Paper 1 : Development of dictatorship : Germany , 1918-1945 : The rise of Hitler and the Nazis

• Hitler and German Workers' Party

The German Worker Party (DAP)

• Right wing group founded by Anton Drexler in 1919.
• DAP members were angry about:
• Communists and Socialists who brought down the Kaiser
• Weimar politicians who agreed to the Treaty of Versailles
• The weakness of democracy as means of government.
• The Jews, who were blamed for weakening the economy (anti-Semitism)
• Hitler attended his first meeting in 1919 where there were only 23 members in the group.
• Hitlers found out that the entire party was only funded by only 7 marks.
• Hitler had been sent to DAP to spy for the army but later he realised he agreed with the DAP.
• September 1919, Hitler joined the party.
• By 1920, he was Anton's right-hand man.
     
• Changes to the party 1920-1922

The 25 point programme (1920)

• Main points: 
• Scrap the Treaty of Versailles
• Expand Germany borders to give people it's Lebensraum (living space)
• Deprive Jews of rights and citizenship
• Destroying communism
• Making Germany great again
• DAP used force and violence to achieve all this.
• Hitler's public speaking was full of confidence and attracted a large number of people to meetings.
• Many people were dissatisfied with the Weimar Republic as of 1923.
• Hitler's excellent and convincing oratory skills attracted support from the army, police, small businesses.
• Membership grew rapidly to 1,100 people in 1920 from 23 in 1919.

The Growth of Hitler's role in DAP during the 1920s

• In 1920, Hitler changed DAP's name to NSDAP.
• Members of the NSDAP were known as Nazis.
• The party adopted the swastika as its emblem.
• Members began to use the arm salute as a Nazi characteristic.
• Members of the NSDAP increased to 3,000.
• Increased membership boosted party funds which enabled the party to buy the newspaper Beobatcher for 180,000 marks.
• This meant that the party was able to spread propaganda and Nazi views more efficiently.
• In 1921, Hitler pushed Anton Drexler aside and became the Party Leader.
• He gathered powerful party members 
• Ernst Rohm (founder of SA)
• Goering (leader of SS, hero of Luftwaffe)
• Rudolf Hess (Hitler's deputy)
• Julius Streicher (founder of Nazi newspaper Der Sturmer)
• He was also close friends with General Ludendorff (leader of German army during WW1)

The Sturmabteilung (SA)

• Stormtroopers / Brownshirts 
• Created in 1921.
• Recruited members were demobilised soldiers from 1919 Treaty of Versailles.
• The Nazi party's private army.
• Provided security at Nazi meetings.
• Acted as bodyguards for Nazi leaders
• Broke up meetings of opposition groups.
• Spread Nazi propaganda
• Intimidated oppositions
• Gave Nazis appearance of strength and order
    
• Causes, Events, Results of Munich Putsch (1923)

Causes

• Hyperinflation
• Caused Germans to lead a miserable life.
• Germans had a shortage of goods due to the French occupation in the Ruhr.
• Germans reacted with passive resistance where workers went on strike.
• France brought in their own workers and took German resources which were mainly coal.
• The loss of agricultural land due to the treaty and lack of coal meant that there was a shortage of goods in Germany.
• As a result, prices rose dramatically.
• The government needed to pay off debts with no national income, and no taxes due to the increasing unemployment rate. 
• As a result, the government printed more money.
• The more money was printed, the higher prices rose, the worse the inflation.
• Prices would increase 200 - 1000% in the span of 2 hours.
• Hitler exploited this discontent.
• NSDAP membership grew to 55,000, Hitler exploited the anger of Germans as it would be the perfect chance for a nationwide impact.
• Work of Stresemann
• Hitler sensed that the more economic and international problems improved, people would be satisfied and, therefore, reducing political unrest amongst the Germans.
• Hitler decided that he needed to act before people lost interest in extreme politics.
• In addition, Stresemann's government was intolerant towards extremist groups.
• He had an army to put down a left-wing revolt in Saxony.
• Hitler then sensed a crackdown on the right-wing group coming next.
• Therefore, he needed to act fast.

Events

• During the crisis of 1923, Hitler plotted with Lossow and Kahr to take over Munich in a revolution.
• Hitler told the SA to be ready for a rebellion. 
• 4th October, Kahr and Lossow called off the revolution which made it difficult for Hitler as he already mobilised 3,000 SA troops who were ready for a battle.
• 8th November, Hitler and 600 SA burst into a meeting of 3,000 officials of the Bavarian government held by Kahr and Lossow in a Beer Hall.
• Hitler released a shot to the ceiling and announced that he will be taking over the government.
• He claimed that he will be taking control over Munich government and would march to German Government.
• He was supported by the famous German general Ludendorff.
• Confronted by Hitler, SA and weaponry, Kahr and Lossow agreed to continue with the revolution.
• The SA took over army headquarters and local newspaper offices.
• 9th November, Hitler marched into Munich on what they thought was a triumphant march to take power.
• However, in the previous night, Kahr and Lossow changed their minds and called in police and army reinforcements.
• This was devastating news to Hitler as his SA only had 2,000 rifles which were minuscule compared to the artillery of the army and police.
• Despite this, Hitler continued with the revolt and sent his SA to key buildings around town such as newspaper offices.
• The rest of the army personnel supported Hitler and marched to the town centre to declare Hitler as president.
• However, they met with state police. Hitler did not expect them to open fire as General Ludendorff was on his side. General Ludendorff was a well-respected army commander during WW1.
• Hitler's insurance plan backfired as the state police opened fire.
• As a result, Hitler dislocated his left shoulder, 16 Nazis were dead.
• Hitler was arrested 2 days later while Ludendorff was arrested on the spot.

Results

• Hitler was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
• The NSDAP was banned.
• Munich Putsch was embarrassing for Hitler.
• However, the failure of the Putsch brought public recognition to Hitler.
• This enabled further development of Nazi propaganda.
• This helped the NSDAP win a total of 32 seats in the 1924 election.
• Hitler was released after only 9 months in 1924.
• He served prison in a castle.
• This was because he turned his trial into a platform of propaganda which won hearts of many in the room.
• He wrote Mein Kampf while in prison, the book containing all of Hitler's ideas and the guiding light of the Nazi Party.
• Hitler realised that to come into power effectively, he had to use constitutional means and not a revolution.
• So he organised...
• Hitler youth
• Propaganda campaigns
• SS as his personal bodyguard, strategy to gain power legitimately.
• The ban of the NSDAP was weakly enforced as it was lifted in 1925.

Why did the Munich Putsch fail?

• Too much trust on Ludendorff
• Hitler placed too much insurance on Ludendorff.
• He believed that the army and police would not retaliate against Ludendorff due to respect and social ranking.
• Ludendorff himself is a disorganised person as well.
• He was always late to meetings and never punctual.
• For example, he arrived late to the Beer Hall revolt.
• Hitler's insurance plan backfired on him as the state police opened fire anyways even though Ludendorff was present. 
• In addition, the only reason why the state police were alerted was because Ludendorff lets Kahr and Lossow return home.
• Timing
• Munich Putsch took place in November 1923.
• By 1923, Germany has gotten over the Hyperinflation due to Stresseman becoming Chancellor.
• Stresseman had carried out efforts into making diplomatic relations with the U.S. as well as obtaining loans.
• By the time of the Munich Putsch, political unrest had died down.
• Hitler carried out the Putsch too late as German discontent had reduced.
    
• Reorganisation of party 1924-1928
• Assigned Phillip Bouhler as secretary
• Franz Schwarz as treasurer
• To fund all this, Hitler improved party finances mainly by befriending Germany's most wealthy businessmen.
• Nazis receive donations from German industries such as Kapp and Bosch.
• Extra income from increasing membership helped Hitler to strengthen the SA.
• SA were difficult to control as they are violent thugs.
• While Hitler was in prison, SA had developed a dangerous loyalty to Rohm.
• So in 1925, Hitler set up a security group called the SS.
• SS was run by Himmler.
    
• Impact of Wall Street Crash

The Wall Street Crash, 24 October 1929

• Shares begin to fall on Wall Street stock exchange in New York.
• Failing shares meant that people's investments fell in value.
• People were afraid of losing money, people rushed to sell shares faster.
• America became bankrupt and quickly recalled their loans.
• On October 24, 13 million shares were sold.
• Germany was one of America's prime loaners.
• Germany became bankrupt overnight and had to repay the Dawes Plan and Young Plan loans.

Effects of the German Depression on Germany.

Economic effects

• Poverty
• German economy relied heavily on American loans.
• When America recalled all their loans, Germany had 90 days to repay the Dawes Plan and Young Plan.
• Farmers slipped into debt
• Farmers were taxed heavily due to the increase of global agricultural rates.
• 18,000 farmers went bankrupt between 1930-1932
• Have to produce more products for less money
• And more money is needed to produce more products.
• Workers' wages were reduced by 40%.
• Drop in production levels.
• Businesses closed.
• Loss of confidence in German goods.
• Americans stopped buying European goods in order to encourage domestic goods.
• Germany was unable to trade abroad as most countries every country is suffering.
• Banks lost a huge sum of money as they were major investors.
• When people rushed to get their money back, this caused banks to run out of cash.
• As a result, banks started to close down.
• By 1930, 600 banks closed.
• By 1931, 5 major bank closed down.
• Mass unemployment
• Due to the drop in productivity, demand for domestic goods fell.
• Ruhr declared bankruptcy which meant the laying off of workers.
• By 1928 - 650,000 were unemployed
• By 1933 - 6 million were unemployed.

Social and Political effects 

• Government appeared powerless and incompetent
• Weimar Government was unpopular after the hyper-inflation in 1921.
• People of Germany became unsatisfied and blamed the Weimar Government.
• This weakened the Government gravely.
• Chancellor Brüning raised taxes and reduced unemployment benefits to make payments more affordable.
• This meant that people received less money but had to pay more.
• Bruning loses his grip and ruled by decree which showed a sign of weakness.
• Confidence in Weimar Government was lost.
• There were 44 decrees in 1931
• In 1932, there was 66 decrees.
• Decrees undermined people's confidence even further.
    
• Nazi methods to win support

May 1928 - Nazis won 12 seats while the Communists won 54 seats

September 1930 - Nazis won 107 seats while the Communists won 77 seats

July 1932 - Nazis won 230 seats while the Communists won 89

November 1932 - Nazis won 196 seats  while the Communists won 121 seats.

Economic reasons

• Great Depression - Poverty, Mass unemployment and drop in production levels (refer above)

Political reasons

• Nazi Ideas
• Hitler promised different things to different classes.
• Industrialists - crush the communists for protection.
• Working class - Work and Bread
• Everybody - Restoring of German traditions and making Germany great again.
• Nazi Propaganda
• Head of Propaganda, Goebbels.
• They used leaflets, posters, radio, parades and Nazi newspapers to spread propaganda.
• This served Nazis well as it weakened their opponents.
• Hitler's speeches demonstrate his excellent oratory skills.
• He manipulates people's fear of Communism, unemployment and the Treaty of Versailles.
• He constantly reminds the Germans of his promise to make Germany great again and hope.
• Hitler uses SA to crush opponents by disrupting their meetings and putting their leaders in prison.
• During elections, SA would destroy Nazi's opponents' propaganda and, in turn, spread Nazi propaganda.

Why did people vote for the Nazis??

Working Class

• Nazi promised "Work and Bread" as propaganda to give an impression that they already have workers' support.
• They promised strong Germany and a return of German traditions.
• However, the Nazis never dominated the working class.
• When times were difficult, workers supported the Communists.

Middle Class

• Hitler was perceived as a strong leader who helped Germany prosper.
• They were hopeful that Hitler would revive their businesses.
• They refused and opposed Communism as they wanted private ownership.
• Sees the return of German traditional values after moral decline 

Farmers

• Protects farmers from Communism which would have confiscated their land.
• Hitler was protection from KPD.
• Again, farmers wanted private ownership.

Big businesses 

• Supports Hitler's funds as well as newspaper owner, Alfred Hungenberg to spread propaganda.
• Hitler was protection from KPD
• Again, Big businesses wanted private ownership.

Youth and women

• Admires Hitler's public speaking.
• Nazi propaganda appeals to women by saying voting for NSDAP would benefit their families.
• Goebbels and propaganda and the work of the SA

Nazi propaganda

• Propaganda is the "brainwash" of the public, convincing them of an ideological viewpoint.
• Most of the propaganda was directed towards Jews
• Jews were portrayed as Untermenschen 
• Jews were used as scapegoats for Germany's defeat in WW1
• Continual of propaganda encouraged German people to hate Jews.
• This encourages anti-Semitism within the people.

Methods of Propaganda

• The Press
• Anti-Nazi newspapers were shut down
• Jews were banned from owning or working for newspapers
• Goebbel's ministry of propaganda sent out daily instructions telling them what to print and what kind of pictures should be published.
• Display boards were set up in public places so everyone could read the newspapers.
• Rallies
• Goebbels stage managed these events to give overwhelming power of unity.
• Germans would join as it gives them a sense of belonging.
• People's commitment increased by attending as they wanted to be a part of something impressive.
• Radio
• Goebbels took over all radio broadcasting
• Regular programs include Hitler's speech
• Foreign programs cannot be picked up.
• All factory owners, departmental stores, offices, shops, pubs and flats should have loudspeakers installed an hour before the broadcast so that the whole workforce can participate fully in the broadcast.
• Films
• Cinemas showed pro-Nazi films
• Anti-Semitic films were also shown
• Books
• Nazis organised book burnings.
• They took place in public and burned all books by Jews, Communists and Socialists.
• They burnt any book that contained ideas that they disproved of.
    
• Events of 1932 to January 1933 including the role of Von Papen, von Schleicher, von Hindenberg.

March 1932 - Von Papen becomes Chancellor

• March, Hitler ran against Hindenburg as President.
• He won 35% of the vote and publicity.
• Schleicher persuades Hindenburg to replace Bruning because of proposed land reforms.
• Von Papen became Chancellor with no Reichstag support.
• He only became Chancellor because Hindenburg favours him.

November 1932 - Schleicher became Chancellor

• Industrialists wrote in to Hindeburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor.
• Von Papen and Hindenburg were governing by emergency decrees under Article 48 of the Constitution. (Article 48 is when the parties and Chancellor cannot agree on something, the Chancellor will suspend the constitution and rule by decree)
• Hindenburg decides to appoint Hitler as vice-Chancellor to gain support of Weimar Germany. 
• This was because Nazis were the most popular political party.
• Hindenburg wants to manipulate Nazi popularity into support for the Weimar Government.
• Hitler refuses to accept vice-Chancellor and demands to be Chancellor.

January 1933 - Hitler became Chancellor

• Hitler becomes Chancellor and Von Papen becomes vice-Chancellor
• Only Hitler and 2 Nazi cabinet ministers were allowed into the Weimar constitution.
• Von Papen thinks that the majority of the constitution is comprised of Non-nazi members and therefore, was able to prevent Nazi extreme actions to be taken.
• The Weimar constitution assumed that they could manipulate Nazi popularity into support for the Weimar Government as the NSDAP was the largest political party.
• This kills 2 birds with 1 stone as it draws up support for the government as well as it helps to keep the Communists out.