Germany 1918-39

French troops occupied the Ruhr when Germany failed to pay reparations. German workers wrecked equipment, so the French couldn't make much money. The German economy was also wrecked

The Government printed money to pay reparations, wages and so on which meant that money quickly became worthless. Living conditions declined and the middle classes lost all their savings.

The unpopularity of the Weimar government increased as the strikes in the Ruhr were called off and reparations to the French began.

Hitler tried to take over Munich by force just as Mussolini had done. The Nazis had 55000 supporters and thought they were ready and that General Ludendorff the leader of the army would support them. The attempt failed as they failed to get support from the government, police or army. Hitler was imprisoned but his trial was a propaganda success.

Stresemann introduced new currency - Rentenmark. It stabilised the economy. The German people showed confidence in it.

Rentenmark is converted to Reichsmark which was backed with gold. It gradually restored the value of German money.

Stresemann negotiated the Dawes plan with the USA. This reorganised and reduced reparations and the French moved out of the Ruhr.

Hitler re-launched the Nazi party in 1924 and by 1929 it was very well organised but these were the difficult years for the party. The economy had improved - there was less unemployment. War hero Hindenberg was President of the republic which made it more popular and therefore the Nazis lost popularity as an extreme party.

These helped to pay reparations and greatly helped German industry. However they made Germany dependent upon the US.

Stresemann negotiated German entry to the League of Nations. This meant that Germany was recognised as a great power once again.

Improved relations between Britain and France. Guaranteed borders with Belgium, France and Italy.

The SS was created as an elite bodyguard for Nazi officials and the prime examples of the aryan race.

Germany was one of the 65 countries that agreed to settle disputes peacefully. This wasn't a Stresemann initiative but helped other countries trust Germany more.

In the May 1928 elections the Nazis won only 12 seats in the Reichstag.

STRONG PROPAGANDA
Hitler's personal appeal and a massive publicity effort with a clear repeated message, which included: scrapping the TofV; beginning German expansion and fighting the Jews. Goebbels was very important in the propaganda effort.
SUPPORT FROM WOMEN
The Nazis built support from some women with messaged of the key role for women in the family in Germany's future.
BIG BUSINESSES
The Nazis promised strong leadership and protection from communists. In return big businesses such as Bosh supported the Nazis.
FARMERS
The Nazis promised protection from from communists.
MIDDLE CLASS
This group was hit hard by the Great Depression, felt let down by moderate parties and likes the Nazis' anti-communist message.
SOME WORKING CLASS
The working class was the biggest group of voters. The Nazis were connected with jobs and images of a strong Germany but more workers supported the communists.
SA AS PRIVATE ARMY
This was stronger than the communists.
THE GREAT DEPRESSION
Nazis offered hope and strong leadership.

Set a timescale and reduced reparations. France agreed to leave the Rhineland early.

A worldwide economic recession that was triggered by the Wall Street Crash.
GERMAN BUSINESSES
~They had to pay back loans to the USA
~Had to pay higher taxes.
~Markets dried up as few could afford goods.
GERMAN GOVERNMENT
~Couldn't borrow money from the USA.
~Refused to print more money so increased taxes.
~Government made cuts in civil service jobs and unemployment benefit.
~Blamed for depending on the US.
~Divided coalition couldn't agree on how to solve problems.
GERMAN PEOPLE
~Millions of workers and laborers lost their jobs.
~Banks went bust and people lost their savings.
~Businesses collapsed as did investments.
~Many families suffered terrible poverty as men couldn't find work.
~In 1928 0.8 million Germans were unemployed, by 1932 this had risen to 6 million.

Hindenberg beats Hitler in the presidential election but Hitler gains support.

Chancellor Bruning's popularity is very low; he depends on the presidents decree. Hindenberg makes von Papen chancellor.

Von Papen's centre party only has 68 seats so he depends on the Presidents decree - he decides to hold Reichstag elections to gain more support but loses seats! The Nazis win 230 seats and become the largest party in the Reichstag but Hindenberg still refuses to make Hitler chancellor.

Centre party loses even more seats in another Reichstag election. The Nazis are still the largest party though they only win 196 seats this time.

Hindenberg is still ruling by decree. He removes Von Papen and makes von Schleider chancellor

Von Papen negotiates with Hitler so when von Schleicher resigns on 28 January due to lack of support, von papen persuades Hindenberg to make Hitler Chancellor. They both think that they can control Hitler.

The Reichstag building burned down. A Dutch communist Van Der Lubbe confessed. Thousands of communists were arrested. Hitler persuaded Hindenberg to declare a state of emergency and call an election. It is possible that Van Der Lubbe was framed and that the Nazis were behind it all.

The Nazis won 43.9% of the vote with 288 seats but still failed to win a majority in the Reichstag. Because of this Hitler formed a coalition with the DNVP (German National People's Party) in order to have a majority.

On March 23, 1933, the newly elected members of the German Parliament met in the Kroll Opera House in Berlin to consider passing Hitler's Enabling Act. If passed, it would effectively mean the end of democracy in Germany and establish the legal dictatorship of Adolf Hitler.

On the day of the vote, Nazi storm troopers gathered in a show of force around the opera house chanting, "Full powers - or else! We want the bill - or fire and murder!!" They also stood inside in the hallways, and even lined the aisles where the vote would take place, glaring menacingly at anyone who might oppose Hitler's will.

He also promised an end to unemployment and pledged to promote peace with France, Great Britain and the Soviet Union. But in order to do all this, Hitler said, he first needed the Enabling Act.

A two thirds majority was needed, since the law would actually alter the German constitution. Hitler needed 31 non-Nazi votes to pass it. He got those votes from the Center Party after making a false promise to restore some basic rights already taken away by decree.

However, one man arose amid the overwhelming might. Otto Wells, leader of the Social Democrats stood up and spoke quietly to Hitler.

The vote was taken - 441 for, only 84, the Social Democrats, against. The Nazis leapt to their feet clapping, stamping and shouting, then broke into the Nazi anthem, the Hörst Wessel song.

They achieved what Hitler had wanted for years - to tear down the German Democratic Republic legally and end democracy, thus paving the way for a complete Nazi takeover of Germany.

From this day on, the Reichstag would be just a sounding board, a cheering section for Hitler's pronouncements.

Trade unions were banned and strikes were made illegal.

Every other political party bar the Nazis were banned

Ernst Rohm challenged Hitler because he wanted the Nazis to be less about big business and more about the workers. The SS got rid of this opposition: they shot Rohm and about 400 other opponents.

President Hindenberg died in August 1934. Hitler declared himself Fuhrer, added all the powers of the president to those of the Chancellor and made every soilder swear allegence to him. Nazi propagande secured 90% of voters agreed that Hitler should be Fuhrer.