Case Study of Nazi Germany

Hitler inspecting
a parade
 Germany Before WW1

Germany was a great

power before WW1

Ruled by Kaiser

Had a parliament called

Reichstag but it was
largely ignored by the
Kaiser and his ministers
Kaiser
Gives
up his
throne
Friedrich
Ebert, Leader
of the Social
Democratic
Party Takes
Over
Weimar
Republic
is Formed
in August
1919
 The Weimar Republic
0 1918: Germany virtually defeated by Allied powers and entry of USA in
World War I.
0 Germany’s emperor—Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated and World War I ended
officially on 11 November 1918.

G !
S IN
0 A new democratic Weimar Republic was established in 1919. Friedrich

O M I
Ebert became its first President.

S PR
0 Under the Weimar constitution, all citizens had the freedom of speech and

D
religion.

SO UN
0 All German citizens over twenty could vote in elections and decide on its
leaders. Instead of the Kaiser, there was to be an elected President and
Parliament (Reichstag). The Reichstag would be responsible to make laws.
Structure of
the Weimar
Government
 Structural weaknesses of the Weimar
Government

Proportional System of Government in Reichstag

Allowed many political parties to gain seats, but no single party could
gain total authority.

Result: Formation of many coalition governments . They could not

reach compromises on many issues frequently. Coalition governments
did not last long. From 1919 to 1933, 20 different coalition
governments.
Governments with short life span were disruptive and the German
public was left with the impression that the new democratic system
could not get things done.
Structural weakness of Weimar
Government
Article 48 of Weimar Constitution

It was difficult to define what was an emergency and

hence it was open to exploitation.

This happened when Hitler exploited Article 48 to

establish total control under the excuse of ‘emergency’
rule in times of instability.
  Germans expected a negotiated
treaty where they are respected
and treated equally
 Unfortunately, it was a dictated
peace forced on them
 President Ebert had no choice
but to sign it in 1919
Treaty Of  The treaty undermined the
Weimar republic
Versailles
 Ebert and Weimar politicians
were blamed for the treaty and
became unpopular and
extremist ideas started taking
root in the country.
Dolchstoss theory—German
army being stabbed in the
back by those who signed the
Treaty
  The Weimar government lacked the
support from the people, politicians
Weimar and soldiers.
Government  Many had previously worked for the
Kaiser and wished for his return.
Had Weak  Thus, it was difficult for the Weimar
support government to gain their support and
loyalty.
 Weimar Govt faced Opposition from
the left and the right
Left-wing opposition Right-wing opposition

• Influenced by Russian Bolsheviks • Opposed the Treaty of Versailles

• Wanted a strong German military
and industry
• Spartacists: led by Rosa Luxemburg
wanted to establish a communist • 1920: Kapp Putsch--right-wing
Germany extremists including Wolfgang
Kapp led soldiers to overthrow
• 1919: Led a communist Spartacist Weimar republic.
rebellion
• However, the Putsch did not have
• Ebert had to ask the Freikorps to the support of the people and was
help put down the rebellion. put down.
 Economic challenges
 Post-war Germany: economic hardship, unemployment
and poverty. It was also burdened with payment of war
reparations.
 Solution? Weimar government printed more money but
failed to keep up with reparation payment.
 In response, France and Belgium invaded Ruhr, a German
industrial zone, to ‘teach Germany a lesson’.
 Weimar government responded by printing more money.
 However, this led to hyperinflation. The more money was
printed, the more its value decreased.
 Economic challenges
 As a result, savings became worthless and many Germans
became poor overnight. The middle class suffered immensely.
 The Germans blamed the Weimar government and it lost the
support of the people, who felt that the government had
failed.
 The problem was finally resolved when a new Chancellor,
Gustav Stresemann replaced the currency with the new
Rentenmark in 1925
 Stresemann also negotiated for loans from the USA to pay
reparations to the Allies. He also eased the border tensions
between Germany and France with the Locarno Treaties.
Rise of Hitler
 Why was Hitler and the Nazi
Party so Appealing?

 As Weimar republic dealt with the many challenges, a

new right- wing Movement, German Workers’ Party
(DAP) was building up. Hitler became part of this party in
September 1919.
 Being an excellent speaker, he soon had a large
following
 Party was renamed to the Nazi Party

In 1920, the Nazi Party outlined their objectives in

the ‘Twenty-Five Point Programme”.
 Nazi’s
main
beliefs in
the 25-
Point
Programm
e

Nationalisation is transferring industries from private

to state ownership or control
 Hitler becomes Leader of the Nazi
Party

 In 1921 Hitler becomes the

leader of the Nazi Party
 Appoints all his close allies
in the party to key roles
 Hermann Goering takes
charge of the
Stormtroopers (SA or
Brownshirts)
 Brownshirts are ex-soldiers
who joined the party
 They later became a
private army with uniforms
and a command structure
 Charisma and Oratorical Skills

 Hitler was a powerful speaker and

communicator.
 He appeared sincere and seemed to understand
the people’s needs.
 He made use of his charisma and oratorical
skills to win over the support of many people.
 By 1930 the Nazi Part had about 50000
members.
 Hitler was ready to overthrow the hated
Weimar Republic
Watch Adolf Hitler Speak
What stands out for you?
  The Beer Hall Putsch, also known as
the Munich Putsch, was a failed
rebellion by Nazi Party leader Adolf
Hitler, Erich Ludendorff and other
Munich leaders in Munich, Bavaria, on 8–9
Putsch November 1923, during the Weimar
Republic.
 As Hitler and his followers marched on
Munich,
they were met by armed police.
 Hitler was arrested two days later and
the Nazi Party was banned
subsequently.
Munich Putsch

 The Putsch was a humiliating disaster

for the Nazis
 Nonetheless, this was a key event
which helped the Nazis in the following
months
 During his trial for his role in the
Putsch, Hitler gave a stirring speech
which made the judges sympathetic
towards him and he received a light
sentence of a five-year jail sentence.
He was released on parole after only
nine months.
 During his 9 months, he wrote his
autobiography, Mein Kampf (My
Struggle) which appealed to many
powerful groups in Germany
Rebuilding the Nazi Party

How?
How Hitler
sought to gain
power

Nazi policies
based on his
book were
presented simply
and clearly
 Re-established his control of the
Party

How
Hitler
Created the SS or the Blackshirts
sought to under Heinrich Himmler
gain
power
Setting up of branches in
different parts of Germany as
well as the creation of a youth
movement.
 Winning Support for the Nazi Party

 Many groups of people feared the Farmers feared

communist would take over the communists—
country. worried the state
 Hitler’s anti-communist and anti- would take over
trade union views won him the all lands & assets.
support of many important
industrialists and business owners.

Businessmen feared
communists—worried that
state will take over big
businesses and increasing
strength of trade unions.
 Winning Support for
the Nazi Party
 Hitler promised farmers and businessmen that he would
help them if he got into power.
 Many rich businessmen and industrialists donated to the
Allied Party.
 The Nazi Party also used these money to finance their
campaigns in 1933.
 In the 1930s, following the economic crisis, many
communists fought with the police, contributing to unrests.
 Hitler used his personal armed forces to break up the fights
and meetings.
 Many believed that the Nazis were needed to bring order to
Germany.
 They also believed Nazi promises to help turn the German
economy around.
 What do What do
the numbers tell
you about the Nazi
Nazi Party from Party?

1924 to 1929

Period of
challenge for the
Nazis as the
Weimar Republic
was relatively
stable at this time.
Important
Nazi Party
Members
to take
note of
Impact of the Great Depression
on Germany
 While the economic crisis
caused many to turn to
the Nazi Party, many also
turned to the German
Communist Party

This frightened the

Germans. Business leaders
were especially worried,
Rise of since the trade unions were
growing in strength
Communism
Germans became fearful as
they were doubtful of the
Weimar Republic’s ability to
deal with this threat

As a result, more started

joining the Nazi Party as
they were the only ones
seen to capable of taking
control of the situation
 Hitler Factor

Powerful and Understood people’s

Persuasive problems and assured
speaker them of political stability

Conducted many political

rallies all over Germany
 Joseph Goebbels was made
to oversee Propaganda

Weimar politicians were

made to look selfish
Use of
Propaganda Nazi Party promised strong
and decisive actions

They promised sympathy

and support for workers

Blamed Jews for the

problems
SA and SS

SA and SS gave
There was constant unemployed
people the
fighting between workers were
confidence that
communist gangs creating law and
they can instill law
and the police order problems
and order

the SA and SS were People looked up

orderly and to them to bring
disciplined stability
 Hitler becomes Chancellor

Hindenburg called upon Franz

President Paul von Hindenburg, then
von Papen, his close advisor, to
Germany's second president, disliked Hitler
continue acting as Chancellor.
intensely. He would not support Hitler to
However, von Papen had no
become the Chancellor (Prime Minister)
support in the Reichstag and
even though the Nazis had won a large
realised that Hitler's support was
number of seats in the July 1932 elections.
necessary.

Von Papen and other Weimar leaders thought they could

make use of Hitler to gain support in the Reichstag while
keeping him under their control. Von Papen thus convinced
the president to appoint Hitler as the Chancellor instead.
Hitler becomes Chancellor

Hitler saw this

Hitler agreed appointment as a good
to von opportunity to consolidate
Papen's his power base and to get
rid of the Weimar
terms and politicians.
was
Von Papen and his allies
appointed were soon marginalised.
Chancellor in The Weimar politicians had
January totally underestimated
1933. Hitler in the belief that
they could control him.
Consolidation of Nazi Rule in
Germany
 Consolidation of Nazi
Rule in Germany
Reichstag Fire

Enabling Act, March 1933

Gleichschaltung (Co-ordination)

Night of the Long Knives, June

1934

The Reichstag Fire. The Army and Oath of

Allegiance
 Consolidation of Nazi
Rule in Germany

1) Reichstag (Parliament house) Fire:

a. Blamed the communist for setting the

fire at the Reichstag, and convinced
everyone that the Communists were
trying to have a revolution.
b. Hitler then convinced Hindenburg to
pass Article 48, which restricted the
freedom of press and assembly.
c. Communist and Socialist parties were
banned from 1933 elections.
The Reichstag Fire. d. Removed communist threat to Nazi in
the Reichstag
 Consolidation of Nazi
Rule in Germany

2) Enabling Act:
a. After the March 1933 Election, with the help of
another small right-wing party. Nazis gained a
majority in the Reichstag.
b. Hitler then passed the Enabling Act, which gives him
the right to pass laws without the President’s
approval.
c. He became a dictator who could do anything he liked.
d. Communist was banned from future election.
 Consolidation of Nazi
Rule in Germany

3) Co-ordination
a. InApril 1933, banned Jews from the civil
service
b. May 1933, banned all trade unions
c. By July, passed a law banning all other
political parties—Germany was now a
ONE PARTY state
 Consolidation of Nazi
Rule in Germany

4) Night of Long Knives

a. German army disliked Hitler’s SA, because the SA had poor
disciplined and they outnumbered the army.
b. Ernst Rohm also had thoughts about taking over the army,
which is seen as a threat by Hitler as he is becoming too
powerful.
c. Hitler wanted the support of the army and to get rid of Rohm.
d. In June 1934, ‘The Night of Long Knives’, Hitler ordered the
SS to execute Rohm and arrest other SA members.
e. SA become subordinate to the SS and Hitler gain the support
of the army which gave him total control of Germany.
 Consolidation of Nazi
Rule in Germany

4) Army and Oath of Allegiance

a. When President Hindenburg died in 1934, Hitler merged the powers of
President and the Chancellor and proclaimed (called) himself the
Fuehrer (Supreme leader) of the German people.
b. With the power of Article 48 and the Enabling Act, Hitler was allowed
to pass laws without consulting the Reichstag, so whatever Hitler says
is now the law.
c. The army swore allegiance (loyalty) to Hitler personally and not to the
German constitution.
Life under Nazi Rule
Nazi Economic Policies

 Economic Recovery and Unemployment

The Nazi Party set up the Reich Labour Service to work on public works and
government building projects so that jobs could be provided for the
unemployed
 Rearmament and move to War economy
Goering’s Four-Year Plan in 1936 saw a huge amount of money being spent
by the state on rearmament which helped the companies producing war
materials to earn a lot of money. Germany had to be self-suffuicient in food
and industrial production (autarky)
 Nazi Economic Policies

 Living standards in Nazi Germany

Companies like Mercedes and Volkswagen made a lot of money and flourished along
with the mangers. The farmers however remained poor and the middle class with small
businesses did not do as well
 Nazi Economic Policies

 Working conditions in Germany

All trade unions were banned and workers were forced to join a workers’ organisation
controlled by the Nazis called the DAF (Deutsche Arbeitsfront) or German Work Front.
Strength Through Joy’ or Kraft durch Freude (KdF) provided cheap theatre and cinema
tickets and organised courses, cultural and sports events for workers.
The workers also could work towards buying a cheap car the KdF-Wagen (later the
Volkswagen Beetle) by participating in the state scheme by which workers could save
five Marks a week, which was also extremely popular.
Working conditions in the factories were improved for workers under the DAF scheme of
‘Beauty of Labour’ whereby washing facilities and low-cost canteens were set up.
Economy
under
Hitler
 Nazi Social Policies

❖Role of women and

youth
❖Education and the Hitler
Youth
❖Persecution of
Minorities
❖Hitler and the Jews
❖Control and Fear
❖Propaganda and
Jews being escorted to concentration camps.
Censorship

CHAPTER 3: HITLER’S GERMANY

Role of Women &
Youth
 Women are to be good mothers and
wives
 Women were excluded from politics and
academics
 Women not allowed to vote
 Women were discouraged from getting
a university education
 Women had Limited employment
opportunities
 Women job applicants were
discriminated against
 Young German girls were trained in
domestic tasks

Caused problems later as they could not contribute to war efforts

from 1942-45
Education and the
Hitler Youth

 Greater control over schools

 Curriculum reflected a greater
emphasis on Nazi values
 Nazi ideas were infused into history
and biology
 Only Nazi-approved textbooks were
allowed
 Schools had institutions like the Hitler
Youth. It operated like an army and
German youths here were groomed to
be future leaders in Nazi organisations
Students/Be the
 They were taught Nazi ideology and to Führer's
be anti=Semitic propagandists."
Boys VS Girls in Nazi Germany
Persecution of Minorities
 Nazis believed in the superiority of the Aryan race
 Persecuted minority groups like Gypsies, homosexuals
and mentally ill people
 Sterilisation was introduced In order to keep the Aryan
race pure
 Started a ‘euthanasia programme’ of the disabled and
mentally ill
 Alcoholics, the homeless, prostitutes, habitual criminals
and beggars were sent to concentration camps
Hitler and the Jews
 Hitler and the Jews

The Final Solution

 The outbreak of World War Two

(September 1939) spelt disaster for
those Jews who had remained in
Germany. Persecution quickly
escalated.
 By the end of the war six million
European Jews had been
exterminated, including over three
million from Germany.
 They were forced to live in Ghettos
and deliberately killed
 The killings took place with the help
of the German civil service and police
forces
 Control and Fear

Schutz-Staffel (SS) Gestapo—Nazi’s secret

 Elite force of ‘pure Aryan’ police
Germans led by Heinrich  Aim was to find and remove
Himmler threats to Nazi Party and
 Aim was to destroy Nazi Nazi State
enemies, carry out Nazi racial  Power to detain persons
policies without trial and send them
 Monitored political opponents to concentration camps
 Stopped spies from infiltrating  Used torture, murder,
the Nazi Party arrests, blackmail to stifle
opposition
 Concentration Camps

 Meant to ‘correct’
opponents of the regime
 Forced to do hard labour
and given limited food
 Jews, socialists,
communists, trade
unionists, churchmen
and anyone criticising
the Nazis ended up here
Legal Systems: Police Judges
and Courts

 Judges had to belong to the Nazi-approved

National Socialist League for the maintenance of
the Law
 No Trial by jury
 Judges decided all cases
 Police forces were controlled by the Nazi Party
 Goering had control of the Berlin police force
 Himmler was the chief of Police, making the normal
police forces part of the SS
 Propaganda

 Ministry of Public Enlightenment and

Propaganda
 Led by Joseph Goebbels
 Use the media to convince Germans that Germany’s
future under Nazis would be bright
 Stirred up anti-Semitic sentiments using posters,
rallies, marches, public meetings, films
 Nazi parties and the Hitler Youth had regular marches
 Censorship

 Goebbels ensured strict control of what Germans could

read, watch or listen.
 All literature, art, music, radio, film had to carry pro-Nazi
message
 Anti-Nazi newspapers closed down
 Radio stations were controlled by Nazis
 Listening to foreign stations were punishable by death
 Resistance and
Opposition

 Political Opposition from some socialists and communists. Many

ended up in concentration camps
 Military Opposition came from aristocratic officers and conservatives.
Assassination attempts were also made on Hitler. Those responsible
were executed
 Refusal to Conform to Nazi ideals. The Church and anti-Nazi youth
groups resisted the Nazis. The main youth opposition groups during the
war were the Edelweiss Pirates and the White Rose (refer to page 79 of
the textbook)
Conclusion

 Although there were pockets of resistance to Nazi rule, they

were not widespread.
 Nazis were very controlling of institutions like the trade
unions, armed forces, youth groups, workplaces etc
 The Nazi Party ruthlessly imprisoned and killed opponents
 SS and Gestapo instilled fear
 Aryan Germans benefitted with job security so complied
 Many blamed the Nazi officials and had immense respect for
Hitler
 This respect ended with WW2!