1. The Great Depression Lesson starter:
Why was Germany affected more than any other country by the Depression?
Why do you think it made people turn to the Nazis?

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

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

4. 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

5. People in The USA and other countries suffered terribly
Unemployment rose drastically
People fell into poverty
Many business owners killed themselves as they lost everything

6. 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

7. 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

10. 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….

11. 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.

12. 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 ‘only the Great Depression put the wind in the Nazis sails’

13. Add to AVU The Great Depression
What the Great Depression was
Why Germany was affected more than any other country
Four effects on German people
How did the Depression help the Nazis?
Extension – AJP Taylor quote

14. ES Question Source A is from a German Newspaper on 25th October 1929
Black Thursday arrived yesterday. The Wall Street stock market in America crashed and will have devastating consequences. America will undoubtedly call in all of their foreign loans. This will cause huge unemployment in Germany as businesses are forced to close. Business owners will be left with nothing due to our strong trade links with the USA.
1. Evaluate the usefulness of Source A as evidence of the effects of the Great Depression on Germany? (5 marks)

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