Weimer Germany (B3)

Question 1

HITLERS TRIAL

Answer 1

• Charge: High treason (Munich Putsch).
• Presiding Judge: Neithardt (sympathetic to Hitler).
• Allowed: Long speeches, questioning witnesses.
• Hitler’s Strategy: Political statement, appeal to judge & public.
• Claimed: Not treason, but patriotic mission.
• Media Coverage: Extensive, boosted Hitler’s profile.
• Verdict: Guilty of high treason.
• Sentence: 5 years in Landsberg Prison (minimum possible).
• Prison Conditions: Comfortable, access to visitors, books, garden.
• Outcome:
  
  • Hitler used trial for propaganda.
  • National figure.
  • “Mein Kampf” written in prison.
  • Early release after 9 months.

Question 2

THE WILDERNESS YEARS (HITLERS RISE)

Answer 2

• Early Failures: Prison sentence (post-Munich Putsch). Nazi party in turmoil.
• Reorganisation: SA kept, but could not compete in elections.
• Key Figures: Hitler (leader), Goebbels (propaganda), Röhm (SA).
• Party Growth:
  
  • Small beginnings, gained support during economic crisis.
  • Membership: 1925: 7,000; 1928: 130,000; May 1928: 12 seats; Sep 1930: 107 seats.
• Propaganda: Appealed to ordinary Germans.
• Turning Point: Ban lifted (1925), re-established Nazi party (1926). Hitler focused on legal means.
• Reasons for Growth:
  
  • Exploited weaknesses of Weimar Republic.
  • Effective propaganda & organisation.
  • Support from key industrialists/landowners.
  • Appealed to wide range (nationalism, order).
• 1932 Elections: Largest party (not majority).

Question 3

PARTY REORGANIZATION (POST-1925)

Answer 3

• Goals: Centralised control, national structure, attract broader support.
• 1926 Bamberg Conference: Asserted Hitler’s leadership, 25-Point Programme reaffirmed (tactical).
• New Structure: Divided Germany into 35 regions (Gaule), new generation of leaders (younger, activists).
• Methods: Emphasis on propaganda & campaigning, attracting middle class & farmers.
• Outcomes: More unified party, greater political influence.
• 1928 Election: Received 2.6% of vote (urban), 18% (rural Schleswig-Holstein).

Question 4

REDEFINING & SPREADING MESSAGES

Answer 4

• New Propaganda Style: Simpler slogans, targeted specific groups (middle class, industrialists, farmers, workers). Less socialism, more antisemitism.
• Targeted Groups: War veterans, farmers, students, women (separate organisations).
• Key Themes:
  
  • Lebensraum: Need for living space.
  • Volksgemeinschaft: People’s community, national unity.
  • Fuhrerprinzip: Leadership principle, unquestioning obedience.
  • Antisemitism: Blamed Jews for Germany’s problems.
• Methods: Hitler’s powerful speeches, “German Greeting,” image as strong leader.
• Pan-Germanism: All Germans united in one strong nation.
• Overturn Treaty of Versailles: Restore German power.

Question 5

ECONOMIC IMPACT (1924-32)

Answer 5

• Initial Recovery (1924-1929): Reliant on US loans. German industry modernised.
• Wall Street Crash (1929): US loans recalled, global depression.
• German Impact: US companies pulled back, less demand for exports. Industry declined.
• Banking Crisis: Bank runs, banks collapsed.
• Economic Hardship: Lack of capital, production fell (40% by 1932), unemployment soared (6 million by 1932).
• Government Response: Increased unemployment benefits strained budget, no choice but to cut spending.

Question 6

1930 ELECTION

Answer 6

• Context: Grand Coalition (SPD, DDP, Centre + VP) led by Hermann Müller collapsed due to economic strain & unemployment benefits.
• Müller Resigned: (27 March 1930) Heinrich Brüning (Centre) appointed Chancellor.
• Brüning’s Policies: Pro-Catholic, conservative, new govt.
• September 1930 Election: Massive rise in extreme parties (Nazis, Communists, Nationalists).
• Weimar Parties: Moderate left/right parties declined.
• Election Results:
  
  • Nazis: 107 seats (from 12)
  • Communists: 77 seats (from 54)
  • Social Democrats: Largest party (143 seats)
• Outcome: Polarized Reichstag, Nazis & Communists hostile to democracy.
• Brüning’s Response: Presidential Decrees (Article 48), 1930-3 Emergency Decrees, 1932-5 Emergency Decrees.

Question 7

BRÜNING’S RESPONSE TO THE DEPRESSION

Answer 7

• Aims: Cut spending, stabilise economy.
• Measures:
  
  • Reduced wages, welfare.
  • Restricted unemployment claims.
  • Raised income tax.
• Results:
  
  • Resentment.
  • Unemployment rose.
  • Support for extremists (KPD, Nazis).
• Political Impact:
  
  • Alienated middle class.
  • Weakened govt.
  • “Hunger Chancellor” nickname.
• Brüning’s Rule:
  
  • Use of Article 48 (presidential decrees).
  • Army influence.
  • End of democracy (small group around Hindenburg).
  • Rising extremism (Nazis, KPD).
  • Increased censorship.
  • Mid-1932: 100+ newspapers banned.

Question 8

1932 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Answer 8

• Hindenburg: Reluctant to run, term extended via vote.
• Campaign: Insulting, violence.
• 1st Round (March): Four main contenders (Hindenburg, Hitler, Thälmann, Düsterberg).
• 2nd Round (April): Hindenburg + Hitler.
• Hitler’s Campaign:
  
  • Mass propaganda, rallies, speeches.
  • “Hitler over Germany” slogan.
  • Funding from industrialists & middle class.
• Results:
  
  • Hindenburg won, but Nazis largest party.
  • Hitler won 37% vote (49% in runoff).
  • Right-wing vote split (Hindenburg won).
• Later State Elections: Nazi victories in Saxony, Bavaria, Prussia.

Question 9

INTERVENTION OF THE ARMY AND “CABINET OF BARONS”

Answer 9

• Context: Weimar Republic instability, rise of right-wing.
• Post-1925: Influence of Hindenburg, Reichstag instability.
• Supported by: “Black Reichswehr” (nationalist group), Stahlhelm (1.5 million veterans), Nazi party.
• General Kurt von Schleicher: Friend of Hindenburg, main point of contact between army & polit.
• Schleicher Wanted: Strong govt with national appeal.
• April 1932: Banning of SA, lifting ban later to gain Nazi support.
• Schleicher Proposed: Feudal holding land reform (Junker estates), remove Brüning.
• Hindenburg Used: As a pretext to remove Brüning, install “Cabinet of Barons”.
• 8 May: Schleicher reached out to Nazis for support.
• Hitler Agreed: To join govt if immediate elections called.
• 29 May 1932: Removal of Brüning. Franz von Papen Chancellor.
• Papen’s Cabinet: Conservative, wealthy, mostly aristocrats.
• Papen’s Aim: Openly & unashamedly based upon President’s support.
• Alan Bullock: “Papen govt did not have a majority in Reichstag, ruled through Article 48.”
• Papen Immediately Fulfilled: Nazi demands, June SA & SS re-legalised.

Question 10

JULY 1932 REICHSTAG ELECTIONS

Answer 10

• Election Campaign: Extremely violent, propaganda against KPD & SPD.
• Nazi Tactics: Mass propaganda, terror, SA violence.
• Key Themes: Strength, stability, “Freedom”, anti-Communism, anti-Jewish.
• Results:
  
  • Nazis: 230 seats (largest party).
  • Communists: 89 seats.
  • SPD: 133 seats.
• Impact:
  
  • Deadlock in Reichstag.
  • Papen govt. weakened.
  • Hitler demanded to be Chancellor.

Question 11

FORMATION OF THE HITLER CABINET

Answer 11

• Nazi Victory (July 1932): Largest party, Hitler demanded Chancellorship.
• Hindenburg Opposed: Distrusted Hitler.
• Nov 1932 Election: Nazis lost seats, but still largest.
• Papen Resigned: Lost support, Schleicher became Chancellor.
• Schleicher’s Plan: Divide Nazis, failed.
• Dec 1932: Schleicher approached Hindenburg for emergency powers.
• Hindenburg Refused: Lost confidence in Schleicher.
• Papen’s Plan: Control Hitler in coalition.
• 4th Jan 1933: Secret meeting between Papen & Hitler.
• Aim: Bribe Papen’s conservative supporters.
• **Believed Conservatives could control Hitler.
• 30th Jan 1933: Hitler Chancellor, Papen Vice-Chancellor.
• Cabinet: Only 3 Nazis, other posts given to conservatives/nationalists.
• Believed Hitler could be controlled (“tamed”).
• Underestimation of Nazi aims & power.
• Led to unchecked power of Nazis.

Question 12

REICHSTAG FIRE DECREE

Answer 12

• Context: Reichstag fire blamed on Communists (van der Lubbe).
• Hitler’s Reaction: Opportunity to act against Communists.
• Decree: Used Article 48 to suspend civil liberties (speech, press, assembly).
• Police Powers: Increased, able to use force, arrest without charge.
• Auxiliary Police: 50,000 SA & SS enrolled.
• Impact:
  
  • Arrests of political opponents (10,000s).
  • Suppression of KPD & other left-wing.
  • Censorship, banning of publications.
  • Consolidation of Nazi power.
  • Dachau concentration camp established.
  • By end of 1933: 500+ political deaths in custody.

Question 13

THE ENABLING ACT

Answer 13

• Context: Post-Reichstag fire, Nazi pressure.
• Aim: Give Hitler’s government power to make laws without Reichstag consent for 4 years.
• Legal Basis: Change to constitution required 2/3 majority.
• Nazi Tactics: Propaganda, SA intimidation, surrounding Kroll Opera House.
• Centre Party: Crucial support after promises.
• Vote: Passed 444 to 94 (Social Democrats opposed).
• Absent: 26 Social Democrats (arrested/imprisoned).
• Impact:
  
  • Official end of Weimar Republic.
  • Hitler gained dictatorial powers legally.
  • Basis for all later Nazi actions.
  • Showed extent to which democracy was unpopular/weak.

Question 14

WHY WERE THE NAZIS POPULAR

Answer 14

• Failure of Weimar: Weak democracy, economic crisis.
• Nazi Appeal:
  
  • Strong leadership (Hitler).
  • Order, stability.
  • Nationalism, traditional values.
  • Effective propaganda.
  • Exploited fears (Communism).
  • Offered solutions to economic problems.
• Support Base: Wide range, including working class, middle class, farmers, youth, nationalists.
• Other Factors:
  
  • Disillusionment with existing parties.
  • Fear of Communism.
  • Anti-democratic sentiment.
  • Propaganda success.