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History Depth Study 2: Hitler’s Germany 1929-41
Rise to Power
i. End of the Weimar Republic
Evaluate the reasons why democracy came to an end in Germany by 1934. (21MJ43)
To what extent do economic factors explain the fall of the Weimar Republic? (21ON41)
The Weimar Republic was Germany’s government from 1919 to 1933, the period after WW1
until the rise of Nazi Germany, ending when Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of
Germany.
1. The Great Depression's insurmountable economic problems was the main reason for
the fall of the Weimar Republic because it radicalized the German electorate, creating
fertile ground for the rise of extremist parties.
o Discontent from Industrialists: The dramatic decline in export value (downward
trend of 55% between 1929 and 1932) severely impacted German businesses.
-> This economic pressure on industries fueled resentment towards the
government and a search for alternative solutions
o Discontent from Workers: Mass unemployment skyrocketed from 1.6 million to
5.6 million between 1929 and 1932.
-> This widespread hardship caused social unrest and desperation, making many
workers receptive to radical ideologies that promised economic recovery and
stability.
o Discontent from the Mittelstand (Middle Class): The collapse of five major
banks in 1931 triggered a credit freeze that crippled over 50,000 businesses.
-> This economic devastation for the middle class, the backbone of German
society, shattered their faith in the existing system and led many to seek a more
drastic change.
Overall, the economic hardship was the main reason for the fall in democracy
because economic hardship directly affected every citizen, and made Germans
more receptive to extremist Nazi party who offered simplistic solution for
economic woes
2. The failure of Weimar Chancellors to maintain a stable parliamentary government was
the main factor of the fall of the Weimar Republic because it led to a decline in public
trust and respect for democracy in the Weimar Republic.
o Muller had disagreement within the governing coalition on how to address a
deficit in the social insurance scheme.
- Social Democrats (SPD) proposed moderate benefit cuts (3-3.5%).
- German People's Party (DVP) demanded steeper cuts
Muller's inability to find a compromise led to his resignation, highlighting the
fragility of coalitions and their inability to address pressing issues.
o Under Bruning,
Rise of extremist parties, particularly the Nazi Party (NSDAP) which gained
significant support in the September 1930 election (NSDAP vote share increased
by 15%).
-> Increased reliance on Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution, which allowed
the President to bypass a deadlocked parliament and rule by decree. This
weakened the parliament's authority and fostered a sense that democracy
wasn't functioning effectively.
, o Schlieicher’s failed to gain support for proposed trade union reforms
- Reforms alienated the left wing.
Accusation of "agrarian socialism" by elites fractured potential coalitions for
broader reform.
-> This further demonstrated the government's inability to address social and
economic problems, leading to public disillusionment with the democratic
process.
Overall, was a significant factor in increasing dissatisfaction with the
democratic Republic, but economic hardship was the underlying reason for the
Chancellor’s struggles to address the crisis.
3. The cultural and political climate of the Weimar Republic perceived as offensive to
patriotic Germans, fostered resentment and ultimately contributed to the demise of
democracy.
o "Stab in the Back" Myth: The widespread belief that Germany hadn't lost World
War I due to military failure but was betrayed by internal forces (the "November
Criminals") fueled resentment towards the Republic.
-> This perception undermined the legitimacy of the democratic government
and the Treaty of Versailles it signed.
o Conservative Backlash Against Cultural Modernism: The cultural
experimentation and perceived moral decay associated with the Weimar
Republic alienated some segments of society.
-> Ie: The public pressure that led to the 1926 law restricting "pulp fiction and
pornography" exemplifies this clash
-> This social divide further weakened national cohesion.
o Rise of Nationalist Opposition: The "National Opposition" movement, which
garnered significant support (5.8 million votes) in the December 1932
referendum against the Young Plan (reparations payments), demonstrates the
strength of nationalist sentiment that opposed the Republic and its policies
-> This highlights how a significant portion of the population felt the government
didn't represent their national pride and interests.
Overall, offensive culture of Weimar Republic was a significant factor in
fostering resentment towards the Republic but did not directly impact every
German’s livelihood like economic crisis.
ii. Rise of Nazis
‘The existence of mass unemployment was the principal reason for Hitler’s rise to
power.’ How far do you agree with this judgement? (16MJ43)
Assess the importance of Nazi racist ideas to their electoral success by 1933. (20MJ42)
How important were Nazi ideas to Hitler’s rise to power by January 1933? (21ON42)
‘Propaganda was the main reason for the growth of support for Nazism.’ Discuss this
view in relation to the period 1929–33. (9489-21MJ41)
‘The Great Depression was the key factor in Hitler’s rise to power.’ Evaluate this view.
(9489-21MJ43)
‘The main reason for the growth in Nazi support between 1929 and 1932 was the
growing economic crisis in Germany.’ Assess this view. (9489-22FM42)
Throughout the 1920s, The Nazi Party (NSDAP) rose to power through increasingly strong
electoral showings, culminating in Adolf Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in 1933.
, 1. Mass unemployment during the Great Depression was the most important factor
leading to the rise of the Nazis because it created a population vulnerable to extremist
ideologies
o Desperation and Disillusionment: With unemployment skyrocketing from 1.6
million to 5.6 million between 1929 and 1932, many Germans felt unwanted and
hopeless. This desperation made them receptive to alternative solutions.
o Community and Belonging: The Nazi Party, particularly the Sturmabteilung (SA)
paramilitary wing, offered a sense of community and belonging for the
unemployed. Membership in the SA grew tenfold between 1929 and 1932 as
many looked for a sense of purpose and camaraderie.
o Vicious Economic Cycle:
The high unemployment rate caused a decrease in consumer spending, which in
turn led to a decrease in demand for goods (production dropped by 50% from
1929 to 1932).
This decrease in demand forced businesses to lay off even more workers, further
worsening the unemployment situation. This cycle fueled public anger and
desperation.
Overall, the economic hardship was the most important factor in Nazis rise to
power because it created a desperate and disillusioned population that could
be manipulated by the Nazis
2. The Nazis' effective use of propaganda, which targeted population that was anxious
about the economy, significantly contributed to their rise to power in the Weimar
Republic.
o Mass Suggestion and Conformity: The Nazis used a variety of techniques to
create a sense of mass unity and pressure to conform.
-> This included powerful speeches by Hitler that appealed to emotions and
national pride, a highly recognizable Nazi uniform that symbolized strength and
order, massive rallies that created a sense of belonging and shared purpose and
the use of salutes, flags, and anthems that fostered a sense of national identity
o Targeted Propaganda: The Nazis didn't use a one-size-fits-all approach. They
tailored their propaganda messages to resonate with different social and
economic groups:
-> Workers: Promises of "Bread and Work" appealed to those struggling during
the Great Depression.
-> Mittelstand (Middle Class): The Nazis promised to limit competition from
large department stores, a concern for many small businesses.
-> Industrialists: Propaganda dispelled fears of nationalization and promised a
stable business environment.
o Simple and Compelling Messages: The Nazis avoided complex political rhetoric.
They focused on clear, easily understood messages that resonated with the
public. This was evident in their use of simple slogans and mass distribution of
materials like the 600,000 flyers promoting the "Immediate Economic
Programme" in July 1932
Overall, this effective use of propaganda allowed the Nazis to connect with a
broad segment of the German population that was affected by mass
unemployment.
3. The Nazi Party's emphasis on racial ideology, particularly its scapegoating of
minorities and its appeal to a distorted sense of national pride, resonated with a
significant portion of the German population and contributed to their rise to power.
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