Kennede Sng

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History: Nazi Germany

Rise of Hitler
Failure of the Weimar Republic
-

Weimar republic was weak and lacked leadership after the death of Gustav
Stresemann, lacking leadership
Germans hated the Republic as they associated it with the Treaty of Versailles
System of proportional democracy where parties are assigned seats in the
parliament based on their votes meant that coalitions were inevitable,
contributing to its weakness
Failure of the Weimar Republic meant that the government was
unable to lead Germany to prosperity, making the citizens resent
them, and opening the door to a party with extremist ideas such as
the Nazis.

Great Depression
-

During the recession, USA recalled loans to Germany, plunging the German
economy into chaos
This caused rampant unemployment among the Germans, and hence many
Germans were in panic
The Nazis promised to tackle the problem, and this helped the popularity to
soar
The Great Depression caused major economic problems for Germany,
allowing Hitler to present the Nazi Party as solutions to these
problems
The Germans hence accepted the Nazis as they were desperate for
an economic turnaround.

Strengths of the Nazi Party

-

Hitler was a naturally good speaker who convinced the people that he would
reverse the Treaty of Versailles; such messages resonated with the German
people
The Nazis were organized, boasting torch light rallies and even their own
army, the Storm Troopers (SA)
They also took advantage of the SA, using it to disrupt opposition rallies
Rich industrialists supported Hitler financially as they too wanted the
Communists out of the way
The Nazis hence were able to increase their popularity through its
organizational skills and appeal, facilitating Hitlers ascent to power

Hitlers Consolidation of Power

Terror/Assassination of Political Opponents
-

In the Night of the Long Knives, Hitler eliminated his own Storm Troopers (SA)
as their leader was getting increasingly powerful, and Hitler felt this was a
threat to his power
The Shutz-Staffel (SS) and Gestapo continued to monitor the German public
and eliminate anyone based on suspicion
All undesirable figures (i.e. threats to Hitlers regime, political opponents)
were sent to concentration camps, as a tool of terror to control the political
climate
Terror was a method to control the Germans as it made the people
live in fear of the ramifications of the opposition of the Nazis, forcing
them to obey Hitler

Propaganda
-

There were many repeating slogans which encouraged Nazi beliefs among
the people.
Radio stations also broadcasted fixed songs and messages, so as to promote
Nazi support
Newspapers and other forms of print media required the approval of the
German Ministry of Propaganda before publication
Propaganda was a method to control the Germans as pro-Nazi
messages were constantly repeated in all forms of media, as a form
of indoctrination, in hopes of brainwashing the population to garner
Nazi support

Control of Education
-

The Nazi state controlled all education, like how boys focused on more
militaristic subjects such as Chemistry and Mathematics, and how toys that
boys were received were of the German army
Girls conversely focused on more domestic subjects such as sewing and
cooking
Children were also made to join youth movements which again emphasized
the militaristic aspect of education
Being fed with ideas that were pro-Nazi from a young age ensured
that the future generations of Germany would be faithful supporters
of Hitler

Hence, the control of education was a tool used to control the

German people

Solving of Economic Problems

-

Hitler was in fact able to solve many of Germanys economic problems, as he

has promised
He also defied the Treaty of Versailles and increased the size of the army,
providing jobs for the people
Public works like the construction of highways and hospitals, as well as
factories which produced ammunition countered the problem of rampant
unemployment caused by the Great Depression
Solving the economic problems of Germany helped to pacify the
people, who were then more willing to support Hitler and his
extremist ideas
Hence solving Germanys economic problems helped Hitler control
the Germans

Effect of Hitlers Rule/Hitlers Policies

Economic
-

Hitler implemented a four year plan that geared Germany towards war
Autarky (self-reliance) was emphasized so as to reduce trade with Britain,
France and the USA, as Hitler knew that these were countries Germany would
eventually go to war with
Production and distribution of agriculture was regulated to facilitate rationing
should war ensue
These economic policies were for the preparation for war as many
industries concentrated on war machinery and the agricultural policy
reflects a preparation for a war mentality

Social
-

Nazis controlled education, like how boys focused on militaristic subjects like
Chemistry and Math, while girls on domestic skills like sewing and cooking
Boys were also given toys of the German army, in order to encourage a love
and interest for the military
Children were also made to join youth movements, which mainly were used
to emphasize the military aspect
Hitlers social policies were for the benefits of war preparation as
both boys and girls were assigned specific roles in society from a
tender age, of which was geared towards war

Anti-Semitism

The Nazi state passed laws that were anti-Jewish

Such examples included the inability of Jews to obtain jobs in the civil service
or the army
The Nuremburg Laws also stated that Jews were no longer citizens of
Germany
There were also large-scale attacks against the Jews across the Germany, and
also a complete extermination of Jews in the Holocaust
Such policies were not for the preparation of war, but a reflection of
Hitlers own personal belief that Jews were the root of many of
Germanys problems