Causes of WWII

1. Economic Problems in Germany: Hyper -inflation Germany was forced to pay war debts for WWI to the Allied nations Germany borrowed the money Eventually, all the countries wealth was paying off war debts Printed $$ to pay off debts – massive inflation 1922 – 300 marks to buy $1 US 1923 – 50,000 marks to buy $1 US

Economic Problems People began to barter and trade goods and services rather than use money Advertisement from Schmidt’s Deli 1918 Price 1923 Price Cabbage Dill Pickles Wieners 4.50 marks per kg 2.80 marks per kg 6.60 marks per kg 13 million marks per kg 12.7 million marks per kg 15.4 million marks per kg

This picture shows a woman using German marks as fuel in her furnace. The value of $ This picture shows a woman using German marks as fuel in her furnace.

Kids using bundles of marks as building blocks. Payroll money being transported in laundry baskets

2. Political Instability Economic problems lead to political instability 3 main political ideologies (beliefs about role of government) emerge: Communism Social Democracy Fascism (National Socialism – Nazi Party)

Communism Purpose of government is to serve the needs of the people Government should be run by workers – democratic in principle Industry and agriculture should be owned by the state No private property allowed Supporters: workers, unemployed, some teachers/professors

Social Democracy Purpose of government is to balance the needs of the people with rights of private business in a capitalistic economy Government run by elected representatives Treaty of Versailles must be honored Constitution guarantee rights of minorities, workers and freedom of press Supporters: workers, some professionals, religious minorities

Fascism / National Socialism (Nazis) Needs of the state (country) come before needs of individual Government should be run by the wealthy and supported by the army Private ownership of business allowed – but government reserves right to dictate terms Democracy is a problem Jews, foreigners, communists are responsible for Germany’s problem Supporters: army, unemployed, big business & wealthy

3. Treat of Versailles Treaty of Versailles imposed severe conditions on Germany New boundaries, reparation payments and military restrictions were seen as unjust Germans felt humiliated by Treaty – bitterness and anger

4. Depression and Unemployment 1929 Stock market crash – world wide depression Germany could no longer afford American products US banks could no longer lend to German businesses – German business went bankrupt – job losses Living standards fell drastically – families in Berlin were living in tents, farmers guarded their fields with rifles

The Rise of Hitler In Germany, Adolf Hitler had been regarded as a fringe political player – did not have popular support In the midst of this economic and political crisis the people of Germany began to listen to Adolf Hitler