Post-War Struggles in Germany 1918-1924

In 13 years, how did the Nazi Party go from being an unknown political party to the most powerful political party in Germany?

The Weimar Republic Weimer Republic Political Gridlock Moderate leaders draft new Constitution Political Gridlock Multiple parties create need for coalition Most powerful are Communist and Conservative Economic Disaster Hyperinflation hits in 1923 Recovery Germany recovered in 1924 but memories of miseries fueled fanatical tendencies when the Great Depression hit

The Rise of Hitler Leader of small but extremist Nationalist Worker Party (NAZIs) Munich Beer Hall Putsch: Hitler jailed Mein Kampf Nationalistic, racist, anti-Semitic Promised to restore Germany to greatness and create jobs

THE RISE OF HITLER

The Rise of Hitler Brilliant orator Carefully staged public meetings Roused people to support Hitler without the faintest idea of what they were agreeing to

Support from industrialists The Rise of Hitler Support from industrialists Nazi Germany would be strong & good for the economy Hitler would be the best defense against growth of communism

Hitler Becomes Chancellor

The Rise of Hitler Other parties can’t unite President Hindenburg appoints Hitler Chancellor Jan 1933 Thought he would be controllable Start of “Third Reich” (3rd German empire)

Why was Hitler supported? Supported by President, army & many politicians Hoped for strong gov’t and a solution to Germany’s economic problems Then they will get rid of Hitler

Use of Violence Stopped newspapers from criticizing Nazis Dismissed officials who opposed him Uniformed followers broke up meetings of other parties and beat up opponents Violent election campaign

The Election Campaign Hitler called for new elections Violence, especially against communists Nazis won 43% Allied with Nationalist party to secure 51% majority

The Reichstag Fire Reichstag burns a week before elections Blamed communists Excuse to issue emergency law Removed Weimar freedoms Right to fair trial Free press Probably started by Nazis

HITLER IN POWER 1933 - 1938

Enabling Act, 1933 Scheme for Reichstag to give up power & rule as a dictator Reichstag had to pass an “Enabling Act” with 2/3 majority Barred communist deputies so they could not vote Persuaded Centre Party to vote for the Act with vague promises

Enabling Act Banned other political parties Trade Unions taken over by Nazis Press, radio and cinema placed under total Nazi control

The Night of the Long Knives 1934 Hitler wanted complete power within his own party Ernst Rohm, leader of the SA wanted more important role Started to create trouble for Hitler Hitler decided to get rid of him and many of his followers How would you do that if you were Hitler?

The Night of the Long Knives 1934 Hitler called the leaders of the SA to a special conference During the night, he had them dragged out of bed and shot On the same night, many other opponents all over Germany suffered the same fate No public protests – demonstrated Hitler’s power and the people’s fear This became known as the Night of the Long Knives

Establishing post of Fuhrer Hindenburg died Hitler combined the jobs of Chancellor and President – Fuhrer (Leader) Also became commander in chief of the armed forces Supreme dictator of Germany

HITLER's GERMANY

Public works projects and re-armament created jobs and revived economy Party bureaucracy created jobs 6 Million unemployed in 1933 reduced to 250,000 in 1939 Economic revival made Hitler popular Next step: “Lebensraum”-extend Germany’s borders and demonstrate German superiority

Social Control A Totalitarian State

Education Train young people to be Nazis and loyal citizens Education was carefully controlled Strict curriculum indoctrinated with Nazi ideas

Youth Movements Hitler Youth Movements: Girls and boys (14-18 yrs) encouraged to join Divided by age Those who didn’t join couldn’t enter University or find jobs Military-style training / motherhood – women to stay at home and produce babies

The German People

Propaganda and Censorship Ministry of People’s Enlightenment & Propaganda Posters – images of Hitler Radio broadcast Hitler’s ideas, Banned & burned books Newspapers tightly controlled News slanted in favor of Nazis People were watched everywhere Gestapo or Secret Police

Strict control of people Control lives and influence thoughts People were watched everywhere – at work, at school, even at home! A PARTY REPRESENTATIVE in every street Gestapo or Secret Police SS – security forces as well as control of the police force

Strict control of the people Declared Aryans the master race – against undesirables – Jews, homosexuals, disabled people, etc. Nazi controlled National Reich Church – celebrated Aryanism

Blamed Jews for all of Germany’s problems The Jews Blamed Jews for all of Germany’s problems Loss in WWI Humiliation of Versailles Began campaign of anti-Semitic persecution

The Jews Jews were arrested and beaten up Many forced out of their jobs Slogans painted over windows of Jewish shops Boycott Many left Germany but most stayed nowhere else to go

1933 - 1938 discriminate against Jews Nuremburg Laws 1933 - 1938 discriminate against Jews Not German citizens Banned from civil service and judiciary Had to carry special ID cards Couldn’t marry non-Jews Severely limited allowable occupations and trade

Kristallnacht November 9-10, 1938 “Night of Broken Glass” Windows smashed, shops looted, synagogues burned Jewish community forced to pay for damage

YouTube - Little hitler