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Hitler and the Nazi Party - Coggle Diagram
Hitler and the Nazi Party
Failures of Weimar
Many Weimar artists such as George Grosz were highly critical of the Republic (“Ebert the Champagne Socialist”)
The Treaty of Versailles seriously destabilized Germany with its harsh economic, military, and territorial terms.
The Wall Street Crashes 1929 sent the American economy into a tailspin
Hindenburg, fearing another hyperinflation crisis, froze unemployment during the Depression
The Ruhr invasion and the resulting hyperinflation crisis of 1923 damaged the reputation of the republic
By 1931, one quarter of all Germans were unemployed due to the devastating impact of the Depression
Working-class people bitterly saw their savings wiped out during the hyperinflation crisis
In 1924 Ebert died; in 1929 Stresssman died. This robbed Weimar of its two most talented politicians.
The Freikorps and Spartakist rebellions had very early on exposed the weaknesses of the Republic.
Steersman said in 1925 that, “Germany is dancing on a volcano”
The Weimar politicians were widely despised for being “November Criminals” who “stabbed Germany in the back”
Proportional representation led to a series of weak and indecisive coalition governments
The Dawes Plan of 1924 stabilized the German economy in the short term but left it dependent on American loans
Hindenburg and Hitler – Process of Hitler’s Appointment as Chancellor
Article 48 was abused by Hindenburg during the Depression to force unpopular chancellors upon Germany
Hindenburg was persuaded that Hitler needed to be appointed Chancellor to prevent any further unrest
Hitler was appointed Chancellor in 1933 in a coalition government with von Papen as Vice Chancellor
in 1930, Hitler ran for election as a president, and came a close second to Hindenburg
The decision of Hindenburg and von Papen to appoint Hitler was called “Backstairs Intrigue”
By 1932, there were 30 parties in parliament. Hitler promised to sweep them all away.
By 1932, Hindenburg was 84 years old and in declining health.
At the time of his appointment, Hitler’s support was starting to decline as the depression faded.
The Rise of the Nazi Party + Its Values
Hitler used his time in prison to write the bible of the Nazi Party: “Mein Kampf”
Hitler stated in his book “Mein Kampf” that “we must hold our noses and enter the Reichstag”
Many former soldiers joined the SA, the Nazi private army
Himmler established the Hitler Youth and SS
The SA got involved with street fights against the communists
The “Nazi” brand combined the appeals of both Nationalism and Socialism
The “Reichstag Principle” establoshed that the Nazis would gain power through elections, not insurrection
The Nazi Party purchased a plan to help Hitler’s election campaigns
Many rich people gave valuable donations to the Nazi party
Hitler’s Propaganda
Goebbels was a propaganda genius
By Summer 1932, Hitler was leader of the largest party in the Reichstag (230 seats)
Goering was a WW1 fighter ace who had fought with the Red Baron
Hitler used his treason trial in 1924 to promote his ideas widely
The failure of the Munich Beer Hall Putsch forced Hitler to rethink his strategy
Whilst in jail in 1924, Hitler developed the “Reichstag Principle” and the “Fuhrer Principle”
Hitler was a fantastic charismatic orator who promised to restore German honor and overthrow Versailles
Hitler appealed to farmers, saying that their “Blood and Soil” (Blut und Buden) was the bedrock of Germany
Hitler offered Arbeit, Freiheit, Brot (Work, Freedom, and Bread) to the working classes
The “Fuhrer principle” established that Germany needed one clear leader to lead it to prosperity
Hitler was a genuine WWI hero who won the Iron Cross twice for bravery
The 24-Point programme had a number of appealing ideas (confiscation of war profits; free education for all)
The “Hitler over Germany” (1932) campaign allowed Hitler to campaign in many cities in the same day
Many middle class people supported Hitler because he promised to contain communism
Hitler described as ‘Unsere Letzte Hoffnung’ (‘Our Last Hope’)
Hitler adopted the slogan “Work, Freedom, Bread”