Teacher's Ver Chap 2 Review PDF

Name: _________________________________________________________ Date: _______________ Class: __________ Chapter 2 Review 2.1: Why did the Nazi Party rise to power? Refer to pg. 40 - 62 of your text...

Name: _________________________________________________________ Date: _______________ Class: __________ Chapter 2 Review 2.1: Why did the Nazi Party rise to power? Refer to pg. 40 - 62 of your textbook and complete the table below. Factors Examples Explanations Link Weaknesses Weak constitution Thanks to the Weimar Constitution, the This drove people to support of the Weimar of the Weimar Weimar Republic operated under a system the Nazis, who seemed to be a Republic Republic: known as proportional representation, strong political party that Proportional where people voted for a party rather than offered stability in the chaos Representation specific candidates, and parties gained that the Weimar Republic seats based on the number of votes won. seemed unable to provide. (Example 1.1) The proportional representation made it hard for any political party to get a majority during elections. Hence, coalition governments were formed. For example, Friedrich Ebert's Social Democratic Party won the most votes and  gained the most seats in the Reichstag following the January 1919 elections, when he became president. However, he did not have enough seats to form a government alone and had to form a coalition with the Catholic Centre Party and the German Democratic Party. (Example 2) As laws needed to be approved by the Reichstag, governments had to balance the interests of the various parties that made up their coalitions or risk the collapse of their governments. This made the passing of laws challenging and governments weak and often short-lived. (Example 1.2) Weak constitution Article 48 of the Weimar Republic of the Weimar constitution allowed the country to be Republic: Article 48 directly ruled by the President without needing to consult the Reichstag during times of crisis. (Example 1) In the hands of a President dedicated to preserving democracy, Article 48 could be a powerful tool in protecting democracy. However, under a president with a different view towards democracy, it could be misused and exploited to bring it down instead, as was the case in the 1930s. (Example 2) The unpopularity of The majority of Germans believed the As a result, whatever the Weimar German army ended WW1 undefeated. government that came to power Republic with the They were not told if the war continued that in the Weimar Republic would German people Germany would be invaded. They thus struggle to gain support from expected a negotiated treaty where they the German people. In contrast, were treated fairly. They thus saw the a new party, such as the Nazis, Treaty of Versailles as a diktat. (Example 1) would have an advantage rising In the minds of many Germans, Ebert, the to power. German Chancellor at the time of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, and the other Weimar politicians were to blame for the Treaty. They were branded the “November Criminals.” Socialist and liberal politicians for the Treaty. (Example 2) Threat to the Early in 1919, communists with similar The need for the Weimar Republic from the beliefs as the Russian Bolsheviks, known Republic to use the Freikorps to left-wing (e.g. the as the Spartacists, staged a revolt. put down the communist Spartacist Uprising, (Example 1.1) They were joined by rebel rebellions was a sign of its 1919) soldiers and sailors and were able to set up inability to maintain control of soviets in many towns. (Example 1.2) the country. This weakness Ultimately, it took a combination of the army emboldened and encouraged and the anti-communist band of WW1 other groups like the Nazis to veterans known as the Freikorps to put challenge its authority and rise down the rebellion (Example 2) to power.  Threat to the In March 1920, Wolfgang Kapp led 5,000 The need for the Weimar Republic from the Freikorps into Berlin. He planned to Republic to rely on the trade right-wing (e.g. the overthrow the Weimar Republic and install a unions to stop the Kapp Putsch Kapp Putsch, 1920) more authoritarian system. (Example 1) The was a sign of its inability to German army refused to act to suppress maintain control of the country the uprising. (Example 2) In response, on its own. This weakness Germany’s trade unions declared a general emboldened and encouraged strike, and civil servants refused to other groups like the Nazis to cooperate with Kapp. This forced Kapp to challenge its authority and rise give up. (Example 3) Kapp was hunted to power. down after he fled the country but died while awaiting trial. However, besides Kapp, no other rebels were punished. (Example 4) Economic Hyperinflation in the In the 1920s, the German government However, hyperinflation had Challenges in 1920s continued to print banknotes, causing them undermined support for the Germany to become worthless as hyperinflation set Weimar Republic among the in. As a result, prices of daily needs rose German middle class rapidly. For example, the price of a loaf of The hardships it brought about bread in 1923 could have bought a house in made the Germans lose 1921. (Example 1) It affected the middle confidence in the Weimar class most harshly by how it wiped out Republic’s ability to cope with savings and high rates of unemployment. It future economic crises. This was ultimately resolved by the new German drove people to support the Chancellor, Gustav Stresemann, who Nazis, who seemed to be a negotiated the reorganization of reparations strong political party that in the 1924 Dawes Plan and the 1929 offered stability in the chaos Young Plan 1929. (Example 2) In November  1925, he replaced the German mark with that the Weimar Republic the Rentenmark. (Example 3) These seemed unable to provide measures reduced German debt and ended hyperinflation. The Great In October 1929, the US economy crashed. The economic crisis hit the Depression As a result, US bankers and businessmen middle class the hardest, and asked German banks to repay their loans many workers felt that the and removed their investments in Germany. government had not managed This resulted in economic collapse in the crisis well. This caused Germany as businesses went bankrupt and them to turn away from unemployment skyrocketed. By 1932, democracy and look towards unemployment was at 6 million or 40% of other forms of government. This the population. (Example 1) Between provided a favorable climate for 1929-1932, the income of the average Hitler’s Nazi Party to rise into German fell by 40%. (Example 2) power. The appeal of Fear of communism Many workers began to feel that the This led to a surge in support Hitler and the Weimar Republic was not managing the for the Nazis, allowing them to Nazi Party economic crisis, particularly the Great rise to power. Depression, well and failed them. Most turned to the German Communist Party (Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands / KPD). They had rebuilt their organization after it had been destroyed following the Spartacist Uprising during the 1920s. They had local party branches, a youth  movement, and a very effective publicity machine. (Example 1) Thanks to that, between 1929-1932, approximately 1 million workers turned towards the KPD (Example 2), and their representation in the Reichstag rose from 10% to 15%. (Example 3) However, the rise of communists frightened many Germans Hitler's charisma Hitler was a powerful and persuasive and oratorical skills speaker. His profile was raised by his failed presidential campaign against Hindenburg in 1932. (Example 1) Using film, radio, print, and traveling by plane on a hectic tour of rallies across Germany, he was thus able to spread his message to millions of people. (Example 2) He portrayed himself as a dynamic man of the moment and the leader of a modern party with modern ideas. The SA and the SS During the Weimar Republic, there were frequent street battles. Large, unruly groups of unemployed workers gathered on street corners. (Example 1) In contrast, the Sturmabteilung (SA) and Schutzstaffel (SS) gave the impression of discipline and order. The SA was better organized than the  communists. They often had the support of the police and army as they attacked Nazi opponents. (Example 2) Many Germans felt the country needed order; hence, they welcomed the impression that the SA and SS portrayed whilst also appreciating the SA’s willingness to fight the communists. The success of Nazi Joseph Goebbels, who was in charge of political campaigns Nazi propaganda by 1929, made effective (i.e. Nazi use of leaflets, newspapers, and radio propaganda) broadcasts to spread the Nazi message. It blamed Germany’s problems on the Treaty of Versailles, particularly the reparations (Example 1.1), as well as the Weimar politicians for being too selfish and divided to do what was needed to get people back to work. (Example 1.2) It promised to rebuild the German military, which would create millions of jobs (Example 2.1) and expressed sympathy and support for workers, such as in the Nazi 25 Points. (Example 2.2) It also offered culprits to blame for the problems, particularly the Jews. (Example 3)  2.2: How did the Nazis consolidate their rule after coming to power? Refer to pg. 64 - 68 of your textbook and complete the table below. Factors Examples and Explanations Link Reichstag Fire On 27 February 1933, in the middle of Thus, Hitler and the Nazis the campaigning for the 1933 elections, exploited the Reichstag Fire to the Reichstag building was burnt down. gain an advantage in the 1933 Hitler claimed that a lone and mentally elections and consolidate their unwell communist started it, Marinus power. van der Lubbe, and that it was the start of a communist uprising. (Example 1) He thus persuaded Hindenburg to pass an emergency law, the Decree for the Protection of People and State (Example 2.1) The Decree gave Hitler sweeping powers. It removed individual and press freedoms and the right to a fair trial promised by the Weimar Republic. It also allowed the police, SA, and SS to arrest four thousand communists on the night of the fire alone. (Example 2.2) Furthermore, opposition party meetings, newspapers, and radio broadcasts were banned. This made it difficult for the opposition to campaign in the 1933 elections. (Example 3) As a result, the Nazis gained 288 seats. With the support of a further 52 DNVP (Deutschnationale Volkspartei/German National People’s Party) delegates, they had a majority of 52% in the Reichstag. (Example 4) The Enabling In the wake of the Reichstag Fire, the With the passing of the Act Nazi Party won a majority in the 1933 Enabling Act, Hitler was now elections but not quite the two-thirds effectively a dictator. For the  majority needed to change the next four years, if he wanted a constitution. To overcome this, he new law, he could pass it introduced a new measure called the without needing to consult the Enabling Act. This was aimed to allow Reichstag or President him to make and pass laws without Hindenburg. This effectively consulting the Reichstag. When the ended democracy in Germany. Enabling Act came up for a vote, the Nazis used SA & SS to intimidate the Reichstag (Example 1.2), banned and arrested communist delegates from coming to the Reichstag so they could not vote (Example 1.2), persuaded the Centre Party to vote for the Act by giving vague promises, to not interfere in Catholic Church and its schools (Example 1.3), and using the votes of his allies (Example 1.4). As a result, when the Enabling Act came up for a vote, only the SPD voted against it, and it was passed on 24 March. (Example 2) Gleichschaltung During the Weimar Republic, the civil Through the Gleichschaltung (Coordination) service, judiciary, the army, and other policy, the Nazis brought all of groups undermined the Weimar German political life under Republic. Hitler introduced the their control and thus Gleichschaltung (Coordination) process eliminated any sources of to prevent this and consolidate his opposition. power. This involved bringing all aspects of the German state under Nazi control. For example, in April 1933, Hitler passed a law which banned Jews from civil service and made it almost impossible to be promoted if not part of the Nazi party. (Example 1) It also made it so all local councils and state assemblies had to have a Nazi majority. As a result, over 400 locally elected council members  and 70 locally elected mayors lost their positions. (Example 2) By July 1933, Hitler passed another law that banned all other political parties. Germany became a one-party state. (Example 3) The Night of the By 1934, Hitler began to see the SA, The Night of the Long Knives Long Knives particularly its leader, Ernst Röhm, as a thus saw Hitler and the Nazis threat. Röhm was an ally of Hitler eliminating a large number of Hitler had asked him to lead SA in their political rivals both within 1930. But by 1933, there was growing and outside the party. It thus tension between them, as seen by how served to consolidate their he was not given a more important role power. in the new government. (Example 1) The SA itself was also becoming a source of tension. The SA was ~3 million strong. All of whom were fiercely loyal to Röhm and supported his calls to tax industrialists and landowners to help the unemployed. However, these very groups helped Hitler come to power. (Example 2) Army commanders were also suspicious of Röhm. They thought the SA was a disreputable force of thugs and were unsettled by Röhm’s talk of making the SA into a second German army. (Example 3) On the weekend of 29-30 June 1934, squads of SS men arrested Röhm and other SA leaders throughout Germany on the basis that they were plotting to overthrow and murder Hitler. By the end of it, Röhm and approximately 400 were executed. (Example 4) The campaign also saw Hitler targeting his old rivals. For example, the former Chancellor von Papen was placed under house arrest. The death of On 2 August 1934, shortly after the Thus the death of Hindenburg Hindenburg Night of the Long Knives, Hindenburg and the subsequent oath of died. With his death, the only figure allegiance to him that Hitler who could rival Hitler’s power was gone had them swear consolidated In response, Hitler merged the offices his power as it strengthened of President, Chancellor and the his control of the German commander in chief of the armed army and thus eliminated a forces and became the Fuehrer potential source of opposition (Supreme Leader). (Example 1) To to Nazi rule. further consolidate his power, the oath that all German soldiers swore was changed to become an oath of personal loyalty to Hitler. (Example 2.1) In exchange, the army agreed to stay out of politics and to serve him. Hitler rewarded this by introducing pro-military policies such as spending vast sums on rearmament, reintroduced conscription, and generally making plans to make Germany a great military power again. (Example 2.2)  2.3: Was Nazi rule beneficial for all people living in Germany? Refer to pg. 68 - 80 of your textbook and complete the table below. Group of people Beneficial / Not Example and Link Beneficial Explanation Communists and Not Beneficial Some socialists and This oppression of other political communists remained political opposition by parties active and continued to the Nazis made it so send reports to their exiled that their rule was leaders. They also harmful to those who did encouraged workers to not follow their political resist by striking and ideology. engaging in sabotage. However, they were constantly being suppressed by elements of the Nazi state. For example, in 1936, the Gestapo claimed that it broke up 1,000 opposition meetings. (Example 1) Many of them were also sent to concentration camps. In total, between 1933 and 1939, 1.3 million Germans, ½ million Roma (Gypsies), political prisoners, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, as well as WW2 POWs spent at least some time in such camps. (Example 2) The army Beneficial The army's main rival, the The military thus SA, was purged in the enjoyed policies they Night of the Long Knives. found favorable to their  Many SA members were interests and thus absorbed into the army. benefited from Nazi rule. (Example 1) Hitler also started rearmament and re-introduced conscription after the Army swore allegiance to him, rebuilding the strength of the Army. (Example 2) Farmers Beneficial During the Great Thus, as a whole, Nazi Depression, many farmers rule did not significantly took loans from banks to benefit German farmers. survive. The Reich Entailed Farm Law saved many farmers from losing their land to the banks by preventing banks from taking the lands of indebted farmers. (Example 1) Not Beneficial However, most farmers remained poor, and their farms became state-owned. (Example 2) The middle class Beneficial The crackdown on the The middle class thus communists removed one enjoyed a mixed picture threat to the middle class. in terms of whether they For example, in 1936, the benefited under Nazi Gestapo claimed that it rule. Whether their living broke up 1,000 opposition standards improved or meetings. (Example 1) declined depended on Many of them were also their businesses aligned sent to concentration with the Nazi’s aim of camps. In total, between rearmament. 1933 and 1939, 1.3 million Germans, 1⁄2 million  Roma (Gypsies), political prisoners, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, as well as WW2 POWs, spent at least some time in such camps. (Example 2) Furthermore, owners of businesses related to rearmament benefited from government contracts as the Nazis gave priority to rearmament as part of the 1936: Four-year plan under Goering. (Example 3) Not Beneficial However, owners of other small businesses continued to struggle. Workers Not Beneficial New initiatives such as Overall, wages Strength Through Joy remained comparatively (Example 2.1) and Beauty low. As such, although of Labour. (Example 3.1) prices of goods were The former provided also kept low, by the late workers with cheap theater 1930s, many workers’ and cinema tickets, living standards were organized events such as still lower than before courses, trips, and sports; the Great Depression. and offered discounted cruises on luxury liners. (Example 2.2) By 1939, more than 50 million Germans had been on a Strength Through Joy holiday. (Example 2.3) At the same time, Beauty of Labour provided improved  working conditions in factories through measures such as introducing washing facilities and low-cost canteens. Despite this, working and living conditions improved only superficially. (Example 3.1) Beneficial The Reich Labour Service sent men on public works projects and conservation programmes, reducing unemployment while improving the standard of living. (Example 2) Conscription and rearmament helped to reduce unemployment further, creating jobs in the coal mines, steel, and textile mills. (Example 3) Big businesses Beneficial Big businesses no longer As a result, company had to worry about trade owners and managers unions and strikes as they flourished under Nazi had been outlawed by the rule. Nazis. (Example 1) Companies like Siemens, Mercedes, and Volkswagen made massive profits due to government contracts. (Example 2) Women Not Beneficial Women were expected by Thus, due to the severe the Nazis to stay at home limits imposed on them and focus on child-rearing. by Nazi rule, their rule To force women to adhere was not beneficial to to this belief, the Nazi German women. regime introduced policies that excluded women from politics and academics. Women were not allowed to vote. (Example 1) They were discouraged from pursuing university studies. (Example 2) Policies were also introduced that limited employment opportunities for women, such as discrimination against women applicants for jobs, were encouraged. (Example 3) Furthermore, girls were funneled into the League of German Girls (Bund Deutscher Madel/BDM), where they received vigorous training in domestic tasks. (Example 4) Youths Not Beneficial Hitler was especially keen Thus, youths under Nazi to win over the minds of rule enjoyed young people. As a result, opportunities to education was carefully participate in a range of controlled. Teachers were activities under the Hitler tightly regulated and had Youth. However, this joined the National came at the cost of Socialist Teachers’ heavy indoctrination in League. (Example 1) They Nazi ideas from both were also made to attend Hitler Youth activities  training courses stressing and education in school. Nazi ideology and physical Thus, as a whole, education. (Example 2) youths did not benefit They were expected to from Nazi rule as the teach a curriculum that negative consequence was changed to reflect a of indoctrination greater emphasis on Nazi outweighs the benefits values. For example, provided by the activities infusing Nazi ideas in organized by the Hitler subjects such as history Youth. and biology. (Example 3) Similar indoctrination with Nazi ideology and anti-Semitism during the various camps, sports, and physical training of Hitler Youth (Example 4.1) that had been made compulsory for Aryan Germans by 1936. (Example 4.2) Beneficial The Nazis also introduced a paramilitary organization of the Nazi Party known as the Hitler Youth that groomed German youths to be future Nazi leaders. (Example 5) The Hitler Youth organized various activities, such as camps, sports, and physical training. (Example 4.1) Minority groups Not Beneficial The Nazis persecuted Due to such (such as the minority groups that did persecution, Nazi rule of Roma) and the not fit with their idea of Germany was not disabled Aryan racial superiority. beneficial to minority Many people in these groups. groups were forcibly sterilized or euthanised. For example, a fifth of Roma in Germany in 1939 were killed. (Example 1) Furthermore, they sought to ‘improve’ the Aryan race through eugenics and euthanasia. A “euthanasia programme” for the disabled and mentally ill. even Aryans began in 1939. It led to more than 5,000 disabled babies being killed between 1939 and 1945 (Example 2.1) and 72,000 mentally ill patients killed between 1939 and 1941. (Example 2.2) Jews Not Beneficial Jews were heavily Due to such persecuted under the persecution, Nazi rule of Nazis. For example, the Germany was not Nuremberg Laws removed beneficial to Jews their German citizenship and other rights. Jews were forbidden to marry "pure-blooded" Germans and take up jobs such as lawyers and doctors. (Example 1) Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues were also damaged or destroyed during the Kristallnacht incident. (Example 2) During World War II, many German Jews were forced to live in ghettos, sent to concentration camps, or killed. (Example 3)