Democracy and Dictatorship

• This period of German history generally divides up into three large periods: 1) 1819-1918 - German Empire/Imperial Germany, 2) 1918-1933 - Weimar Germany/Democratic Germany, 3) 1933-1945 - Nazi Germany/The Third Reich
• Kaiser Wilhelm II


  Reigned as Kaiser/emperor from 1888 to 1918, dismissed Otto von Bismarck and consolidated his own power, aimed to make Germany an important world power
• Kaiser Wilhelm II


  • Impatient, reckless, intelligent, unstable and egotistical, both on his own behalf and on behalf of his country, wished to rule Germany alone and unchecked as an absolute monarchy, was a grandchild of Queen Victoria, had a love/hate relationship with Great Britain
• The German Empire between 1890 and 1918 was a large country composed of many constituent smaller states, with Prussia being the largest and most dominant
• Reichstag


  Lower house of parliament, elected by universal but only male suffrage
• Bundesrat


  Higher chamber, comprised representatives from each state
• Chancellor


  Head of government, similar to a prime minister, appointed personally by the Kaiser and responsible solely to that Kaiser
• Industrialization in Germany


  Came in waves, prominent industries were coal, steel, chemicals and electronics
• Throughout the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II there was an increased threat of socialism, which he opposed by relying on his allies in the aristocracy, the Junkers, and the military
• Navy Laws


  Passed between 1889 and 1912, aimed at building up German naval strength mostly to oppose Great Britain
• The Treaty of Versailles had several effects on Germany: significant transfer of territory, removal of German colonies, limit on German army size, naval and air disarmament, and huge war reparations
• Germany was beset by problems in 1918: shattered, angry, disillusioned military, economic problems from reparations and loss of industry, social issues with a generation killed, and political problems with the unstable Weimar Republic
• Weimar Republic


  More democratic than the old German Empire, with an elected president, Reichstag, and chancellor, but dependent on the elected president and prone to instability due to proportional representation leading to many small parties and coalition governments
• Reasons why the Weimar Republic survived the difficult years 1918-1923


  Introduction of the Rentenmark to stabilize the economy, stable presidential leadership under Friedrich Ebert, reduction in reparation payments through the Dawes plan
• The years 1924-1929 were the golden years of the Weimar Republic under Chancellor Gustav Stresemann, who promoted social, political and economic stability
• Attitudes in Germany to the Weimar Republic


  • Military and aristocracy were jealous of their old dominance and wished for a return to absolute monarchy, working people were suspicious of the new leaders, middle classes were suspicious of socialism and wished for a return to imperial stability
• Main ideals of Hitler and the Nazi Party


  • German nationalism, Aryan racial superiority, disdain for liberalism and democracy, wish for an authoritarian state, wish for German expansion and lebensraum, prominence of the military in society
• Nazi attitudes to the Weimar Republic were contemptuous of democracy, believed in the stab in the back myth, and believed democracy and the Weimar Republic were weak and would inevitably fail
• Early tactics of the Nazi Party


  Used the SA (Brownshirts) to cause fear and intimidation, used propaganda to fuel hatred and disillusionment, used large and loud public and private rallies to spark debate and controversy
• The Nazi Party gradually began to appeal to many different sectors of German society, promising to renew German pride, bring a cohesive sense of national identity, reverse the perceived shame of the Versailles treaty, and restore the prominence of the military
• Germany to lose the war. This belief was entirely incorrect but it was a useful myth for the Nazis to exploit
• There was a belief that the social democratic leadership of Germany was globalist and Jewish, two things that the Nazis hated above all else
• There was a belief that democracy and the Weimar Republic were weak, and would inevitably fail
• Early tactics of the Nazi Party


  • Brutal and effective
  • Used the SA (Brownshirts) to cause fear and intimidation
  • Used propaganda to fuel hatred and disillusionment
  • Used large and loud public and private rallies to spark debate and controversy
• The Nazi Party gradually began to appeal to many different sectors of German society


  • Promised to renew German pride, bring a cohesive sense of national identity and reverse the perceived shame of the Versailles treaty (to the working classes)
  • Promised to bring the military back to its old size and number, and to rearm the military (to the military)
  • Promised to slash workers' rights, eliminate trade unions and get rid of regulation (to business)
  • Promised an end to democracy, power back in the hands of unelected aristocrats and the suppression of hated individuals and civil rights (to the aristocracy)
• Hitler became chancellor of Germany


  1. Parliamentary paralysis and unstable governments due to proportional representation system

  2. Series of chancellors forced to rule by presidential decree, overriding elected representatives

  3. Large numbers of Nazi deputies in the Reichstag, with Hermann Goering made speaker
• Key people in 1928-1933 Germany


  • President von Hindenburg - elderly war hero, dismissive of democracy, wished to restore German pride and prominence
  • Von Papen - weak and ineffectual chancellor, unable to bring stability, used appointed aristocratic cabinet
  • Chancellor Schliecher - military general, attempted to use cunning and trickery to govern and restore military prominence
• Von Papen and Schliecher both failed catastrophically and Hindenburg died shortly after Hitler became chancellor
• Reichstag fire


  1. Fire started in Reichstag building, led to Enabling Act of 1933

  2. Accounts unreliable, many historians believe Nazis set fire themselves to get Enabling Act passed
• Enabling Act of 1933


  1. Removed most civil liberties enjoyed under Weimar Republic

  2. Passed by arresting Communist deputies and not allowing them to vote, giving Hitler majority
• This is the point where constitutional and democratic government in Germany ended
• Hitler consolidated power


  1. Eliminated all other political parties

  2. Abolished office of president, took title of Fuhrer (leader)

  3. Eliminated SA, gained approval of military, extracted personal oath of loyalty

  4. Removed non-Nazi civil servants and officials
• The Night of the Long Knives - SA leaders assassinated, including Ernst Rohm


  1934
• Aims of Nazi propaganda and censorship


  • Cement Hitler's cult of personality
  • Mentally prepare citizens for war and conquest
  • Condition citizens to believe unreservedly in Nazis
  • Influence public opinion
• Methods of Nazi propaganda and censorship


  1. Forced compliance of press to create consistent narrative

  2. Government control of radio

  3. Mass police surveillance of individuals and post

  4. Mass distribution of "Mein Kampf"
• Public works programs under Nazi government


  • Autobahn construction, civic development, rearmament
  • Advantages: increased employment, economic growth, preparation for war
  • Disadvantages: increased government debt, reduced employment in other areas
• Causes of Nazi attitudes towards young people


  • Desire for young, unquestioning military force
  • Wish to control parents and use children as informers
  • Consequences: indoctrinated generation idolizing Hitler, obedient parents
• Nazi ideals


  • Aryan Nordic racial superiority
  • Other races, especially Jews, seen as inferior
• The Final Solution


  1. Systematic Nazi plan to physically eliminate Jews and other minorities from Europe, mostly in concentration camps

  2. Almost 6 million people killed
• Police state in Nazi Germany


  • Run by Himmler, aimed to construct loyal, subjugated population
  • SS used for political persecution and staffing concentration camps
  • Gestapo used for investigation and surveillance of public