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A. Post WWI Germany • Attempts at Democracy: After WWI it wasn’t as if Hitler just strolled into Berlin and took control. For years, Germany made attempts at establishing a democracy, but it was very difficult. A tradition of monarchy and other problems caused by WWI resulted in failure.
Attempts at Democracy • Germany had made several attempts at democracy, WWI and history of monarchy made it fail
Inflation: During WWI, Germany didn’t raise taxes to pay for the war. Instead of raising taxes, Germany just printed more money. Germany also printed more money to pay for post WWI reparations. Over the course of many years, the German mark lost its value. This caused severe inflation. Cost huge amounts to buy basic goods. In 1918, it cost under 1 mark to buy a loaf of bread, in 1922, 160 marks, in 1923, nearly 1 trillion marks.
Inflation • Printed marks (money) to pay war debt, led to hyperinflation
Great Depression: Germany slowly recovered from its inflation, but was rocked by the US Great Depression in 1929. When the Depression hit the US, many bankers and investors pulled their money out of European banks. This caused many banks to fail, especially in the already troubled country of Germany.
Great Depression • US Great Depression led investors to pull investments out of Europe, really hurting Germany
Political Shift: Due to all of the financial problems in Germany and throughout the rest of Europe, there was a search for stability. This search created an opening for many non-democratic governments to take control.
Political Shift • Lots of issues led people to look to other forms of government, the old style wasn’t cutting it
B. Fascism • 1. Definition: Political movement that promotes an extreme form of nationalism, devoting to its leader, and militarism. (think MAIN) • 2. Traits: One-party dictatorship, denial of individual rights, censorship, secret police, state is more important than the individual, charismatic leader, supported by the rich as well as the middle class, economy controlled by the state.
II. Dictators • A. Benito Mussolini: Italy was also suffering from post WWI problems. Inflation and unemployment were major problems in the country. Mussolini who was a politician and newspaper editor promised to rescue the country. He founded the Fascist Party in 1919, the party’s goals were to revive the economy and create a strong military. In 1922, the King of Italy legally gave Mussolini control of the government. Il Duce, abolished democracy, created a secret police, and censored radio and newspapers.
Write this for Mussolini • Italy was suffering after WWI • Mussolini founded the Fascist Party in 1919 • In 1922, King gave Mussolini total control • “Il Duce” abolished democracy, had secret police and extreme censorship
B. Adolf Hitler: Hitler was born in Austria and the early part of his life was marked by supreme failure. He found his first successes in WWI where he was given medals for bravery. When the war ended he joined a small group who wanted to overturn the Treaty of Versailles. This group later became known as the National Socialist German Workers Party. Nazis for short. The Nazis tried to overturn the government in Munich in 1923, but failed and Hitler was sentenced to five years in jail.
Write this for Hitler • Born in Austria • Troubled early life • First successes in life were during WWI • Joined National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party) • Nazis tried to overthrow the government in 1923, failed and Hitler sentenced to five years in prison (HUGE!)
C. Mein Kampf: My Struggle. Hitler wrote this book while in prison and it outlined his plans for Germany under the Nazi Party. In this book, Hitler’s belief of the Aryans being the master race were produced. He claimed that non Aryans, such as Jews, Slavs and Gypsies were inferior. He believed that Germany was overcrowded and needed more space, he would get this by taking over Eastern Europe and Russia.
Write this for Mein Kampf • Hitler wrote this book in prison • “My Struggle” • Outlined plans for Germany under Nazi rule • Developed concept of master race
D. Hitler Comes to Power: When Hitler was released from prison, Germany was in the depths of its Great Depression. Many Germans were frightened and confused. They looked to a strong leader to guide them through the difficult times. In 1933, Hitler was named chancellor and took control of Germany. He turned Germany into a totalitarian state. He banned other political parties, created the SS (an elite military group), and the Gestapo (secret police force to maintain his authority). Took control of every aspect of German life. Used censorship and propaganda o shape and control public opinion. Controlled churches, burned books, and created youth camps to maintain absolute authority.
Write this for Hitler Comes to Power • German populace looking for strong leadership • Hitler becomes Chancellor in 1933 • Turns Germany into totalitarian state • Used SS and Gestapo • Propaganda and Censorship
E. Anti-Semitism: A key element of the Nazi ideology was hatred of Jews. Jews made up less than one percent of the population, but they were used as a scapegoat for all of the problems in the country. This led to the creation of the Nuremburg Laws and an increase in violence against Jews. Kristallnacht, Night of the Broken Glass, was a rampage of violence against Jews, their homes and businesses. This signaled the start of the process of eliminating the Jews from German life.
Write this for Anti-Semitism • Hatred of Jews (big part of Nazi ideology) • Jews were the scapegoat • Led to increased violence (Holocaust)
