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1. Weimar Republic Emergence of the Democratic Republic and the impact of the Treaty of Versailles November Revolution triggered by a mutiny in the navy spread to Kiel where sailors were joined by soldiers wanted democracy 9th November announced the Kaiser had abdicated and a National Assembly was to be elected, to draw up a democratic constitution the Chancellorship was handed to Ebert, head of the SPD called for elections for the Assembly 19th Jan 1919 the National Assembly was by the majority a moderate govt. democracy and republic were popular The Weimar Republic’s democratic constitution republic and parliamentary democracy federation of states rather than centralized government strong executive power with a president, acting as a balance against complete parliamentary rule proportional representation later blamed for collapse of democracy encouraged splinter parties, difficult to form strong governments article 48 president’s power to disband the Reichstag and rule by decree Ebert-Groener Pact In return for maintaining military order, Groener allowed the army to be at the govt’s disposal short term RW army leadership supported a moderate LW socialist govt long term the G army maintained its influence to be a political force Stinnes-Legien Agreement, Nov 1918 agreement between Industrialists and trade unions maintained order and stability Friekorps ex-soldiers to counter LW attacks Spartacist Uprising Jan 1919 Extreme LW wanted revolution like the Russians urged a counter revolution on the Ebert govt govt used Friekorps and army to ensure its survival caused a rift between SPD and communists Comm. would never forgive Evert for using the Friekorps divisions within LW rise of RW in 1930s Impact of the Treaty of Versailles the results of WWI came as a shock to most Germans harshness of the TOV upset the German peoples Gs thought it was unjust hatred of democracy decline of democratic parties in 1920 elections Gs thought it was a diktat or imposed peace bitterness Weimar coalition never again received the majority of the vote Weimar weakened as they were associated with the Treaty Terms of the Treaty Military G army reduced, conscription abolished, armaments forbidden; Rhineland demilitarised territorial Alsace-Lorraine returned, lost Posen, Anschluss with Austria forbidden, lost territories reparations ‘War guilt clause’ Effects of TOV bitterness and humiliation republic and democracy blamed Extremists used this to attack Weimar weakening of faith in democratic system -1- economic effects instability TOV weakened Gs ability to pay reparations TOV failed to destroy G or make G the Allies partner Political, economic and social issues in the Weimar Republic to 1929 Political Kapp Putsch 1920 extreme RW attempted to overthrow govt govt expected army to protect them army leader refused to intervene putsch failed general strike legal govt installed putsch highlighted the weakness of the govt without the army Rathenau and Erzberger assassinated ‘November criminals’ Role of the G army the army only tolerated the Weimar Republic as they feared disorder Kapp Putsch revealed the importance of army in politics 1920s von Seeckt’s reforms violated the TOV 1923: Year of hardship govt faced political challenges from RW and LW end of passive resistance nationalist anger in Bavaria LW challenges to the authority of govt Munich Beerhall Putsch Hitler began putsch because of Bavaria’s wavering opposition to Stresemann govt failed as von Kahr was backed by army leniency of Hitler’s trial revealed attitude of judiciary importance of the Putsch to Nazi movement H learnt power had to be achieved through legality; publicity increased following; needed support of the army 1924 – 1928: Relative economic and political Stability Locarno Treaty 1925 G and France to never fight a war again League of Nations 1926 acceptance of G into international community Evans the apparent political stability was a mirage: “the political situation was looking extremely fragile” btwn 1924 -28 six govts were replaced 1925 elections Hindenburg elected President many G’s were impressed with RW the unemployed looked to extremes LW or RW Stresemann’s foreign policy aimed to reinstate G in world affairs Treaty of Locarno and league of Nations signs treaty of Berlin with USSR good for G Economic 1923 weak economy falling behind in reparations French occupation in Ruhr Passive resistance hyperinflation collapse of G economy those most affected were the middle class Stresemann called off passive resistance & stabilised currency focus now on inflation democratic govt lost credibility workers more open to LW fall of Stresemann govt Economic recovery 1924-29 ‘good years’ calm and stability Stresemann The Dawes Plan 1924 -2- reduce reparations economic alliance with US loan to pay reparations Stabilised economy factories built, unemployment dropped, public transport est. reliance on US loans nationalists believed the govt had sold out March 1924 elections increased numbers The Enabling Act 1933 govt emergency powers with Article 48 currency reforms Rentenmark balanced budget, new taxes, expenditure cut ended hyperinflation and stabilised currency Young Plan 1929 reduced final reparations to be paid to 1988 Weaknesses of the economy dependence on foreign loans high unemployment economic power in the hands of industrialists agriculture depressed support for Nazis Social Welfare state SPD supported welfare support from working class trade unions, pensions set up 1927 ‘Unemployment Insurance Act’ funds exhausted quickly when Depression hit 1929 Weimar Republic lost support when taxes rose to support welfare turn to RW women were granted a new freedom full equality, right to vote Berlin became the ‘New Paris’ Johnson outpouring of cultural expression was resultant from 19th century political system and class divisions which restrained culture new constitution tolerant Kolb Gs were unaccepting of cultural freedom and less accepting of democracy Collapse of the Weimar Republic 1929 – 1933 Weaknesses of Weimar Revolutionary Origins Political not social revolution SPD feared Communism more than RW Ebert-Groener Pact political violence a feature of republic Constitutional weaknesses highly democratic lack of democratic tradition proportional rep no majority, weaker coalitions, parties rep interest groups not national interest presidential power Article 48 in built authoritarian element used increasingly after 1929 extent of powers in the states central govt not clearly defined Republic connected with defeat and TOV democracy seen by many as imposed on by the allies republic responsible for signing TOV November Criminals Structuralists doomed to fail, problems in the constitution and weakness in economy intentionalists weaknesses but not doomed Economic instability democracy was weakened by economic challenges -3- reparations occupation of Ruhr Depression high interest rates German industry relied on foreign money start of depression nationalists felt Weimar had betrayed them 1929 -1933 support for democracy diminished the right wing of politics and the govt’s opponents did not support democracy, so when economic crisis hit conservatives deserted democracy collapse of democracy not inevitable if the depression hadn’t been so long and severe the Republic may have survived conservative opponents army, big business, Junkers, key state agencies eg civil service and education system democracy imposed Weimar’s compliance with war guilt, and TOV Weimar didn’t bring them into order RW military groups not controlled Impact of depression economic crisis led to political Bruning’s economic policy drove into deeper depression psychological disillusionment extreme politics Hitler and Nazis were opportunists conservative elites manipulated to get Hitler into power End of democracy 1929 Stresemann died unemployment insurance scheme expensive Muller and SPD wanted to raise taxes Hindenburg refused, Muller resigned Hindenburg was surrounded by trusted advisors General von Schleicher Oskar Hindenburg Otto Meissner Bruning as the next chancellor ruled using emergency powers end of democracy democratic parliamentary government came to an end September 1930 – Reichstag election Bruning had to rely on Article 48 Reichstag dissolved and elections called polarization rise in extremes fall in SPD’s popularity Reichstag more difficult March 1932 – Presidential election Hindenburg’s presidency came to an end Hindenburg gained majority Bruning moved against Nazi gangs, banning SA Fall of Bruning seen as a failure in dealing with severity of depression failed to end reparations Franz von Papen appointed new chancellor Death of the Republic ended ban on SA dismissed socialist govt in Prussia Nazi approval 1932 elections Nazis had not enough numbers to form a government July elections failure to gain chancellorship left-wing of his party gained greater influence alienation of voters popularity was lessening Schleicher moves to have Papen removed failed to end depression Schleicher appointed German Chancellor in December 1932 von Papen created a deal with Hitler Schleicher tried to nationalize East Prussian estates like Bruning removed from power -4- advisors around convinced Hindenburg to put Hitler as Chancellor Reasons for the Republic’s demise Weimar finished before Hitler’s electoral victory result of the military and economically powerful right which wanted an authoritarian state Oppositions from within antidemocratic forces disillusionment with democracy great depression appeal of Nazism o Junkers supported Hitler despised democracy o industrialists offered financial support Nazis would resist LW o Militarists favored Hitler o support of peasants o young people supported Nazism Impact of the Great Depression Causes of the Great Depression prosperity of 1920s based on foreign loans welfare, low taxes, loans slow production and rise in unemployment 1929 unemployment 1.5 million – 3 million New York stock exchange fell in October 1929 US banks recalled short term loans economic collapse Social impact of the Great Depression unemployment rose 1929-1933 to 6 million, 33% of workforce physical and mental health malnutrition unemployment and deprivation racial antagonism blamed gypsies and Jews working class men faced women competition calls for women to return to traditional roles 1932 govt passed a law to ban married women if their husbands were employed psychological disillusionment rise of the Nazi party Governmental response cut spending increased tax worsened took money out of economy decline in spending production unemployment 1931 Bruning negotiated one year moratorium on reparations Bruning’s emergency rule relied on right harsh measures worsened impact of depression wage and salary cuts lowering of prices cuts in spending and welfare payments tax increase measures to safeguard economy and public finances Keynesian theory needed to lower taxes and increase expenditure banking crisis take out all money, credit controls Political effects depression led to political instability four elections 1928 – 1932 rise in extremes DNVP, SPD fell KPD, NSDAP rose Historian’s perspectives Shirer depression did not cause the collapse of the republic it gave Hitler the opportunity to take advantage “when the masses were unemployed, hungry and desperate…[he would] transform…into immediate political support for his own ambitions” Childs sever economic effect of the depression on industry economic fears developed into political fears Evans depression had a major impact on middle class unemployment levels increased -5- Hitler gained the support of this group 2. The Rise of the Nazi Party Rise of the Nazi Party (NSDAP) From 1923 The formation of the Nazi party Nazi party’s aims revise TOV Citizenship to only those of German blood and not to Jews destruction of Communism Mein Kampf German people united and strengthening of Aryans as a master race annihilation of sub humans, Jews complete faith in leader through the leadership principle Fuhrer Prinzip required mass supporters surrender of individual to community German expansion Lebensraum racially pure Volksgemeinschaft support for National socialism unfocused ideology benefit rural support agrarian reforms unemployment relief army rearmament industrialists and business Nazis opposed communism young people a better Germany nationalists Germany’s greatness would be restored middle class Nazis promoted middle-class values stability, order, security Hitler’s accession to power political instability LW and RW refused to cooperate only Stresemann prevented the DVP from mobbing to the right conservative elites didn’t accept republicanism November revolution failed anti democratic areas in judiciary and bureaucracy army never loyal to the republic Hindenburg was surrounded by anti-Democratic advisors Economic crisis the economic crisis led to the appointment of Bruning in September 1930 Bruning did not win a majority and so had to rely on Article 48 A48 was used to enact a deflationary policy which actually worsened the depression 1932 Hitler went into opposition with Hindenburg for the Presidency but failed May 1932 von Papen took over from Bruning who had failed July 1932 the Nazis gained 230 seats political polarization Nazi’s popularity grew and KPD’s increased Hindenburg refused to make Hitler chancellor despite him having the largest party November 1932 Nazi vote fell and the KPD grew Papen was removed in December and replaced by Schleicher Schleicher wanted a RW coalition with the Nazis Hitler became Chancellor and von Papen vice-chancellor January 1933 Hitler’s cabinet had only 3 Nazis + lack of majority in the cabinet Reasons for Hitler’s success AJP Taylor “the depression put the win in Hitler’s sails” economic suffering and unemployment democracy became discredited with the failure of the Weimar political system Nazis stayed in the legal system divisions in the left didn’t see the danger of RW Broad appeal Junkers and landed gentry supported Hitler autocracy was preferable Industrialists backed anti-Communist militarists promised strengthened army -6- peasants redistributed land, end debt young people exciting and radical September 1930 elections 18-30 were highest % the Republic lacked a majority of popular support polarization of Weimar politics middle class SOD blamed for TOV Reactions to the Nazi’s success Hitler’s appointment was met with great enthusiasm torch-lit parade, demonstrations of support Nazi’s political opponents did nothing the LW were still divided by the Spartacist uprising the Police force were very co-operative University academics appealed for Germans to vote for the Nazis 10 May Uni students and Goebbels burnt un-German books like ‘All quiet on the Western Front’ June 1 Catholic Bishops welcomed the new regime 12 November Catholic Bishops issued a statement approving the regime February 3 1933 Hitler had to win the support of the army delivered an address remove Marxism enlarging the army called for General’s support for commitment Initial consolidation of Nazi power 1933 -1934 Reichstag fire February 1933 Dutch anarchist burnt down the Reichstag building communists were blamed emergency decree ‘Reichstag Fire Decree’ enforced gave govt the power to restrict liberty free expression freedom of press association letter openings Nazis had power to deal with political opposition remained in duration throughout Nazi rule The Enabling Act 1933 March The Act allowed new laws to bypass the Reichstag gave the governing coalition the authority to pass laws the Nazis appeared to be acting legally Nazism exploited democracy to destroy it Outlawing political opposition June – July 1933 all political parties banned Hitler gave the ultimate leadership role Gleichschaltung February – July 1933 German institutions conformed to Nazi principles closing down of independent organizations rush to join Nazi party radio it was used to influence people March 1933 elections Goebbels moved to ban all stations but Nazis banned SPD, communists, trade unions no effective opposition Jews were banned from the civil service legal appointments were controlled by Nazis November elections Nazis were the only political party and so won 30 June 1934: Night of the Long Knives Hitler needed to gain the support of the army army leaders were concerned with Rohm’s organization to replace the army Himmler of the SS organized an attack on SA leadership the army believed that Hitler had dealt effectively with the radicals troops swore loyalty to Hitler on 2 August 1934 -7- Hitler could combine Presidency and chancellorship the army got a firm political leadership and the opportunity to expand Hitler gained the backing of the army under his control the violence with which he worked was approved of by the public they saw it as firm and decisive leadership Fuhrer’s decision to uphold law and order Hitler revealed a strong determination Hitler abandoned any commitment to the socialist aspects of Nazism 3. Nazism in Power Hitler’s role in the Nazi state Mommsen Hitler was indecisive influenced by his entourage weak dictator Rich Hitler was the mastermind of the Third Reich Hitler wasn’t interested in the state delayed making decisions dislike paperwork lazy post 1938 cabinet ceased to meet effectively Hitler mistrusted the public service nazification of bureaucracy through the SS 1933 SS has administrative structures to replace the departments ‘incapable of political tasks’ Himmler still found it hard to exercise complete authority Fuhrerprinzip authoritarian leadership Hitler along would lead end the democratic weaknesses absolute obedience to Hitler exclusion of non Germans who would pollute and undermine the German nation Hitler determined the ideology Mein Kampf Fuhrer made the final decision Social Darwinist approach to administration overlapping sectors meant people had to compete to assert themselves German Labour Front overlapped with the Ministry of Labour ‘working towards the Führer’ 1933 Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda led by Goebbels Hitler was more myth than man Goebbels associated Hitler with Germany’s economic and national recovery unemployment fell, wages grew, agricultural prices improved, TOV ignored after Hitler became Chancellor he was seen as a saint 1936 international statesman – remilitarization of the Rhineland Hitler unified the German peoples Kershaw Hitler’s impact resultant from Goebbels propaganda Hitler was nationalistic, abhorred communism, anti-Semitic Nazism as totalitarianism Totalitarianism is the government’s control of everything the term came about in the 1940s-50s those in the west argued that there were extreme similarities between Hitler and Stalin if there were clear links between the two then this would be a propaganda victory for the west communists argued that Nazism was an extension of capitalism the USSR’s role in eradicating the evil of Nazism would be celebrated Totalitarian criteria single party led by a charismatic dictator Hitler went unopposed in his leadership this was due to a lack of opposition post the Night of the Long Knives -8- Fuhrerprinzip Goebbels propaganda campaign was to build up Hitler as something of a myth, sacrificing his own well-being for the betterment of the country party ideology based upon the 25 points Mein Kampf eradication of the Treaty of Versailles volksgemeinschaft lebensraum Grossdeutschland supremacy of the Aryan race Nazi ideology was the basis of all considerations seen in foreign policy Mein Kampf was found everywhere, in church pews Hitler was deified propaganda campaigns, almost worshipped state terrorism employed to maintain control Gestapo answered only to Hitler SS and SA under Hitler’s control oath of allegiance by the army to Hitler Hitler uses these organizations to spread fear the SA, SS, Gestapo people believed in Hitler they accepted the night of the long knives this made them reluctant to rebel concentration camps instigated 1934 party control of the media Goebbels was appointed Minister for Propaganda and Enlightenment control over the radio, newspapers, film etc education was brought under Nazi control Nazi control over institutions Gleichschaltung elements of German life were to be brought under control HJ Reich Chamber of cultures party intrusion into everyday life Nuremberg laws forbade Aryans to marry or have relations with Jews people forced into the Hitler youth in 1936 pressures placed on women Kinder, kirche, kuche, medals for women Nazism used persuasion and violence propaganda and terror were two elements of the Nazi state Goebbels “a sharp sword must always stand behind propaganda for it to be truly effective” Overy Hitler had totalitarian aspirations believes that the Nazi’s infiltration into everyday life meant that people were controlled excessive use of propaganda Burleigh Hitler’s regime used propaganda, ideology and terror to control people “invasive character of this form of politics” Countering totalitarianism the huge bureaucracy of Nazism meant that it as often chaotic and confused Himmler, Goebbels and Goring created individual institutions ‘polyocracy’ Hitler sometimes had to work with the bureaucracy and army not fully under his control Nazis did not nationalize all industries evidence of other non-Nazi groups swing youth, edelweiss pirates etc Confessional church established in 1936 Hitler had a ‘hands off’ approach to leadership contrasting with Stalin Nazi propaganda played up the Hitler myth he was still seen as standing above Nazi policy the government was inefficient factionalized, personal rivalries limited the totalitarianism in the early years of the Third Reich the government was not totalitarianism it contained elements and later moved towards it Kershaw totalitarianism limits the nature of the Nazi regime -9- The role of propaganda, terror and repression; SA and SS; opposition to Nazism Propaganda March 1933 Hitler set up the Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda led by Goebbels controlled newspapers, radio and film Reich Chamber of Culture controlled music, theatre, writing, art, architecture and literature 1936 Olympics provided Goebbels with the chance to stage a propaganda show Goebbels followed a number of rules: 1. stereotypes 2. creation of scapegoats 3. repetition 4. simple messages 5. ‘the bigger the lie, the better’ Press Editorial Law of Oct 1933 newspaper editors had to follow government policy all journalists had to be registered and become employees of the state independent news agencies abolished all news stories in Germany were issues through the German News Bureau displeasing newspapers were shut down Radio most important medium for propaganda the state provided Germans with radios Hitler’s speeches and rallies were broadcast on the radio communal listening was encouraged Cinema Goebbels believed this to be a powerful influential vehicle the film industry was heavily monitored by Propaganda ministry Goebbels believed that the best way of subjecting German people to propaganda was to be entertaining, but still have a message Hitler was promoted in films and newsreels image as a man who sacrificed himself for the nation films helped to perpetuate the Hitler myth Rallies a large feature in Nazi Germany Hitler was able to understand the public’s feelings and thus manipulate them annual party rallies at Nuremburg got up to 400 000 people attending Literature restrictions on books Nazis established public libraries with books approved of by the regime censorship May 1933 burning of un-German books Art and architecture Hitler had an interest in architecture return to classic Greek and Roman lines Reich Chancellery in Berlin established House of German Art in Munich complex at Nuremberg for rallies these buildings suggested strength modern art was frowned upon paintings unacceptable to the regime were burnt art focused on expressing the National Socialist ideology and Volk Music classical styles dominated Wagner and Beethoven Jazz and Jewish music was banned Terror and repression Nazis did not hide their use of terror it was accepted by the peoples Himmler gained control over police services by 1936 and created a centralized police system concentration camps were run brutally - 10 - gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah’s witnesses placed in camps it was only from the 1930s that camps were for dealing with Jews by 1939 there were six camp complexes judicial system brought under Nazi control People believed they were constantly being monitored spot checks were used to keep the population guessing activities were publiscised terror was more effective if it was seen Block wardens reported neighbourhood activities Nazi justice suspects under ‘protective arrest’ imprisoned without trial death penalties increased 1934 People’s court established to try treason cases March 1933 Special courts to deal with ‘political crimes’ never a fair trial judges were appointed by the Nazi party The SA and SS Before 1933 violence was used by SA the SA ran the concentration camps After the night o the long knives only violence against political and racial enemies the SS gained independence in 1930 and increased their power after the Night of the Long Knives took over concentration camps in 1936 by 1935 they had 200 000 members members had to have a racially pure background proved their loyalty by eliminating Rohm and the SA network of secret agents and informers spied on colleagues, neighbours etc the SS was responsible only to Hitler independently acted of the law Gestapo Geheimestaatspolizei secret state police established by Goering in 1933 removed any opposition people believed they were everywhere, and this kept them in line Opposition to Nazism German resistance Widerstand hiding Jewish people printing literature clandestine resistance by the LW Hoffmann 46 attempts on Hitler’s life faced little opposition after the consolidation of power in 1934 German people accepted their rule as a betterment of Germany or openly supported Gestapo records discontent there was little political dissent Gleichschaltung left wing were ineffectual right wing supported the Nazis pleased to see the destruction of communists Business owners and the army supported the Nazis Centre Party ended in July 1933 Youth opposition was limited Socialists and Communists post 1935 secret LW groups built cells over areas Eilbeck Comrades Rote Kapelle – Red Orchestra part of a European communist spy network Abwehr uncovered it in 1942 SA Rohm believed the army should be subordinate to the SA ‘second revolution’ among SA leaders people still wanted the ‘socialist’ aspect of Nazism to take place Himmler, Goebbels & Goring produced fictitious evidence of an SA plot to depose Hitler Night of the Long Knives Rohm murdered dissident SA leaders and rivals including von Schleicher and Kurt bon Bredow Swing Youth - 11 - middle class American jazz grew hair and copied English fashion non-political White rose group based at Munich University spread anti-Nazi propaganda caught and executed 1943 Edelweiss Pirates attacked HJ in war became part of the anti-Nazi stance Military small number of German senior officers plotted to remove Hitler of the Prussian officer class concerned about the moral destruction of domestic policy and adventurous foreign policy Czech crisis September 1938 General Halder would arrest Hitler if he invaded Czech. Generals Witzleben, Count Brockdorff-Ahlefeldt & Hoepner promised support they visited Britain but were ignored Conservative and elite Hitler based his popularity on the masses not the elite conservatives politically threatened Hitler German resistance found in diplomatic service, the army and administration civil servants, senior military officers, international diplomats, jurists, intellectuals and ‘men of letters’ Mommsen believes that greed and the need for power as well as obedience and fear prevented a defeat of Hitler Turner & Geary Industrialists approved of the destruction of the LW & trade unions businesses wanted to avert civil war & prevent communist revolution they accepted Nazi government army thought they could work in partnership with Hitler and the Nazis Kreisau Circle Circle believed that National Socialism had culminated from a faulty line of development in Western history formed by former mayor of Leipzig Goerdeler in touch with former and current officials in foreign ministry & army command Colonel von Stauffenberg was a member of the circle masterminded the July 1944 bomb plot to kill Hitler at the Wolf lair - Wolfschanze failed to order anti-Nazi activists into action Why was opposition to Nazism ineffective? Gleichschaltung eliminated political dissent and opposition effect of ‘Night of the Long Knives’ army on side, people understood terror effectiveness of Goebbels’ propaganda Fuhrer myth Nazis were popular with their domestic policies effective use of terror and repression Social and Cultural life in the Nazi state Volksgemeinschaft united Aryan community for the good of the fatherland national unity racially pure Germans submission of all Germans to the will of the Nazi state all cultural expression were to be Nazi ideals Role of the Hitler Youth political indoctrination into the Nazi regime under the control of the SA appeal of the HJ Pinson points out a ‘Revolutionary Conservatism’ youth’s search for attachment to community and leadership the Nazis realized the power that the youth could have if they were indoctrinated the Third Reich had to win the loyalty of the next generation - 12 - 1936 law passed that made the HJ compulsory for boys and girls 10-18 physical fitness emphasized boys trained to be future soldiers girls taught that they were to have many children 1937 90% of German youths in the HJ HJ belonging to the community + propaganda made young people think that by being part of HJ they were helping the community HJ discipline and conformity uniforms and meant that there was no distinction between rich and poor compulsory attendance youth was controlled by the Nazis hatred of the Jews parental control was weakened education under Nazi control teachers encouraged to join Nazi party Jews driven out academia became Aryanised emphasis on German physics history rewritten to glorify the past Women women were excluded from political life women only made 6% of party membership married women faced discrimination in the workforce 800 000 women left the workforce between 1933 and 1935 women faced work restrictions couldn’t practice law or go to uni “Kinder, Kirche, Kuche” ‘children, church, kitchen’ women couldn’t wear makeup, smoke and were encouraged to be plump Law for the Promotion of Marriages 1934 loans given if wife gave up their job ¼ of the loan was cancelled on the birth of a child incentives for large families Gold mother’s cross population increase of 3 million 1930 – 1939 family life began to break down as divorce became easier with racial incompatibility Workplace trade unions abolished in 1933 all workers had to join the German Labor Front lower wages, increased hours, lost the right to strike labour directed with the 1938 Decree on the Duty of Service 1939 labor shortage Nazis had to loyalty of workers Bureau of the Beauty of Labor improved working conditions new canteens and facilities strength through joy movement leisure for workers theatre and cheap holidays Religion Hitler thought Christianity as weak and Jewish-inspired Roman Catholic Church July 1933 Hitler signed a concordat with the Vatican to safeguard German Catholics if the Catholics stayed out of politics however the Nazis violated the concordat and persecuted catholic organizations dissolution of the Catholic Centre Party 1937 Pope Pius XI condemned the Nazi persecution of the Catholic church The Protestant Church Hitler wanted to unify the Protestant churches into the Evangelical Reich Church caused divisions within the Protestants some formed break away churches in response to Hitler’s undermining of the Christian faith the Confessing Church was formed to fight Nazi influence many were sent to concentration camps or fled Why Nazism was popular by 1937 the depression was over there were labour shortages success of foreign policy pride in the German people - 13 - Nazi racial policy; anti-Semitism: policy and practice to 1939 Racial Policy falling birth rate was of concern to the Nazis 1933 Marriage Loan Scheme – money for furniture debt was cancelled on the birth of the 4th child families with large amounts of children – Kinderreich - received discounts Eugenics 1933 Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Progeny 300 000+ Germans sterilized Euthanasia September 1939 ‘mercy killing’ of those unworthy T4 killed 140 000+ use of gas for mass killings create a racially pure Volksgemeinschaft Anti-Semitism Jews = volksfiend number of Jewish business reduced by 2/3 by 1938 1933 boycott of Jewish businesses Jewish children removed from schools ‘overcrowded’ banned from working in public service banned from joining Reich Chamber of Culture 1935 Reich Citizenship Law only people of German blood would be citizens Nuremberg Laws criminal offence the sexual relations between Jews and Germans The laws were carried out by the Gestapo who were outnumbered reliance on the public All Jews dismissed form public service 1938 retailers could not be operated by Jews Anschluss Jews in Austria are subject to violence and discrimination June 1500 Jews in concentrations camps August Jews forced to place Israel and Sarah to name Sept Jewish doctors forbidden to treat non-Jewish 9th – 10th Nov Kristallnacht Nazi organized attacks on Jews 1939 Jan Hitler declares that if war comes it would involve Jewish destruction Sept curfew invasion of Poland Jews subject to discrimination 4. Nazi Foreign Policy Nature of Nazi foreign policy: aims and strategies to September 1939 Nature At first Hitler proceeded with caution needed to build u strength of his army without Allies becoming suspicious 1933-1935 remilitarization more aggressive Aims get rid of the TOV unite all Germans Grossdeutschland annexing Austria in Anschluss taking territory from Czechoslovakia and Poland lebensraum living space eradicate untermenschen or sub-humans these would be achieved by rearmament Strategies remilitarization 1934 Hitler doubled the army to 200 000 1934 – signed a ten year non-aggression pact with Poland Germany was supposedly peaceful - 14 - built battleships and trained pilots conscription in 1935 increased army to 550 000 men 1935 - Anglo-American navy treaty violations of the Treaty was endorsed by the British in the treaty 1935 Germany increased their navy to 35% of Britain’s 1936 - Occupation in the Rhineland March 1936 Hitler marched into the Rhineland TOV indicated that the area was to be demilitarized Hitler broke the treaty sent 30 000 troops into the area GB and France didn’t want to go to war over the issue and the occupation was allowed Hitler was able to build a line of forts on the west wall defense + strength of Hitler 1938 - Anschluss 1936 Germany made an agreement with Italy ‘Rome-Berlin Axis’ Mussolini would not interfere with Austria Feb 1938 Hitler pressured Austrian Chancellor von Schuschnigg into resigning replaced by leader of Austrian Nazi Party Seyss-Inquart Seyss-Inquart invited German troops to occupy the country 15 March 1938 Hitler announced the formal union of Austria persecution of political opposition and Jews began 1938 - Sudetenland area contained three million Germans 1938 Hitler began convincing the German’s to rebel against the Czech authorities Nazi sympathizers stirred up trouble Hitler used this as an excuse to invade September Chamberlain intervened he said that Sudetenland belonged to Germany policy of appeasement Munich conference Chamberlain agreed to give Sudetenland to Germany March 1939 Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia took non German territory Britain and France decided to abandon appeasement and guaranteed to defend Poland 1939 - Nazi-Soviet pact Hitler turned his attention to Poland Germany needed to avoid fighting on two fronts and so needed to make a pact with USSR August 1939 pact with USSR Hitler was free to invade the Polish corridor without worrying about Russia Germany invaded Poland on September 1 1939 Impact of ideology Hitler’s ideas emanated from Mein Kampf Lebensraum and Grossdeutschland purpose of acquiring Sudetenland, Austria and eastern Europe was for the German people to ‘preserve their racial identity’ To Hitler it was the German people’s destiny to take the rich lands of E Europe Aryan population to prosper German speaking areas Hitler annexed were to become part of Grossdeutschland Herrenvolk and untermenschen Aryans had to be kept pure expanding through Europe + overtaking inferior Slavs + establishment of Germans as a master race foreign policy lebensraum TOV Germans despised TOV Hitler sought to undo military restrictions expanded army, reintroduced conscription and signed Anglo-German Treaty recovery of territory lost in TOV was also important 1933 withdrew from Disarmament conference and League of Nations remilitarization and rearmament put an end to the TOV and the shame it brought upon the nation - 15 -