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Nazi Germany

Nazi Germany. Postwar Germany. With the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II on Nov. 9 th , 1918, Germany became a republic under the leadership of the Social Democrats. This came as a shock to most, since they believed Germany was winning the war.

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Nazi Germany

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  1. Nazi Germany

  2. Postwar Germany • With the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II on Nov. 9th, 1918, Germany became a republic under the leadership of the Social Democrats. • This came as a shock to most, since they believed Germany was winning the war. • The republic faced its first challenge with the Spartacist Revolt in Jan. 1919.

  3. Weimar Republic • German voters chose democracy as the National Assembly met in Weimar to draft a constitution. • It created a two house parliament (elected by proportional representation) and a president. • Despite this, many conservative nationalists remained in positions of power and resented the republic.

  4. Economic Problems • The reparations debt of 132 billion marks ($33 billion) crippled Germany. • Default allowed the French to occupy the industrial Ruhr Valley in 1923. • The industrial workers there refused to work for the French. • To support them, Germany printed money, causing rapid inflation.

  5. Economic Recovery • Gustav Stresemann, replaced the old mark with a new one, stabilizing the currency. • Passive resistance was ended in the Ruhr and the reparations issue was addressed. • The Dawes Plan had Germany pay variably depending on economic strength • In 1925, the Ruhr occupation ended. • The infusion of foreign loans and investment led to recovery in the late 1920s.

  6. The Depression and 1930 Elections • President Hindenburg faced economic crisis with the depression in 1930. • In the 1930 election, the Nazis increased their seats to 107 with the support of the lower middle class and peasants. • The Social Democrats continued to be the largest party with 143 seats and the communists held 77. Hindenburg

  7. Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) • Born in Austria, he was a poor student who unsuccessfully attempted to become an artist in Vienna. • Moving to Munich, he began to absorb right-wing ideas. • He enlisted in the German army and won the Iron Cross.

  8. The Nazi Party • In Munich after the war, Hitler joined then reorganized a small nationalist group soon to be called the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) or Nazis. • He gained followers by speaking of Germany’s ills and the disgrace of the Versailles Treaty. • He formed a paramilitary wing, the SA, or Brown Shirts.

  9. The Nazi Party • In the Munich Beer Hall Putsch of Nov. 1923, Hitler and the Nazis unsuccessfully attempted to seize power. • Hitler was imprisoned for nine months. • While in jail, he wrote Mein Kampf, which expounded his views on race, politics and German expansion (lebensraum).

  10. Rise of Hitler • Following the 1930 elections, Hindenburg and Chancellor Bruning ruled by decree, but had no success with the economy. • In spring 1932, Hitler challenged Hindenburg for the presidency. Hindenberg was relected and appointed Franz von Papen as chancellor. • He failed to gain wide support and he called for new elections. In July the Nazis emerged with 209 seats, in November, 196).

  11. Rise of Hitler • Papen resigned and was replaced by Kurt von Schleicher. • Papen then worked with Hitler to return to power. • On Jan. 30, 1933, they convinced Hindenburg to appoint Hitler chancellor and Papen vice chancellor. • Papen believed he could control Hitler and be the true leader of the government.

  12. Creation of the Nazi Dictatorship • New elections scheduled for March 1933 were preceded by the Reichstag fire of Feb. 27. • Hitler blamed the Communists and convinced Hindenburg to curtail liberties. • In the March 5 election, the Nazis won 288 seats (44%) and with their nationalist allies controlled the government (88 communists were banned).

  13. Creation of the Nazi Dictatorship • March 23, 1933 – the Reichstag passed the Enabling Act, giving Hitler dictatorial powers for 4 years. • The Nazis then consolidated power by ending the federal system, abolishing labor unions, outlawing all other political parties. • The SS and Gestapo were created and with the death of Hindenburg in 1934, Hitler assumed his powers and control of the military.

  14. Nazi Anti-Semitism • Germany’s Jews number about 600,000. • Nazi persecutions began immediately, but intensified with the passage of the Nuremberg Laws of 1935. • It defined Jews as anyone with one Jewish grandparent (increasing the number to 2.5 million) and deprived them of citizenship. • On Nov. 9th, 1938, Kristallnacht had mobs destroying synagogues and business and the required wearing of the Star of David on clothing.

  15. Nazis and the Churches • The Lutheran church was made to accept a Nazi appointed bishop. • Dissenters following Pastor Martin Neimoeller were imprisoned in concentration camps. • In July 1933, the Vatican signed a concordat with Germany which protected the rights of Catholics. Increasing persecutions brought condemnation from Pope Pius XI in 1937. Pope Pius XI

  16. Nazi Economic Policy • “Socialist” in Nazi party terms meant subordination to the needs of the state. • Capitalists were allowed to keep their businesses and profits if they cooperated. • Unemployment was drastically reduced through public works projects such as the autobahns and the Four Year Plans of 1936 which focused on the increase in military production.

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