Rise of Nazism in Germany PDF

“Germany’s economic difficulties were a crucial factor in the Nazis’ rise to power. Unemployment had risen dramatically, from 4.35 million in 1931 to 6 million by the winter of 1932. The economic and psychologi- cal impact of the Great Depression made extremist parties such as the Nazis and the Comm...

“Germany’s economic difficulties were a crucial factor in the Nazis’ rise to power. Unemployment had risen dramatically, from 4.35 million in 1931 to 6 million by the winter of 1932. The economic and psychologi- cal impact of the Great Depression made extremist parties such as the Nazis and the Communists more attractive. Hitler’s appeal to national pride, national honor, and traditional militarism struck chords of emotion in his listeners, and the raw energy projected by his Nazi Party contrasted sharply with the apparent ineptitude emanating from its democratic rivals. As the conservative elites of Germany gradually came to see Hitler as the man who could save Germany from a Communist takeover, President Paul von Hindenburg agreed to allow Hitler to become chancellor on January 30, 1933, and form a new government.” 136​ “Yet almost everywhere in eastern Europe, parliamentary governments soon gave way to authoritarian regimes. Several factors helped create this situation. Eastern European states had little tradition of liberalism or parliamentary politics and no substantial middle class to support them. Then, too, these states were predominantly rural and agrarian. Many of the peasants were largely illiterate, and much of the land was still dominated by large landowners who feared the growth of agrarian peasant parties with their schemes for land redistribution. Ethnic conflicts also threatened to tear these countries apart. Fearful of land reform, Communist-led agrarian upheaval, and ethnic conflict, powerful landowners, the churches, and even some members of the small middle class looked to authoritarian governments to maintain the old system.” 137​ “France, Great Britain, and Italy condemned Germany’s unilateral repudiation of the Versailles Treaty but failed to take concrete action.” (139)​ “By the end of 1936, the Treaty of Versailles had been virtually scrapped, and Germany had erased much of the stigma of defeat. Hitler, whose foreign policy successes had earned him much internal public acclaim, was convinced that neither the demoralized French nor the British could effectively oppose his plans and decided in 1938 to annex Austria, where pro-German sentiment was strong. By threatening the country with invasion, Hitler coerced the Austrian chancellor into putting Austrian Nazis in charge of the government. The new government promptly invited German troops to enter Austria and assist in main- taining law and order. One day later, on March 13, 1938, Austria formally became a part of Germany.” 140 “The annexation of Austria—achieved without severe objections from other European nations—put Germany in position for Hitler’s next objective—the destruction of Czechoslovakia. Although the democratic government in Prague was quite prepared to defend itself and was supported by pacts with France and the Soviet Union, Hitler believed that the country’s allies would not come to its aid to defend it against a German attack.” 140 “His gamble succeeded. On September 15, 1938, Hitler demanded the cession to Germany of the Sudetenland (an area in western Czechoslovakia that was inhabited largely by ethnic Germans) and expressed his will- ingness to risk “world war” if he was refused. Instead of objecting, the British, French, Germans, and Italians—at a hastily arranged con- ference held in Munich—reached an agreement that essentially met all of Hitler’s demands. German troops were allowed to occupy the Sudetenland as the Czechs, abandoned by their Western allies as well as by the Soviet Union, stood by helplessly” 140 Rise of Nazism The Treaty of Versailles created resentment in Germany by imposing harsh reparations and territorial losses, leading to economic instability. The War Guilt Clause was also a sore spot, as it blamed Germany for the start of the First World War. This discontent fueled nationalist sentiments and contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, ultimately leading to World War II. The Great Depression put people out of work, so they do not have enough money to survive. This led to the rise of Nazism as people were willing to try something new, as Hitler promised to help Germany out of this situation. This, paired with hyperinflation are factors that led to Nazism. The Weimar Republic government did not work, as they could rule by decree, meaning that there is essential martial law. The Treaty of Versailles was also a sore spot, as they lost territory like Rhineland. There was also the "War Guilt Clause" that essentially blamed Germany for the war and damages done to countries. This also meant that Germans were given the bill and forced to pay reparations. This intense blame from numerous countries accelerated nationalism, which played a part in the rise of Nazism. The policy of appeasement allowed aggressive actions by Hitler, like the remilitarization of the Rhineland and the annexation of Austria, without opposition. This emboldened Nazi Germany, leading to further expansion and ultimately the invasion of Poland, which triggered World War II The Gestapo played a crucial role in Nazi Germany by ruthlessly eliminating opposition to the Nazi regime and rounding up Jews for extermination, contributing to the brutal implementation of the Final Solution. The Enabling Act allowed Hitler to enact laws without Reichstag approval, consolidating his power and establishing a legal framework for his dictatorship. This was crucial for the Nazi regime's control over Germany and the implementation of its policies. Kristallnacht, also known as the Night of Broken Glass, was a violent pogrom against Jews carried out by Nazi paramilitary forces and civilians in Germany on November 9-10, 1938. What were some key tenets of National Socialism in Germany? Key tenets include totalitarianism, anti-Semitism, intimidation of opposition, extreme racism, extreme nationalism, militarism, dictatorship, and suppression of basic freedoms which were crucial to the Nazi regime's control and policies. What was the purpose of the Enabling Act passed in 1933? The Enabling Act allowed Hitler to enact laws without Reichstag approval, consolidating his power and establishing a legal framework for his dictatorship. This was crucial for the Nazi regime's control over Germany and the implementation of its policies. Hitler took Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia in October 1938. France, Britain, and Italy then had the Munich Agreement that allowed appeasement. They were basically allowing Hitler to take territory without any consequences, like Sudetenland and Austria. Further, he broke the Treaty of Versailles, by remilitarizing the Rhineland, a buffer zone between Germany and France. This emboldened Hitler; it gave him confidence that he could take lands that were not his and there would be no consequences from other countries. Then, Hitler took the rest of Czechoslovakia and then Poland, which then started the war.