
  • All teachers had to swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler and join the Nazi Teachers’ League
  • Lessons included the Hitler Salute and posters and flags were in classrooms
  • Nazis controlled the curriculum - History was about Germany’s great past, Geography was about land taken away in the Treaty of Versailles, PE was doubled, Maths was adapted so problems included references to war
  • Girls had lessons in bed making and cookery, while boys learned Science
  • From 1935, textbooks had to be approved by the Nazis
94
Q

The Hitler Youth

A
  • The Hitler Youth began in 1926, however Hitler banned almost all other youth movements in 1933
  • Baldur von Schirach was appointed Minister for Youth 1936, the movement took over all sports facilities so there was pressure on young people to join, nevertheless there was still over 1 million young people who did not join
  • 1939, membership was made compulsory
  • Hitler Youth groups for boys were arranged by age. 6 - 10 (Pimpfe - Little Fellows), 10 - 14 (German Young People), 14 - 18 (Hitler Jugend)
  • Members swore an oath of loyalty to Hitler, went hiking, camping, had political lectures, physical training and military exercises.
  • Stressed obedience, comradeship and loyalty but also competitiveness and ruthlessness. Punishments were hard.
95
Q

German League of Maidens

A
  • Girls joined the Young Maidens (Jungmadel) aged 10 - 14, and then the League of German Maidens (BDM) aged 14-21.
  • Would have political lectures, physical activities e.g. camping, marching, physical training to prepare for motherhood, training in cooking, sewing and running a horse.
  • Girls were also taught about ‘racial hygiene’ - only marrying Aryan men.
  • Like the boys, the girls were also taught to place loyalty to Hitler above their own families and be prepared to inform on their parents or teachers
96
Q

How did the Nazis deal with unemployment?

A
  • National Labour Service (RAD) was set up in 1933. Provided work for unemployed males aged 18-25 doing jobs such as repairing roads, planting trees, building hospitals. Was voluntary at first, but in 1935 became compulsory for 6 months
  • 1935 - Hitler reintroduced conscription into the army. Also meant more jobs creating weapons, uniforms, building aircraft etc.
  • Autobahns project created jobs for unemployed. Improved transport would help the economy more too
  • Nazis didn’t actually reduce unemployment, but made groups unemployed and part-time workers and people in concentration camps didn’t count
97
Q

Positives of Nazi policies to reduce unemployment

A
  • By 1936 only 1 million unemployed, and by 1939, only 300,000
  • Conscription reduced unemployment and made sure men were ready when war broke out
98
Q

Negatives of Nazi policies to reduce unemployment

A
  • RAD was unpopular because they received small pay and had to live in camps in poor conditions
  • Jews and women were dismissed from jobs and didn’t count as unemployed
99
Q

Standard of Living in Nazi Germany

A
  • More people employed, so had money to spend. Some prices rose, but wages increased. However, workers had to work longer hours
100
Q

The Labour Front (DAF)

A
  • Nazis worried about trade union strikes, so they were banned and replaced with the DAF
  • Supposed to protect workers’ rights but workers lost the right to negotiate wages or strike and DAF could punish workers who disrupted production
101
Q

The Volkswagen

A
  • Designed as an affordable family car and a saving scheme was introduced. In 1938, Volkswagen car factories were switched to weapons production - nobody got a car or their money back
102
Q

Strength through Joy

A
  • Was intended to keep workers happy
  • Provided subsidised leisure activities
  • By 1936 there were 35 million members
103
Q

Beauty of Labour

A
  • Scheme to encourage workers to improve their working conditions
  • Company agreed to provide better toilets, canteens, showers etc. but the workers were expected to build them in their spare time
104
Q

What were Nazi beliefs about minorities?

A
  • To create a ‘volk’
  • Create a master race of Aryans
  • Believed Aryans were superior due to their strength, intelligence and capacity to work hard and sacrifice themselves
  • To achieve the master race, there would need to be selective breeding and rounding up of undesirables
  • The ideal German was socially useful and able to contribute to the Volk
105
Q

What were Nazi treatments of minorities?

A
  • There were about 26,000 gypsies who lived a nomadic lifestyle – they were banned from travelling in groups, rounded up and put on a register, tested to see if they were fitted the racial characteristics of German citizens and often imprisoned in camps.
  • Homosexuals were arrested and often sent to concentration camps; they were also encouraged to voluntarily be castrated.
  • 1933 - Law for the Prevention of Hereditary Diseased Offspring made it compulsory for mentally ill, alcoholics, disabled, epileptics, deaf and blind people to be sterilised (400,000 people). In 1939, the Nazis ordered babies with severe mental or physical disabilities to be killed (T4 programme). Over 5,000 young people were killed
  • Were less than 500,000 Jews in Germany (about 1% of the population). Hitler encouraged the German people to blame their problems on Jews.
    Propaganda, education, media, and culture all spread anti-Semitic messages – describing Jews as vermin, evil, scheming and trying to weaken German nation.
  • Many Germans disliked what was happening, but much of this was happening out of sight. Others took no action because they were afraid or because the benefits of Nazi rule outweighed the issue. Some were convinced by the propaganda and supported the measures.
106
Q

Why were Jews persecuted?

A
  • Hitler was determined to create a racially pure state
  • Long standing of anti-Semitism within Germany
  • Hitler resented the wealth experienced by Jews whilst in Vienna
  • In the 1920s Jews were used as scapegoats for signing the Treaty of Versailles
  • Hitler blamed Germany’s defeat in WWI upon Jews
  • Hitler blamed the hyperinflation of 1923 and the depression of 1929 upon Jews
  • The Weimar Republic was seen as heavily composed of Jews
107
Q

What were the main ways that Jews were persecuted against?

A

1933 - Boycott
1935 - Nuremberg Laws
1938 - Kristallnacht

108
Q

1933 Boycott

A
  • In April 1933, after the second set of elections, the Nazis set about terrorising individual Jews, damaging synagogues and organising boycotts outside Jewish businesses.
  • Homes and shops had the Star of David displayed.
  • There was a nationwide boycott of Jewish businesses and professions.
  • Reactions to the boycott were mixed.
  • Some cities saw violence, others nothing.
  • The general German public did not take part and continued to shop freely.
109
Q

Nuremberg Laws 1935

A
  • At the annual party rally held in Nuremberg in 1935, the Nazis announced new laws which institutionalized many of the racial theories prevalent in Nazi ideology.
  • The laws excluded German Jews from Reich citizenship
  • Prohibited Jews from marrying or having sexual relations with persons of “German or related blood.”
  • The laws took away their right to vote and deprived them of most political rights.
  • Anyone who had three or four Jewish grandparents was defined as a Jew.
110
Q

Kristallnacht 1938

A
  • Night of Crystal / Broken Glass
  • Pogrom - 9th November 1938
  • Instigated by Nazi party officials in which synagogues were burnt, homes were destroyed, businesses smashed
  • Announced that it was a public response to the murder of a diplomat by a Polish Jew
  • 267 Synagogues were destroyed
  • 7,500 Jewish owned establishments destroyed
  • 91 Jews killed
  • 30,000 Jewish males arrested
  • Imposed a fine of 1 billion Reichsmark upon Jews to pay for damages.

History (4 decks)

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