WR booklet 3 Flashcards
(204 cards)
1
Q
What happened to the Nazi party during Hitler’s prison sentence?
A
The Nazi party was in turmoil, banned, and could not compete in elections.
2
Q
What happened to the SA during Hitler’s imprisonment?
A
The SA was broken up and their arms were confiscated.
3
Q
How did Nazi members participate in the December 1924 elections?
A
Nazi members continued to run as the ‘German Party’ in the December 1924 elections.
4
Q
Who was the leader of the Nazi party during the wilderness years?
A
Alfred Rosenberg was the leader, but he was considered weak and ineffective.
5
Q
What was the state of the Nazi party during the wilderness years?
A
The party split into bickering factions, including ‘socialist’ and nationalist groups.
6
Q
When was Hitler released on parole?
A
Hitler was released on parole on December 20, 1924.
7
Q
What restrictions were placed on Hitler after his release?
A
He was banned from public speaking in most of Germany until 1927.
8
Q
When was the ban on Hitler overturned?
A
The ban was overturned on February 16, 1925, and the Nazi party was reestablished on February 26.
9
Q
What realization did Hitler have while in prison?
A
He realized that revolutionary actions like the Munich putsch were unable to succeed due to lack of support from ordinary Germans.
10
Q
What did Hitler conclude about gaining power?
A
He concluded that the Nazis must win power democratically to seize control of the state.
11
Q
How did historian Ian Kershaw describe the years 1925-28 for Hitler and the Nazis?
A
He described them as the ‘wilderness years’ for Hitler and the Nazis.
12
Q
What was the growth in Nazi party membership from 1925 to 1929?
A
Membership grew from 7,000 in 1925 to 130,000 in 1929.
13
Q
What was the SD membership in 1928?
A
The SD membership in 1928 was 937,000, with over 4.3 million in affiliated trade unions.
14
Q
What were the Reichstag election results for the Nazis from May 1924 to May 1928?
A
May 1924: 32/472 seats, Dec 1924: 14/493 seats, May 1928: 12/491 seats.
15
Q
What percentage of the vote did the Nazi candidate receive in the 1925 Presidential election?
A
The Nazi candidate, Ludendorff, received 1.1% of the vote.
16
Q
What foundations did the Nazis lay during the wilderness years?
A
They reorganized the party to be a more united and effective political machine.
17
Q
Who were some of the effective new members recruited by the Nazis?
A
Effective new members included Himmler and Goebbels, alongside the purging of the ‘old guard.’
18
Q
How was the ideology and propaganda of the Nazi party redefined?
A
It was redefined to be more coherent and appealing to ordinary Germans.
19
Q
What was formed on 9 Nov 1925?
A
The Schutzstaffel (SS; ‘Protection Squadron’) was formed.
20
Q
What was the SS regarded as?
A
The SS was regarded as the Party’s elite unit.
21
Q
What ancestry proof was required for SS members?
A
Members had to provide proof of Aryan ancestry back to at least 1800.
22
Q
Who controlled the SS?
A
The SS was directly under the control of Hitler.
23
Q
What was one of the uses of the SS?
A
The SS was used to enforce Hitler’s will.
24
Q
What occurred on 14 Feb 1926?
A
A Nazi Party Conference was held in the city of Bamburg.
25
What was the purpose of the Bamburg Conference?
It was called in response to tension between the northern and southern sections of the Party.
26
Who led the northern section of the Party?
The northern section was led by Gregor Strasser.
27
What did the northern section emphasize?
It emphasized socialist aspects of the 25-Point Programme.
28
What was the focus of the southern section?
The southern section emphasized nationalist/racist aspects to attract the middle class and farmers.
29
What was one outcome of the Bamburg Conference?
The conference reaffirmed the 25-Point Programme as the party's policy platform.
30
What principle was introduced at the conference?
The Leader Principle (Fuhrerprinzip) was introduced.
31
What did the Leader Principle entail?
The Party's leader had absolute control and no dissent was tolerated.
32
What was a key decision made at the conference?
The decision to use democratic methods was made, indicating the party needed a national structure to gain power.
33
What was important for attracting members?
Socialist policies were important for attracting members, developing policies, and campaigning.
34
What happened in 1928 regarding party structure?
The Party was divided into 35 regional branches aligned to Weimar political constituencies.
35
Who was put in control of new regional branches?
A new generation of younger activists, such as 32-year-old Goebbels in Berlin, was put in control.
36
What was the focus of election activities in 1928?
Election activities were reoriented away from urban areas towards rural ones.
37
What percentage of the vote did the Party receive in rural Schleswig-Holstein in 1928?
The Party received 18% of the vote in rural Schleswig-Holstein.
38
What was the focus of Nazi nationalism?
To make the party more respected.
39
What was a key aspect of the Nazis' reorganization?
It allowed them to compete more effectively in elections.
40
What ideology was unpopular with most Germans?
Antisemitic ideology.
41
What social groups did the socialist aspects of Nazism alienate?
The middle class and farmers.
42
What did the Nazis need to do to win votes?
Make their ideology more appealing.
43
What does 'Lebensraum' mean?
Living space needed for land and food.
44
What was necessary for the Nazis' expansion?
Expansion east.
45
What was a new propaganda style aimed at?
Making the ideology more appealing to the middle class, industrialists, and farmers.
46
What was a key tactic in Nazi propaganda?
Simple messages and slogans repeated endlessly.
47
What was the Nazi view of the Aryan race?
Germans should practice eugenics.
48
What shift occurred in Nazi ideology regarding socialism?
Less socialism and antisemitism, more anti-Communist messages.
49
What was reduced in Nazi rhetoric?
Violent rhetoric and the prevalence of the Brownshirts.
50
How did Nazis view Jews?
As a subhuman race.
51
What conspiracy did the Nazis direct against Jews?
A world conspiracy.
52
What types of organizations did the Nazis create?
Separate organizations for war veterans, farmers, and other professions.
53
What was established in 1926 for youth?
Hitler Youth and the National Socialist German Student's League.
54
What was the purpose of the Volksgemeinschaft?
To spread Nazi ideology among boys and university students.
55
What did the German Women's Order advocate?
A return to women's traditional roles.
56
What was the concept of the People's community?
A classless society where everyone belonged.
57
What did the establishment of a personality cult around Hitler involve?
Filming his speeches and broadcasting them over the radio.
58
What was made compulsory within the Nazi party in 1926?
The 'German Greeting'.
59
What was the Fuhrerprinzip?
The principle that Germany must be united under a leader.
60
What is Pan-Germanism?
The belief that all Germans should be united.
61
What did the Nazis aim to overturn?
The Treaty of Versailles (TOV).
62
What was the German economy's reliance on American investment between 1924-1929?
The German economy was highly reliant on American investment, with US banks and companies loaning $2.5 billion since 1924.
63
How did German companies finance their growth during this period?
German industry relied on short-term loans to fund growth, with companies like Krupp steelworks borrowing large sums to mechanize and rationalize production.
64
What role did American companies play in the German economy?
American companies, such as Ford and General Motors, invested directly in the German economy, making the US Germany's main trading partner.
65
What event occurred on October 29, 1929, and what was its impact?
The Wall Street Crash occurred, leading to a collapse of not just the US economy but also the world economy, causing US companies to cut back on production.
66
What were the effects of the Hawley-Smoot tariffs?
The introduction of Hawley-Smoot tariffs protected US industry but exacerbated the decline in international trade.
67
What happened to American banks after the Wall Street Crash?
Banks stopped lending money and called in existing loans, leading to huge losses and runs on US banks.
68
What was the consequence of the lack of American capital for German companies?
German companies were unable to finance production, could not pay wages or suppliers, and were forced to lay off workers.
69
What was the state of industrial production in Germany by 1932?
By 1932, industrial production had decreased to 40% compared to 1929.
70
What was the unemployment rate in Germany in 1932?
In 1932, there were 6 million unemployed individuals, accounting for 33% of the total workforce, up from 2 million in 1929.
71
How did the increase in unemployment affect the government budget?
The increase in unemployment strained the government budget, leading to a fall in incomes, less tax revenue, and more demand for welfare.
72
What was the government's response to the increased demand for welfare?
The government had no choice but to start cutting or terminating unemployment benefits.
73
What imagery describes the situation of homeless men during this period?
An almost unbroken chain of homeless men extends the whole length of the great Hamburg-Berlin highway, moving in both directions.
74
What was the government coalition in power since 1928?
The Grand Coalition consisting of the Social Democrats (SD), German Democratic Party (DDP), Centre Party, and People's Party (PP) led by Hermann Müller.
75
What was notable about the Grand Coalition?
It was the longest lasting and most stable of the Weimar governments.
76
What event led to the collapse of the Grand Coalition government?
On 27 March 1930, the People's Party withdrew from the coalition due to economic strain from the Great Depression.
77
Who was appointed to lead the new government on 30 March 1930?
Hermann Brüning from the Centre Party.
78
What was Hermann Brüning's political stance?
He was a conservative Catholic, hostile to the Social Democrats and pro-monarchist.
79
What was the composition of Brüning's cabinet?
It did not include any Social Democrats, lacking support from the largest party in the Reichstag.
80
What was the outcome of the September 1930 elections?
There was a massive increase in representation of extreme parties, while moderate and liberal parties were decimated.
81
What were the results for the three largest parties after the September 1930 elections?
Social Democrats (SD) - 143 seats, Nazis - 107 seats, Communist Party (KDP) - 77 seats, totaling 56% of seats.
82
What was the only way for Brüning to get policies through?
By using Presidential Decrees as per Article 48.
83
How many Emergency Decrees were issued by 1932?
60 Emergency Decrees were issued by 1932.
84
List some political parties in the Weimar Republic.
Social Democrats, Nazi Party, Communist Party, Centre Party, Nationalists, People's Party, Reich Party of the German Middle Class, German State Party, Christian-National Peasants' and Farmers' Party, Bavarian People's Party, Christian Social People's Service, German Farmers' Party, Conservative People, Agricultural League, German-Hanoverian.
85
What was Brüning's primary response to the Depression?
Brüning attempted to deal with the economic situation by cutting government spending.
86
By what percentage did government expenditure decrease from 1928 to 1932?
Government expenditure decreased by 38%.
87
What actions did Brüning take regarding government employees?
He sacked government employees and reduced wages of those remaining.
88
What changes did Brüning make to unemployment, pension, and welfare benefits on 5-6 October 1931?
He reduced unemployment, pension, and welfare benefits.
89
What restrictions did Brüning impose on benefits?
He restricted the period they could be claimed and imposed means-testing.
90
What decree did Brüning issue on 8 December?
He issued a decree requiring wages to be reduced to 1927 levels.
91
How did Brüning affect taxes for high earners?
He raised income taxes on high earners by 10%.
92
What was the public reaction to Brüning's measures?
Brüning's response led to resentment among the working and middle classes.
93
What continued despite Brüning's measures?
Unemployment continued to increase.
94
What was the impact of Brüning's policies on support for the KPD?
The misery among workers and the unemployed led to increased support for the KPD.
95
What nickname was given to Brüning due to his policies?
He was popularly nicknamed the 'Hunger Chancellor.'
96
What did Brüning's chancellorship signify for democracy in Germany?
It marked the beginning of the end for democracy in Germany.
97
How did Article 48 affect government control during Brüning's chancellorship?
A small group around Hindenburg controlled the government using Article 48.
98
What role did the army take on during Brüning's time in office?
The army took on a greater role in politics.
99
What was the state of majority in the Reichstag after Brüning's policies?
From this point on, no German government had a majority in the Reichstag.
100
What effect did Brüning's unpopularity have on the democratic system?
It further weakened the legitimacy of the democratic system.
101
What was the impact of censorship during Brüning's administration?
There was an erosion of political freedoms and censorship of the press.
102
What significant action was taken against the communist press in 1932?
In 1932, the 'Red Flag' magazine was banned.
103
How many newspaper editions were estimated to be banned each month by mid-1932?
An estimated 100 newspaper editions were banned each month.
104
What year marked the end of President Hindenburg's term?
1932
105
Why did Hindenburg not want to run for re-election?
He was 84 years old, in poor health, and found the election campaign demeaning and insulting.
106
What was Hindenburg's condition for continuing in office?
He was willing to continue if his term was extended without an election.
107
What happened to the vote to change the constitution?
It was defeated by the Nazis.
108
When did Hindenburg declare his candidacy for the election?
On 16th February.
109
Who were the four main contenders in the first round of the election?
Hindenburg, Ernst Thalmann (KPD), Theodor Duesterburg (Nationalists), and Hitler.
110
Which parties supported Hindenburg?
He was supported by the Centre, SD, and Liberal parties.
111
What was the outcome of the first round of voting?
No candidate received 50% of the vote, leading to a runoff election.
112
What tactics did the Nazis use during the second round of the election?
They launched a massive propaganda campaign and provided financial support from industrialists and the middle class.
113
What was the 'Flight over Germany' campaign?
A campaign where Hitler hired a plane to promote his candidacy.
114
How many speeches did Hitler give across Germany from 14 March to 10 April?
46 speeches.
115
What were the results of the runoff election?
Hitler won 37% of the vote, gaining almost 7% from the first round.
116
In which regions did Hitler defeat Hindenburg?
Pomerania, Schleswig-Holstein, and E. Hanover.
117
What was the impact of the right-wing vote during the election?
The right-wing vote was split, and Hindenburg had the support of mainstream parties.
118
What were the Nazi victories in later state elections?
Victories in Saxony (40.9%), Bavaria (32.5%), and Prussia (36.3%).
119
What was Hitler's last hope?
To restore Germany to its greatest form and relieve the working class from hardships.
120
What did Hitler want to achieve in Germany?
He aimed to break the chains of the Treaty of Versailles (TOV).
121
What independence did the Constitution provide?
It gave the Cabinet of Barons a great deal of independence to act without oversight of the Reichstag or government.
122
What was the significance of the Army post-1925?
It became influential due to links with Hindenburg and was regarded as a stable institution in the Republic.
123
What was Der Stahlhelm?
A political movement with 1.5 million members, all war veterans, supported by nationalist paramilitary groups.
124
Who was General Kurt von Schleicher?
He was a friend and adviser to Hindenburg and the main point of contact between the army and government.
125
What did Schleicher want for the government?
He wanted a strong government with national appeal and support of the Reichstag to stabilize it.
126
What action did Brüning take in April 1932?
He used Article 48 to ban the SA and SS from participating in elections across Germany.
127
What proposal did Brüning make regarding land?
He proposed redistributing land of large bankrupt Junker estates to homeless peasants.
128
What was the outcome of Brüning's actions?
Schleicher used this as a pretext to remove Brüning and install an autocratic nationalist government.
129
Who was Franz von Papen?
He was a conservative, wealthy Prussian aristocrat who became Chancellor after Brüning.
130
What did André François-Poncet say about Papen?
'[Papen] has the distinction of not being taken at all seriously either by his friends or his enemies.'
131
What was the composition of Papen's cabinet?
It was called the 'Cabinet of Barons' and made up of conservative industrialists and Junkers.
132
What was the political situation of Papen's government?
It did not have a majority in the Reichstag and ruled through the use of Article 48.
133
What demands did Papen fulfill for the Nazis?
He dissolved the Reichstag on June 4 and re-legalized the SA and SS on June 16.
134
What was the political context of the July 1932 Reichstag Elections?
The election campaign was extremely violent, with the newly relegalised SA intimidating KPD and SD.
135
What actions did the SA take during the July 1932 elections?
The SA participated in beatings, shooting battles, and assassinations, resulting in 86 deaths in clashes with the KPD paramilitary group.
136
What was Goebbels' quote regarding the KPD?
"You only have to bare your teeth at the reds and they knuckle under."
137
How did the Papen government respond to Nazi violence?
The Papen government turned a blind eye to Nazi violence and restricted the activities of the SD and KPD.
138
What happened on July 17 during the Nazi march?
Nazis marched through a Communist stronghold in Hamburg, leading to a clash with the SA, resulting in 18 deaths and over 100 injuries.
139
What was the main cause of casualties during the clashes?
Most casualties were a result of bullets fired from police revolvers.
140
What actions did Papen take against the SD government?
Papen deposed the SD government in Prussia and replaced the pro-Weimar police force.
141
What did Goebbels say about the KPD's chances?
"The reds have missed their big chance. It's never going to come again."
142
What propaganda strategy did the Nazis repeat in the July 1932 elections?
The Nazis repeated the massive propaganda campaign used in May, with Hitler making speeches in 50 cities across Germany.
143
What were the results of the July 1932 elections for the Nazis?
The Nazi vote rose to 37% (from 18% in 1930), winning 230 out of 608 seats.
144
What demographic made up 60% of Nazi voters?
60% of Nazi voters were middle class, with little inroads into the working class.
145
What demand did Hitler make following the election results?
Hitler demanded to be appointed as the next Chancellor.
146
What was the outcome of the July 1932 election?
Nazi Party won 11,737,021 votes (33.09%), becoming the largest party in the Reichstag.
147
What position did Hindenburg offer Hitler after the July 1932 election?
Hindenburg opposed Hitler but offered him the position of Vice-Chancellor in Papen's government.
148
What significant action did the Nazis take in September 1932?
The Nazis joined a vote of no confidence against the government, which was carried 512-42 votes.
149
What happened to the Reichstag in November 1932?
The Reichstag was dissolved again, leading to new elections, which were the 4th in 8 months.
150
What was the significance of the December 1932 events?
On December 1st, Papen asked Hindenburg to dissolve the Reichstag and rule by decree.
151
What was Hitler's demand after being rejected for Chancellor?
Hitler demanded the position of Chancellor again but was rejected.
152
What was the outcome of the secret meeting on January 4, 1933?
Papen and Hitler planned the removal of Chancellor Schleicher and aimed to establish a coalition.
153
What was the arrangement made between Hitler and Papen?
Hitler became Chancellor, and Papen was Vice-Chancellor, with both present during meetings with Hindenburg.
154
How many Cabinet posts were given to Nazis?
3 out of 11 Cabinet posts were given to Nazis, while the rest went to former members of the 'Cabinet of Barons'.
155
What was the nature of Hitler's rise to power in 1933?
Hitler came to office not through a popular victory but as part of a political deal with the 'Old Gang'.
156
What was the argument regarding Hitler's rise to power?
It was argued that Hitler did not seize power but rather gained it through backstairs intrigue.
157
What event led to Hitler becoming Chancellor of Germany?
On 30th January 1933, Hitler became Chancellor, celebrated by millions of Germans.
158
What did the Nazi government promise to the German people?
The Nazi government offered a chance for stability and a return to the 'spirit of 1914'.
159
What was the significance of the torchlit parade in Berlin?
Goebbels ordered a torchlit parade through the streets of Berlin with 20,000 - 60,000 Stormtroopers and Nazi supporters.
160
What song did the marchers sing during the parade?
They sang the Horst Wessel Song, the Nazi anthem, as they were cheered by crowds of Germans.
161
What did Hitler call for after becoming Chancellor?
Hitler called for new elections to one position in the Reichstag, hoping to win a majority.
162
Who was in charge of the police, allowing the Nazis to use force?
The Minister for Interior was in charge of the police.
163
What happened on 27th February 1933?
The Reichstag was burnt down by Dutch Anarchist Marinus van der Lubbe, acting alone.
164
How did the Nazis interpret the Reichstag fire?
The Nazis saw the act as a precursor to a widespread left-wing uprising, providing an opportunity to act against the Communists.
165
What did Hindenburg do on 28th February 1933?
Hindenburg used Article 48 to declare a state of emergency, known as the Reichstag Fire Decree.
166
What civil liberties were suspended by the Reichstag Fire Decree?
The decree suspended civil liberties and freedoms given to Germans in the Constitution.
167
What powers did the Reichstag Fire Decree grant the government?
It allowed authorities to arrest Germans without charges, dissolve political organizations, and ban publications.
168
What actions did the SA take against political opponents?
The SA began rounding up enemies, especially KPD, SD, and trade union supporters, holding them in makeshift prisons.
169
What was the fate of many political opponents by the end of 1933?
By the end of 1933, at least 100,000 were arrested, and there were 600 deaths in custody.
170
What was the first concentration camp established by the Nazis?
The first concentration camp, Dachau, was built to house political opponents.
171
What was the outcome of the March 1933 election for the Nazis?
The Nazis received 44% of the vote, the highest ever for a party in the Weimar Republic.
172
What happened to the Communist Party in the March 1933 election?
The Communist Party was decimated by the Reichstag Fire Decree, losing 19 seats.
173
Which parties held firm against Nazi propaganda and repression?
The Social Democrats (SD) and Centre Party held firm.
174
What was the significance of the Enabling Act proposed on March 23, 1933?
It gave the government the power to make and enforce laws without the consent of the Reichstag for 4 years.
175
What was required for the Enabling Act to pass?
The Enabling Act required a 2/3 vote to pass as it was a change to the constitution.
176
Where did the Reichstag meet to vote on the Enabling Act?
The Reichstag met at the Kroll Opera House to vote on the bill.
177
What tactics did the SA use during the vote on the Enabling Act?
The SA surrounded the Kroll Opera House chanting 'We want the bill, or fire and murder.'
178
Which parties were persuaded to vote for the Enabling Act?
Centre and Middle-class parties were persuaded to vote for the bill.
179
What assurance was given to gain Catholic support for the Enabling Act?
It was promised that the bill would not compromise the authority of the Church.
180
Which party opposed the Enabling Act?
The Social Democrats were the only party opposed to the Enabling Act.
181
Why did some members of the Reichstag not attend the vote on the Enabling Act?
81 Communists and 26 Social Democrats did not attend because they had been arrested and imprisoned.
182
What was the result of the vote on the Enabling Act?
The act passed with 441 votes for, effectively legalizing dictatorship.
183
What did the Enabling Act signify for the Weimar Republic?
The Enabling Act is considered the official end of the Weimar Republic.
184
What powers were granted to Hitler by the Enabling Act?
Hitler was given full dictatorial powers by the Act.
185
How could Hitler justify his later actions after the Enabling Act?
He could argue that his later actions were legal and had democratic legitimacy.
186
What does the passage of the Enabling Act indicate about democracy in Germany at that time?
It shows the extent to which democracy was unpopular in Germany by this point.
187
Why were the Nazis popular?
There is debate among historians regarding the reasons for Nazi popularity, with some attributing it to appealing policies and tactics.
188
What were some pull factors for Nazi popularity?
Nazi policies were appealing, alternatives to Weimar democracy were unpopular, and there was a history of antisemitism in Germany.
189
What historical context contributed to Nazi appeal?
Germany's history of authoritarian government and lack of democratic traditions contributed to Nazi appeal.
190
How did Bismarck influence perceptions of leadership?
Bismarck was idealized as a perfect German leader, influencing perceptions of authority.
191
What campaign methods did the Nazis use?
The Nazis combined modern campaign methods with philosophies appealing to traditional values.
192
How did the Nazis differ from other far-right parties?
The Nazi Party was seen as more dynamic and new, which contributed to its appeal.
193
What combination of ideals did the Nazis promote?
The Nazis combined socialist and nationalist ideals, giving the party broad appeal.
194
What role did Hitler's charisma play in Nazi support?
Hitler's personal charisma significantly contributed to support for the Nazi Party.
195
What push factors contributed to Nazi support?
Some historians argue that the Nazis were a protest vote during periods of instability in Weimar.
196
When did Nazi support increase?
Nazi support increased during periods of intense economic and political crisis, such as 1924 and 1930-1932.
197
Who were the main supporters of the Nazis?
The main supporters were from the middle class, who were negatively affected by the failings of Weimar.
198
How did the working class and Catholics respond to the Nazis?
The working class and Catholics remained loyal to the Social Democrats and Centre parties.
199
What does the support for Nazis indicate about German voters?
It indicates that millions of Germans were not attracted to Nazis specifically but were looking for alternatives.
200
What concerns did the older generation have?
The older generation was concerned about morals and cultural change, leading them to vote for the Nazis.
201
What other parties gained votes during crisis periods?
Communists and small parties also increased their votes during crisis periods.
202
What actions did Hindenburg and Bruning take regarding democracy?
Hindenburg and Bruning had already disregarded parliamentary democracy prior to Hitler's rise.
203
What is one significant reason for the weakness of the Weimar Republic?
The coalition government made it difficult to establish a stable government.
204
What was a key weakness of the Weimar Republic?
The lack of legitimacy undermined the Weimar Republic.
