Depth study

• During WWI (1914-1918), Germany was run by Kaiser Wilhelm I
• Kaiser Wilhelm I was in charge of the Government and the Army
• The Kaiser chose who the Chancellor was
• The people could vote, but MPs didn't have power
• Germany started a republic (Weimar Republic) after the Kaiser fled into exile
• Effects of WWI on Germany:

  • Political effects: Reichstag parties had no real power to run the Government
  • Physical and Financial effects: farming disrupted, food shortages, Germany was effectively bankrupt
  • Psychological effects: Germans felt betrayed by weak politicians in the Weimar Republic
• Weimar Republic's Constitution:

  • Named after the town outside Berlin where it started
  • Constitution made law in 1919
  • President had powers to sack the Chancellor, call elections, and rule by decree in emergencies
  • Government made laws for the Reichstag to vote on
  • Supreme court checked if the constitution was followed
  • Reichstag had elections every 4 years with proportional representation
  • German people had rights like free speech, free press, and freedom to vote
• Strengths and Weaknesses of the Constitution:

  • Strengths: all Germans over 20 could vote, fair PR voting system
  • Weaknesses: Article 48 could be abused, constitution was too fair and allowed enemies like the Nazis to rise
• Treaty of Versailles:

  • Peace agreement after Germany lost WWI
  • Germany had to give up land, reduce its military, pay reparations, and accept blame for starting the war
  • Created anger and economic crisis in Germany
• Problems faced by Weimar Republic and solutions by Gustav Stresemann:

  • French Invasion of the Ruhr: sent workers back to work, but seen as a defeat
  • Hyperinflation: stopped printing money, introduced a new currency, but damage was already done
  • Destroyed German economy: took a loan from the USA (Dawes Plan), improved production but unemployment remained
  • Massive Reparations: restructured payments with the Young Plan, brought Germany into European politics but still couldn't afford reparations
• The "Golden Age" of the Weimar Republic:

  • Stresemann's policies stabilized Germany and saved it from collapse
  • People became happier with the government and extreme party support decreased
  • German culture flourished with artists depicting everyday life in new ways
• German culture during the Weimar Golden era was characterized by:

  • Artists depicting everyday life in a new way
  • German Cinema booming, with movies like Metropolis becoming classics worldwide
  • Architecture being admired
  • Berlin being perceived as sleazy and sex-obsessed
• Economic situation during the Weimar Golden age:

  • Stresemann's changes and Dawe's plan led to economic improvement
  • Production reached its highest level
  • Germany became a leading exporter of manufactured goods
  • However, the economic success was based on American loans that could be recalled at any time
  • Unemployment remained a serious issue
  • There was a significant wealth gap between the rich and poor
  • Farming and agriculture performed poorly
• Achievements of the Weimar Republic:

  • Survived political extremists and uprisings like the Kapp putsch and Hitler's Munich putsch
  • Introduced the Weimar constitution with ideas of universal suffrage, free press, and free speech
  • Allowed ordinary Germans to participate in politics for the first time
  • Recovered from near collapse in 1923 with policies like the Dawes plan and Rentenmark
  • Flourishing of art, cinema, and nightlife due to increased freedom
  • Improved international relations through agreements like the Locarno pact and entry into the League of Nations
• • Experienced a Golden Age with increased production and public satisfaction
• The Rise of Hitler and the Nazis:

  • Adolf Hitler's background and early life
  • Formation of the Nazi Party in 1919
  • The Munich putsch of 1923 and its significance
  • Reasons for Hitler's decision to launch the uprising
  • Details of the failed Munich putsch and its aftermath
  • Successes of the Munich putsch for Hitler and the Nazis
• Nazi tactics and changes 1924-1929:

  • Shift from violent methods to winning elections
  • Reorganization of the party with local members and the 25 point plan
  • Publication of Mein Kampf and its impact
  • Focus on increasing party membership and targeting different social groups
  • Support from big business and propaganda efforts
  • Initial failures in elections up to 1929 but organizational improvements
• The Wall Street Crash and its effects:

  • America's bankruptcy and recall of loans in 1929
  • Impact on Germany with mass unemployment, loss of confidence in goods, and poverty
  • Rise of extreme parties like the Nazis due to economic crisis
  • Hitler and Goebbels' propaganda efforts and electoral success in 1929 and 1932
  • Challenges faced by Hitler in becoming Chancellor despite electoral victories
• Events leading to Hitler becoming Chancellor in January 1933:

  • Wall Street Crash weakening the Weimar Government
  • Weak opposition and political deals favoring the Nazis
  • Fear of communism and support for Hitler as a counterforce
  • Von Papen's deal with President Hindenburg to make Hitler Chancellor
• Life in Nazi Germany:

  • Support from the elderly, army, and middle class
  • Opposition from the youth, political opponents, and communists
  • Establishment of a strong government under Nazi rule
• Nazi ideology:

  • Aimed to create a more stable Germany by removing opposition and controlling every aspect of life
  • Wanted to destroy the Treaty of Versailles, re-build the army, prepare to invade Eastern Europe, and create a racial Germany
  • Implemented eugenic programs to selectively breed Germans and create a pure "Aryan" race
  • Sought to remove "undesirable" races from Germany, including homosexuals, gypsies, and Jews
• VOLKSGEMEINSCHAFT (people's community):

  • Supported by the party and families
  • Families received money based on the number of children
  • Opposed by the church and working class
  • Nazi ideology aimed for every part of German life to be influenced by the Nazi party
• Opposition to the Nazi Regime:

  • The Young, including groups like the Edelweiss Pirates and individuals like Sophie Scholl from the White Rose, rebelled against Nazi control
  • Political opponents, communists, and former politicians aimed for a return to democracy
  • The Church resisted Nazi control over people's lives and activities
• Methods of Control:

  • Nazis used fear and propaganda to control ordinary Germans
  • Propaganda minister Josef Goebbels used radio, posters, newspapers, films, culture, and festivals to spread the Nazi message and brainwash people
  • Main methods included radio broadcasts, posters, newspapers, films, and controlling cultural activities
• Expectations of Women in Nazi Germany:

  • Expected to focus on the "Three K's": Kinder (children), Kirche (church), and Kuchen (kitchen)
  • Encouraged to fit into Nazi ideals through marriage loans, medals for having children, restrictions on fashion, job dismissals, forced abortions, and sterilization
• Impact of WWII on Women:

  • Women entered the workforce due to men going to war
  • Women worked in arms factories, faced heavy physical work, and struggled to meet Nazi ideals
  • Stress of war led to changes in behavior, such as smoking and drinking
• Hitler Youth:

  • Membership grew rapidly under Nazi rule, with different age groups for boys and girls
  • Aimed to indoctrinate young people into Nazi ideology and control their activities and beliefs
• Nazi Economy:

  • Struggled with economic challenges, including high unemployment and reliance on imports
  • Implemented measures to reduce unemployment, achieve self-sufficiency (autarky), rearm Germany, and remove Jews from the workplace
  • Government spending increased, with a focus on rearmament, investment, industrial production, and managing imports and exports