Download German Support for Hitler Packet

Name: ______________________________________________ Date: _____________________ Period: __________ German Support for Hitler Packet Directions: Read through the following sources and answer the questions for each one. Then complete the graphic organizer titled “Main Question.” “Economic Recovery under Hitler’s Regime” “Persuasive Power” “Nazi Party Propaganda” “Treaty of Versailles: Weapons, War Guilt Clause, and Reparations” “Treaty of Versailles: Territory Concerns” Document Title Main Question: Why did Germans support Hitler? What can it tell us about why Germans supported Hitler? Economic Recovery under Hitler’s Regime Source: Der Grosse Brockhaus1 (Wiesbaden, 1952), I, 524. Average Annual Unemployment Figures in Germany, 1932-­‐1938 1932 5,575,500 1933 4,804,400 1934 2,718,300 1935 2,151,000 1936 1,592,700 1937 912,300 1938 429,500 Questions to Consider: 1. The German population in 1932 was 18.5 million. What was the approximate unemployment rate in this year? 2. The German population in 1938 was 20.4 million. What was the approximate unemployment rate in this year? 3. What does this information tell you about the German economic situation between 1932 and 1938? 4. What can you infer from this information about the German people’s attitude towards the Nazi Party, which was the party in control of Germany during this time period? 1 Der Grosse Brockhaus is a German encyclopedia. Persuasive Power Source: Report of Lorenz Frank to Army Group Command No. 4, in Werner Maser, 1919. “Herr Hitler, if I might put it this way, is the born popular speaker, and by his fanaticism and his crowd appeal he clearly attracts the attention of the audience, and compels [forces] it to share his trend of thought….” Source: Autobiography of Obersturmfüher Georg Zeidler, August 30, 1934. “We old National Socialists did not join the storm troops from any rational considerations, or after much contemplation [careful thought]. It was our feelings that led us to Hitler. What we felt, what our hearts compelled us to think, was this—Hitler, you’re our man. You talk like a human being who’s been at the front, who’s been through the same mess we were, and not in some soft berth [bed], but like us as an unknown soldier. You are pleading, with all your being, with all your burning heart, for us, the Germans…. He who once looked into Hitler’s eyes, he who once heard him, will never get away from him again…. Questions to Consider: 1. What in this document stands out to you? 2. How did those who had followed Hitler describe him? 3. How did Hitler convince people to follow him? Give some specific quotes from the documents above to prove your point. Nazi Party Propaganda Source: Dr. Joseph Goebbels, “Common Interest Before Self-­‐Interest,” Nazi Party propaganda pamphlet, 1926 The Common Interest Before Self-­‐Interest What is the first commandment of every National Socialist? Love Germany more than anything, and your fellow Germans more than yourself! What is the aim of the National Socialist idea of liberty? To create the national community of all honestly creative Germans! What is the content of that national community? Freedom and bread for every German! Who is a fellow German, a racial comrade? Every honestly creative German is, provided [that] his blood, his customs, his culture are German, and provided [that] he speaks the German tongue! What is the basic economic principle with which National Socialism wishes to replace the present economic warfare of all [people] against all [people]? The Common Interest Before Self-­‐Interest! Questions to Consider: 1. What in this document stands out to you? 2. What are the main points of this propaganda piece? 3. According to this pamphlet, what does the Nazi Party offer to ordinary Germans? Selections from the Treaty of Versailles: Weapons, War Guilt Clause, and Reparations ARTICLE 170
Importation into Germany of arms [weapons], munitions [ammunition] and war
material of every kind shall be strictly prohibited.
The same applies to the manufacture for, and export to, foreign countries of arms,
munitions and war material of every kind.
ARTICLE 231
Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and her allies for causing all the
loss and damage to which the Allied and Associated Governments and their
nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war imposed [forced] upon
them by the aggression of Germany and her allies.
ARTICLE 232
Germany…will make compensation for all damage done to the civilian population
of the Allied and Associated Powers and to their property during the period of the
belligerency [aggression]….
Questions to Consider: 1. What in this document stands out to you? 2. What are the main points of each article presented here? 3. How did these requirements impact Germany in between the World Wars? Selections from the Treaty of Versailles: Territory Concerns ARTICLE 42
Germany is forbidden to maintain or construct any fortifications either on the left
bank of the Rhine or on the right bank to the west of a line drawn 50 kilometres to
the East of the Rhine.
ARTICLE 43
In the area defined above the maintenance and the assembly of armed forces, either
permanently or temporarily, and military maneuvers of any kind, as well as the
upkeep of all permanent works for mobilization, are in the same way forbidden.
ARTICLE 44
In case Germany violates in any manner whatever the provisions of Articles 42 and
43, she shall be regarded as committing a hostile act against the Powers signatory
of the present Treaty and as calculated to disturb the peace of the world.
ARTICLE 119
Germany renounces in favour of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers all her
rights and titles over her oversea possessions.
Questions to Consider: 1. What in this document stands out to you? 2. What are the main points of each article presented here? 3. How did these requirements impact Germany in between the World Wars?