Why Nazis Gained Power

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

At the end of WW1, Weimar Republic established. From the outset the Republic faced numerous challenges. Political groups on the left & right mounted attacks against them & the signing of Treaty of Versailles increased discontent with people describing it as a ‘diktat’

Question 2

Line of Argument

Answer 2

___ quite important for rise of Nazi party however it is clear the major reason for Nazi success was Germany’s economic problems

Question 3

Factors

Answer 3

Appeal of Hitler & the Nazis after 1928 & the resentment of the Treaty of Versailles

Question 4

Weaknesses of Weimar Republic - Knowledge

Answer 4

Voting system used proportional representation which led to coalition governments

Became known as November Criminals as many felt government had ‘stabbed Germany in the back’ & Germany surrendered without being defeated in field

Freikorps called in to brutally suppress Spartacist revolt in Jan 1919 & leaders of revolt were murdered

Question 5

Weaknesses of Weimar Republic - Analysis For

Answer 5

Coalition governments weak, Nazis promised return to strong leadership which many Germans desired. Actions to solve political crisis was important as actions of Weimar split KPD & SPD. This meant instead of working together to stand united against Nazis, there was limited opposition & they only grew stronger

Question 6

Weaknesses of Weimar Republic - Analysis Against

Answer 6

Evidence people supported them & democracy. The Kapp Putsch came to an end as the people of Berlin went on strike which cut the rebellion short. This shows many German people supported democracy meaning the Republic may have survived in different circumstances

Question 7

Weaknesses of Weimar Republic - Evaluation

Answer 7

Clear Weimar weaknesses cost the republic support however the fact during the prosperous 1924-1929 period support for pro-Weimar parties rose shows that economic factors have a bigger influence on Nazi success. As AJP Taylor states “It was the Great Depression which put the wind in Hitler’s sails

Question 8

Economic Difficulties - Knowledge

Answer 8

1923, Germany suffered period of hyperinflation following the French & Belgian invasion of the Ruhr

Prices rocketed, many Germans lost life savings & those on fixed incomes faced hardship

1929, Wall Street Crash occurred causing depression across the world
- Germany badly affected due to reliance on American loans

Unemployment increased & businesses were forced to close, by 1932 around 6 million Germans were unemployed

Question 9

Economic Difficulties - Analysis For

Answer 9

During the 1920s people suffered as a result of economic crisis. This made the Weimar republic look incapable & many blamed them for the issues they faced. It could be argued this drove people to support the Nazis as they offered promises of a better future

Question 10

Economic Difficulties - Analysis Against

Answer 10

Other countries such as Britain also experienced depression & didn’t see the rise of an extremist to power. This suggests other factors must also play a part in why Hitler was appointed chancellor

Question 11

Economic Difficulties - Evaluation

Answer 11

The fact Nazi support fell between 1924-29 but rose along with unemployment by 1933 suggests it was economic problems that persuaded Germans to give their support to Hitler

Question 12

Appeal of the Nazis after 1928 - Knowledge

Answer 12

Promised farmer fair prices for their products & businessmen that they would protect Germany from communism

SA popular amongst working class men who liked the military aspect of this group which gave a sense of order during a chaotic time

Nazi propaganda portrayed as Germany’s saviour & was proclaimed to be ‘Germany’s last hope’ in their poster campaigns

Question 13

Appeal of the Nazis after 1928 - Analysis For

Answer 13

People believed the Nazis were the solution to their problems. Saw Hitler as Germany’s saviour & wanted strong leadership following the chaotic years of the Weimar Republic

Question 14

Appeal of the Nazis after 1928 - Analysis Against

Answer 14

Possible to question their popularity. Even at their most popular, the Nazis never polled a majority suggesting their appeal could’ve been overexaggerated

Question 15

Appeal of the Nazis after 1928 - Evaluation

Answer 15

Hitler’s powerful speeches gained support from many German people. Economic problems more important as until the 1929 Depression the Nazis were losing support & were unlikely to achieve power in Germany

Question 16

Treaty of Versailles - Knowledge

Answer 16

Germany agreed a temporary armistice to end WW1 then signed formal agreement in 1919, Treaty of Versailles

Treaty included conditions many Germans resented such as the War Guilt Clause, article 231 where Germany accepted blame for the war

Army reduced to 100,000 men

Question 17

Treaty of Versailles - Analysis For

Answer 17

Most Germans were angry at the terms of the Treaty, it made Germany feel weak & the Nazis had pledged to reverse & end the conditions which gained votes

Question 18

Treaty of Versailles - Analysis Against

Answer 18

Most political parties opposed the Treaty yet only the Nazis fully exploited opposition, suggesting other factors may have had an influence

Question 19

Mistakes of Opponents - Knowledge

Answer 19

SPD & the Communists allowed past disagreements to get in the way of forming an effective coalition against the Nazis

Politicians such as von Papen wrongly believed they would be able to control Hitler with von Papen even making the claim “we’ve hired him”

Question 20

Mistakes of Opponents - Analysis For

Answer 20

Political instability made the Weimar Republic look weak. With chancellors changing so often, people lost faith in democracy. With a lack of strong leadership the Nazis were able to attract many voters

Question 21

Mistakes of Opponents - Analysis Against

Answer 21

Evidence that politicians tried to make democracy work. Hindenburg resisted appointment of Hitler as chancellor showing he was committed to democracy & tried to reduce Nazi influence

Question 22

Conclusion

Answer 22

Economic difficulties most important

Weimar weaknesses
- Helped small parties gain power & undermine democracy
- Great Depression ultimately drove people to vote for extreme parties

Treaty of Versailles
- Nazis gained followers by promising to reverse conditions
- Other parties also did this, other factors must’ve contributed

Economic problems
- Chaos caused by hyperinflation led Germans to believe new political system was needed to improve lives
- Nazi support only rising during hyperinflation & Great Depression further supports this idea