The Depression and the Nazis

How did the Depression Help the Nazis?

After reading pages 191-194, do you agree with Goebbels' view that people rallied to support Hitler for positive reasons - or do you think that Gordon Craig (bottom, pg. 193"negative cohesion") was right that people supported the Nazis out of fear and disillusionment?


Work through questions 1 - 3 to help you make up your mind.


1. Look carefully at Sources 3-7 and 9. For each source, write two sentences explaning whether you think it is evidence that:

• Supports the view of Goebbels
• Supports the view of Craig
• Could be used to support either interpretation

Source 3:

This source supports Goebbels' views because on the graph, it shows the relationship between the number of seats in the Reichstag that both the Communists and the Nazis held. It also shows the rate of unemployment. The peak of unemployment was not until after the Nazis height of support. 

Source 4:

This source also supports the views of Goebbels'. It accounts stormtroopers coming in to "save the day". During a time of chaos, the German people needed someone to make them feel safe and with the Nazis' stormtroopers, they could show the German people that there was a party on their side and the Nazis gave hope in a time of hopelessness. 

Source 5:

This source supports Craig's views. It is a Nazi propaganda poster which depicts Germany being chained by the Treaty of Versailles. It is evident that everyone in Germany hated the TOV since it had so much to do with their countries' crises, so by having a poster based around the negativity of the TOV, the Nazis are gaining universal support based upon hatred of the TOV. 

Source 6:

This source could easily support both Goebbels' and Craig's view. In support of Goebbels, it shows many people from the Nazi party coming together as a collective group/people were recognizing the Nazi power and rallying in support of Hitler. In support of Craig, it shows that the rally could serve as a place for one common agreement of hatred, where lots of people could gather around this negativity, and therefore agree. 

Source 7:

This source supports Craig's views. It depicts the Communists as evil beings. By showing such a straightforward piece of propaganda against one group, it brightens the light on the Nazi party. People would think "well if the Communists are that bad, maybe the Nazis are our better option..."

Source 9:
Source 9 supports both Goebbels' views and Craig's. In one propaganda poster, it shows the positive things that they Nazi party could bring ("We build!") but also the negative things that could come if another party was to be elected. The Nazi part of the poster depicts hope, and the "other parties" section depicts fear.

2. Now work through the text and other sources on pages 191-94. Make a list of examples and evidence that seem to support either viewpoint.

Support of Goebbels:
Source 1 & 2: There were so many terrible conditions in Germany and Hitler used propaganda and the weak conditions to his advantage; in turn making it his "destiny to become the leader".


Support of Craig:
Source 1 & 2: There was so much desperation going on in Germany that people turned to the Nazi party for hope. They provided "safety" for the people and promised things would get better. They all hated Weimar gov't and all wanted things to get better. They were demagogues.
Source 8: Hitler's speech where he focused on what others said about him and then twisted it in a negative way. It showed the German people that he recognized what others were saying and that he could stand up for himself. Therefore many people could hate the "smack talkers". If Hitler had ignored the comments made about him and never acknowledged them, people may have wondered if they were actually valid.
Source 10: Though the eyewitness in this source disliked Hitler, it is clear through her comment that she recognized what Hitler was doing -- negative cohesion. 

3. Decide how far you agree with each of the following three statements and give them a score on a scale of 1(disagree)-5(agree). And then, write a short paragraph explaining your score for each statement.


a. Very few people fully supported the Nazis (Score =  2  ) Explanation:

The Nazis gained support, but not through their ideals as much as through their successful propaganda and ability to scare people away from other options. I someone disagree with this statement because I think that the Nazi party did rally support... but not for the "right" (aka moral, just) reasons. The Nazis acted as demagogues and made it so that other options, such as Communists, would only ruin the horrible conditions of Germany even more. The Nazis had somewhat radical reform and to many people, it seemed like the only option. 

b. The Key factor was the economic depression. Without it, the Nazis would have remained a minority fringe party. (Score =  4  ) Explanation:

I absolutely agree with this statement. I don't fully agree because I think that the Nazis would have been more than just a "fringe party" even if there was no economic depression. With Hitler as a leader, he was determined to spread the word of Nazism and I think he would have done so no matter what. The depression was a huge advantage and was the main reason for the rise of the Nazis. Additionally, the Nazi party was strong with their ideals (25 point program, Mein Kampf, propaganda), having a depression "opened up the eyes" of German citizens. 

c. The politicians of the Weimar Republic were mainly responsible for the rise of the Nazis 

(Score =  2  ) Explanation: 

I think that the rise of the Nazis is mainly because of the worldwide depression, which was out of the Weimar politicians' control. It's hard to pinpoint exactly where/who the blame belongs to. It seems more reasonable to say that no matter who was in control, the depression would have been hard to combat (being worldwide). If you want to get deep into it and say that the TOV was ultimately the cause of the depression because had the reparations not been so harsh and in turn Weimar wouldn't have had to borrow US money, and in turn they would not have been as involved in the US crash and depression. The Nazis were the most against the TOV as expressed through their propaganda. The fact that there were such harsh conditions in Germany when the Nazis were at their strongest was merely unlucky. 

Nazi Ideology

Consider your homework on the Nazi 25-Point Program, Hitler's writings in Mein Kampf, and Hitler's background. Take all of your knowledge of the above and develop several solid paragraphs that discuss and analyze Nazi ideology. I've provided you several guiding questions below.

Ideology: A statement of broad principles and vision for the future

Key questions to consider when analyzing the ideology of a leader:

• What ideas are proposed?
• What issues or grievances do they address?
• Do they represent a new form or structure for the society?
• Do they introduce entirely new concepts, values or goals to the society?
• Have they been inspired by a particular individual, school of thought or philosophy?
• How relevant or effective are they in attracting support within the local, regional and international community?
• Is it revolutionary, visionary, or inspirational?
• Can it inspire support, cause excitement? Does it appeal to broad sectors of society? Who does it attract?
• Which groups in the society will feel challenged or threatened by the new ideas?

Adolf Hitler will forever be known for his involvement in WWII, cause of the rise to racism in Germany and of course, the Holocaust. Nazi ideology isn't something that just fell upon him however, but rather he created it with his basic values which were created for various reasons throughout his lifetime. Nazism consisted of many aspects brought about by Hitler in his 25-Point Program and writings in his book, Mein Kampf. 

When Adolf Hitler was first put in the public spotlight after his arrest for the beer-hall Munich Putsch, he was exposed as a possible leader for a country in devastation and destruction. People began paying more attention to what the Nazi party had to say. Hitler's 25-Point Program became more noticed. This 25-Point program was developed in February of 1920 by Hitler and DAP leader Drexler. It consisted of many ideas such as unity of the German people... but only true blood German people; no Jews; Germans have the right to vote/only citizens, therefore no Jews could vote either; land and territory expansion -- for the citizens; equal rights and duties of citizens; first duty must be mental and physical -- for the greater good of the community; and of course, the elimination of the Treaty of Versailles. Conveniently enough (for Hitler), shortly after the 25-Point Program was composed, Germany had three major crises which took place in 1923. First there was the occupation of the Ruhr Industrial District, which then led to the second crisis: hyperinflation. Finally there was the Munich Putsch, which failed. 

Germany was clearly in distress and needed a solid leader to guide them out of trouble. While spending time (a short time) in prison because of his arrest in Munich, Hitler dictated his book Mein Kampf. This book was a solid telling of all of his ideology for the Nazi party. In basic summary, he wrote of war propaganda, the causes of Germany's collapse, nation and race, and foreign policy. However where did his radical ideas for Nazism come from? Hitler grew up feeling alone and isolated. His father and mother both past away when he was young. While he was a shy and awkward boy, he admired power and success. Some of the skills that he possessed while growing up consisted of his commitment, energy and single-mindedness. He [Hitler] knew how to capture a crowd and tell them what they wanted to hear; he was a demagogue. 

Between the ages of 18 and 24, Hitler drifted around, slumming in Vienna, and even living in a Jewish quarter. During this time, many of his basic ideas were developed. These basic ideas were as follows: anti-semitism -- Hitler thought that Jews were ruining purity of German blood; pan-Germanism -- thought that Germans should unite; spread; and expand; anti-Marxism -- Hitler was not a fan because Marx was a non-religious Jew, he had hostility toward him; anti-democracy -- thought that government should be one party, one idea, and have one powerful leader; anti-capitalism -- he often times criticized big businesses; and socialism -- he was against Marxism, but for national community. It's safe to say that Hitler had these ideas clear to himself before he helped develop the 25-Point Program or wrote Mein Kampf. Hitler seized his first opportunity of a large public leadership title in 1920, when he helps with the creation of the DAP turning into the NSDAP. Using his powerful skills and abilities, he spoke to large crowds and gained membership. 

Hitler's Background to 1923

Hitler's Background 

Discuss Hitler's background to 1923 and how it influenced his rise to power with the NSDAP.

Characteristics:

• felt lonely, isolated
• shy/moody (especially after death of mother in 1907)
• admired strength, success
• wanted a powerful role, convinced he would play a big one in society 

Skills/Abilities:

• very single/narrow-minded
• committed (^therefore would push for one idea relentlessly) 
• could hypnotize an audience
• with what they wanted to hear
• with great energy
• could make people feel safe
• *demagogue 

Basic Ideas:

• anti-semitism
• Jews were ruining purity of German blood
• pan-Germanism
• Germans should unite; spread; expand
• anti-Marxism
• Marx was a non-religious Jew; hostility 
• anti-democracy 
• gov't should be one party, one idea, one powerful leader
• anti-capitalism
• criticized big businesses
• socialism 
• against Marxism, but for national community 

Important Timeline Points:

• 1889 -- Hitler born in Austria
• 1895 -- Hitler wishes to become a priest... a powerful, convincing job
• 1903 -- Death of Hitler's father, Alois. Hitler becomes wayward; unhappy. Two years later leaves school with no qualifications.
• 1907 -- drifts around, lived in a Jewish quarter, where he developed a hate for Jews and Marxism
• Had a fear that he was 1/4 Jewish -- destroyed the town his father was born in hoping to eliminate any traces of ancestry 
• Oct 1918 -- feels betrayed after hearing of defeat of Germany
• 1919 -- joins German Worker's Party, joins
• 1920 -- 25-Point Program; German Worker's Party --> NSDAP

Often times, a dictator's background is what greatly influenced their rise to power. For Hitler, there are many evident pieces of information which provide reason for his rise. His personal characteristics included him being shy, awkward and moody. He was also very lonely and isolated. It is more likely than not that these characteristics came about from his childhood with his father, and then the death of his father. After the death of his father, many say that he went wayward and started performing poorly in school.  While he was unhappy, he also had many fantasies of power, and admired strength and success. Even at the age of 6, Hitler is said to have wanted to be a priest. Even though priesthood is no way able to be compared to a dictator, they both contain the necessity of being able to have leadership, be powerful and have the ability to convince a crowd of something.  Hitler was known to be a very committed man. He was a single-minded fanatic, which in his case was an advantage because even being narrow-minded, he had the ability to use his energy and commitment to be convincing. Hitler was a supporter of propaganda. He knew how to hypnotize an audience, and is easily described as a demagogue. 

After the death of his mother in 1907, he drifted around for about six years, and even spent some time living in a Jewish quarter. During this time he developed many of his basic ideas that he's known for today. These ideas are anti-semitism -- Hitler thought that Jews were ruining purity of German blood; pan-Germanism -- thought that Germans should unite; spread; and expand; anti-Marxism -- Hitler was not a fan because Marx was a non-religious Jew, he had hostility toward him; anti-democracy -- thought that government should be one party, one idea, and have one powerful leader; anti-capitalism -- he often times criticized big businesses; and socialism -- he was against Marxism, but for national community. In 1919, Hitler attended a German Workers' Party meeting and joins. A year later, the German Workers' Party turns into the NSDAP and Hitler uses his skills as a powerful orator to build up membership. He also developed the 25-Point Program which consisted of his basic ideas.  Overall, Hiter grew up lonely and in a hatred world, therefore developing his rise to power in Germany. 

Hitler's Ideals Expressed in Mein Kampf

Mein Kampf

While Aldolf Hitler was in prison for the arrest of trying to overthrow the government in Munich, he dictated his ideals for the Nazi party. Hitler was still not very known and the Nazi party was starting to disappear  with him in jail. While the Mein Kampf was not regarded largely by many, it contained many of the ideas that followed the Nazi party into the 1930s and 1940s. 


In Volume 1, Chapter 6, Hitler accounts his ideas of war propaganda. In section 1, Hitler says "function of propaganda does not lie in the scientific training of the individual, but in calling the masses' attention" conveying that war propaganda should be in focus of the group and not the single person. More than once, Hitler refers to the "art of propaganda", seeing propaganda as a skill that one must obtain in order to be successful. He says that propaganda needs to hit an emotional aspect and be believable (sections 2, 3). Another point that Hitler makes is that "effective propaganda must be limited to a very few points and must harp on these in slogans until the last member of the public understands what you want him to understand by your slogan" (section 4). He wants to convey that the message of the propaganda should be precise and to the point, for if it tries to be "many-sided", it will lose the attention of the people. In addition to that, he points out that the function of propaganda is "not to ponder the rights of different people" (section 7), but instead to focus in on one argument and stick with it. Hitler seemed to have his approach to succeeding the Nazi party lined up, and propaganda was a very important part of it. 


In Volume 1, Chapter 10, Hitler explains the causes of collapse. The first point that Hitler makes is that Germany's loss of WWI is to blame for the "present evil" (section 9). In sections 11 & 12, Hitler even goes so far to say that the Jewish should take some of the blame -- "their whole existence is based on one single great lie, to wit, that they are a religious community while actually they are a race - - -and what a race!" He then goes on explaining the "poison" that the German press and government injected into the people pre-War. He asks questions about how it was considered okay for a state to do such things to their people. In section 21, this chapter takes a "positive" twist when Hitler writes "I believe that the present generation, properly led, will more easily master this danger." I think it's especially important that he said "properly led", basically implying that with governing from someone like himself, there could be success. 


In Volume 1, Chapter 11, Hitler focuses, once again, on nation and race. In sections 22 and 23, he writes about the importance of pure breeding, what he called "racial purity" in hopes in the delimitation of various other races. Speaking again on pure breeding, Hitler gives an example of the success of this in section 26, "The Germanic inhabitant of the American continent, who has remained racially pure and unmixed, rose to be master of the continent; he will remain the master as long as he does not fall a victim to defilement of the blood". I think it's particularly interesting in the last section of this chapter where Hitler says "The lost purity of the blood alone destroys inner happiness forever, plunges man into the abyss for all time, and the consequences can never more be eliminated from body and spirit."


In Volume 1, Chapter 14, Hitler speaks of "Eastern Orientation and Eastern Policy". He presses the importance of Germans staying strong and holding their ground (aka land). He says that Germans must "secure their land and soil" (section 30). Not only must they retain their land, but also expand it. In section 32, he speaks of German "take over", stating that Germany must be "a world power or there will be no Germany."

I think that throughout the entire Mein Kampf (the sections that I read), Hitler proposes his own sort of propaganda. He keeps his ideals straight forward and stays confident in what he says. Any deceived reader during his time could most likely be persuaded with time. 

The Munich Putsch and the Nazis 25-Point Program

The Munich Putsch

1. By many, the Munich Putsch is considered a failure. In the perspective of Hitler's rise to power, it was actually a huge advantage on his part. It was on November 8 of 1923 that Lossow and Kahr were at a the Munich beer hall addressing the congregation of about 2,000 right wing supporters. Suddenly, Hitler and his fellow stormtroppers stormed in declaring a national revolution. Hitler forced Lossow and Kahr to support him and the march on Berlin or he would kill the both of them as well as himself; this gained Lossow and Kahr's support. Upon hearing the news on November 9, President Ebert declared a state of emergency. While Lossow and Kahr were denoucning their support and General Seeckt was ordering Lossow to crush the revolt, Ludenorff was persuading Hiter not to give up on the march and to continue with full for and full confidence. During the actual march itself, Hitler was arrested after they were met with resistance from the Bavarian soldiers; many Nazis died. Because Hitler was arrested, it was an action of publicity on Hitler and the NSDAP's part. People saw Hitler's attempt at takeover as pride in nationalism. He showed up in the news and became big in the public eye. During his time in jail, he used his private secreary to dictate his book Mein Kampf. He also reevaluated his view on takeover and took another approach, which ended up succeeding in the end. By his release from jail in the end of 1924, the Nazi party was vanishing, but in no time Hitler had it up and running again. In conclusion, the Munich Putsch failed according to the original layout and plan that it had, but in the big scheme of Hitler's rise to power, it was quite the advantage. 

The Nazis 25-point Program

2. Based on the 25-point Program, the main ideas of the NSDAP when Hitler joined it were: (He helped framed these points after joining in 1919, along with Nazi founder Anton Drexler. Hitler would replace Drexler as leader in 1921.) 

• Unity of the German people... but only true blood German people; no Jews
• Germans have the right to vote/only citizens, therefore no Jews could vote either
• Land and territory expansion -- for the citizens 
• Equal rights and duties of citizens; first duty must be mental and physical -- for the greater good of the community 
• Demands of:
• abolition of unearned incomes from work
• profit sharing in industries
• creation and maintenance of a healthy middle class 
• new education system
• comprehensive health care program 
• newspapers against things for the common good = banned
• freedom of religion BUT it can't endanger the state or affect moral standards of the German race
• basically -- be a Christian German
• strong central power of the Reich

The Birth of the Weimar Republic

1. Why was it called the Weimar Republic and not the Berlin Republic? 
When the republic was created, Berlin was known as violent and unstable. This wasn't appealing and so the republic met in the small town of Weimar.

2. What new rights did Friedrich Ebert promise the German people?

Friedrich told the people that they would have freedom of speech, freedom to worship and better working conditions. 

3. Hey, a democracy. Sounds great! Why was this a shock to the Germany peoples' systems?

The German people had always been used to a republic with the Kaiser. They were shocked by a democracy because they weren't sure what it would bring, and it was change -- which is scary. They thought that if they stuck to tradition of the Kaiser it would be better.

4. What positions did the opposition on the right hold that restricted Friedrich Ebert's new government?

The Kaiser's former advisors remained in military positions, judiciary positions, civil service positions , and industrial positions, therefore restricting Ebert's new government. The majority of the people who held these positions were right leaning and didn't want Ebert's republic. 

5. What was the name of "powerful myth" that developed and what "evidence" was there to support the myth?

This myth was that Ebert had "stabbed Germany in the back" and caused the loss of the war. This was a point where Ebert's opponents could rally support. They believed that Germany could have kept fighting and that an armistice was not needed. The Treaty of Versailles was so unfair and unpopular to Germans, many felt that the politicians who had signed the treaty on Germany's behalf betrayed their state, in turn, they were stabbed in the back. 


Class explanation: 
The Right Wing Believed:
-German Army did not lose WWI on the battlefield 
-It was lost by the politicians, not the army 
Instead:
-Betrayed by civilians and politicians on the home front 
-Especially those that supported the creation of the Weimar Republic
-Those that signed the Armistice were known as the "November Criminals"
-Betrayal led to TOV humiliation 
-Nazis will later use the myth as a part of their "history" 

6. Study Source 3: What position was Ebert elected to in Jan. 1919? Who elected him?

In January of 1919 Ebert was elected President of the Weimar Republic. He was elected by the people of the state in an election form for the first time in Germany's history. 




7. Study Source 3: How would a Chancellor gain power in the Weimar Republic? (Why you need to know this: By 1933 Hitler will have this job.)
In the Weimar Republic chancellors are appointed by the president. By building a good, solid relationship, you could gain positions in the government. ("Sucking up to the president.")