1. How Does the Nazi Party Gain Power?

2. By getting elected
Nazi Party = one of many political parties competing for power in Weimar Republic

3. What was the Weimar Republic?
Gov’t of Germany bet
Democratic republic
Multi-party democracy
No monarch
President: chief executive
elected
appoints chancellor
Reichstag: legislative body
chancellor= head of Reichstag

4. By 1933: Nazis Control Reichstag
1920s: Nazi Party is a minor party
By 1933: Nazi Party is largest party in Reichstag
WHY?
- Nazis take advantage of problems plaguing Weimar Republic

5. What were some of the problems plaguing the Weimar Republic?

6. 1. Constitutional Weaknesses

7. Reichstag: Problems w/ Proportional Representation
Germans elected the party, not the person
Hard for 1 party to gain majority
Hard for get things done
Lots of turnover in gov’t.
Creates perception of a weak government

8. Article 48 In an “emergency” president could ignore Reichstag
President would have full power
Could rule by decree
Creates potential for abuse of power

9. 2. Losing WWI

10. Problems w/ Treaty of Versailles
(June 28, 1919)
- treaty ended WWI for Germany
between Germany and winners (USA, UK, France)
Many Germans see terms as unfair

11. Why does the treaty anger some Germans?
Germany admits blame for WWI (Article 231: the “war guilt clause”)
Germany will pay millions of $$ in reparations
Germany loses land and its colonies
Germany severely reduces army and navy
Germany gives up air force
Germany not allowed to unite with Austria (Anschluss)
Part of Germany (Rhineland) will be occupied years

12. Result: Many Germans resent Weimar government for signing treaty
German cartoon from magazine Simplissimus (June 3, 1919)

13. 3. Early 1920s Economic Crisis

14. Early 1920s
Reparations payments cripple economy
Government prints lots of $$ to spark economy

15. 1923: Hyperinflation

17. 4. Political Violence/Unrest
1919: “Spartacist Revolt”- communists attempt overthrow
1920: Kapp Putsch – extreme nationalists attempt overthrow

18. Nov. 1923: Beer Hall Putsch - Hitler and Nazis attempt overthrow - revolt fails - Hitler goes to jail where he will reassess strategy and seek to gain power via elections

19. How can Nazis take advantage of these problems?