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Germany GCSE – History Revision Impact of WWI on Germany Politics and Anarchy POLITICAL EFFECTS: Germany had political problems before the war Reichstag was weak Working and middle-class people had little say in the way Germany was run No effective opposition to the Kaiser (got worse during the war) Opposition Leader’s imprisoned Germany ruled as a Military Dictatorship by Kaiser and his Army Leaders (Ludendorff and Hindenburg) Weakened the Reichstag further ANARCHY: Germany was extremely unstable Armed demobilised soldier’s were returning home and joining in violent demonstrations against the War and the Kaiser. Impact of WWI on Germany: Physically and Psychologically PHYSICAL EFFECTS: Farming disruption because farm workers had been drafted into armed forces 1918; Germany producing only 50% of milk, 60% of butter and meat it had produced before the war British Navy blocked German ports which prevented food from reaching Germans for the last two years of the war In weakened conditions civilians were vulnerable to disease. Probably ¾ of German citizens died from combined effect of hunger and disease PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS: Before War, Germans were proud and ambitious for their country Prepared to work hard for its success Experiences of the war made Germans bitter and angry All hopes of the pre-war years had been dashed Looked around for someone to blame (November Criminals) Society HAD been famous for its unity and obedience of its people, now famous for its squabbling and conflicts. Treaty of Versailles November 1918; World War One ended , known as Armistice Day 11th Negotiation; from January to May 1919 Big Three; USA, Great Britain and France. (Woodrow Wilson, Lloyd George and George Clemnceau; know as The Tiger) as well as the Italian President, Orlando Treaty’s Key Terms; 440 clauses, 200+ pages German Army reduced; to 100’000 men and not allowed an Air Force or Navy Article 231; ‘War Guilt Clause’ meant Germany took full responsibility for the war and that included all the losses and damages Article 232; Reparation Clause meant Germany had to pay the countries that had been damaged during the war (GB and France) Article 428; the Rhineland was a demilitarised zone (the Rhineland had most of Germany’s mines in it and meant that the French had a clear path into Germany if they ever needed it) Those who signed it became known the ‘November Criminals’. Gustav Born; Berlin to a modest family background, he established his own business Stresemann 1907; elected as a National Liberal candidate in poor district of Saxony, aged 28 he became the youngest member of the Reichstag 1914; adopted an extremist nationalist stance in the First World War. Was a member of the Navy League, became a propagandist for a ‘Greater Germany’ and supported the move to unrestricted submarine warfare 1917; became leader of National Liberal Party until its break-up in 1919 1918; was for harsh peaces terms in the settlement with Russia 1919; was denied membership of new Democratic Party, responded by founding the German People’s Party (DVP). Was emotionally hostile towards the Republic but decided that he could only make an effective political contribution within the party system. Accepted Germany’s commitments under the Treaty of Versailles 1920; DVP benefitted from the prevailing Anti-Versailles sentiment and obtained 65 seats in the Reichstag 1921-22; led his part in condemning the murders of the Republican politician Mathias Erzberger and Walter Rathenau. Also advocated firm legislation against Right-Wing extremists. The Weimar Republic November 1918; Weimar Republic proclaimed (created) 9th Born into the throes of military defeat and social revolution January 1919; National Assembly elected to draft a constitution Government; members of the Assembly called Weimar Coalition, included the SPD (German Democratic Party; Deutsche Demokratishce Partei – DDP) and the Centre Party (Catholic) Percentage of votes gained by coalition parties; 76.2%, suggested there was broad support for the Republic Percentage of votes against the coalition; 10.3% which was for the German People’s Part (DVP) and the German National People’s Party (DNVP) February 1919; Assembly selected the first President (Friedrich Ebert) The President; was elected by popular direct ballot to a seven-year term and could be re-elected Article 48; the Emergency Clause gave the President the right to dissolve the Reichstag, dismiss the Cabinet and veto Legislation (it was a way the President could have absolute power and it was legal). Weimar Constitution Here are the basics of the Weimar Constitution; The President; elected every seven years The Chancellor; appointed from the Reichstag by the President. But had to be supported a majority of the Reichstag The Reichstag; had proportional representation, parties got the same proportion of seats as their proportion of votes The German People; all adults can vote, all have equal rights Article 48; President had power to do what he wanted essentially without having to consult the Reichstag. But was meant to be used only in an Emergency State Governments; each of the states in Germany (which Was 36 after the end of World War One) had their own governments still but they had reduced powers and National Laws would overrule State Laws. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Weimar Strengths Weaknesses All Germans had equal rights, including the right to vote Enemies of the Republic; in 1919 the Republic had many enemies and it wasn’t sensible to give equal rights to those who wished to destroy the Republic Proportional representation; made sure that political parties were allocated seats in Reichstag in proportion to their votes. This was fair Divided Government; because of Proportional Representation no one party could gain absolute power and small parties were encouraged to run which meant there could never be a strong government A Strong President; was necessary to keep control of the government and to protect the country in a crisis Too much power; the President had too much control so it was always possible that he’d turn himself into a dictator Each state had its own traditions; it was right that they should keep some control over their own affairs. Hostility from the States; the states could be hostile towards the nation government and even try to overthrow it. 20th Adolf Hitler April, 1888 at Braunau am Inn, Austria (Hungary) Born; Veteran of WWI; 1914 – was 26 years old, was a Lance Corporal, decorated three times (Iron Cross: 1st and 2nd class, and Wound Badge). 1918 – was 30 years old, embittered and in hospital from Mustard Gas attack Joined Nazi Party in 1919; became leader in 1921 (after Anton Drexler) Leader of National Socialist German Worker’s Party (NSDAP); Nazi Party for short. Called himself ‘Führer’ Used charismatic speeches and propaganda to gain support Was imprisoned for failed coup in Bavaria in 1923; Gained support by promoting German nationalism, Anti-Semitism and Anti-Communism during trial Wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) whilst in prison; published in 2 volumes in 1925 and 1926. Sold about 240’000 copies between 1925-34 Leader of Germany from 1933-1945; Chancellor from 1933-1945, and Head of State (Führer) from 1934-1945. Was a Dictator Wanted to establish a New World Order of absolute Nazi Germany hegemony in Europe Pursued a foreign policy with declared goals of seizing Lebensraum ‘living space’ for Aryan people and directed state resources towards his goal Included rearmament of Germany in 1939 and transformed Weimar into Third Reich Died; 30th April 1945. Committed suicide in Berlin, Germany. Munich Putsch & Hitler’s Trial Around the same time as the problem in the Ruhr Hitler thought he could walk into centre of Munich and take-over the state 8th November 1923; Hitler and SA stormed a public meeting of some of the heads of Munich’s government and declared himself the leader of a new government Next Day; marched from Beer Hall (Hitler’s base) over to the Bavarian War Ministry but was stopped by wall of police and army 2 Minutes; police and army shot at the Nazis as they continued to march, 16 Nazis were killed and Putsch lasted all of two minutes Hitler fled and hid in Ernst Hanfstaengl’s home. Contemplated suicide before being arrested roughly forty-eight hours after the failed Putsch Charged with High Treason; during trial Hitler was able to talk for ages and turned it into a propaganda stunt. Became known throughout Germany as a result Prison Sentence of Five Years; instead of being sentenced to death Hitler was given a five year sentence (at Landsberg Prison). Spent nine months in prison as on 20th December 1924 he was pardoned and released In the Pen; whilst inside Hitler had brilliant accommodations and many liberties other inmates didn’t. Was allowed unlimited supply of visitors, walks on the grounds etc. The Occupation of the The Ruhr was one of the most economically productive areas of Germany Ruhr and when Germany defaulted on it Reparations, French and Belgian troops marched into the Ruhr and took control of it. Below is a basic summary of what happened before and after. 1922, December; Germany failed to make a reparation payment 1923, January; Paris Conference tried to resolve the dispute but on 9th January the Reparations Commission announced that Germany had deliberately defaulted on the reparation payments 1923, 11th January; French and Belgian troops sent into the Ruhr and the occupation devastated Germany’s economy and hyperinflation rose sharply, The Chancellor at the time (Cuno) enacted Passive Resistance which crippled Germany (workers in the Ruhr sabotaged machinery, flooded mines and refused to work) 1923, August; Early in 1923 the Dollar was worth 18’000 Marks but by August it was worth 4’600’000 Marks 1923, November; Hyperinflation reached 4 billion Marks to the Dollar 1923, September; Stresemann ended Passive Resistance against the French in the Ruhr 1923, October; New currency was introduced, the Rentenmark which was worth 1 billion Marks. The Dawes Plan Stresemann managed to resolve the issue in the Ruhr by organising for a massive loan from the USA which would be used to repay France and Great Britain as well as to stabilise the German economy. Below is a basic diagram that shows how the Dawes Plan worked; The USA loaned Germany money to help rebuild its economy so that it could continue to make the reparation payments USA War Loans Repaid Loans Britain and France Germany Reparations Women in Weimar Germany Women in Weimar Germany had; Freedom; they could do what they wanted (within reason) Liberation in 1920s; meant they were allowed to work and such Jobs; they were allowed to get a job Education; were encouraged to have a good education, even go to Universities Right to Smoke, Drink and Wear Make-Up; things that were never allowed for women were permitted and accepted More Relaxed Attitude to Sex; it wasn’t considered to be as secretive as before Weimar and birth control was frowned upon Clubs and Jazz Bars; women began to participate in American Swing Music. Women in Nazi Women in Nazi Germany were incredibly different to those ofGermany Weimar Germany’s women. They had; No Freedom; everything they had been allowed to do prior to Nazi Germany was revoked and they went back to being housewives Children and Marriage; with the control of Germany the Nazis said the role of women was for them to be child bearers and to marry a pure man Mother’s Cross; depending on how many children a woman had she would get a cross. Bronze if she had four children, Silver if she had six and Gold if she had eight Marriage Loans; the government gave couples marriage loans so as to encourage couples to get married (they thought this’d lead to an increase in the population of racially-pure children) Education; Nazis didn’t think that women needed a university education so they encouraged them to stay at home (the numbers of women attending university declined) 3 Ks; Children, Church and Cooking/Kitchen. Nazi’s said these were a woman’s main things in life apart from total devotion to her husband. Why Did People Vote For Hitler? On the whole there were several reasons for why people voted for Hitler after World War One. They are; Propaganda (the manipulation of the media); radio broadcasts and newspapers were used and manipulated (made to sound PRO-Nazi and ANTI-Marxist). Hitler had parades, parties and marches when he was campaigning to try and convince people to vote for him Anti-Semitism and Anti-Versailles; people who hated the Jews and the Treaty of Versailles were drawn to Hitler as he linked Communism, Judaism and the Treaty together citing that it was a plot to destroy the German people, he promised to make Germany great again Mass Unemployment; after WWI unemployment in Germany rose sharply and was catastrophic in 1933 (the Wall Street Crash), Hitler promised the people jobs and better standards of living A Divided Government; Weimar’s structure was flawed because no single party could gain an overall majority so had to have coalitions (that sounds familiar this year) and Hitler used this to his advantage. Told the people that the government couldn’t deliver on its promises because it was so divided but that HE could deliver on his Fear of Marxism (Communism); people were afraid of the Marxists getting to power since industrialists and the rich would lose their money/wealth. Nazi party was like the ‘Fighter’s against Communism’ gaining support from the middle and upper classes Economic Crisis; people were afraid of the crisis getting worse, hyperinflation was already bad and getting worse (banks had printing presses printing worthless money 24/7) so Hitler promised them that he would fix the economy. Nazi Ideology The main parts of the Nazis ideals: A Strong Germany; The Treaty of Versailles would be abolished and all German-Speaking people united in ONE country Führer; One Leader with all the power of the Heads of State and Military Social Darwinism; The ARYAN people, the superior race Autarky; Germany should be Economically Self-Sufficient Germany in Danger; Protecting Germany from the KPD and Jews who had to be destroyed. Hitler’s Promises These are the things that Hitler promised the people: Full Employment; promised the German people (the working class) that they would have jobs The Beauty of Work; set up the SdA to help Germans see that work was good and that everyone who could work should work One Pot Meal; said to the rich and upper class, don’t buy fancy foods on a Friday, just make a stew with the leftovers as it’s cheaper Re-armament; began in 1933. The idea of ‘guns before butter’ to make Germany great meant she needed a strong army Autarky; the promise that Hitler would make Germany totally self-sufficient, didn’t work. Hitler’s Actions And this is how Hitler gave the people what they wanted and what he did when they were busy being happy: Jobs; fired Jews and women to give their jobs to unemployed German men Mass Work Schemes; unemployed men worked on Government run workschemes like building motorways (autobahns) which would be useful for when Hitler started the War One Pot Meal Diversion; used the One Pot Meal to sidetrack people so as to not notice their actions or things that he did which were questionable Re-armament of Germany; which made certain that they had the resources needed for when Hitler attacked other countries for ‘Lebensraum’ (living space). The Backstairs Hitler’s rise to power and to the seat of the Chancellor was shrouded in Intrigue mystery as he was sworn in as Chancellor even though his support began to dwindle and decrease. This strange occurrence has been explained through the Backstairs Intrigue; the details of which are listed below. April 1932; Hitler loses to Hindenburg in the Presidential Election July 1932; Reichstag election, Nazis got 230 seats, the KPD got 89 seats. SA (Storm Troopers/Brown Shirts) had approximately 2 million across the country, beat up Communists and used intimidation in some places August 1932; Hindenburg doesn’t like that many things about Hitler but offers him the role of Vice-Chancellor which Hitler turns down (he wants real power) the megalomaniac Previous Chancellors from 1930 up to 1932; Muller, Bruning, Papen and Schleicher November 1932; Reichstag Elections, Nazis got 196 seats (-34) and KPD got 100 seats (+11) Otto and Gregor Strausser relating to Nazi Party split (had a small effect, they emphasized the socialist ideas of the party) 30th January, 1933; Hindenburg finally appoints Hitler as Chancellor. Rich Industrialists, Army Generals and Bankers influenced Hindenburg’s decision to appoint Hitler. Also Hindenburg’s son Oskar. The Army Generals feared the SA and its numbers whilst the Bankers feared the Marxists. 1932 in Detail April; Hitler stood for President but lost out to Hindenburg who, at 85 years of age, was re-elected. Though the margin was close which identified Hitler as being an actual contender to Hindenburg May; the Fall of the Bruning Government. Frans von Papen was appointed Chancellor after Bruning July; Reichstag elections held. Nazis won 230 seats and became the largest party in the Reichstag but still didn’t have an absolute majority so had to continue its coalition August; Hitler rejected the position of Vice-Chancellor. He didn’t want to sit next to the powerful he wanted to be the powerful September; Reichstag dissolved again November; Reichstag elections held. Nazi votes declined to 196 seats. Papen government resigned December; Von Schleicher appointed as Chancellor. 1933 in Detail January; Schleicher’s government falls. Hitler is appointed as Chancellor on the 30th with Papen as Vice-Chancellor February; 27th, Reichstag Fire – law for the protection of people and state. 2nd, Newspapers banned from reporting ‘false information’ March; Goebbels is appointed as Propaganda Minister. Reichstag elections were held and the Enabling Act was passed as Centre-Party was for the Nazis (only Social Democrats were against; Otto Wels) Nazis gained 288 seats on 5th March April; Jewish children restricted entry into German schools. First boycott of Jewish shops (1st) abandoned after one day. The people weren’t anti-Semitic enough to be alright with it May; the Trade Unions were abolished. Hitler gave the workers a bank holiday and when workers at the Trade Unions went back to work the next day they found their offices occupied by SA troops. Also, a mass-burning of ‘Non-German’ literature was carried out June; all Political Parties banned. SS assume control of the concentration camps (most of them contain political prisoners) July; Nazi Party becomes the only legal party in Germany. Hitler signs a concordant with Pope to protect the Roman Catholic Church in Germany as long as the Church didn’t interfere with politics November; Reichstag elections held with Nazi Party winning every seat. 1934 in Detail January; all German states were abolished making Germany one, single state. This meant that there were no local governments to contend with the national government April; Himmler was appointed head of the Gestapo due to SS members being the Gestapo top-officers June; Night of the Long Knives. SS are no longer a part of the SA and Ernst Röhm is executed August; President Hindenburg dies (19th). Hitler combines officers of President and Chancellor, makes him the most powerful man in Germany and an absolute dictator. German Army carry out the Oath of Allegiance to Hitler personally. Night of the Long SA (Sturm Abteilung); ran by Ernst Röhm who’s known Hitler since 1923 (Munich Putsch) Knives Nicknamed Brown Shirts; wore brown uniforms and alternatively known as Storm Troopers (like Star Wars) Had 1-2 million young, violent men in SA and many were used in brawls with the KPD The SA was Hitler’s private Army but it was wild, violent and undisciplined. The real Army hated it because of the lack of discipline 30th June 1934; (in countryside outside of Munich) Hitler sacrifices Röhm to appease the Army and gain its support Purge of major opponents; approximately 80 in major positions across Germany were killed SS leaders (Himmler/Heidrich) made up Röhm take-over plot which had no proof and convinced Hitler of Röhm ’s betrayal Röhm was arrested on the morning of the 30th June and was placed in a prison cell where he was given a pistol with a single bullet and told to shoot himself. When he did not do this the SS soldiers who had arrested him returned and shot him through the head After this the SS now had total control of the SA and so had more power which made its leaders happy Compared to the SA, the SS were the elite, well-educated, blue-eyed and blonde-haired Germans (known as the Schutzstuffel) A letter was written to Hitler by General Blomberg (leader of the Army) who commemorated Hitler for his actions. War Propaganda; 19331936 1933: Adolf Hitler was an Anti-Semite since Vienna (common belief) ‘The Longest Hatred’ (Anti-Semitism); don’t know exactly when he became an anti-Semite or how 500’000 Jews settled in Germany; less than 1% of the overall population April 1st; mass boycott of Jewish shops. Abandoned after only one day, people weren’t impressed Hitler had to tone down his Anti-Semitism (didn’t talk about Jews in his speeches anymore) 1935-36: Nuremberg Laws; German Nationality. Jews can’t marry Germans ‘Jews Not Welcome’; signs went up throughout Germany banning Jews from public places Berlin Olympics; Anti-Semitism was repressed and Hitler wanted the Olympics to show how great Germany was (wasn’t happy with Jesse Jackson as a result). War Propaganda; 19381945 1938-39: Reichkristalnacht; Night of the Broken Glass All Jews have to add forename Sara or Israel to their names September ‘39; Germany invade Poland (mass execution of Jewish Leaders and Men) 1941-1945: Final Solution; Holocaust. Called ‘Shoah’ (meaning ‘calamity/catastrophe’). 6 million Jews as well as Gypsies, Jehovah’s Witnesses, disabled, homosexuals and others were murdered Auschwitz; in Poland. Largest concentration camp. Auschwitz-I and Auschwitz-II. 1.1 million Jews executed there Dachau; the prototype for all concentration camps June 1941; Germany invades Russia. Nazi Olympic Games; 1936 Berlin highlighted German PridePropaganda Josef Goebbels; brilliant speaker, propagandist and had a doctorate. He was intelligent and manipulative Newspapers; Volkischer Beöbachter (only newspaper in Germany) and Anti-Semitic magazine (Dur Stürmer) Posters, elections, marches/rallies, education and youth control Anti-Semitism Cheap Transistor Radios; 35 Rentenmark. 1939 - 80% population had radios in cars and homes (constant propaganda) Economic Recovery; rise in employment ‘All Hitler’s Work that’s all you need to know’ Foreign Policy; Rhineland taken back in 1936 and Austria incorporated into Germany in 1938 Cinema; ‘Triumph of the Will’ movie which highlighted German Pride and how Hitler was doing Germany good. Controlling Germany GESTAPO: Ge; Secret Sta; State Po; Police SECRET STATE POLICE Arrests/trials; arrested people who were outspoken against Hitler and Nazi Party Imprisonment; political prisoners were arrested and imprisoned in Camps Denunciation; relied on neighbours snitching on each other Concerned about Young People; had a lot of power (Eidelweiss Pirates, White Rose) Understaffed; didn’t have a lot of people in them, SS members in charge SS: Nazi Elite; weren’t like SA, were intelligent and racially-pure Schutzstuffel Black Uniforms; looked more professional and important unlike SA, brown uniforms Highly Educated; many had university degrees and doctorates Himmer/Heidrich; the leaders of the SS Anti-Semitism; main thing, hatred of Jews was rampant in its ranks Political Operations; controlled the Concentration Camps and other things Military; had a lot of control over the German Army, took lead in some places. Controlling Germany’s Youth SUCCESS: Indoctrinated young Germans with Nazi values Controlled school curriculum; maths curriculum was distorted to show social examples War shown as a positive thing Boys turned into soldiers, girls to wives and mothers Make children more Anti-Semitic; had more of an effect on younger children Nazi Teaching Association Hitler Youth (Hitler Jugend; H.J); baby Nazis (Little Fellows). Parades (7:30-9:30 in the evenings) League of German Maidens Weekend/Summer Camps; had passwords like ‘Adolf Hitler’ Physical Exercise; believed in the youth being physically and mentally fit FAILURE: White Rose; Hans and Sophie School part of resistance group. Executed in February 1943 Swing Groups; low level resistance to Nazi Culture Eidelweiss Pirates; wore Eidelweiss badges (flower) and distinctive clothes. Good for alienated youth opposed to regimental nature of Hitler Youth. Events Leading up to the Holocaust April 1933; Boycott of Jewish shops, abandoned after one day 1st 1935; Nazi Party rallies and speeches against Jews 9th June 1938; Munich’s largest Synagogue is pulled down 25th July 1938; New restrictions on Jewish doctors 17th August 1938; All Jews have to put ‘Sara’ or ‘Israel’ in their names 27th September 1938; Jewish lawyers forbidden to practice 28th October 1938; Deportation of 17’000 Jews of Polish nationality to Poland 7th November 1938; Jewish refugee in Paris shoots German diplomat. Goebbels uses this to fuel nationwide attack against Jews in Germany 9th-10th November 1938; Reichkristalnacht. 91 murders of Jews, burning of 191 synagogues, ransacking of over 7’000 Jewish shops and 30’000 Jews arrested and imprisoned. Planned by Goebbels who was in trouble with Hitler so thought this would impress him. Events of the Holocaust 1941: Germany invades Russia; Einsatzgruppen (mobile SS units; action squads) advance into Russia and start to execute Russian Jews Mid-August; Executions of Jewish children in Russia begins 1st September; Jews wear yellow Star of David on sleeves. Same month 33’371 Jews murdered by Einsatzgruppen at Babi Yar 14th October; Jews in Germany moved to ghettos in Poland (Warsaw ghetto) 15th October – 11th November; 20 trains leave Germany carrying Jews to Lodz December; First use of Gas Vans in executing Jews (Chelmno, Poland). Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau – the execution of nearly 1 million Jews 1942: July; Mass executions begin at Treblinkain, Poland. 800’000 Jews killed by august 1943under the administration of just 50 Germans and 150 Ukrainians By end of war about 6 million Jews had been executed at the Concentration and Death Camps that the Nazis created.