Questions and Answers
What was the Weimar Republic?
The Weimar Republic was the German state between 1919 and 1933, known for facing numerous problems like hyperinflation and political extremism.
What event marked a major economic disaster worldwide in 1929?
The Wall Street Crash of 1929.
Hitler was released from prison in _____ after serving only six months.
December 1924
The Nazis securied over 50% of Reichstag seats in the 1930 elections.
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What law was passed that granted Hitler emergency powers?
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Who was the President of Germany when Hitler was appointed Chancellor?
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What characterized the political climate of the Weimar Republic?
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What did Hitler promise to the Reichstag when seeking assent to the Enabling Act?
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The Nazis campaigned with violence and terror tactics, employing the _____ to intimidate opponents.
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What was the position of members of the Centre Party during the vote for the Enabling Act?
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What was the purpose of the Enabling Act?
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The Enabling Act was signed by President Paul von Hindenburg.
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Which event immediately followed the Reichstag Fire Decree?
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What was the primary objective of the Gleichschaltung period?
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What organization was under the control of the Nazi Party that provided vacation trips to workers?
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Who was the leader executed during the Night of the Long Knives?
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What did the Night of the Long Knives symbolize for Hitler's regime?
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The formal name of the Enabling Act was Gesetz zur Behebung der Not von Volk und _____.
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Membership in the Hitler Youth was voluntary.
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Match the following Nazi organizations with their primary functions:
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Study Notes
Weimar Republic
- Existed from 1919 to 1933; name derived from Weimar where the constitution was written.
- Officially known as Deutsches Reich, it faced hyperinflation, political extremism, and dissatisfaction over the Treaty of Versailles.
- Successfully reformed currency and unified tax policies, but only partially met reparations and disarmament requirements.
Development of Nazi Party
- Hitler released from Landsberg prison in December 1924 after serving six months; party and newspapers were banned.
- Nazi Party's support dropped significantly until the economic crisis of 1929, which provided new opportunities for the party to grow.
- Nazi membership increased with organizational help from Gregor Strasser, and the SS was established as Hitler's bodyguard.
Economic Crisis and Elections
- The 1929 Wall Street Crash worsened German economics, shutting down foreign loans and increasing unemployment.
- In the September 1930 election, Nazis gained significant votes, rising as the second largest party in Reichstag.
- Hitler gained support from the military and industrialists, contributing to the party's financial backing.
Political Landscape from 1930-1932
- Nazis and Communists gained 50% of Reichstag seats in the 1930 election, eroding democracy.
- Chaotic governance led to reliance on presidential emergency powers; political rivals failed to unite against Nazis.
- Violence escalated between Nazis and Communists, and many established parties struggled to adapt to the changing landscape.
Rise to Power
- After several elections, Nazis remained the largest party in the Reichstag without a majority.
- On 30 January 1933, Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor in a conservative coalition.
- Both internal and external observers underestimated Hitler's ambitions, believing he could be controlled.
Path to Dictatorship
- Nov 1932 elections saw a decline in Nazi seats, yet they held considerable power.
- After the Reichstag fire, civil liberties were suspended, and anti-Nazi legislation was introduced.
- The Enabling Act passed in March 1933, granting Hitler dictatorial powers without parliamentary oversight.
Gleichschaltung: Nazi Revolution
- From 1933 to 1937, non-Nazi organizations were systematically eliminated, including trade unions and parties.
- Educational institutions came under government control while churches faced suppression and regulation.
- Compulsory youth organizations were established to indoctrinate children into Nazi ideology and prepare them for service.### Hitler Youth and Kraft durch Freude
- Membership in the Hitler Youth reached just under six million in 1936.
- Kraft durch Freude (KdF), meaning "Strength through Joy," was created as a recreational organization under the German Labor Front.
- KdF aimed to control leisure activities and brought all private clubs under Nazi oversight.
- It offered vacation trips, skiing, swimming, concerts, and ocean cruises, boasting around 25 million members, making it the largest Nazi organization for workers.
- The Reichsberufswettkampf, a national vocational competition, was another method to align workers with Nazi ideology.
Propaganda Principles by Joseph Goebbels
- Joseph Goebbels emphasized the effectiveness of subtle propaganda that infiltrates daily life without the public's awareness.
- He remarked that effective propaganda does not need to lie and can present the truth in an understandable manner.
Enabling Act of 1933
- The Enabling Act, enacted on March 24, 1933, allowed the German Cabinet, particularly Chancellor Adolf Hitler, to enact laws without Reichstag involvement.
- This act established a legal dictatorship by granting Hitler plenary powers.
- It followed the Reichstag Fire Decree, which restricted civil liberties and transferred powers to the Reich government.
- The Enabling Act's passage was secured through intimidation of non-Nazi members during a threatening Reichstag session.
Night of the Long Knives
- The Night of the Long Knives (June 30 - July 2, 1934) was a series of extrajudicial executions orchestrated by the Nazi regime to eliminate potential rivals.
- Notable victims included Ernst Röhm, leader of the SA, and other political adversaries, consolidating Hitler’s power.
- The purge aimed to improve the regime’s public image and appease the Reichswehr, the official military, which viewed the SA critically.
- Approximately 85 were killed during the purge, although estimates indicate the final count may have reached into the hundreds.
Ernst Röhm
- Ernst Röhm was a co-founder of the SA and a significant early ally of Hitler.
- By 1934, he was seen as a rival by Hitler and was executed during the Night of the Long Knives.
Hitler's Image of Improvement in Germany
- Hitler portrayed an image of economic recovery and international success for Germany:
- Key events included the remilitarization of the Rhineland and the 1936 Olympic Games.
- He abdicated personal responsibility for the nation’s challenges, positioning himself as a source of national strength.
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Explore key terms and definitions related to the rise of the Nazis and the Weimar Republic. This quiz will help you understand the historical context and significance of the Weimar Republic from 1919 to 1933. Perfect for students studying German history or World War II.
