Depth Study A – Germany 1918-45
Treaty Of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles helped Hitler’s rise to power greatly. The Treaty was the main cause for Germany’s suffering during the depression. The public did not like the treaty of Versailles because it took away 13 per cent of its land and 10 per cent of its population. Germany was also forced to pay reparations of £6600 million to their allies for the damaged caused in WW1. In addition to this the Treaty was a humiliation.
People thought this was very harsh and too drastic, this was another reason why the Treaty was hated by the public.
Hitler blamed the Weimar government for signing the Treaty. He believed that Germany could have carried on fighting in WW1, but instead the government stabbed them in the back and surrendered without a fight. The government became known as the November Criminals and many Germans agreed with Hitler’s opinion of the Weimar government. By 1923 the German economy had been reduced to ruins due to hyperinflation and the French occupation of the Ruhr.
The German public were desperate for a new government which would be able to bring their country out of chaos. Hitler used his dictating skills to tell the public his plans, and for every problem in Germany he seemed to provide a solution. He promised that if he was put into power he would have the Treaty abolished. Hitler also believed in autocracy, which means a government run by one person. Because of this, Hitler also promised to get rid of the hated Weimar government and replace it with one strong leader. In addition to this he promised to decrease unemployment and stop the communist take-over. This would greatly appeal to the majority of the German public, and they would vote for him.
