Why had the Weimar Republic survived by 1923? Weimar had faced a series of problems between 1919 and 1923 (hyperinflation, Munich Putsch, Kapp Putsch etc) but despite the odds had managed to survive. 1. Effective government action- Ebert had taken decisive action against the Communists- used th e Freikorp to crush them and Stresemann dealt with hyperinflation by introducing a new economy 2. Most people were prepared to support Weimar- the German people resisted the Kapp Putsch- strike led to Kapp’s failure and most supported the passive resistance against the French in the Ruhr. 3. Weakness of political opponents- the LEFT lacked public support and most working people supported the more moderates. The RIGHT also lacked the support of the people and didn’t have strong leaders, lots of people were suspicious of the Nazis.

Achievements of the Weimar Republic Problems in the Weimar Republic

Economy • Introduction of the Rentenmark stabilised the economy Economy after hyperinflation • Prosperity relied on loans which could be called back at

• Germany began to build up their prosperity with the any moment. This would lead to economic collapse again! help of loans from USA called the Dawes Plan. They • Big businesses did well but small businesses and farmers received 800 million marks that was invested in industry were the losers. Many farmers overproduced food and • By 1927 the economy had recovered well and was the couldn’t meet their mortgages second greatest industrial power. For most wages • Small shop keepers also felt increased and there was a better standard of living. threatened by big department They also managed to pay reparations and increase stores. These people felt Weimar exports. offered them little. Culture • There was a cultural revival – there was freedom to Culture express new ideas and new writers and poets • Many people saw the new culture as immoral and saw it as

flourished a sign that Germany was losing its values. • New styles of architecture such as the Bauhuas • A Wandervogel movement design- exhibitions attracted 1,000s of visitors developed that was a reaction • The 1920s was also a golden age of cinema. Its to Weimar culture. It promoted a nightlife was also celebrated with the Jazz and return to simple country values. Cabaret clubs Politics • Politics became more stable- there were no attempted revolutions Politics • • Votes for the moderate parties grew and more Despite the relative stability- both the Nazis and people seemed willing to support and go along with communists were building up their organisations.

the government. Extremists got even less support. • There were four different Chancellors during the For example the Nazis got less than 3% of the vote period and 30% of the vote went in 1928 to parties that opposed the Weimar • Lots of the parties worked well together in the Republic. period and therefore it was more stable • Hindenburg was elected President in 1926. He opposed democracy. Foreign Policy • Signed significant agreements such as the Locarno Foreign Policy Treaties (1925- Germany accepted the boarders • People said that joining the League and signing set by Versailles) and also was accepted into the treaties like the Locarno was a bad thing because it League of Nations in 1926. gave into the powers and did not improve Germany’s • Negotiated the young plan which slightly reduced position by making them a great country, they claimed Germany’s reparations. Germany was becoming Germany was still weak. They also saw the Young Plan respected and accepted again into international as a failure- Germany were still paying reparations. relations

The Munich Putsch • Started as the German workers Party when it was Why? set up in 1919 by Anton Drexler. • Weimar was suffering from economic crisis (hyperinflation) • Hitler joined in 1919 • The government in Bavaria was anti-communist. • In 1920 they announced their 25 point • Had the support of key figures like Hindenburg. programme- a list of what they stood for- it included- the abolition of the Treaty of What happened? Versailles, union of Germany and Austria, a strong • Nazi storm troopers marched in to the beer hall where Von Kahr was government holding a meeting. Hitler demanded they join the National Socialist • In 1920 they also changed their names to the Revolution. He let them leave and they informed the police, the next NSDAP- National Socialist German Workers Party day the Nazi’s marched into Munich where the police waited for them. or Nazi for short. The Putsch fell apart. Hitler was arrested and put on trial for treason. • In 1921 Hitler became the leader- he made So were several other leading Nazis important changes such as introducing a flag with Results the swastika on, increased the membership, made propaganda and set up the SA (brownshirts) • Nazi party fell into disarray when Hitler was in prison- it was only after • Took part in the Munich Putsch in November 1923 that he began to re-organise the party and failed. Hitler went to prison for 9 months • At his trial for the first time, Hitler gained national publicity- his • 1925 onwards the Nazis started to reorganise the words and beliefs were put in all the newspaper and the judges let him party. By 1929 they were still a small party! give lengthy speeches. They became a nationally known party. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison. He only served 9 months.

• Hitler decided that the Nazi Party would take power legally- they would destroy Weimar from within- by getting voted into power. • Other changes included; writing his book Mein Kampf which outlined his key beliefs, setting up the SS (black shirts) these were Hitler’s personal bodyguard, he set up a national party with grass roots support around Germany. He also set up the Hitler Youth to get young people’s support. They also won the support of people who were not doing well in How did the Depression help the rise of the Weimar like farmers and small business owners. They successfully Nazi’s? developed their use of propaganda to appeal to voters and Goebbels was placed in charge of propaganda. Hitler split Germany into regions Depression- in 1929 the American Stock with a local leader called the Gauleiter. They helped to build support market crashed and they recalled all as a national party. their loans. They also stopped buying • All these changes made them an organised and efficient party ready to and selling to Germany. This caused take power when the opportunity arose. major economic problems, workers • were unemployed and German BUT, the problem remained that they were still an extremist party and businesses went bankrupt. whilst people were doing well, they were less inclined to listen to them.

This was proven in 1928 when less than 3% of people voted for them. How did the Depression help the Nazi’s? • Caused people to lose faith in Weimar. This was the second time there was major economic problems and people blamed Weimar, they saw them as weak and looked for a strong • Depression- made people desperate and look for alternatives for a strong alternative, Hitler seemed to be offering this. government. They were fed up with Weimar • Desperation made people turn to extremism- • Nazi Propaganda- was simple, clear and skilfully people were so desperate that Hitler’s radical used. It appealed in different and unique ways ideas started to appeal to them, they accepted such as the use of radio to lots of people. Their the Jews as a scape goat, someone to blame for posters and rallies etc impressed people. their problems. • Nazi message and values- people liked their • Hitler offered them what they wanted- jobs simple message of jobs, strong Germany and and food. His message was appealing. someone to blame- the Jews and Communists. They stood for traditional values. Policy was kept simple. • Hitler- the figure of Hitler was personally appealing- he was charismatic and a good speaker- people were drawn to him. • Anti-Communism- people were frightened of Communism- the Nazi’s were anti- Communist so many of the middle classes thought they would be able to stand up to Communism. The SA and SS regularly fought with them on the streets.

By July 1932 The Nazi’s were the largest party in the Reichstag. Hitler demanded to be Chancellor but most people were suspicious of him, but they could not ignore, democratically his party had been chosen as the most popular. After the Wall Street crash most Chancellors relied on the use of article 48, this included the Chancellor in 1932 Franz Von Papen. He didn’t do a very good job so was replaced by Schliecher. Papen annoyed at being replaced made a deal with Hitler. Papen would persuade the aging Hindenberg to make Hitler Chancellor and Papen Vice Chancellor. In January 1933 Hindenberg agreed and Hitler was made Chancellor. Papen thought he could control Hitler- he was wrong!

• Because he was the leader of the largest party so had a right to be included in the government • Because of the intrigue and double dealing made by Papen, Schleicher and Hindenburg • Because there were few other options- three previous chancellors had failed and he was popular. • Because the others politicians at the time under rated him as someone they could control- i.e Papen

1. Reichstag fire- Hitler started by calling a new election to get a majority in

the Reichstag- this was needed to pass any new laws. Just days before the election was due, the Reichstag was set on fire. No one really knew if the Nazi’s had done it themselves. Inside a Dutch Communist called Van der Lubbe was found and put on trial. Many believed that it was the Nazis. Most important were the results- the Nazis used the fire to persuade people there was a huge communist conspiracy and got thousands of their Communist

opponents arrested. He was given special emergency powers which they used to intimidate their opponents. 2. The Enabling Act- after the fire the Nazi’s made deals with other parties in the Reichstag to pass an Enabling Act- this was a law that lasted for 4 years and allowed the Chancellor to bypass the Reichstag and make their own laws. It effectively made Hitler a dictator.

3. Hitler then started to get rid of any other opponents. He banned Trade Unions in May 1933, sacked people in the Civil Service if he thought they opposed him such as any Communists, Socialists or Jews. He also turned Germany into a one party state by banning all other parties existing or forming in July 1933 and finally he made a deal with the Catholic church- the Concordat- it agreed they would not interfere in each others business. 4. The Night of the Long Knives- 30 June 1934- by 1934 one of the biggest opponents to challenge Hitler came from within his own party. The SA had grown very powerful and so had their leader Rohm. They wanted more change than Hitler had introduced. Hitler saw them as a liability- involved in street fighting which gave the Nazis a bad image and they also had the power to challenge him. They also wanted to control the army, which the army did not

like the thought of, this was going to cause trouble. He dealt with this final threat by purging the SA of any threats- the leaders and potential opponents were killed including Rohm and 400 others. Hitler made it look like he had acted quickly to keep law and order. Results - removed the last threat to oppose him, won the loyalty of the army who swore an oath to Hitler. 5.The Fuhrer- when Hindenburg died in August 1934 Hitler declared himself Fuhrer- Chancellor and President in one, he was the complete dictator of Germany.

Propaganda was an important way of limiting opposition and gaining Nazi Germany was a police state. They had a range of loyal supporters organisations to keep control and deal with opposition. • Nuremberg rallies were a show case of Germany, crowds • The SS- led by Himmler- listened to Hitler speak. It was very atmospheric and had the primary responsibility emphasised the order with the marching and uniforms. People for destroying opposition to who attended were impressed by the show put on by the Nazis. Nazism and carry out the racial This won them support and admiration. It also emphasised the policies. They were fanatically level of support the Nazi’s had. loyal to Hitler. There were two • Berlin Olympics - held in 1936 they were to show the new important sub sections- the deaths Germany off and their achievements. It was also to show the head units- responsible for the superiority of the Aryan race. It won international approval for concentration camps and the the achievements of Hitler, despite winning most medals, a black Waffen SS- armoured regiments. American Jesse Owens broke the world record. • Gestapo- secret state police. Gestapo agents had • Censorship - the media was tightly controlled and censored. sweeping powers and caused much fear. They could Books were burnt that the Nazis disagreed with in 1933 arrest citizens without suspicion and send them to • Newspapers - only printed Nazi ideas. They became boring and concentration camps. The German people feared readership dropped by 10% them and believed they had wide powers. • Cinema- all films were controlled- they had to have pro-Nazi • Police and courts- judges and top police jobs were messages. They even created some of their films although these given to loyal Nazis who would support and enforce were not that exciting to watch so not too successful. the regime’s policies. No one received a fair trial. • Posters- placed everywhere emphasising the Nazi message. They supported the Nazi system. • Radio- nearly 70% of Germans possessed a radio • Concentration camps- set up in 1933, Dachau was the (volksempfanger) they could only listen to Nazi stations and first to be set up. Suspects and opponents were listened to Hitler’s speeches in their living rooms. Public sent to the concentration camps where they were speakers were even set up so everyone could hear Hitler. forced to do hard labour. Many were also executed. How did this create support? The fear of the camps and rumours of arrest and • Brainwashed into Nazi ideals and treatment were a power deterrent. values - hatred of Jews- unquestioning loyal supporters • Ensured people only heard Nazi point of view- no criticism • Young people were important to the Nazis. They could be • Events like radio, cinema etc gave moulded into loyal supporters and they were too young to people consumer goods which they know any different. liked • Education- subjects changed- focus on • Allowed people to be won over by Germany history and history was Hitler and his charisma (rallies and radio) rewritten- the wrongs of the past and WW1 were focused on. Emphasis on physical fitness and military drill for boys. Science was replaced by race and Eugenic studies. Used to spread Nazi’s had a very traditional role their propaganda such as anti-semitism. of women. They were to be wives The focus was to prepare them for their role in life- girls mothers, boy Nazi soldiers. and mothers. The three K’s were applied to women’s role, children, • Youth groups. Hitler Youth for boys and the League of German kitchen, church. The Nazis Maidens for girls. In 1936 it became compulsory to join. They introduced a number of measures took part in exciting activities such as campaign, hiking, games to encourage women to have children; and activities. During the war some youth criticised about the • Reich Mother Cross – women emphasis on military drill and training. They were even received bronze, silver and encouraged to inform on their parents loyalty. gold medals for 4, 6 and 8 children. They were given a Not all the Youth supported! special status and invited to sit at Nazi Party meetings. • Swing movement- middle class teenagers who listened to • Women received substantial child benefits, and were even English and American music. Danced the jitterbug and listened given money as incentives to leave work under the Law for Jazz music as well as accepting Jews. They resented the Nazi the Reduction of Unemployment. control over their ideas and control over their actions and • Women were educated to fit their role as mothers. activities. Many deliberately wore shabby clothes and had an Women’s organisations were also set up such as the Nazi un-kept appearance. Women’s Bureau led by Gertrude Schlotz Klink. • Edelweiss Pirates- different youth groups all labelled by the Women had to fit a traditional role and in 1933 many professional state as Edelweiss pirates. They women lost their jobs. Women were forbidden from smoking and refused to join the Hitler Youth encouraged not to diet as this was considered to have a poor effect and often beat up Hitler Youth on childbearing. Women were also discouraged from wearing make up, members. They sang sings that dying their hair and even wearing trousers. They were meant to act mocked Hitler and boys and girls and dress like the traditional peasant. Hitler gave women a special mixed together. They were seen as a threat and some of the leaders position as mothers and creators of the future master race. Despite this more and more women did work as the demands for labour grew. were executed in Cologne in 1944.

Why was there so little opposition? Economic Recovery Workers • Nazi successes- lots of people kept their heads down because of the • Solved unemployment • The DAF strictly good things that the Nazi’s bought to them- law and order, holidays, through conscription, controlled workers which consumer goods like radios and most importantly jobs. They had also public works projects many resented. They restored pride back to Germany with their successful foreign policy. such as the autobahns. disliked the fact that they • Economic fears- life was good so people were frightened of losing • It gave them self and lost the T.U’s- couldn’t their job if they in any way opposed. national pride. The complain about wages or • Propaganda- was persuasive telling people of all the successes Nazis were seen to have working hours (which restored honour and increased) • Fear- Germany was a terror state and people feared being arrested prosperity to Germany. Farmers by the Gestapo and sent to concentration camps. Workers • Laws that protected • Gained from KDF- farmers stopped farmers Who opposed the Nazis? holidays, radios and with initiative from making • Youth- swing movement and edelweiss pirates- disliked the control saving for cars more money over their ideas the regimentation of the Hitler Youth. • Better conditions i.e Businesses • • Churches- opposed on single issues such as the Euthanasia canteens Smaller businesses felt Farmers they were being squeezed programme and against interference in the church. Only some • Gained security with by bigger department individuals spoke out. Mainly the churches stayed quiet if the Nazis the with the Reich stores left them alone. Entailed Farm Law • Intellectuals- many were driven out of Germany, but those that • Peasants were the basis stayed were unable to produce work with new ideas or that didn’t fit of the Nazi ideals. volksgemeinschaft • Political opposition (Communists, Socialists) they posed no real ‘blood and soil’. Businesses opposition because after 1933 they were driven underground. Many • Many big businesses did were arrested and put into concentration camps. The Nazi’s not only well especially if they drove these out of Germany but also tried to take their support by involved in armaments trying to win over the working classes. industries.

Dealing with unemployment Beliefs in the Aryan race • National Labour service (RAD)- all men • Nazi’s believed the Aryan race was superior- aged between 18-25 had to spend six months that they were a master race and that a in the RAD doing jobs like planting forests, struggle would take place where the master building autobahns and public buildings- they race would win. were paid only pocket money • Other races such as the Jews were considered • Introduced conscription- from 1935 all men inferior, subhuman and included others like Gypsies over the age of 25 were forced to join the and Slavs. This hatred of Jews is called military- it cut over 1 million from the Anti-Semitism unemployment lists • Aryan people who did not fit the Nazi ideal were called ‘a-socials’ these were • Re-arming Germany- millions of jobs were People like drunks, beggars, prostitutes, communists etc created in making weapons, tanks etc • The Nazis were concerned that lesser races would pollute the Nazi race • Sacked people- women and Jews, as well as • so during their reign 350,000 disabled and mentally ill people were forcibly A-socials were sacked from their jobs to sterilised. From 1939 onwards 200,000 people and 5000 children were create jobs for unemployed German men murdered in specially built nursing homes

Benefits for workers How were Jews Treated? • DAF- the German Labour Front- run by Dr 1933- Jewish Lawyers, judges and teachers were sacked. German children had to learn Robert Ley- aimed to protect worker rights and race studies at school- Jewish children were singled out and persecuted. replaced trade unions. Kept strict control of 1934- Jewish shops were targeted and marked with a ‘star of David’ Germans were workers, how long they worked and how well, encouraged not to shop there they even had to have 1935- Nuremberg Laws- Jews were not allowed to vote and Jews were denied German their permission to quit! Citizenship. They were not allowed to marry of have relationships with Aryans. • Beauty Through Labour- 1938- Jewish doctors were sacked and Jewish children were banned from schools. organise to improve working Jewish and German children were also forbidden to mix or go to shared placed such conditions. They did this by as swimming pools. improving facilities such November 1938- Kristallnacht- night of broken as canteens etc. glass-night of violence used against Jewish shops, • KDF- Strength Through homes, businesses and synagogues. 91 Jews were Joy- to organised the murdered and 20,000 were arrested and taken to German peoples leisure concentration camps. time- they built two cruise ships which offered 1939- Jews were placed under curfew between cheap holidays to hard workers, organised hiking 8pm and 6pm. From 1939 onwards Jews in conquered and camping holidays at cheap prices. They also lands were placed in Ghettos organised bands to tour around the country and 1941- invasion of the USSR places millions more Jews even sporting events and adult classes. under German control- special murder squads called Einsatzgruppen are sent out to murder Russian Jews. 1942- The final solution is decided- Jews will be exterminated by the use of gas 1945- By the end of the war 6 million Jews, Gypsies and Slavs had been killed.