Factory Workers:
- In 1932, 40% of factory workers were unemployed and living off the low unemployment benefit.
Farmers:
- They did not do well in the 1920’s but in the 1930’s they did even worse as prices fell
How did the Depression Weaken the Weimar Republic?
- Unpopular Economic Policies:
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The Weimar Government did not want to print money and increase Government expenditure (give people jobs so they pay tax etc) because they were afraid of the effects of Hyperinflation in 1923. They therefore, cut wages and unemployment benefit and raised taxes. This made the government more unpopular and made the depression worse.
- Presidential Rule
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The coalition government became impossible to run because none of the parties could agree on what to do ∴ President Hindenburg resorted to using his emergency powers (article 48 of the Weimar Constitution) ∴ this weakened democracy.
- Rise of Extremism (i.e. in Northeim)
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Many German’s thought it was time for a change and began to support extremist parties such as the Nazis (extreme right wing) and the Communists (extreme left wing) who said they could solve the Nation’s problems.
BUT, these factors only played a small part in helping the Nazis to gain support/Power…. (see next page)
How did the Nazis gain Power?
Fuhrerprinzip: the party had the same ‘Leader principle’ discipline and teamwork it had in WWI. ∴ The Nazis had skilled members.
Propaganda: Their National leaders were masters of propaganda. The Nazi party used anti-communist propaganda to stir up fear and hatred of the Communists so that the SA could crush communists at elections claiming they were ‘dealing with a threat’. They also used anti-Semitic propaganda as this appealed to the working classes whom they wanted the support of most.
Support of Industrialists: in 1931, Hitler made a deal with the other main right wing party, the Nationalists who cooperated with the Nazis. Those who had voted for the Conservatives before the 1930’s were now voting for the Nazis. Also, the Nazis received a big financial backing from some businesses.
Use of Technology: in 1932, radio was used so that Hitler could broadcast his messages all around Germany ∴ He could create propaganda throughout the whole of Germany.
Promise to Voters: The Nazi party promised voters jobs as there was a high unemployment rate (5.5 million in 1932 were unemployed in Germany). They made promises to all their voters E.g. promised farmers, shopkeepers that they would have higher profits
Flexibility: the Nazi party were flexible with their ideas. They wanted to nationalise industry but the Industrialists did not like this ∴ The Nazis changed their policy to suit the Industrialists ∴ shows their Flexibility
Hitler the Superman: He was a strong leader and made powerful speeches which appealed to the German public because they wanted a strong leader. ∴ he became a national figure and helped the Nazis gain support
Weakness of Opposition: All the parties underestimated the Nazi party and therefore no one established themselves as a real threat to the Nazi party.
Northeim (i.e. the Rise of Nazism in Northeim)
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Northeim was a small town in Northeim Germany
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After the Wallstreet crash in 1929, the Nazis gained over 2000 more votes in Northeim
Examples of how the Nazis drove for Support in Northeim:
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They used Anti-Communist propaganda to crush communist violence and stir up and fear and hatred of the Communists. They also used propaganda against the policies of the Weimar Republic. They also maintained their anti-Semitic propaganda, as it was appealing to the Working classes.
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They opened a soup kitchen in 1931 to feed the unemployed ∴ gained support
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The SA intimidated businessmen who did not support the Nazi party and threatened to destroy their business
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They set up activities for the Youth ∴ the Nazi party had a huge drive for Youth support because Hitler saw them as the future of Germany
Political Manoeuvring (That helped Hitler become Chancellor in 30th January 1933):
Background info: Von Papen, Von Schliecher and President Hindenburg distrusted Hitler
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Von Schleicher was the main advisor of Hindenburg and Von Papen was a favorite of Hindenburg’s.
December 1932: - Hindenburg appointed Von Schleicher as Chancellor
Early January 1933: Von Papen saw that Von Schleicher was having trouble with keeping support for the Reichstag ∴ He decided to work privately with Hitler to gain back power.
Mid January 1932: Von Papen asked Hindenburg to make Hitler Chancellor but Hindenburg refused
Mid January 1932: Von Schleicher resigns and admits that he failed to keep support for the Reichstag
30th January: Hindenburg wants to make Von Papen Chancellor but it would be controversial ∴ Von Papen persuades Hindenburg to make Hitler Chancellor and make Von Papen vice Chancellor because he said that Hitler’s extreme Nazi policies could be easily resisted---- HE WAS WRONG
The Consolidation of Hitler’s Power:
Background info: Leading up to the 1933 March Reichstag Elections in Germany
4th February 1933: Hitler gets Hindenburg to pass a decree that states all party meetings have to be told to the police 2 days in advance!
27th February 1933: Reichstag Fire (which then led to the decree the next day)
28th February 1933 (Reichstag Fire Decree) Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to pass the Reichstag fire decree after the fire:
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Political meetings were banned
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Newspapers were banned
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Political opponents were taken to concentration camps
∴ Nazi party were reducing opposition…
Election in March 1933: Nazis gained 43.9% of the vote (288 seats) but this was still not a majority in the Reichstag
Enabling Act, March 1933 (After the elections): Enabled Hitler to make laws WITHOUT the approval of the Reichstag
May 1933: Trade unions were banned ∴ workers had to work harder and longer
June 1933: All political parties were banned except for the Nazi party ∴ Germany becomes a one-party state
BUT HITLER STILL NEEDED TO GET CONTROL OF THE ARMY to fully consolidate his power………. (See next page)
Night of the Long Knifes, June 30th 1934:
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Happened a year later (30th June 1934) after Germany became a one party state. Hitler had to decide between the SA and the SS (the army).
The Events of the Night of Long Knifes:
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1000’s of SA leaders were murdered by the SS (including Ernst Rohm, Hitler’s friend)
The Results of the Night of the Long Knifes:
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Hindenburg died in August 1934, so Hitler became Fuhrer (he merged together chancellor and president into one ‘Fuhrer’)
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The SS took an oath of loyalty to Hitler
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The SS obviously then took over the SA
What kind of Germany Did the Nazis want to Create?
The Nazis wanted to create a:
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Strong Germany
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Racial Germany
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A People’s Germany (the Volk)
Strong Germany
The Nazis wanted to overturn the Treaty of Versailles and wanted a strong army to have military power like they had before the war. They also wanted to be strong economically.
Racial Germany
The Nazis wanted German people to be Aryans (i.e. blond hair, blue eyes) because they believed they were pure.
People’s Germany (the Volk)
They wanted all Aryan Germans to feel part of the community.
How did the Nazis Really Ran Germany?
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The SS ran by Heinrich Himmler became very important in Nazi Germany during the 1930’s
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The Nazi party ran two main organisations: the Hitler Youth and German Workers Front
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Government Ministries were set up i.e. Josef Goebbels was in charge of the Ministry of Propaganda
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There were many local Nazi party leaders who would enforce Nazi policies to do Volk (community). They often adapted there own policies too i.e. some prosecute Jews, others did not.
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Police state (i.e. Gestapo/SS)
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Propaganda state (i.e. Josef Goebbels, rallies, swastika with the colours of the Kaiser etc)
Why was the SS so Important?
Background Info: The SS became the most powerful organization in Germany
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They helped Hitler to crush the SA in the Night of the Long Knifes (30th June)
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The SS became the means of terrorising opponents and those who opposed Nazism
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They ran concentration camps and could arrest people without trial ∴ They HAD A LOT OF POWER
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They also became important during the war, because they had their own fighting units and the main unit of the German army was the Waffen SS
SS Importance in Concentration Camps
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Those who opposed Nazi regime were taken to concentration camps to be tortured and ‘re-educated’.
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The camps were ran by the SS
The Gestapo
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This was the secret state police run by Heinrich Himmler (Leader of the SA)
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They tapped telephone lines and spied on those who disliked Nazi regime
The Police, Prisons and Courts
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The SS had full control over the Police
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The prison system was harsh because the judges took an oath of loyalty to Hitler
Heinrich Himmler
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He was the leader of the SS and was feared. He also helped to exterminate 6 million Jews.
Was the Enabling Act or the Night of Long of Knifes more Important in helping Hitler Strengthen his power?
Why was there so Little Open Opposition to Nazi Rule?
- No Reason to Oppose (People felt they were better off under the Nazis)
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Jobs were provided by the Nazis (i.e. the Autobahn was built ∴ Industrial jobs created and the German Workers Front)
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Foreign Policy success (Germany became a powerful country again, Germanys industrial production was much larger than it had been under the Weimar Republic)
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Propaganda (made people believe that the Nazi party could solve everyone’s problems and destroy the communist threat)
- Fear, People Didn’t Dare Oppose (police state)
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Terrorising opposition to the Regime (i.e. the Gestapo, SS, Concentration Camps)
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Local Nazi party leaders who would inform the SS
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Fear of losing business ∴ Intimidation from the SS who would blacklist a lot of businesses if the owners did not support the Nazis
- Limited Opportunities to Oppose:
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Political Parties and Party Meetings were banned
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No elections ∴ One party state
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No free media (political newspapers were banned)
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Political opponents were dragged off to concentration camps ∴ Parties had no leaders
HOWEVER, this opposition did increase during the war, especially when German morale was low:
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‘Swing Youth’: this was a group of teenagers who opposed the Nazi regime and the war effort and in retaliation; they listened to Jazz and went to Jazz parties. The women also wore make up which brought back memories of the Weimar culture. However, many were put in concentration camps.
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Hitler bomb plot in 1944, a member of the SS went against the loyal oath to Hitler and tried to kill him in a bomb plot, but it failed ∴ shows open opposition to Hitler increasing
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Edelweiss Pirates: Groups of teenagers who accepted Jews and BEAT UP HITLER YOUTH. But they were executed.
Nazi Racial Policy:
The problems:
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Aryan races were mixing with other races
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There may have been Aryan Jews but the Nazi Party could not tell if they were Jewish or not
The Answer:
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Create a national volk (community) of Aryan Germans. They had to be mentally and physically fit, be socially useful (i.e. not a burden on the community) and support Nazism.
How did the Nazis Deal with ‘Burdens’ on the Community?
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Propaganda – Josef Goebbels who was in charge of the Ministry of Propaganda used it to stir hatred and fear against ‘burdens’ on the community
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Sterilisation Law – It was passed in 1933 and it stops people who have certain illnesses from having children.
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Concentration Camps- Burdens such as beggars, prostitutes and homosexuals were sent to be executed in concentration camps.
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The Euthanasia Campaign- in 1939, Hitler began to exterminate disabled children by lethal injections.
Religious Opposition to the Nazis:
The Nazis saw the Churches as a threat and wanted to destroy them. However, Hitler did not destroy the Churches in 1933 when he had just came to power because he wanted to fully gain control of Germany first and wait till he became the ‘Fuhrer’ of Germany ∴ He was initially cautious of the Churches. BUT, after 1935, Hitler adopted a more hostile approach to the Churches.
Concordat in 1933:
Hitler signed a concordat with the Catholic Church saying that Catholics could still teach and learn religion ∴ is the prime example of cautious behaviour towards the Churches before 1935.
Reasons for the Nazis to Use or Destroy the Churches:
After 1935, Hostile Approach to the Churches:
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In 1938, Priests were banned from teaching religious studies in classes
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In 1939, All Church schools were ABOLISHED
Cardinal Galen:
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He was an example of open opposition towards the Nazis. He disliked the Euthanasia campaign that started in 1939 and led a campaign that forced Hitler to stop the campaign in 1941.
Persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany:
Background information: - Less than 1% of People in Germany were Jews
Hatred Against Jews that Led to Kristallnacht:
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1933: Jewish shops were boycotted
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1935: NUREMBURG laws, these prevented relationships between Aryans and Jews. Also, Jews were not allowed to join the army.
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1937: Hitler had spoke out about his Anti-Semitic views for the first time to the public
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1938, 8-9 Nov: Kristallnacht (Night of the Broken glass) ∴ Jewish synagogues, shops and homes were smashed by the Nazis (See next page)
Kristallnacht:
Causes:
- Murder of Von Rath:
A young Jewish boy who lived in Paris killed a Nazi Diplomat, Ernst Von Rath ∴ All Jews were blamed
- Josef Goebbels Role:
Goebbels (in charge of the ministry of Propaganda) had an affair with a Czech actress ∴ He wanted to get back in Hitler’s ‘good books’ ∴ He suggested that Kristallnacht should happen.
- SEE ABOVE PAGE (Examples of Nazi Hatred towards Jews)
Events of Kristallnacht:
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Many Jews were killed, their shops, homes and synagogues were smashed
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Over 20000 Jews were sent to concentration camps in Poland
Was Everyone Better off Living Under the Nazis?
People who benefitted the most from the Nazis:
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Big Business (Benefited the most)
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Unskilled Workers
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Small Business
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Farmers (Benefitted the least)
How did the Working Classes Benefit?
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The government set up two huge organisations for the Working classes/Unskilled workers:
- German Workers Front:
- Reich Labour Service
German Workers Front (to tackle unemployment):
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It was compulsory for all workers and organized work programs for workers especially those unemployed
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It aimed to improve factory conditions
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It included a ‘Strength through Joy’ Campaign whereby the government organised leisure activities for the workers
Reich Labour Service:
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All 18-25 year olds had to do 6 months of labour service.
How did the Nazis Tackle the Economic Crisis in 1933?
The Nazis had 3 main aims for tackling the Economic Crisis:
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Reduce Unemployment (in 1933, it was 5.5 million)
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To Re-arm Germany
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Make Germany economically stable so that it could defend itself in war
The Nazis had 2 main plans:
1934, The New Plan: This was done to make Germany economically stable. It worked because imports were limited and government spending was reduced. It was UNSUCCESFUL overall because although Hitler had saved the economic crisis in Germany by 1935, he spent a lot of money in re-arming Germany and preparing for war. This plan lasted 2 years.
1936, The Four Year Plan:
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They wanted to increase the production of raw materials needed for War and limit foreign imports. BUT, it was also unsuccessful overall because Germany still depended on foreign imports for its raw materials and agriculture was still being produced instead of industry (making raw materials for war) ∴ it failed
The Nazis and Young People:
Nazi aims for young people:
- Make them loyal Nazis
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Make the boys good soldiers
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Make the girls good mothers ∴ they can raise a huge Aryan family
Methods of achieving these aims:
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Hitler Youth: This was for boys up to 16. Girls were part of a group called BDM.
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Control education in schools (i.e. Indoctrinate them)
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Use propaganda
Hitler Youth Activities:
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They would do physical training/Athletics to prepare them for war
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They would take an oath to Hitler ∴ Indoctrinate them
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They would watch propaganda films such as the ‘Eternal Jew’
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They would learn about the injustice of the Treaty of Versailles
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They would sing nationalistic songs
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They would also carry about parades in memory of the ’16 martyrs’ that died in the Munich Putsch
How Successful were Nazi Policies to Women and Children?
Success? Hitler’s Policies towards young people/children were likely to be successful but overall UNSUCCESSFUL because the WAR CAME TOO SOON so many of the Youth did not grow up in the way Hitler had wanted to because Hitler was building for the future.
Women in Nazi Germany
Nazi Aims for Women:
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They wanted women to stay in the home, have babies and looking after the family because the population of Germany was lower than Hitler wanted because of the Weimar Culture (Emancipation of Women in the 1920’s). Hitler ∴ wanted a larger population for building an army and workforce for the future ‘1000 year Reich’
Nazi Policies (To make Women have more children):
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The Nazis launched a huge propaganda campaign to get mothers to have more children
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Women were encouraged to stop smoking, eat healthy and do sport
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Special loans were offered to new mothers who did not want to take a job
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Abortion and Contraception was made ILLEGAL ∴ People will have more children
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New mothers could attend cooking classes.
Results of these Policies:
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The birth rate increased. In 1936, there were 30% more births than in 1933.
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BUT in 1937, these policies resulted in a huge Labour Shortage as more mothers were not working and were living off the special offered loans ∴ Hitler changed his policies in 1937
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The Special marriage loans were abolished.
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Women encouraged to return to work
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Nazis also wanted women to keep having children ∴ They brought in the DIVORCE LAW which stated that if the women was infertile, her husband would be forced to divorce her
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Lebansborn Scheme ( a very cruel scheme) where the Nazis set up breeding clinics and forced women to mate with SS soldiers ∴ shows the drive for births continued
Positives and Negatives of Being a Woman in Nazi Germany:
Summary of World War II
1939-41: The war goes well for Germany
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Rationing was introduced
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People could buy a lot of goods
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Morale was high for Germany and the German people
1941-1943: The war goes AGAINST GERMANY
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Various propaganda campaigns were set up to keep support for the army
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The German army invaded USSR ∴ Mass execution of Jews started in concentration camps in Poland such as Auschwitz 1941 after this invasion by gas chambers
1943-1944: This was TOTAL WAR for Germany
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Factories only produced industrial materials for war
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Air raids and labour shortage due to the large number of Jewish people who had been sent to concentration camps ∴ VICTIMS of their OWN POLICIES
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More propaganda was introduced to keep the morale
1944-1945: Failure and Defeat of Germany (Britain won- YES BOYS!)
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Josef Goebbels (in charge of the ministry of propaganda) took charge after Hitler killed himself
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Food shortages ∴ starvation of the people
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Many Germans pretended to oppose the Nazi regime ∴ Admitting defeat
BUT, extermination of the Jews did not start till 1941.
Separate from the SS and Gestapo BUT the SS had full control of the police
They set up these two organisations to reduce unemployment which was extremely high at 5.5 million in 1933.
Local Nazi Party leaders would inform the SS if someone in the town did not support the Nazis
I.e. people who were NOT socially useful or would contaminate the Aryan volk
This followed on from the crash in 1929. American banks went bust so they called back the loans America had given Germany in the Dawes Plan ∴ Germany was the centre of an economic crisis again
I.e. for girls to attend BDM, posters would show the girls being pretty and motherly when they are older.
The war came too soon and the ‘1000’ year Reich that Hitler said he wanted never happened. Therefore, his policies to children failed overall.
E.g. in 1938, the Government stopped Priests from teaching religious classes in schools before in 1939, all Church schools were ABOLISHED.
Introduction of the German Workers Front meant people could afford things now although the wages were often lower than unemployment benefit!
Prevents people from having children
Indoctrinate? This means turn the boys aged up to 16 into loyal Nazis
Nazis wanted to abolish anti-Nazi ideas and remove distractions that might stop people from worshipping the Fuhrer (Hitler)
E.g. Nazi local leaders ordered the SS to beat up priests
One must also take into account the constant anti-Semitic propaganda such as the Nazi film, the ‘Eternal Jew’. Josef Goebbels was in Charge of this.
This is conditional. It is different from the way in which Germany was actually ran by the Nazis.
Van der Lubbe (a communist) was found inside the Reichstag building and was arrested ∴ Hitler blamed the communists for the fire and 4000 communists were put in prison. BUT, there is a theory that the Nazi party had started the fire themselves so that the communists could be used as scapegoats and it would stir up hatred and fear against the communists.
E.g. the Volkstrum last ditch defence force. Shows they were likely to be successful BUT the war came too soon
Happened in 1933 after Hindenburg had invited Hitler to become Chancellor of Germany in 30th January 1933
This was mainly due to the success of the World Economy BUT he spent a lot of the money on preparing for war
Happened between President Hindenburg, Von Papen and Von Schleicher from DECEMBER TO JANUARY
Night of the Long Knifes in June 30th 1934. Hitler chose the SS over the SA because the SS could crush the Nazi party and had done before in the Munich Putsch.
While the Weimar Republic began to recover
They benefitted the most from the Abolition of trade unions in May 1933 ∴ workers could be forced to work longer and harder
They would learn Discipline and Militarism to prepare them for the Army. They would also learn to worship the Fuhrer and Anti-Semitism.
The national Aryan Volk would be created by killing ‘burdens’ on the Community (see next page) and selective breeding (i.e. not allowing Aryan people to mix with non Aryan people)
This campaign lasted until 1941 when open opposition from the Churches (CARDINEL GALEN) forced Hitler to stop this cruel campaign.
E.g. the Mothers cross was offered to women who had more than four children. They would then be respected highly by the Hitler Youth and given VIP status at Nazi meetings.
DIFFERENT from why was it a failure!
Life was now much harder for women after the policy change in 1937. They had to keep having children and look after children whilst finding a job and working. ∴ VERY HARD after 1937
REMEMBER: government set up the German Workers Front and the Reich Labour Service to tackle unemployment (see above page)
Smaller Jewish businesses were closed down BUT more people were going to large businesses instead
TIP FOR REMEMBERING: Kristallnacht is on the same day (obviously not same year) as the Munich Putsch
REMEMBER, the Nazis did not tell the public they wanted to conquer Lebensraum because that would mean war and they were still recovering from WWI
Priests marched with troops when they re-entered the Rhineland in 1936
Cautious ∴ Putting swastikas in classrooms and Putting the swastika alongside crucifixes at Churches ∴ to impose the Nazi views carefully on the churches, means of Propaganda
FACT= After 1935, 95% of parents chose to send their children to a state school and not a church school
Wanted to create an Aryan Volk (community)
Hermann Goering (who was in Charge of the SA could then order the SA to beat up political opponents.
There was little OPEN opposition for a number of reasons (see below) except for the Churches. However, there was some underground resistance (i.e. anti-government leaflets were handed out, Jewish Pastor that helped smuggle Jews out of Germany) but mainly a lot of private anti-Nazi talk.
This could again be a reason why there was little open opposition towards the Nazis.
Arms had taken priority over agricultural production yet agricultural production still took place.
He was a catholic priest.
Most Germans were Christians. 2/3 were protestant and 1/3 was catholic.
Hindenburg then invited Hitler to become Chancellor on this day due to persuasion from Von Papen.
Don’t get confused, Hindenburg also disliked the Weimar Republic after he was elected president in 1925!!!
This would effectively mean getting rid of the Jews and forcing Aryan women to marry people who were also Aryan.