Questions and answers about Hitler's rise to power.

Jade Edwards

29th July 2002

Germany Coursework

Q1.Choose any one reason from the list and explain how it contributed to Hitler’s rise.

The Treaty of Versailles contributed to Hitler’s rise by being the most hated treaty ever brought about. The Treaty ruined any chance of Germany regaining dignity after World War One. The German people didn’t believe they had lost the war or should be blamed for the war, so when the Treaty gave them a term they had to agree with e.g. You must take the blame for starting the war, they felt the terms were unfair. Also what was unfair the German’s were not there when the terms where drawn up, so this made them unhappy but they also felt the terms were hypocritical and unjust. The terms of the Treaty were too harsh and the German people refused to agree to them The Treaty crippled Germany by making them pay reparations for the damages caused. Hitler was a wise man and used this to his advantage. He knew that the German’s were in serious trouble with money and debts, sp he made promises to get them out of the hardship and out of unemployment, he used his 25 point program to try and achieve this. Hitler spoke well of these things he promised to do and won many Germens over, as they were still bitter over the signing of the Treaty, by the Weimar Government. This also helped Hitler, and again he used it to his advantage by telling the German people that the Weimar here ‘Stabbing their army in the back’. Hitler called the Weimar the ‘November Criminals’, because of the Armistice of November 1918. Hitler made it look like the Weimar took the easy way out and just signed the Treaty, he didn’t give the Germans the facts. E.g. like either sign the Treaty or start another war. The Weimar Government had to carry the blame for the Treaty, so it was getting weaker and lost many of its followers. The people of Germany were very venerable and were looking for a new, stronger leader, to help them out of the depression. Hitler’s used his brilliant oratory skills and the weaknesses so the Weimar, which was down to the Treaty of Versailles to win over the German, peoples votes, and started his rise to power.

Q2.Using some of the causes in the list, explain how both long-term and short-term causes contributed to Hitler’s rise to power.

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Q2.Using some of the causes in the list, explain how both long-term and short-term causes contributed to Hitler’s rise to power.

A long-term cause that contributed to Hitler’s rise is the Treaty of Versailles, this triggered off many things to help Hitler gain power over Germany. The Treaty of Versailles, which was signed by the Weimar Government, caused conflict throughout the country. It caused a lot of land to be lost, but most important the reparations term crippled Germany. Paying the reparations of £6,600 million lead Germany into economic hardship in 1923, so they weren’t able to pay the instalments. German people were starving, the economy was in a poor state. France and Belgium did not believe the pleads of Germany and wanted there instalments of money. So using The Treaty of Versailles, a term that was drawn up was put into action and troops were sent into the main industrial area. Every factory, railway, shop and mine was taken over in the Ruhr. This put Germany in the worst state it had been in. The Weimar Government were unsure on what to do, but they failed and made matters worse. The Weimar Government started to print more money causing Hyperinflation. They were failing to do anything good for Germany, the more money they printed the worthless, what little money was left, became. Another Short term, which linked off the Treaty of Versailles, was that the German people hated the Weimar Government, the depression and the signing of the Treaty was weakening it, giving Hitler a chance to prove himself. Hitler showed German people that they were in need of strong leadership, to get them out of the Depression and that he was that strong leadership. The unemployment gave Hitler a chance to get things improved in Germany, like work was done on roads and public works.

Another Long-term cause was The Munich Putsch, it triggered of Hitler’s speaking skills, a glorious victory and the German peoples faith. The Munich Putsch even though it was a failure it lead the Nazi’s and Hitler to Victory. Once Stresemann called off the passive resistance in the Ruhr the Weimar Government started to fail miserably. Hitler used this to an advantage and believed it was the right time for the Putsch. Hitler not being happy with Kahr’s hesitation, decided to force him to act. This was the first sign that helped Hitler get to Power. Then with Hitler’s persuading attitude and his forceful entrance with 600 Stormtroopers shown the German people what a strong personality he had. It also leads to another short-term cause of Hitler persuading the Kahr and his Ministers to support Hitler overthrowing the Reichstag.

The main failure of the Weimar Government, the Treaty of Versailles was a long-term cause, it fed Hitler short term causes like his power, it gave him the confidence to deliver powerful and moving speeches, which showed he was a strong decisive leader. Compared to the Weimar Hitler had a strong personality and powerful ideas, to get Germany back into action.

Q3.Was any one of these reasons more important than the others in Hitler’s rise to power? Explain your answer.

All the Factors that lead to Hitler’s Rise were important, but some were more than others. The Treaty of Versailles contributed a lot to Hitler’s rise, it was the most important reason by being the most hated treaty ever brought about. The Treaty ruined any chance of Germany regaining dignity after World War One. The Treaty crippled Germany by making them pay reparations for the damages caused. The money that had to be paid could not be managed by Germany making Hitler more determined to prove he had strong policies, he was able to negotiate with France and Belgium, cutting the reparations. This gave Germany more faith in Hitler as they new that so far the Weimar Government was not capable in helping Germany. The Weimar was used as a scapegoat, Hitler could put the blame for the failure onto their shoulders because of the German hatred after the signing of the Treaty. Hitler called the Weimar the ‘November Criminals’, because of the Armistice of November 1918.

The Weimar Government started its downfall after signing the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles led to the Economic Depression because of the reparations, which lead to Hyperinflation. It also lead German people hating the Weimar Government for signing the Treaty but also with them now just making Germany’s situation worse. The depression was weakening the Government, making it easier for Hitler to be noticed. His Oratory skills came in handy, as well as his confidence in speaking to the large crowds of German people. Who wanted to hear of his strong ideas, which would get them out of the Depression? Hitler showed German people that they were in need of strong leadership, and that he was that strong leadership. Compared to the Weimar, Hitler had a strong personality and powerful ideas, to get Germany back into action. Letting Germany know of his strong leadership was also easy after the Treaty was signed because the Weimar was seen to be having a humiliating climb down and right-wingers were seeing this. When Hitler attempted the Munich Putsch another important reason for Hitler’s climb, because it was a success for him, even though the Munich Putsch failed it launched the Nazis, confidence, made Hitler famous, and was the main building block for Hitler and the Nazis success. With Hitler being able to control 600 storm troopers and being able to persuade Kahr and his Ministers to support him gave him the chance to overthrow the Reichstag, and prove his controlling, leadership is what Germany needed. Hitler set up the Enabling Act knowing that the Weimar government was over. This triggered a rapid change throughout Germany, known as the Nazi revolution. Hitler had succeeded. The Actions of Hindenburg and Von Papen were foolish but a final important cause to Hitler’s rise. Hindenburg and Von Papen tried to manipulate Hitler but instead it ended in them giving Hitler his power. All Hitler had to do now was keep his power, his extremist demands and his confident speeches to the whole of Germany.