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Depression and Appeal for Hitler - Coggle Diagram
Depression and Appeal for Hitler
The Depression
Causes
In
October 1929
the wall street cash on the US stock exchange brought about a global economic depression
US companies lost millions of dollars overnight
In Europe, Germany was worst affected as all the loans secured in the
Dawes and Young Plan
were called back immediately and no more loans given.
Consequently, German industry loses finance, lowers production and so lays of workers. Therefore people spend less into the economy and industry loses more money.
Businesses
German businesses had to pay back loans and revieved less income. Less people spending, income fell and taxes rose
Government
Couldn't borrow money from the US
Refused to print more money due to the affect of the hyperinflation
Taxes increased
Cuts to unemployment benefits
Government workers and had lost their job
People
Prices of food fell and farmers went into debt
by 1932,
90% of factory workers
were unemployed
50% of Germans between 16 and 30. 60% university graduates didn't get jobs.
Political Failure
German chancellor Herman Muller
resigned as it could not be agreed how to tackle the rise in government spending caused by rise in unemployment
Replace with
Henreich Bruning
in July 1930 Bruning cut government expenditure, wages and unemployment pay. Spiral of decline and unemployment continued to rise.
Bruning could not get the Reichstag to agree and so president Hindenburg used aricle 48 as the Weimar constitution.
Undermined democracy and gave little power to Reichstag
Rise in Extremism
People were unemployed, hungry, thirsy and desperate
Millions between 1930-1933 saw the failings of democracy as the Reichstag failed to solve problems and the government was so weak.
Working class turned to left wing communist parties (KPD) who seemed to offer solutions to unemployment and falling wages
Middle and upper classes looked for the right wing as they tried to stop communist power.
The Appeal of Hitler and the Nazis
In
1928
the Nazis only had 12 seats in the Reichstag. By 1932, after the Depression thye had 230 seats and was the largest party.
Popularity of Hitler
An effective and rousing speaker travelling over the Country giving speeches in person and on radio
Came about as forceful and decisive. Gave the impression of a strong leader- important after depression chaos
He was portrayed as 'one of the people' therefore shown as ordinary and understanding of 'people problems'
Party Oragnisation
Nazis were well-organised, many of whom were soliders
Brought good teamwork and leadership skills
SA
Intimidated political opponents to the Nazis- especially the communists
Provided oppurtunity for young unemployed men
Protected HItler and other key Nazis
Opposition
Other parties were weak and consistently underestimated the Nazis
Social democrats feared Nazis would attempt a putsch but not affect them in election
Built anti-communist views stirring violence so the SA could deal with communist threats
Gaining Support from
Middle Class:
Alarmed by the failure of democracy and decided the country needed a stronger leader and Government - Hitler fit to do so
Wealthy Businessmen:
Frightened by the support for communism so they financed and supported the Nazis
Nationalists:
Blamed the legacy of the Treaty of Versaille thought that it was the cause of of depression. Nazis attacked the treaty consitently
Workers:
offered work while trying to develop Germany. Support also particularly strong among those in rural areas, like the shopkeepers, artisans, farmers and agricultural labourers.
Effect of Propoganda
The Fuhrer Cult:
Hitler always portrayed as Germany's saviour - the man who would rescue the country
Volksgemeinschaft:
The idea that Nazis would create one German community making a social and religion class relevant to people
Jews were portrayed as a threat to community. Nazis did not support jews, gaining working class peoples support