1. The Great Depression 1929 - 1933 Lesson starter:
Explain, in detail, the effect of hyperinflation on Germany?
Why do you think hyperinflation made people turn to the Nazis?

2. Today we will… Understand how the Great Depression affected Germany
Analyse the effect it had on ordinary people

3. The best time for Weimar? 1924-1928
After hyper-inflation finished Germany’s Weimar Republic experienced its best time.
The government used the money from American loans wisely and invested in a new currency, new factories, built new houses instead of slums etc.
Germans now had jobs, wages and for four years it looked like democracy in Germany might survive.

4. The Great Depression
A worldwide economic crisis of the 1930s started by the Wall Street Crash of 1929 which caused huge unemployment and suffering.

5. In October 1929, The stock Market on Wall Street collapsed
‘Wall Street Crash’
All over the world, countries who traded with The USA lost money and had to close down businesses

6. Manycountries suffered terribly
Unemployment rose drastically
People fell into poverty
Many businesses collapsed as workers had no jobs, so no money to buy goods & the owners became unemployed too

7. Since Germany owed money to The USA through the Dawes Plan, the USA asked for it back immediately
This meant Germany was affected more than any other country

8. Germany in The Depression
Factories & businesses closed
Unemployment went up to 6 million
The Government raised taxes which made people poorer
The Government cut welfare benefits to save money which made people’s lives worse

9. This is Karl
He fought for Germany in WWI
He was a manager in a factory and worked very hard since 1918
He lives in Berlin in a nice home with his wife and two children
His boss had to close his factory when America called in their loans and the Depression took hold of Germany
Karl queues every day at the labour exchange looking for work
There is no unemployment benefit for him as the government has cut their benefits
He and his wife are living on their savings
They will soon run out
He has never voted for an extremist party
What will happen to Karl?
He sees a sign while out looking for work one day….

10. Are you a war veteran, shamed by the Treaty of Versailles?
Have you lost your job and savings in the Depression caused by America who control our great country through their loans?
Are you sickened by those people in our great country who are wealthy yet bring nothing to our society?
Are you worried that this crisis will allow Communism to become more popular?
If you answered Yes to these questions, come along to a meeting of the NSDAP tonight at Bier Halle, Oranienburger Strasse, Berlin.

11. How did it Help the Nazis?
Unemployment rose to 6 million – the Nazis promised jobs to everyone
In desperate times, people were more likely to support extremist parties like the Nazis or the Communists
The Nazi vote went up to 13.7 million by July 1932
Historian AJP Taylor said “the Great Depression put the wind in the Nazis’ sails”

12. Task 1: Factors That Helped the Rise of the Nazis
Stab in the back 1918 The Depression
TASK – Copy and complete the diagram below and add factors that you think helped the Nazis come to power – illustrate as well.
Factors that helped Hitler & the Nazis come to power

13. Task 2: Story Board
Using your notes from today, create a story board (comic strip) about the Great Depression and its impact on Germany. See next slide for template.
Include the following:
Germany before the Great Depression (people happy, plenty of jobs and money etc.)
The Depression hits Germany
Impact of the Depression
Impact on Karl (see slides 11-12)
Attraction of the Nazi Party
Increase in support for Nazis

14. Put the heading “The Great Depression”
Put the heading “The Great Depression”. Then add images and text to explain each image.

15. The Great Depression Copy and complete:
The ______ _______ started in _____. This occurred because of the Wall Street ______. This affected Germany because the ______ wanted loans paid back immediately.
Crash USA Great Depression 1929

16. Video Clips

17. Today we will… Understand how the Great Depression affected Germany
Analyze the effect it had on ordinary people