Nazism & Rise of Hitler

Cheatsheet Content

### The Weimar Republic (1918-1933) - **Establishment:** After Germany's defeat in WWI, the Kaiser abdicated, and a democratic republic was established. - **Key Features:** - Universal adult suffrage (including women). - Proportional representation, often leading to coalition governments. - Article 48: Gave the President emergency powers to rule by decree. - **Problems:** - **Treaty of Versailles (1919):** Harsh peace treaty imposed on Germany. - Lost territories (13% of land, 75% of iron, 26% of coal). - Demilitarization of the Rhineland. - War Guilt Clause (Article 231): Germany responsible for WWI. - Huge war reparations ($6 billion). - **Economic Crisis:** - **Hyperinflation (1923):** Germany printed excessive currency to pay reparations, leading to a drastic fall in the value of the German Mark. - **Great Depression (1929):** US loans (Dawes Plan) dried up, leading to industrial collapse and mass unemployment in Germany. - **Political Instability:** Frequent changes in government, lack of public trust in democracy, rise of extremist political groups (Communists, Nazis). ### Rise of Nazism - **Adolf Hitler:** Born in Austria in 1889, fought in WWI. - **Nazi Party (NSDAP):** - Founded in 1920, Hitler took leadership in 1921. - Ideology: Extreme nationalism, racial supremacy (Aryans as superior), anti-Semitism, anti-communism, anti-democracy. - Symbol: Swastika. - Propaganda: Masterful use of rallies, speeches, and symbols to appeal to public emotions. - **Factors Contributing to Nazi Rise:** - **Economic Hardship:** The Great Depression created widespread unemployment and poverty, making Nazi promises of jobs and stability appealing. - **Political Instability:** The weakness of the Weimar Republic and fear of communism pushed people towards strong leadership. - **Treaty of Versailles:** Nazis exploited public resentment against the treaty, promising to restore Germany's honor and power. - **Anti-Semitism:** Blamed Jews for Germany's problems, a convenient scapegoat. - **Propaganda:** Effective use of modern media to spread their message and demonize opponents. - **Lack of Opposition:** Democratic parties failed to unite against the Nazis. ### Hitler Comes to Power (1933) - **Electoral Success:** Nazis gained significant support in the early 1930s, becoming the largest party in the Reichstag (German parliament) by July 1932. - **Appointment as Chancellor:** Despite not having a majority, President Hindenburg, under pressure from conservative politicians, appointed Hitler as Chancellor on January 30, 1933. They believed they could control him. - **Consolidation of Power:** - **Reichstag Fire (February 1933):** A mysterious fire in the parliament building was blamed on communists. Hitler used this as an excuse to issue the "Reichstag Fire Decree," suspending civil liberties (freedom of speech, press, assembly). - **Enabling Act (March 1933):** This law gave Hitler the power to rule by decree for four years, effectively dismantling parliamentary democracy. It was passed with intimidation and the absence of communist deputies. - **Outlawing Other Parties:** All other political parties were banned. - **Control of Institutions:** Nazis took control of the police, military, judiciary, and education. - **Formation of SA and SS:** Paramilitary organizations (Sturmabteilung - SA, Schutzstaffel - SS) were used to intimidate and eliminate opponents. The SA was later purged in the "Night of the Long Knives" (1934) to consolidate Hitler's personal power. - **Death of Hindenburg (August 1934):** Hitler merged the offices of President and Chancellor, becoming "Führer and Chancellor." He was now the absolute dictator of Germany. ### Nazi Ideology - **Racial Hierarchy:** - **"Aryan" Race:** Nordic German Aryans considered the purest and superior race. - **Undesirables:** Jews, Roma (Gypsies), Poles, Russians, mentally and physically disabled, and Black people were deemed "inferior" and enemies of the state. - **Lebensraum (Living Space):** Belief that Germany needed to expand eastward into Eastern Europe to gain more territory and resources for the "Aryan" population. - **Autocratic Rule:** Rejection of democracy; belief in the Führer principle (absolute leadership). - **Militarism:** Glorification of war and military strength. - **Anti-Semitism:** Core of Nazi ideology, leading to persecution and eventually the Holocaust. ### Impact on Germany - **Economic Recovery (superficial):** Public works projects (autobahns), rearmament, and conscription reduced unemployment but led to massive debt and prepared for war. - **Propaganda and Censorship:** Strict control over media, education, and culture to indoctrinate the population. Books deemed "un-German" were burned. - **Persecution of Minorities:** Laws like the Nuremberg Laws (1935) stripped Jews of citizenship and rights, leading to systematic persecution. - **Totalitarian State:** Complete control over all aspects of public and private life.