The Rise of Hitler and Consolidation of Power

• What caused the Great Depression?

  • The Wall Street Crash
• What was the main consequence of the USA recalling loans after the Wall Street Crash?

  It led to banks and businesses closing, resulting in high unemployment.
• What was the level of unemployment in Germany by 1933?

  1. 1 million.
• What factors contributed to the NSDAP's rise in popularity?

  • Propaganda
  • Promises to business owners and farmers
  • Economic conditions such as the Great Depression.
• What was one slogan used in NSDAP propaganda?

  ‘Work and Bread’.
• What did the NSDAP promise to business owners?

  They promised to protect them from communism.
• What did the NSDAP promise to farmers?

  They promised to pay them a fair price for their grain.
• How did the Great Depression contribute to the NSDAP's popularity?

  It led many people to lose faith in the government, making them more receptive to the NSDAP's promises.
• Who became chancellor of Germany in January 1933?

  Adolf Hitler.
• How did President Hindenburg attempt to limit Hitler’s influence?

  He only allowed three Nazis to serve on the twelve-person cabinet.
• Name two groups Hitler had to deal with to gain full control.

  • Communists
  • Reichstag
• What happened after the Reichstag Fire was blamed on the communists?

  • Imprisonment of 4000 communists
  • Increase in NSDAP votes in the March elections
• What was the Enabling Act and how did Hitler ensure its passage?

  • Allowed Hitler to bypass the Reichstag and Weimar Constitution
  • Ensured passage by using the SA to threaten politicians’ families.
• What action did Hitler take towards Trade Unions?

  • He abolished them using the Enabling Act.
• Why were Political Parties a threat to Hitler's plans?

  They could gain more seats in the Reichstag and give President Hindenburg the opportunity to remove Hitler as chancellor.
• What action did Hitler take to address Political Parties?

  He used the Enabling Act to ban all parties other than the NSDAP.
• What was the Night of the Long Knives and why was it conducted?

  • The Night of the Long Knives was when Hitler ordered the execution of SA leader Rohm and c. 100 leaders and political opposition.
  • It was conducted to remove the SA, who were a threat due to their large membership and disagreement with Hitler's policies.
  • The army reduced its support for Hitler while the SA existed.
• What happened after President Hindenburg died in August 1934?

  • Hitler merged the roles of president and chancellor into the position of Fuhrer.
• What obligation was placed on all men aged 18-25 regarding the RAD?

  They had to complete six months of unpaid work in the RAD.
• What type of public work schemes were implemented to reduce unemployment?

  Schemes to build schools, autobahns, and hospitals.
• How was the army rebuilt in Germany during the RAD?

  • Rebuilt from 100,000 to 1.4 million
  • Created jobs in factories producing weapons and ammunition
• How did unemployment figures change from 1933 to 1939?

  They went from 6.1 million in 1933 to 0.4 million in 1939.
• What was the aim of the Four-Year Plan?

  • To achieve self-sufficiency in Germany's economy
  • To develop a synthetic-materials industry
• Who was put in charge of the Four-Year Plan?

  Hermann Goering.
• What method did Hermann Goering use to achieve Germany's economic goals?

  He robbed German Occupied countries of their raw materials.
• What industry did Goering seek to develop to reduce Germany's reliance on raw materials?

  A synthetic-materials industry.
• Name two programmes implemented to improve the workplace environment during the RAD.

  • Strength through Joy Programme
  • Beauty of Labour
• What benefits did the Strength through Joy Programme provide to workers?

  Rewards such as theatre tickets and holidays.
• What facilities did the Beauty of Labour improve?

  Building new canteens and sports facilities.