Fascist Germany  Known as the “”.  Democratic in nature.  Faced with huge political, economic and social challenges that stemmed from the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

 Having to do with government and the authority that it held.  Extremist groups such as the communists and the fascists (Nazis) used the terms of the T.of V. to their advantage.  Most upsetting for Germans was the War Guilt Clause – Clause 231!  There was a belief among many Germans that the army had not been defeated but rather betrayed by the government officials who signed it – the same officials now made up the Weimar government.

 Communist Rising - Spartacist Uprising – took place in January of 1919.  The government, with the help of a right – wing group known as the , were able to put down this revolt.  This took place in , the capital at the time.  Following this the government was moved to the town of Weimar.

– challenge from the right.  Took place in March of 1920.  Leaders of the Freikorps ,the same group that helped the government put down the communist uprising, led a revolt against the Weimar government.

– Nov. of 1923.  Attempt by Hitler and the Nazis to overthrow the government by force.  Took place in Munich – had tremendous support in this part of Germany.  It failed and Hitler was sent to prison.

 Political assassinations were a problem as well.  Over 350 political murders took place between 1919 and 1922.  The most famous murder was that of Walter Rathenau, Germany's Foreign Minister. He was associated with the Versailles Treaty.  The four men who murdered him were sentenced to an average of four years in prison.  Having to do with money and includes things such as trade and industry.  What aspects of the Treaty of Versailles would cause economic problems for Germany and the Weimar government?

 1) Reparations – price tag for the war was set at $6, 600,000,000 British pounds. . Unreasonable due to the fact that the Treaty had deprived Germany of its ability to do so (ex. Loss of the Saar Basin and its coal reserves).  2)Inflation and Hyperinflation – Handout!  Due to reparations payments the government was running out of money – solution was to print more money.  This led to inflation and ultimately hyperinflation.  Compare to a checking account!  Crisis of 1922- 23 led to hyperinflation.  What is inflation? . a sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. . It means that the currency is worth less.

 Social Problems – things affecting people’s ordinary lives and the way different groups interacted with each other. . A) Social Divisions – German society became polarized. ▪ Left – people who supported the communists – power to the workers (proletariat). ▪ Right – people who supported a strong government (fascism) that could stand up to communism (wealthy and the military).

 B) Social Effects of Inflation / Hyperinflation . Hit the middle class the hardest . Life savings were now worthless . Unemployment increased . Government tax revenues decreased . Increase in level of homeless people . Social programs were cut ▪ Healthcare, education, old age pensions, transportation

 Explain the impact the Treaty of Versailles had upon German stability during the post- war period (Outcome 1.3.6 – Unit One).

 Problems faced by the Weimar Republic which contributed to Hitler's rise to power (Outcome 2.2.4 – Unit Two).

 Against the backdrop of these problems Hitler and the Nazi party made their first attempt at seizing the government.  Austrian by birth  Troubled childhood – alcoholic and abusive father  School drop-out  Wanted to become an artist – moved to Germany to pursue this goal – failed  Became a drifter working menial jobs  WWI started and Hitler joined the German army – gave his life purpose

 Question – How did it impact a young ? Answer – Took away his one source of pride and direction. Returned him to a life of poverty and obscurity. He once again became a drifter with no direction in life.

This changed in 1919 when he attended a political rally for a small right-wing party known as the German Workers Party.  1919 – Hitler joined the party  1921 – became the leader and membership increased from 25 to over 3000. . His speeches attracting audiences in the thousands . Due mainly to the message(very nationalistic and pro-military) and his speaking style.

 1923 – party membership reached 55,000 and gave Hitler and the Nazis the courage to act. . They made their first attempt at taking control of the government – Munich Beer Hall Putsch. . Took place in Munich and was violent in nature. . It failed and Hitler was sent to jail for treason. . Served 5 years with a reduction in time for good behaviour. . Wrote Mein Kampf – formed the basis of Nazi ideology  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C9iUaP 51CI  Golden Age of The Weimar Republic  Dawes Plan (American Financial Aid Package) allowed the German government to get back on its feet.  Allowed Germany to make reparations payments and start to invest money in the Germany economy.  Economic and Social conditions improved.

 Level of satisfaction with the government increased.  People turned away from the extreme ends of the political spectrum – Communism and Fascism. . Bad news for Hitler and the Nazis  After the failure of the Munich Putsch, Hitler decided that he would have to get power by being elected, rather than by rebellion.  Results were not good . Election Results ▪ May of 1924 – 32 seats / 472 ▪ Dec. of 1924 – 14 seats / 493 ▪ May of 1928 – 12 seats / 491  Support for the Nazi Party had grown due to the country's problems of hyperinflation and the French invasion of the Ruhr. By 1928 appeared to be a dying cause. Now that Germany's outlook was suddenly bright, the Nazi Party was rapidly withering away. One scarcely heard of Hitler or the Nazis except as a joke. . William Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (1959)

 1924 – Hitler sent to jail  1925 – Hitler re-launches the party – focus is now on winning power through the democratic process (elections)  1926 – established Nazi organizations to appeal to certain groups . Nazi Student League – universities . Nazi Teachers League . Nazi Women's League

 1927 – Hitler re-organized the party to make it more efficient . National Headquarters established in Munich . Control over finances and membership . Established branches (offices) all over the country in order to give the party a national presence

 From 1924-1929 the Nazi party did not fair well in the national elections. ▪ May of 1924 – 32 seats / 472 ▪ Dec. of 1924 – 14 seats / 493 ▪ May of 1928 – 12 seats / 491  This changes in 1929 with the start of the Great Depression – Why?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYLKg5l 1QJg