History: How did the Depression Help the Nazis?

?
When did the Wall Street Crash happen?
October 1929
1 of 35
Why was Germany particularly hit badly by the Wall Street Crash?
Because American banks recalled the loans which were the lifeblood of Germany industry
2 of 35
What were the effects on Germany because of the Wall Street Crash?
Businesses had to close, as world trade declined - German exports slumped and millions of people lost their jobs.
3 of 35
What three things did people who lost their jobs due to the depression suffer?
Poverty, hunger and homelessness.
4 of 35
How did businessmen suffer from the depression?
Their businesses closed - if it stayed open they saw their income fall because of the depression people had less money to spend, even on essentials. The government also raised taxes to look after the increasing number of poor people.
5 of 35
How did factory workers suffer from the depression?
40% of all factory workers were unemployed by 1942. At the same time the government cut unemployment benefit to save money. For the unemployed this was a time of extreme poverty.
6 of 35
How did farmers suffer from the depression?
Farmers had not done well in the 1920's. Prices had been falling since 1925. In the 1930s farmers slipped further into debt.
7 of 35
How did young people suffer from the depression?
In 1933 over half of all Germans between the ages of 16 and 30 were unemployed. 60% of new university graduates couldn't get a job.
8 of 35
In which three ways did the depression weaken Germany?
Unpopular economic policies, Presidential rule and the rise of extremism.
9 of 35
Why did more people start voting in elections?
Because they thought the Weimar Republic was making a hopeless mess of handling the depression. Some who had never bothered because they weren't interested realised politics mattered and something needed to be done.
10 of 35
What did the communists say about the Depression?
That it showed the capitalist system was doomed and that only communism had the answer.
11 of 35
What did the Nazis say about the Depression?
They blamed the Weimar Republic, the Treaty of Versailles, the Marxists and the Jews for the problems caused, and promised to get rid of 'the enemy within' who was destroying Germany.
12 of 35
What increased with extremism?
Political violence.
13 of 35
Who seemed to have no idea on what to do with the problems of rising unemployment and growing poverty?
The Weimar Republic.
14 of 35
Why didn't the Weimar leaders want to print more money and increase government expenditure?
Because of the problems it (hyperinflation) caused in 1923.
15 of 35
What did the Weimar Republic do to get out of the depression without causing hyperinflation?
The chancellor raised taxes, cut wages and reduced unemployment benefits - which were unpopular amongst the German people.
16 of 35
What did the unpopular economic policies cause?
The collapse of the government because the Social Democrats withdrew from the coalition.
17 of 35
What did the chancellor have to do in order for his government to survive after the social democrats withdrew from the coalition?
He had to fall back on Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution - Germany was now ruled by presidential decree.
18 of 35
Who was the president of the weimar republic who had presidential powers?
An 84 year old war hero who was controlled by business and army leader - and apparently well past his prime.
19 of 35
What three explanation/promises did the Nazi's make because of the depression problems?
1. Weimar Republic is weak - need strong leadership, Hitler is the man 2. Unemployment? Nazis will get people back to work on road-building/public works 3. Worried about communists? Nazis' SA is the only ones who know how to deal with them
20 of 35
Who was an asset to the Nazi Party? Why?
Hitler - standing before a crowd delivering his powerful and moving speeches, seemed to represent strong, decisive leadership in the great German tradition going back to the Kaiser and beyond.
21 of 35
Who was considered hope for Germany when the Weimar Republic appeared to be muddling through indecisively?
Hitler - with his strong personality and powerful ideas, it seemed to be just what Germany needed.
22 of 35
What eight things did the Nazis have to convince the German people that they could solve the problems left by the depression?
Organisation, propaganda, support of the industrialists, use of technology, promises to voters, flexibility, hitler the superman and the weaknesses of opposition.
23 of 35
Talk about the appealing point of the Nazi party: Organisation
They were very well organises as many of them had been soldiers in ww1. So they brought the same obedience, organisation and teamwork skills to the party. Local workers were well trained, skilled and motivated.
24 of 35
Talk about the appealing point of the Nazi party: Propaganda
Their national leaders were masters of propaganda,and they trained their local groups in the area. They used every trick in the book to get their message home. Hitler pointed to the Nazis' ten-year track record in leading the fight against communists
25 of 35
What tricks did Nazi's use in their propaganda to gain the support of Germans?
They knew anti-communist stance was very popular, so their propaganda enhanced the fear and hatred of them. They stirred violence at election meetings so SA could crush it and be seen 'dealing with communist threat'
26 of 35
Talk about the appealing point of the Nazi party: Support of the industrialists
One of their partially successful aims was to earn the support of powerful industrialists, who would have usually voted for conservative. In 1931 Hitler made a deal with the nationalists. They also received some financial backing from big businesses
27 of 35
Where were the nationalist party on the political scale?
A main right wing party.
28 of 35
Talk about the appealing point of the Nazi party: Use of technology
Propaganda could be spread more widely e.g radios. in the 1932 election, Goebbels charted planes to fly Hitler all over Germany to speak to 4/5 rallies per day.
29 of 35
Give five forms of propaganda the Nazis used.
Radio broadcasts, millions of election posters, rallies, parades and marches carried the Nazi message into every town and home in Germany.
30 of 35
Talk about the appealing point of the Nazi party: Promises to voters.
Workers were promised jobs (e.g. the SA got them out of unemployment and housed and fed them) Employers were promised restored profits, farmers higher prices and shopkeepers protection against competition.
31 of 35
Talk about the appealing point of the Nazi party: Weakness of Opposition
Other parties were very weak and underestimated the Nazis. Social Democrats feared they would attempt a putsch, but thought that ordinary germans would prevent nazi electioneering. They quarrelled among themselves instead of uniting to face the Nazis
32 of 35
Talk about the appealing point of the Nazi party: Hitler the Superman
Hitler stayed consistent through electioneering - the strong leader germany needed and wanted. His physical appearance was adapted, he improved his speaking skills. It didn't matter what he said it was how. The opposition had no one to match him
33 of 35
Talk about the appealing point of the Nazi party: Flexibility
If an idea was losing support they would change it. They realised that it doesn't matter what you promise as long as people trust you. If all else failed the Nazis simply went for vague promises 'make Germany great again'
34 of 35
Give an example of the nazi party changing a policy because it was losing support.
In an election speech, a leading Nazi spoke powerfully for the nationalisation of industry - one of nazis beliefs. When they found out how alarmed the industrialists were they quickly dropped the idea. It wasn't mentioned again
35 of 35

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Why was Germany particularly hit badly by the Wall Street Crash?

Back

Because American banks recalled the loans which were the lifeblood of Germany industry

Card 3

Front

What were the effects on Germany because of the Wall Street Crash?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What three things did people who lost their jobs due to the depression suffer?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

How did businessmen suffer from the depression?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History resources:

See all History resources »See all WWII and Nazi Germany 1939-1945 resources »