The Depression & The Nazis

1. Look carefully at Sources 3 - 7 and 9. For each source, write two sentences explaning whether you think it is evidence that: 

• Supports the view of Goebbels
• Supports the view of Craig
• Could be used to support either interpretation

Source 3: Source 3 supports the viewpoint of historian Gordon Craig. He believed that many supported Hitler because of "negative cohesion, e.g. they  shared Nazi fears and dislikes. When Communist support rose as unemployment rose, the Nazis were able to turn this to their advantage by leveraging the fear of the growing communist threat.

Source 4: Source 4 supports the view of Nazi Joseph Goebbels who believed that people supported Hitler for positive reasons.  In this source, Hitler's future "architect" Albert Speer mentions how impressed his mother was when she saw a SA troop parade the streets of Heidelberg. The German people, such as Speer's mother, were impressed by the Nazis' discipline in a time of a chaos and their impression of energy in an atmosphere of universal hopelessness. 

Source 5: Source 5 supports the viewpoint of Gordon Craig. The poster proclaims "Against Versailles," and the German people despised the Weimar government partly because of  the Treaty of Versailles. They voted for the Nazis because they believed that the Nazis could help destroy the Treaty. 

Source 6: Source 6 supports the view of Goebbels. Goebbels created his own version of the 1929 - 1933 events and effectively used propaganda to gain support for this version of events.  The rallies impressed people with their energy, enthusiasm, sheer size, and Hitler's powerful oratory skills.

Source 7: Source 7 supports the views of Craig. In this source, the Nazis are relying on the German peoples'  fear of Communism and their knowledge of frequent street battles between Communists and the police in order  to gain votes.  Further, farmers, who had read about Soviet government in the USSR taking over the land and killing peasants, were alarmed by the communists. 

Source 9: Source 9, a Nazi election poster,  supports both the viewpoints of Goebbels and Craig.  The Nazis use propaganda to promise to provide the positive benefits of work, freedom, and bread. The source also encourages Germans not to vote for opposing parties and accuse the opposing parties of planning to use terror, corruption, lies, and other strategies as the basis for their government.

2. Now work through the text and other sources on pages 191-94. Make a list of examples and evidence that seem to support either viewpoint. 

Support for Goebbels's Viewpoint 

• Weimar government indecisive - Germany needs a stronger leader 
• Reparations adding to Germany's problems - Kick out the Treaty of Versailles
• Unemployment a problem - Let unemployed join the army, build Germany's armaments & be used for public works
• Effective Nazi campaigning methods - Relied on general slogans rather than detailed policies, wanted to unite the people of Germany behind one leader, posters & pamphlets found everywhere

Support for Craig's Viewpoint

• Shared dislike of democracy in Weimar Germany rather than support for Nazis 
• Shared 'Fear of Communism' (crisis deepened - more Communist support) rather than support for Nazis
• Shared Decadence (feeling that traditional German values were under threat) rather than support for Nazis

3. Decide how far you agree with each of the following three statements and give them a score on a scale of 1-5. And then, write a short paragraph explaining your score for each statement. 

• Very few people fully supported the Nazis (Score = 5) Explanation: I agree that very few people fully supported the Nazi ideals but instead supported the Nazis because they shared Nazi fears and dislikes. Many Germans shared a dislike of democracy in Weimar Germany with the Nazis. People were frustrated that the Weimar politicians were unable to solve the problems of the Depression. Many Germans also shared a 'fear of communism.'  Middle-class business owners were afraid that the German Communists were like the Communists in the USSR and would discriminate against people like them. The owners of big industries feared the Communists because of their plans to introduce state control of business, and the industrialists were also concerned about the growing strength of Germany's trade unions. Germans who felt traditional German values were under threat supported the Nazis because the group talked about restoring these old -fashioned values. 

• The key factor was the economic depression. Without it, the Nazis would have remained a minority fringe party. (Score = 3) Explanation: The Nazis'  Twenty-Five Points were very attractive to those most vulnerable to the Depression: the unemployed, the elderly and the middle classes. Hitler offered them culprits to blame for Germany's troubles - the Allies, the 'November Criminals,' and the Jews. The Nazis repeated at every opportunity that they believed Jews, Communists, Weimar politicians, and the Treaty of Versailles were the causes of Germany's problems. While the economic depression was a key factor, there were other more important factors, such as the failure of the Weimar Republic.

• The politicians of the Weimar Republic were mainly responsible for the rise of the Nazis (Score = 4) Explanation: The politicians of the Weimar Republic were mainly responsible for the rise of the Nazis. These Weimar politicians seemed unable to tackle the problems of the Depression. When the Depression began to bite in 1930, Chancellor Heinrich Bruning pursued a tough economic policy. He cut government spending and welfare benefits.   When Chancellor Heinrich Bruning and President Hindenburg chose to call new elections in 1930, they gave Nazis the opportunity to exploit the fear and discontent in Germany. As a result, the Nazis gained many more votes. As a results, the biggest negative factor resulting in support for the Nazis was a shared dislike of democracy in Weimar Germany. While the Weimar Republic was mainly responsible, there were some other factors, such as the economic situation itself, Nazi propaganda, and Hitler's political skills. 

Nazi Ideology

Consider your homework on the Nazi 25-Point Program, Hitler's writings in Mein Kampf, and Hitler's background. Take all of your knowledge of the above and develop several solid paragraphs that discuss and analyze Nazi ideology.

The Nazi's 25-point program discussed three of the party's main ideologies: extreme nationalism, racism, and socialism. None of the concepts was entirely new. Extreme nationalism, which is defined as believing that your country is superior to others, thrived in Germany. The Nazis demonstrated their belief in it when they demanded the unification of Greater Germany (Germany & Austria) because of the right of self-determination of peoples. The Nazis also showed their support for extreme nationalism when they suggested that the Treaty of Versailles must be destroyed because the German people should have equal rights of people in other countries. This had broad appeal because Germans felt stabbed by the Treaty. The Nazis' demand for land and territory for the well-being and colonization of Germany's surplus population (lebensraum) through this program also demonstrated extreme nationalism. Secondly, the Nazis were racist against anyone who was not German. Only a "member of the race" could be a citizen, and only citizens were allowed to live in Germany. All non-Germans who had immigrated to Germany since August 2, 1914, were forced to leave the country as a result of the Nazis' racism. The Nazis did not allow any Jews to be members of the race, and Jews were not allowed to come to German when they fled pogroms in other countries. Lastly, the Germans favored a socialistic society, meaning that they supported a collective ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods. Two socialistic goals of the Nazis were to extend old age welfare and reconstruct the German national education system. The reformed education system was designed to teach children the "German way."

Mein Kampf, which translates to "My Struggle," was written by NSDAP member Adolf Hitler, and the book discussed the Nazi ideologies which Hitler considered most important. In this book, it is evident that Hitler considered propaganda to be an extremely useful political artifice to achieve Nazi goals. Hitler believed that the purpose of propaganda was to call the masses' attention to certain facts because people easily forgot things. The book also made it clear that Hitler did not blame Germany's problems on the German people but rather on the Jews. He stated that only Jews would be unscrupulous enough to blame the war entirely on the military defeat. As Hitler did not consider Jews to be "true" Germans, he used Jews as scapegoats on which to blame Germany's problems. This appealed to many Germans because they were envious of the wealth of the Jews. Additionally, Hitler emphasized that nature did not desire the mating of the weak (Jews) and the strong (Germans) because the Aryan people were the "Master Race." Hitler claimed that all other races, especially the Jews, were inferior to the Aryans. Finally, Hitler believed that Germans had to secure the land and the soil to which they were entitled. He stressed that Germany had to acquire nations which were doomed for destruction or there would not be a Germany. Hitler supported lebensraum, which was the belief that Germans could expand into Poland or Russia because it was their right.

Hitler's background influenced the three core principles of Nazi ideology. Hitler's family background caused his hatred of the Jews, and Hitler took advantage of the widespread hatred of the Jews in the Nazi party's platform. Hitler had despised his repressive father who may have been of Jewish heritage. Hitler grew increasingly anti-Semitic after he lived in Vienna's slums which were also known as the Jewish quarters. Hitler's family background caused to claim that the purity of German blood was defiled by the Jews when he and the NSDAP sought power. Hitler was trying to obliterate traces of his ancestry with his anti-Semitism. Hitler's failed career ambitions caused him to believe that he was destined for a great role in history and believed that he could gain the power necessary for this position through the Nazis. Hitler left his school in Lintz in 1905 without any qualifications and failed to earn a place at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna in 1907. Hitler believed that he had finally found his purpose in life in 1914 when he joined a Bavarian regiment, but he supposedly lacked leadership skills and was never promoted higher than a corporal. Hitler then joined the Nazi Party. Hitler became a great orator and excited the German people by telling them that they were not the cause of their economic woes. His actions were motivated by the belief that he was destined for the great role that he had dreamed of having.

Hitler's Background up to 1923

Discuss Hitler's background up to 1923 and how it influenced his rise to power with the NSDAP.

Hitler's family background caused his hatred of the Jews, and he successfully took advantage of the widespread hatred of the Jews in the NSDAP party's platform. Hitler despised his repressive father Alois, who was possibly of Jewish heritage. Adolf Hitler grew increasingly anti-Semitic after he lived in Vienna's slums which were also called the Jewish quarters. When Hitler and the NSDAP sought power, Hitler claimed that the purity of German blood was defiled by the Jews and that all Jews should be banned from Germany. Hitler was trying to obliterate traces of his ancestry with his anti-Semitism.

Hitler's early educational and career failures caused him to fantasize that he was destined for a great role in history, and he eventually convinced himself that he could gain such power through the NSDAP. In 1903, Hitler was unhappy at his school in Lintz and left school in 1905 without any qualifications. Hitler went to Vienna in 1907, but he failed to earn a spot at the Academy of Fine Arts. Hitler believed he had finally found his real purpose in life when he joined a Bavarian regiment in 1914, but he was not promoted higher than a corporal and was believed to have lacked leadership qualities. In 1919, Hitler decided to become a NSDAP member. Hitler became a great orator who had a hypnotic effect on his audience and said what the German people wanted to hear. As he and his party gained power, Hitler was convinced that he was destined for the great role that he had dreamed of having.

Hitler's Ideals Expressed in Mein Kampf

Mein Kampf:

As you read, reflect and write. What does his writing / thinking suggest about his background and political ideas? What possible ramifications does it have for Germany if he comes to power?

Volume one, chapter six of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf (My Struggle) demonstrates that Hitler considered propaganda to be an extremely useful political artifice. In excerpts from this chapter, Hitler criticizes the way Austrians and Germans made the enemy seem ridiculous and instead praises the war propaganda of the Americans and of the English.The allies represented the Germans to their own people as barbarians and Huns, thus preparing them for the terror of war. The Germans, on the other hand, were not strengthened by propaganda but instead lost courage. Hitler believed the function of propaganda was to always serve the Nazis, not the people. He believed that the purpose of propaganda was to call the masses' attention to certain facts. He instead claimed that people had little intelligence and easily forgot things. Based on this chapter, it seems highly likely that Hitler will use a great deal of propaganda with the German people if he comes to power.

Volume one, chapter ten of Mein Kampf discussed the causes of Germany's collapse. Hitler first blamed the evil war as the cause of Germany's problems. However, he then proceeded to blame the Jews. Hitler stated that only impudent Jews would blame the collapse solely on the military defeat and later called the Jews "unscrupulous" meaning unprincipled. Hitler also claimed that the Jews poison the nation. This chapter demonstrates an evident hatred for the Jews. As Hitler considered Jews to be inferior to "true" Germans, he used Jews as scapegoats on which to blame Germany's problems. Hitler's racism will later become front and center as the Jews become Hitler's main target during the Holocaust.

Volume one, chapter eleven of the book focuses on nation and race. Hitler emphasized that nature does not desire the mating of weaker (Jews) with stronger individuals (Germans), and he said that historical experience offered proof of this. Hitler explained that the Aryan people (pure Germans) were the "Master Race" and all other races especially the Jews were inferior to the Aryans. This suggests that Hitler may have been ashamed of his own background of being the son of a minor Austrian customs official, and this may have caused him to single out the inferior people in German society. This chapter once again highlights Hitler's hatred for all non-Aryans and how this will play a role in how he treats non-Germans.

Volume two, chapter fourteen focuses on Eastern orientation/Eastern policy. Hitler believed that Germans had to secure the land and the soil to which they were entitled. He stressed that Germany had to be a world power and acquire nations "doomed for destruction" or there would be no Germany. Hitler supported lebensraum which was the belief that Germans could expand into Poland and Russia to get 'living space.' This suggests that if Hitler comes to power, he will probably take over foreign countries and claim that it is Germany's right.

The Munich Putsch & The Nazis

The Munich Putsch

Right – wing conservative leaders addressed a meeting of many right – wing supporters in a Munich beer hall. Hitler & his supporters burst into the meeting and declared a revolution. He brought these two leaders into a separate room and got them to promise loyalty to the Putsch since both groups wanted to overtake the Weimar government. Ebert declared a national state of emergency because of the treason in Munich. The conservative leaders then denounced the Putsch. Ludendorff encouraged Hitler not to give up, and Ludendorff became the new Putsch leader. The Nazis then marched to a military base in Munich, and about a dozen people were killed. Hitler was arrested, and Nazism was banned. Hitler was tried and gained national recognition for denouncing the Weimar regime at his trial. The right – wing judges are extremely lenient to Hitler, choosing not to deport him back to Austria and only give him an 8 month sentence. While in jail, Hitler wrote a blueprint for his future plans which he titled Mein Kampf (My Struggle).

Based on the 25-Point Program, what were the main ideas of the NSDAP when Hitler joined it?

When Hitler joined the Nazis (National Socialist German Workers Party), several main ideas were extreme nationalism, racism, and a variety of socialist concepts. Extreme nationalism, which can be defined as having pride for your own country and having a feeling of superiority over other countries, was definitely thriving in Germany. The 25-point program demanded the unification of all Germans in Greater Germany, which included Austria and Germany, because of the right of self-determination. It also suggested the Treaty of Versailles must be destroyed as the German people should have equality of rights in respect to other nations. The program demanded land and territory for the well-being and colonization of Germany's surplus population (lebensraum). It also mentioned that there should be a nationalization of industry. The program suggests that Germans should abolish their current mercenary army and form a national army. The 25-points demanded that criminals would be put to death if their activity was harmful to the general population. Lastly, the program also discussed that while the duty of individuals was to the state, the duty of the state was to provide for its volk (people).

The 25-points were racist against anyone who was not German. Only a "member of the race" could be a citizen, and only citizens were allowed to live in Germany. If it was considered impossible to sustain the total population of the State, foreigners were to be expelled from Germany. All non-Germans who had immigrated to Germany since August 2, 1914, also were be forced to leave the country. Additionally, the Nazis were extremely anti-Semitic as no Jews were allowed to be members "of the race" and could not come to Germany as they fled pogroms in other countries.

The Nazis also partly supported a socialistic society, meaning that they supported a collective ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods. Everyone was required to work, and the profits would be divided. The Nazis hoped to extend old age welfare. Lastly, the government was responsible for a reconstruction of the German national education system. The State would teach children "the German way" and educate exceptionally gifted children.

The Birth of the Weimar Republic

1. Why was it called the Weimar Republic and not the Berlin Republic?

Even in February 1919, Berlin was thought to be too violent and unstable.

2. What new rights did Friedrich Ebert promise the German people?

He promised better working conditions, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion.

3. Hey, a democracy. Sounds great! Why was this a shock to the Germany peoples' systems?

The German people had to accept an almost instant change from the traditional , autocratic German system of government to this new democratic system.

4. What positions did the opposition on the right hold that restricted Friedrich Ebert's new government?

Nearly all of the Kaiser's former advisers remained in their positions in the army, judiciary, civil service and industry. They restricted what the new government could do.

5. What was the name of "powerful myth" that developed and what "evidence" was there to support the myth?

A powerful myth developed that men such as Ebert had stabbed Germany in the back and caused the defeat of the war. Members of the Right believed that the German army had been 'stabbed in the back' by the Socialist and Liberal politicians who agreed to an armistice in November 1918.

6. Study Source 3: What position was Ebert elected to in Jan. 1919? Who elected him?

Ebert was appointed by President by the German people.

7. Study Source 3: How would a Chancellor gain power in the Weimar Republic? (Why you need to know this: By 1933 Hitler will have this job.)

A Chancellor in the Weimar Republic had to be appointed by the President.