Germany 1890 1945 Democracy and Dictatorship WW 1

Germany 1890 – 1945: Democracy and Dictatorship WW 1 impacted Germany in a massive way. Bankrupt – couldn’t afford pensions. Society was split due to the war. Politically unstable. November 1918. The Kaiser abdicated. Friedrich Ebert, leader of the SPD took over Germany and ended the war. October 1918. The German navy in Kiel mutinied and refused to follow the Kaisers orders. Unrest in Germany spread and soldier’s and workers councils took over cities and towns all over Germany. Kaiser Wilhelm II became Kaiser of Germany in 1888. Prussia was the strongest of the German states - *1871* Germany and the growth of democracy The Kaiser was pressured to reform his government by his generals, his people wanted more reform. More demonstrations followed. Kaiser Wilhelm II set Germany on a path of Industrialisation – this led to the growth of socialism, a problem for the Kaiser, the start of the SPD. Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted a ‘place in the sun’ an Empire to rival Britain’s. To do this he needed a strong Navy – this led to the Navy laws 1898 1912 At first, Germans were patriotic in WW 1 (1914 – 1918). The war became very difficult the longer it went in, starvation, death, demonstrations and a flu outbreak.

Germany 1890 – 1945: Democracy and Dictatorship Germans hated the treaty for 3 reasons: Too harsh/ humiliated. Ordered to sign treaty ‘Diktat’. People had been betrayed by the Weimar government The Treaty of Versailles, 1919. German punishment for losing the war. War guilt, reparations - £ 6. 6 billion. Lost land people, reduced military. No Austria alliance and Rhineland demilitarised. Weimar’s main political parties – Communists – KPD, Social democratic party – SPD, Centre party and the Nazi party. The Weimar Republic was set up. Ebert allowed free elections. Germany was to be democratic. Germany and the growth of democracy Weaknesses of the Weimar constitution included proportional representation- many political parties had a say, slow decision making. Some hated this new system ‘old days’. Weimar government linked with defeat – ‘November criminals’. Article 48 – weakness? The spartacists (Communists) wanted Germany to be run by small councils. Ebert sent the Freikorps to destroy the Spartacists. Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht were murdered. Ebert held the free elections promised, and his party the SPD won. He became the new president. The government met in Weimar as Berlin was too troublesome. The Weimar constitution said all Germans had the right to vote and equal rights.

Germany 1890 – 1945: Democracy and Dictatorship Weimar benefitted from a golden age in the 1920’s – cinema, music, arts and literature boomed. What would happen if America wanted their money back though? Some liked the new Germany, more traditional Germans did not. Germany suffered massive Economic difficulties reparations led to the occupation of the Ruhr. This led to Hyperinflation. Germany and the growth of democracy Things improved a little under Gustav Stresemann 1924 - 1929. He ended hyperinflation – Young and Dawes plan. Reduced reparations. Economic recovery of Germany, he also improved foreign relations for e. g. With France Locarno treaty. In 1926, joined the League of Nations. Most German people suffered as their currency became worthless. Others found it easy to pay off their debts. The economic problems led to lots of unrest directed at the Weimar government. The Kapp Putsch, Red rising, Assassinations and the Munich Putsch.

Germany 1890 – 1945: Democracy and Dictatorship All sections of German society voted for the Nazis. Farmers, Young, Old, Women, Middle classes and upper classes. The wall street crash which happened in 1929, had a worldwide effect. America wanted it’s money back it borrowed Germany under Stresemann. The Depression made suffer badly. Germany and the Depression The higher unemployment went, the more votes the Nazis got. 6 million unemployed. Appeal of Hitler offered hope. Weimar chancellors made things worse. People also feared communists so turned to the Nazis. Hitler used propaganda to win support. Factories closed and businesses shut down. Bankruptcy and huge unemployment followed. The Weimar government seemed helpless to solve this problem. People seemed to be attracted to extreme radical parties like the Communists and the Nazis.

Germany 1890 – 1945: Democracy and Dictatorship Germany and the failure of Democracy – Hitler’s road to power January 1933. September 1930 – elections. Nazis 107 seats – 2 nd largest political party March 1932 – Hitler comes second in presidential election – 13 million votes July 1932 – Nazis become largest political party 230 seats in the Reichstag January 1933 – Hitler is invited to become Chancellor as a last resort due to Hindenburg’s dislike of him and the failure of the previous chancellors.

Germany 1890 – 1945: Democracy and Dictatorship The establishment of Hitler’s dictatorship – how did he eliminate his political rivals? Hitler called for aa new election to to have aa greater majority to to pass laws. He He used the police to to beat up up his opponents. February 1933––Reichstagfire––Hitlerblamedthe thecommunists. ‘Protectionlaw’gave Hitler special powers to to deal with communists. March 1933 –– Communists were banned from being involved in in election. March 1933 –– Centre party joined with the Nazis –– Hitler had his majority –– he he passed the enabling act. He He did not need the Reichstag’s permission anymore. April 1933––Nazistookoverall alllocalgovernments May 1933 –– Trade unions banned July 1933 –– Lawagainstall allotherpoliticalparties. August 1934––Nightof ofthe thelongknives––Hitlermurderedhis hisopponents(including Ernst Rohm) Hindenburgdied––Hitlermergedrolesand andbecamethe the. Fuhrer– –The Army swore an an oath of of allegiance to to him personally.

Germany 1890 – 1945: Democracy and Dictatorship Impact of WW 2 – went well at first. Rationing, total war, worker shortages and bombing and refugees. Economic policy – under Schacht then Goering – Four year plans – Self sufficiency. Failed. Mixed policies for farmers. Hitler got Germans back to work immediately – National labour service. Projects such as road building and building schools and factories were set up on. Economic changes in Nazi Germany Strength through Joy – made Germans want to work harder. They were rewarded for their hard work. Schemes set up like the Volkswagen. Beauty of Labour group – better facilities for workers. Hitler reintroduced conscription and rearmed Germany – this helped improve unemployment in Germany. Invisible unemployment – women and Jews were sacked from their jobs.

Germany 1890 – 1945: Democracy and Dictatorship The final solution – holocaust. 6 million Jews killed during World War Two. Ghettos, Einsatzgruppen and the Death camps/ gas chambers. Wannsee conference Jan 1942 planned the execution of the Jewish race. Little Jewish resistance. Early policies towards Jews – shops, laws, Kristallnacht, work, schools. Youth – Schools future soldiers and leaders of Germany. Boys and Girls. Universities less important. Hitler Youth made compulsory. Social changes in Nazi Germany Ethnic minorities especially Jews were persecuted. Aryan master race. Disabled also killed in Germany, 5000 babies. Women in Nazi Germany – Weimar women had freedoms and careers. Birth rate declined. Nazis reversed this trend. Three K’s. Nazi control of churches and religion – some worked with the Nazis and others didn’t. Nazis created own church.

Germany 1890 – 1945: Democracy and Dictatorship There were numerous attempts of assassination against Hitler – Beck Goerdler group – July 1944 bomb plot. It injured Hitler, but did not kill him. The police state – Nazi Germany under heavy control of Himmler and the SS. Gestapo & law and order. and concentration camps. Control and opposition in Nazi Germany Some groups openly opposed Hitler – The swing youth who beat up Hitler youth boys. And the White Rose group – Hans and Sophie Scholl. Various types of opposition – passive and open resistance, Propaganda used by Joseph Goebbels – also censorship used. Films, media and radio utilised. . Art and culture heavily monitored and controlled by the Nazis chamber of culture. Cinema, art and theatre. Sports and leisure very important also.