IGCSE History Revision Site: Germany, Development of Dictatorship

The Weimar Republic b Germany went into the Great War in September 1914 b 1918: Germany s enemies, the Allies (Britain, France, Russia, USA) still undefeated b March 1918 Germany s spring offense on Paris b July 1918 Allies counter attacked and drove Germans back b Morale among the troops was very low defeat was near b War caused hardships and social inequities b Allied navies blocked the German coast prevented the imports of basic supplies linked to food shortages - leads to great suffering and military failure causes sense of hopelessness b August 1918 public hardships wit deadly influenza infection spreading over Europe b Russian Revolution (February 1917) caused discontent in Germany wanted the same revolution in overthrowing the Kaiser b November 1918 demanding change the Kaiser abdicates b 29 October, German sailors mutiny spread to base at Kiel b 4 November more soldier mutinies all across Germany government breaking down b 7 November worker strikes in Bavaria against the capital Munich b 9 November Kaiser Wilhelm agrees to abdicate fled to Holland b Social Democratic Party, Germany s larges political party in 1918 starts a new government b New government was able to agree an armistice: The Treaty of Versailles b The Treaty of Versailles stated that Germany had to withdraw from all land won in the war, put troops back into borders, put navy under Allied control b Armed groups with extreme political views clashed b Ebert began to take control by introducing slow, careful changes. b February 1919 a new constitution was created The Weimar Republic b Strengths of the Weimar Republic l Germany became more democratic: general elections every 4 years. l System of checks and balances limited power no single group or person had complete power

b Local government was run by the 18 regions of Germany kept local parliaments b Central government president and chancellor given more power than before b Reichstag dominant house of the new parliament controlled taxation l Members elected every four years l All men and women over 20 could vote using a secret ballot l Proportional Representation number of Reichstag seats which political parties were given depended on the percentage of votes they gained. b Reichsrat other house of German parliament l A number of members were sent by each local region according to it s size l Reichsrat could delay new laws unless overruled by a two thirds majority of the Reichstag. b Chancellor l Chancellor chose ministers and ran the country l Pass laws need majority support from the Reichstag b President head of state l Took no part in day to day government l Chose the chancellor l Could dismiss the Reichstag, call new elections, assume control of the army l Article 48 president could suspend the constitution and pass laws by decree b Friedrich Ebert elected by the Assembly as the first president b Promised that there wouldn t be nationalization of industries b Ensured the support of trade unions by giving them a maximum eight hour working day b Coalitions to get majority support, the chancellors a coalition of several large parties difficult to make a stable government b Germans felt that the Weimar Republic was very weak b Treaty of Versailles: l Reparations to the Allies eventually fixed, by 1921, it was 6600 million l Germany lost all its colonies 11 German colonies in Africa were given to victorious countries l Germany military forces cut the navy and army were limited, no air force was allowed. The Rhineland was demilitarized l Germany lost land lost many of it s industrial areas and population b Stab in the Back Myth the Germans called the new government the November Criminals for accepting the terms of the Treaty of Versailles b The Germans thought they were stabbed in the back by the Weimar Republic they lost immense amounts of support Economic Depression b Bankruptcy: reserves of gold had been spent in the war

b Treaty of Versailles deprived Germany of wealth earning areas (hyperlink to Rhineland) b Could no longer pay reparations after 1923 due to having no more gold b Occupation of the Ruhr: Raw materials, manufactured goods, industrial the French confiscated all machinery. The Germans lost their main industrial area. b Inflation: shortage when price of things go up b Germany had hyperinflation because they kept on printing money prices rose way over affordable b Affected everyone mainly people with savings and the poor b September 1923 Gustav Stresemann appointed Chancellor, then foreign minister b November 1923 Stresemann cancelled the old mark and created the Rentenmark led to a period of stability b All suffering was blamed on the Weimar Republic b Political Problems: l Political unrests from both right wing and left wing l Spartacists extreme left wing group planned a revolt in 1919 (January) attempted to take over all of Germany s regions failed an crushed by the Freikorps l Freikorps demobilized soldiers anti communists l Kapp Putsch right wing revolt led by Wolfgang Kapp, wanted Kaiser to come back into control The Dawes Plan, 1924 l April 1924 new agreement with the Allies l The war reparations that need to be paid to the Allies were negotiated to an affordable level. l American Banks agreed to loan money to German industries l The French left the Ruhr l The German economy recovered immensely l Unemployment fell throughout the year Locarno Pact, 1925 l Signed in October 1925 l Locarno Treaties signed with Britain, France, Italy and Belgium. l Allies to remove their troops from the Rhineland l German entry into the League of Nations establishment of power, treated as an equal in the European Union League of Nations, 1926 l Symbolized that the European nations trusted Germany to bring peace again Kellogg Briand Pact, 1928 l An international agreement about war not using war as a tool to achieve foreign aims l Germany was now a member of the international community respected by others The Young Plan, 1929 l Linked to the success in foreign policy.

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l Young plan cut reparation payments strengthened the Weimar Republic. However, Stresemann died of a heart attack on 3 October 1929. There was no one that could lead Germany into becoming a better place. Wall Street Crash of October 1929 Germany becoming weak again. The Wall Street Crash, 1929 b Share prices fell on the Wall Street stock exchange people s investments lost value Black Thursday b Banks suffered huge losses b American banks wanted Germans to pay back money borrowed during the Dawes Plan. b Main effects on Germany: drop in spending, factories closing, unemployment b Middle class, people with savings lost all money b Chancellor Brning wanted to raise taxes to pay unemployment benefits benefits reduced losing trust in the Weimar Republic b Nazis took this chance to gain more support from the Germans Hitler and Nazi Consolidation of Power b The Nazis started off in 1919 as the German Workers Party b Adolf Hitler was sent by the army to check on political groups and like the German Workers Party s ideas then he joined b Meetings were held, and Hitler started to become more involved with the party. b The members of this party were unhappy about the communists and socialists, who they blamed for bringing down the Kaiser b The German Workers party didn t like the Weimar Politicians who had agreed to the Treaty of Versailles. b There was a discrimination of Jews throughout Europe, and the Nazi party hated them too. b 25 Point Program: l Hitler and the Nazis developed this program for the benefit of the people l The Nazis wanted to get rid of the Treaty of Versailles, expand Germany s borders and give people lebensraum, and deprive Jews of German citizenship l Hitler was a great public speaker that attracted many into listening to the Nazis ideas. Membership and support grew rapidly. l Hitler became the leader of the Nazi party in mid 1921. l He gathered loyal party leaders including Ernst Rhm, Hermann Goering, Rudolf Hess and Julius Streicher that helped him build up his reputation l Hitler helped close friends come to power l The SA ( Sturmabteilung) or storm troopers were created in 1921 Party s private army recruitments from demobilized soldiers hard to control l Put Ernst Rhm in charge l 1923 Hitler creates the SS as his personal body guards

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l Hitler started the Munich Putsch as an attempt to take power in Germany. After he was released from jail, Hitler reorganized the entire Nazi Party. Re launched the Nazi Party at the scene of the Munich (Beer Hall ) Putsch. Divided the party into regions Befriended wealthy businessmen that would fund the Nazi propaganda The SA and SS were also strengthened with more money expanded the SA Hitler didn t trust the SA in protecting him created the SS too loyal to Ernst Rhm The SS was ruthless and got rid of any opponents to the Nazi Party Joseph Goebbels was the Nazi Propaganda minister simple message created many ways to get it across to Germans Jews and communist blamed for the bad conditions of Germany Hitler was the voice of the Nazi Party Hitler s passion, Nazi rallies and power of the SA and SS increased support 1928 Nazis unsuccessful in the votes economics becoming better Under the leadership of Stresemann, the economy had been better inflation was gone and Germany was regaining its international status. Hindenburg becomes president didn t trust Hitler reputation as ex war field marshal boosted the German confidence in the Weimar Republic After the Great Depression, Hitler told the Germans that he wanted to a) Unite the county under a strong leader b) Get rid of the Treaty of Versailles c) Restorer peace from social unrest d) Persuade other nations to treat Germany fairly Hitler s message and ideas appealed to many people, thus gaining their support The SA created rallies that helped in the Nazi campaigns used against opposition parties violence The working class supported the Nazi party because they promised work and bread . The Middle Class (landowners, lawyers, businessmen) supported the Nazis because the Social Democrats and Communists wanted to take away private land Nazis promised that they would protect the farmers and middle class from the taking away of their plots of land and industries Big Businesses helped fund the Nazis in their campaigns Young people were attracted to Hitler s enthusiasm and voice in speaking about his own ideas. Women didn t support Hitler as much because their roles were limited. However, The Nazi Party made special appeals saying the voting for the NSDAP would be the best for their county and families. i Nazis win Power, 1932 33 b July 1932 Nazi Party is largest in Reichstag. b March 1932 Hitler s first attempt at running for President

b Wall Street Crash caused collapse of German industry and banking b Unemployment and loss of savings led to social unrest b Hitler got 11 million votes, but Hindenburg was elected with 19 million votes. b April 1932 Chancellor Brning was a moderate socialist he had a presidential decree to ban the SA and the SS he wanted to have control over Nazis b Von Schleicher (right wing) organized a coalition of landowners and industrialists and later sacked Brning b May 1932 Von Papen becomes Chancellor he as an ex General and a figure head of von Schleicher b Von Schleicher offered Nazis a place in the coalition, but the coalition was very weak. b The elections of July 1932 NSDAP 230 seas Hitler s attempt at becoming Chancellor during the power struggle b Hindenburg disliked Hitler, didn t want to give him the post of Chancellor b New elections of November 1932 Nazi seats fall to 196 seats, there was no NSDAP support for von Papen. Hindenburg no longer had confidence in von Papen and sacked him. Hitler Takes Power i 30 January 1933- Hitler becomes Chancellor due to the power struggle in the country i Nazi strengths Hitler s speaking skills were excellent appealed to wide audience i The Nazis had many propaganda campaigns and had support from big businesses i They blamed the Treaty of Versailles on the Weimar Republic and introduced their policies to the public. i Other factors of why Hitler became Chancellor was because of the crisis of 1923, the Great Depression and opponent failures (e.g. weak Weimar Republic) i However, Hitler had limited powers the Weimar Constitution controlled the Chancellor s power, Hindenburg retained all the powers i Hitler had a cabinet of 11 people, only two of them were Nazi members i 1/3 of the Reichstag were the Nazis i Hitler wanted to remove these restrictions to his power using three main events: b Reichstag Fire b The Enabling Act b The Night of Long Knives i The 1933 Elections b 5 March 1933 hoped for more Nazi seats in the Reichstag b Hitler used decrees to imprison political opponents b The Nazis raised millions of marks from rich businessmen

b Hitler used his emergency powers to ban the Communists from attending the elections b 288 seats were won by the Nazis (2/3 of the Reichstag) b The Nazis now had enough votes to change constitution of the Republic b The SA was used to attack political rivals i The Night of the Long Knives b Opponents taken away to concentration camps and banned b Hitler should choose the Army because: 1) Well trained, organized, discipline 2) Only organization that could remove Hitler 3) Support from big businesses and conservatives 4) Efficient to take back land lost to the Treaty of Versailles b Hitler shouldn t choose the Army because: 1) The army was small 100,000 men 2) He didn t know whether the army would be loyal to him or not 3) The Generals disliked the Nazis b Hitler should choose the SA because: 1) Rhm was Hitler s friend 2) The SA fought in the Munich Putsch and the Communist 3) Committed Nazis 4) Had 2,500,000 men b Hitler shouldn t choose the SA because: 1) SA was beginning to get out of hand (interfering) 2) Disapproved of some Nazi leaders 3) SA to control army, going along with SA demands 4) Didn t agree with SA anti capitalist policies b Leaders of the SS (Himmler and Heydrich) reduce power of SA to increase own power b 30 June 1934 arrested SA officials imprisoned them then shot them b Rhm to Stadelheim jail shot on the first of July b The Night of the Long Knives lasted four days 150 senior members of the SA and 400 people killed b German army was dwarfed by the SA b 1934 Germany becomes one party state b Some Germans objected to the violence caused b Hitler feared Ernst Rhm, the leader of the SA b Von Papen protested to Goering von Papen was murdered b The SA was loyal to Rhm, not Hitler b SA became limited after this b The SA opposed to Hitler s policies and criticized links with industrialists and Generals. i Change of Role After The Death of President Hindenburg b 2 August 1934 Death of Hindenburg b Hitler declares himself Fhrer of Germany added presidential powers to powers as Chancellor b Hitler forced an oath of loyalty from the soldiers

b Had a plebiscite (public vote) to confirm position 90% voted yes. b Began Hitler s Third Reich The Nazi State During Peace Time i The Nazi Police State b Gestapo Hitler s non-uniform secret police, set up in 1933 by Goering, led by Heydrich. This was under the control of SS b The Gestapo arrested people who spoke out against Nazi ideas b They arrest people without being responsible. b SS (Schutzstaffel) set up in 1925 and ran by Himmler in 1929. It was a private police force that carried out racial purification. b Totenkopf (Death Head Units) were a part of the SS ran concentration camps b All members were Aryan in the SS b Concentration Camps located in isolated areas, inmates were political prisoners, minorities, Jews and gypsies b Concentration camps were used in mass murdering b The Law Courts appointed judges that pleased the Nazis, people s court was set up i Nazis and Religion b Christianity repressed by Nazis b Turned police state against Christians when the churches went out of their control b The Catholic Church: 1/3 of Germans were Christians owed first allegiance to the Pope, not Hitler Hitler feared that they would attempt to take over owned schools didn t teach Nazi values, taught to worship God July 1933 Concordat with Pope signed confirmed freedom of worship for Catholics, no interference with Catholic schools Roman Church priests will not interfere politics, bishops swear loyalty to Nazi regime Later broken promises prosecuted priests, Catholic activities banned b German Faith Movement: non Christian, based on the worship of the sun b Most Germans still believed their loyalties lay with the original churches b The Nuremberg Rallies Goebbels organized rallies, marches, meetings for propaganda b The Nuremberg Rallies - Gave people a sense they belonged to a Great movement. b Censorship and Propaganda: Government seeks control of all individuals and aspects of society

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The Nazi Party campaign publicized Hitler and his views, posters and rallies created a sense of unity Radio broadcasted Hitler s speeches and allowed people to hear Nazi messages every day Cinema films, newsreel on Nazi and Germany s achievements, political messages were also in movies Press newspaper was pro Nazi, written by the Nazis Universities taught Nazi views, not academics Sport Berlin Olympics 1936 reflected that Germany was a great power Hitler the Figurehead image to personify Nazi Party and unite Nation Hitler was seen as a strong decisive figure, in pictures with children = A father figure for Germany The Media- there was book burning and pictures of only Aryans around Nazis had strict control over the media The media only showed success of Hitler and the Nazis Jazz was banned Black music inferior races All used in Nazi Party campaigning Persecution of the Jews 1933 39 Anti Semitism Anti Jewish Religion, customs stood out, different Some Germans wrongly blamed Jews for WW1 defeat Criticized at being Communist rebels, capitalists wealthy Hitler s Mein Kampf stated that the Aryan race was more superior Untermenschen sub humans Lebensunwertes unworthy of life Jews and gypsies Persecution laws were passed against them There was a boycott of Jewish businesses They were banned from government jobs Banned from inheriting land banned from army and restaurants Nuremberg Laws Jews were: not to be Germans, lost the vote, use some seats on buses, buses and identity cards used Kristallnacht November 1938 Young Jew killed German diplomat in Paris SS ran riot to smash up Jewish shops and workplaces Hundreds of synagogues burned down 91 Jews murdered, 20 thousand to concentration camps 9 10 November 1938 The Night of Broken Glass Nazis told all Germans to prosecute Jews Long Term Effects : 1) Jews blamed fro the Kristallnacht

Fined Jewish for damage Banned all from running businesses Banned from German schools and universities SA and SS used violence and punishments for Jews Enforced immigration 1939 Jews were deported and forced to move to ghettos 7) War: September 1939 more prosecution i Youth and Education b Aims: 1) Trained young people to be good Nazis 2) Education prepares young people to serve the state 3) Boys educated to serve the army 4) Girls were trained to become good wives and mother b Schools: 1) New subjects introduced Race Studies taught students that the Aryan race is more superior 2) Mein Kampf is compulsory 3) History lessons: criticize communism and the Treaty of Versailles 4) Subjects used for Nazi propaganda 5) PE emphasis on good health 6) The teachers in school all had to swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler b Youth Movement: Closed down activities for young people Opened own youth movement E.g. Hitler Youth groups about Nazi ideas and propaganda b Similarities and Differences Swear loyalty of Hitler Group activities taught collaboration Youth used to help war effort b Opposition Parents dislike children being only loyal to Nazis Some started other youth groups some of the youth didn t like the Nazi regime i Women b Role wife and mother b Gold, silver, bronze crosses depending on amount of children given birth to b Working women encouraged to marry and stay at home b Opportunities for women were limited b 1942 1945 needed more workers, women told to work early policies reversed b Weimar Germany: Women given the vote in Reichstag Women went out to work professions equal to men Expressed freedom, more social activities outside of family 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

b Nazi Germany: German women should be good mothers marry, be healthy, cook, clean, have children and stay at home Good German women no makeup, trousers, dye hair, cooked with leftovers German Women s Enterprise classes and radio broadcasts on motherhood. Leave work, concentrated on 3iks (Kinder, Kche, kirche) children, kitchen, church Nazi policy to women freeing jobs for men reduced unemployment Marriage and Children: There was a falling birth rate, so women were encouraged to marry and have more children Lebensborn fountain of life SS men made single German women pregnant- produce racially pure children Exam Techniques a) Chronological Events remember all dates and put all five events in order refer to timeline for important dates b) Describe 1 Effect the student will be given two events to choose from. When you chose that event describe 1 effect of the event on Nazi German. Make sure you read the question carefully. Use Point, Quotation, Analysis in your answer. First, state the point, then use your knowledge to prove it then identify causes and consequences clearly. c) Time Span also use Point, Quotation and Analysis in your answer. A time span will be given so answer within the time span of the question. Use your own knowledge for the entire question d) Using sources and own knowledge refer to the source using beginnings like according to the source Then explain the source with your own knowledge.