1.1Nazis during the Weimar ‘Golden Years’ and the Depression

• Key point

  Support for the Nazi Party grew following the Depression and the failure of Weimar democracy
• The 'Golden Years' of Weimar


  1924–29
• 1919–23 were traumatic years for Germany, with a series of economic and political crises
• Gustav Stresemann


  Became chancellor in August 1923. Under his leadership the Weimar Republic was more stable, although there were still problems
• Positive aspects, 1924–29

  • Dawes Plan, 1924 (USA agreed to lend Germany £40 million, stabilised the economy)
  • In 1928, levels of industrial production reached the same levels as before the First World War
  • Germany regained its status as the world's second greatest industrial power
• Cultural, 1924–29

  • Free expression of ideas was allowed
  • There were new artists, architecture and international film stars
  • Berlin became known for its night-life and by 1927 there were 900 dance bands
• Political, 1924–29

  • The Locarno Treaties, 1925 (Germany's borders with France and Belgium wouldn't be changed)
  • In 1926 Germany was permitted to join the League of Nations
  • By 1929, Stresemann had also negotiated the Young Plan, which further reduced reparations payments
• Negative aspects, 1924–29

  • US loans could be called in at any time
  • Economic growth was uneven, favouring big business and landowners
  • Peasant farmers and sections of the middle classes did not benefit from economic gains
• Cultural, Negative aspects 1924–29

  • Some felt this represented a moral decline, especially those living in villages
  • The Wandervogel movement wanted a return to simple country values and help for those in the countryside
• Political, Negative aspects 1924–29

  • The Weimar Republic was a coalition government
  • Around 30 per cent of votes in elections went to extremist parties
  • Paul von Hindenburg was appointed president in 1926. He was opposed to democracy
  • Stresemann was criticised for agreeing the Locarno Treaties and joining the League – these actions showed he accepted the Treaty of Versailles
• The Nazis became well known, but were not successful in elections
• German Workers' Party


  Founded by Anton Drexler in 1919. Hitler was its leader by 1921
• Twenty-Five Point Programme


  Set out the policies of the party, stressing the superiority of the German people and promoting anti-Semitism
• Hitler tried to seize power in November 1923, through the Munich Putsch. This failed and Hitler was sent to prison
• Mein Kampf


  Hitler wrote this in prison, setting out his beliefs, such as lebensraum (living space) and that Aryans (white Europeans) were the 'master-race'
• Hitler realised the Nazis had to change tactics and come to power democratically rather than seize power by force
• The Nazis still failed to win popular support, gaining only twelve seats in the Reichstag in the 1928 elections. Their anti-Semitic policies did appeal to some, but they failed to win over the majority of workers
• Following the Wall Street Crash, US banks called in their loans from Germany. Businesses went bankrupt, and industrial production declined
• Many people lost their savings, as the banks failed and German money lost its value. The middle classes and pensioners were hit hard
• Unemployment rose. In October 1929, there were 1.6 million people out of work. By February 1932, this had risen to over 6 million. More than half of young Germans aged 16–30 were unemployed in 1933
• The Weimar politicians seemed unable or unwilling to deal with the economic problems
• Heinrich Brüning


  Chancellor from March 1930, cut salaries and social benefits, and raised taxes. This was unpopular with the Reichstag. Brüning had to use Article 48, allowing Hindenburg to make decisions without parliamentary support
• Germany was no longer functioning as a democracy. Germans turned to more extremist parties
• Between 1928 and 1932, the Nazi Party grew in popularity, reflected in election results of the period. By November 1932, it was the largest party in the Reichstag
• In the 1928 elections, the Nazi Party won three per cent of the vote. By November 1932, this had risen to 33 per cent of the vote
• Reasons for support for the Nazis

  • Hitler promised to make Germany great again, appealing to the young and unemployed
  • Businessmen believed the Nazis would improve the economy and encourage people to spend money on goods
  • Industrialists and bankers liked the Nazis' anti-Communist beliefs
  • Farmers believed if the Nazis improved the economy, they would benefit as people could afford to buy more food
  • Hitler was an impressive and charismatic leader. He had authority over the SA and the Nazi Party
  • 'Negative cohesion': many Germans shared the Nazis' fears rather than their views
  • Weimar democracy had failed to address Germany's economic problems
  • The Nazis used propaganda effectively throughout their campaigning
• Nazi propaganda


  Portrayed Hitler as Germany's saviour. Generalised slogans were used, making it harder for people to criticise their policies
• SA


  Gave the promise of law and order – there was violence on the streets and people were scared