HISTORY
Chapter 3: Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
, NAZISM AND THE RISE OF HITLER
03
Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
The First World War and Germany
The rise of Hitler to power in Germany is often attributed to the harsh treaties which were
faced by Germany during the First World War.
• Germany fought the First World War along with Austria–Hungary against the Allies—
England, France, and Russia. Germany was defeated in the war, and the German emperor
abdicated the throne.
• After the war, Weimer Republic—a democratic government—was formed in Germany. All
Germans including women got the right to vote in the elections.
Why was Weimer
Republic unpopular It was unpopula
amongst the because it
r had
Germans? accepted the harsh
terms of the Treaty
of Versailles after
the German defeat in
the First World War
(1)
, NAZISM AND THE RISE OF HITLER
03
• The number of unemployed youths and poor people increased in German society. Thus,
socialism became a great force in Germany. Communists also made an uprising against the
Weimar Republic but failed. The political atmosphere in Berlin was charged with demands
for Soviet-style governance.
• There was deep economic crisis in Germany. When Germany refused to pay the allies in gold,
France occupied its leading industrial area. To meet the economic crisis, the Government
printed too much of German currency (Mark). The value of German currency declined
considerably, and the prices of essential goods and commodities rose.
• Eventually, the Americans intervened and bailed Germany out of the crisis by introducing the
Dawes Plan. It redrew the terms of reparation to ease the financial burden on the country.
Germany and the Great Depression of 1929
• German investments and industrial recovery were totally dependent on short-term loans,
largely from the USA.
• However, the world plunged into the Great Depression in 1929 when American stock
market ‘Wall Street Exchange’ crashed.
• The Great Depression of 1929 further added to the miseries of Germany.
• After America withdrew the loans which it gave to Germany. By 1932, the industrial
(2)
Chapter 3: Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
, NAZISM AND THE RISE OF HITLER
03
Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
The First World War and Germany
The rise of Hitler to power in Germany is often attributed to the harsh treaties which were
faced by Germany during the First World War.
• Germany fought the First World War along with Austria–Hungary against the Allies—
England, France, and Russia. Germany was defeated in the war, and the German emperor
abdicated the throne.
• After the war, Weimer Republic—a democratic government—was formed in Germany. All
Germans including women got the right to vote in the elections.
Why was Weimer
Republic unpopular It was unpopula
amongst the because it
r had
Germans? accepted the harsh
terms of the Treaty
of Versailles after
the German defeat in
the First World War
(1)
, NAZISM AND THE RISE OF HITLER
03
• The number of unemployed youths and poor people increased in German society. Thus,
socialism became a great force in Germany. Communists also made an uprising against the
Weimar Republic but failed. The political atmosphere in Berlin was charged with demands
for Soviet-style governance.
• There was deep economic crisis in Germany. When Germany refused to pay the allies in gold,
France occupied its leading industrial area. To meet the economic crisis, the Government
printed too much of German currency (Mark). The value of German currency declined
considerably, and the prices of essential goods and commodities rose.
• Eventually, the Americans intervened and bailed Germany out of the crisis by introducing the
Dawes Plan. It redrew the terms of reparation to ease the financial burden on the country.
Germany and the Great Depression of 1929
• German investments and industrial recovery were totally dependent on short-term loans,
largely from the USA.
• However, the world plunged into the Great Depression in 1929 when American stock
market ‘Wall Street Exchange’ crashed.
• The Great Depression of 1929 further added to the miseries of Germany.
• After America withdrew the loans which it gave to Germany. By 1932, the industrial
(2)
