Read the .pdfs "Epilogue - NSDAP and Totalitarian Rule" and "Supplementary Documents." These can be found in the 1932 Reichstag Elections collection.
1. Why did Hinderburg's advisers agree to the appointment of Hitler as chancellor in January 1933?
The November 1932 elections convinced them that Hitler could be a successful leader, and they thought that he could be kept in check by being surrounded with responsible conservative ministers. They expected Hitler's supporters would be transformed into the foundation of a restructured, conservative government. Many of Hindenburg's advisers belonged to the German Nation People's Party and had never been deeply committed to the Weimar system.
2. Why is the term "totalitarianism" used to describe Nazi Germany?
Hitler got rid of political opponents of the Nazis and placed loyal NSDAP members in key government positions. Hitler extended control to all aspects of German society, including the schools, the military, the press, the churches, and the arts.
3. Why did the Enabling Law allow Hitler to overcome the constitutional restraints of the Weimar system?
Hitler made a law that enabled his cabinet to enact new laws without the approval of the parliament or the president. This allowed him to dismantle the Weimar system.
4. What was the goal of Goebbels' Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda?
Goebbels took control of the media, so that anything produced and released into the public was made by the Nazis. This way, nothing that was in opposition of the Nazi's could be produced, so the public was persuaded to like the Nazis.
5. How did Hitler destroy potential sources of opposition?
He eliminated the other parties, he put NSDAP supporters into key positions of the government, the propaganda ensured that nothing opposing the Nazis would be published.
6. Which laws served as the first steps in Hitler's plan to eliminate Germany's Jewish community?
-Nuremburg Laws on Citizenship and Race, September 15, 2935
-Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honor, September 15, 1935
-Supplementary Decree on Citizenship, November 14, 1935
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Troubled Infancy of the Weimar Republic
Read "The Troubled Infancy of the Weimar Republic," in the shared file folder of Weimar Germany readings.
1. Explain why several segments of German society never accepted the legitimacy of the Weimar system.
Many Germans blamed said that the politicians who signed the Treaty of Versailles stabbed them in the back, and they viewed the Weimar Republic with shame and weakness.
2. How did Hitler use anti-Semitism to further his political aspirations?
Hitler believed that the Germans were the "master race" and the Jews were poisoning the blood and the culture of the German people. Hitler blamed the Jews for the problems in Germany, so he believed if they got rid of the Jews then Germany would be a better place.
3. How was the French occupation of the Ruhr tied to Germany's hyperinflation?
When the French occupied the Ruhr, Germany didn't have the military strength to oppose the occupation, so the German government urged its citizens to fight back with nonviolent means. German workers in the Ruhr went on strike and refused to cooperate with the French and Belgians. The German government, whose financial resources were already low, printed more money to support the strikers, and after a nine month stalemate, the German government abandoned its policy of passive resistance and began negotiations with the Allies. Germany printed too much money and it became worthless. Although this was their fault, they blamed it on the allied reparations demands.
4. Describe "Weimar culture" and explain why many Germans rejected its values.
Weimar culture was the term to describe the breakthroughs in art, music, and literature during the 1920s. Some Germans rejected Weimar culture because they didn't think the new freedoms were good.
5. How did the conflict between the Catholic Center Party and the SPD contribute to the political crisis of the Weimar Republic?
The Catholic Center Party emerged as a defender of Catholic interests after Bismarck attempted to limit the influence of the Catholic Church in Germany. Bismarck's suspicion of the labor movement strengthened the commitment of many workers to the SPD. Compromise was difficult with these two clearly defined positions in the Weimar Republic.
6. How did the economic depression that began in 1929 create an opportunity for extremist political parties in Weimar Germany?
The president used his power under Article 48 of the constitution to have a temporary dictator. The polls showed how extreme the left and the right sides were.
1. Explain why several segments of German society never accepted the legitimacy of the Weimar system.
Many Germans blamed said that the politicians who signed the Treaty of Versailles stabbed them in the back, and they viewed the Weimar Republic with shame and weakness.
2. How did Hitler use anti-Semitism to further his political aspirations?
Hitler believed that the Germans were the "master race" and the Jews were poisoning the blood and the culture of the German people. Hitler blamed the Jews for the problems in Germany, so he believed if they got rid of the Jews then Germany would be a better place.
3. How was the French occupation of the Ruhr tied to Germany's hyperinflation?
When the French occupied the Ruhr, Germany didn't have the military strength to oppose the occupation, so the German government urged its citizens to fight back with nonviolent means. German workers in the Ruhr went on strike and refused to cooperate with the French and Belgians. The German government, whose financial resources were already low, printed more money to support the strikers, and after a nine month stalemate, the German government abandoned its policy of passive resistance and began negotiations with the Allies. Germany printed too much money and it became worthless. Although this was their fault, they blamed it on the allied reparations demands.
4. Describe "Weimar culture" and explain why many Germans rejected its values.
Weimar culture was the term to describe the breakthroughs in art, music, and literature during the 1920s. Some Germans rejected Weimar culture because they didn't think the new freedoms were good.
5. How did the conflict between the Catholic Center Party and the SPD contribute to the political crisis of the Weimar Republic?
The Catholic Center Party emerged as a defender of Catholic interests after Bismarck attempted to limit the influence of the Catholic Church in Germany. Bismarck's suspicion of the labor movement strengthened the commitment of many workers to the SPD. Compromise was difficult with these two clearly defined positions in the Weimar Republic.
6. How did the economic depression that began in 1929 create an opportunity for extremist political parties in Weimar Germany?
The president used his power under Article 48 of the constitution to have a temporary dictator. The polls showed how extreme the left and the right sides were.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Unrest and the Treaty of Versailles
Weimar Germany Readings- Chapters 4 and 5
1. Using the information from Chapter 4, what were the threats to the new Weimar Republic? How did the Free Corps assist the government?
-In March 1919, the communists organised riots and strikes in Berlin in an attempt to seize power. The government ordered anyone seen carrying weapons to be shot on sight. The Free Corps were the ones to kill them.
-The leader of the Independent Socialists, Kurt Eisner, was killed in February 1919. With Eisner dead, the moderated Socialists and the Communists argued about which should take his place. In March 1919 the Communists won and the province of Bavaria was made into a Soviet Republic on Russian lines. They took houses from the middle class people of Munich and gave them to workers. They took food, cars and clothing from the rich. They formed a Bavarian Red army to protect themselves. The government in Weimar put Munich under siege. This caused a food shortage in Munich. On May 1, the siege suddenly ended. Government forces and the Free Corps entered the city and they killed all of the communists.
2. How did the Germans react to the Treaty of Versailles?
Germany was expecting it to be a fair treaty because they had done what the Allied had demanded; the Kaiser had given up his throne and they had elected a democratic government to rule Germany in his place. On May 7 the Allies announced the terms of the peace treaty. Germany would lose one tenth of its land, all of its overseas colonies and most of its armed forces. Germany was blamed for starting the war and had to pay for the damage done in the fighting.
The Germans were horrified and didn't think the treaty was fair at all. They felt betrayed by the allies and by their own politicians who signed the treaty.
3. Who were the "November Criminals"?
Germany called their politicians who had signed the treaty "November Criminals" because they had signed it in November. They said they had stabbed Germany in the back by making peace with the Allies.
4. Read chapter 5. Why didn't Field Marshal von Hindenburg and the other general fight instead of having the Weimar government sign the Treaty of Versailles?
Field Marshal von Hindenburg said that Germany wouldn't be able to defend itself in the west. There was no way out but to sign the treaty.
5. What were the major aspects of the Treaty that caused Germans to object so strongly to it?
-Land: The treaty took a lot of Germany's land away, and also cut the country into two parts. Losing all of this land meant losing people, farms, mines and factories. Losing overseas colonies meant losing raw materials.
-Arms: The army had to be less than 100,000 men, it had to stay in its territory, the army was not allowed into a section of land called Rhineland, the navy had only six ships and no submarines, and there was no air force.
-War guilt and reparations: The treaty blamed the start of the war on Germany and it must pay reparations.
-Germany was not allowed to unite with Austria.
- Allied armies were to occupy all German land west of the Rhine River for 15 years.
1. Using the information from Chapter 4, what were the threats to the new Weimar Republic? How did the Free Corps assist the government?
-In March 1919, the communists organised riots and strikes in Berlin in an attempt to seize power. The government ordered anyone seen carrying weapons to be shot on sight. The Free Corps were the ones to kill them.
-The leader of the Independent Socialists, Kurt Eisner, was killed in February 1919. With Eisner dead, the moderated Socialists and the Communists argued about which should take his place. In March 1919 the Communists won and the province of Bavaria was made into a Soviet Republic on Russian lines. They took houses from the middle class people of Munich and gave them to workers. They took food, cars and clothing from the rich. They formed a Bavarian Red army to protect themselves. The government in Weimar put Munich under siege. This caused a food shortage in Munich. On May 1, the siege suddenly ended. Government forces and the Free Corps entered the city and they killed all of the communists.
2. How did the Germans react to the Treaty of Versailles?
Germany was expecting it to be a fair treaty because they had done what the Allied had demanded; the Kaiser had given up his throne and they had elected a democratic government to rule Germany in his place. On May 7 the Allies announced the terms of the peace treaty. Germany would lose one tenth of its land, all of its overseas colonies and most of its armed forces. Germany was blamed for starting the war and had to pay for the damage done in the fighting.
The Germans were horrified and didn't think the treaty was fair at all. They felt betrayed by the allies and by their own politicians who signed the treaty.
3. Who were the "November Criminals"?
Germany called their politicians who had signed the treaty "November Criminals" because they had signed it in November. They said they had stabbed Germany in the back by making peace with the Allies.
4. Read chapter 5. Why didn't Field Marshal von Hindenburg and the other general fight instead of having the Weimar government sign the Treaty of Versailles?
Field Marshal von Hindenburg said that Germany wouldn't be able to defend itself in the west. There was no way out but to sign the treaty.
5. What were the major aspects of the Treaty that caused Germans to object so strongly to it?
-Land: The treaty took a lot of Germany's land away, and also cut the country into two parts. Losing all of this land meant losing people, farms, mines and factories. Losing overseas colonies meant losing raw materials.
-Arms: The army had to be less than 100,000 men, it had to stay in its territory, the army was not allowed into a section of land called Rhineland, the navy had only six ships and no submarines, and there was no air force.
-War guilt and reparations: The treaty blamed the start of the war on Germany and it must pay reparations.
-Germany was not allowed to unite with Austria.
- Allied armies were to occupy all German land west of the Rhine River for 15 years.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
The German Revolution
Weimar Germany Readings- read the first three chapters and answer the following questions.
1. Using the documents in Chapter 1 as evidence, list the ways in which conditions in Germany worsened during the war.
-There is a picture of women in a line to exchange potatoe peelings for firewood. This shows how people had no money and they had to trade things to get firewood.
-There is a letter that shows how horrible the food shortages were. In the letter, the peson describes how the potatoes ran out, so they only ate turnips and bread, and small pieces of meat. People were starving.
-The food shortages in the army caused mutiny.
2. Give two reasons why the war caused such bad conditions for German civilians.
-The army was taking men away from their families.
-There was no money or food.
3. After reading Chapter 2, give two reasons why Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated on November 10, 1918.
-The soldiers mutiny had spread all over the country and socialist groups set up workers and soldiers councils to run the towns. There was no way for the Kaiser to gain back control of the country.
-The United States said that the Kaiser had to give up some of his power before they would think about peace.
4. Using the information you have read in this chapter, give evidence to support the statement that there was "revolution all over Germany."
-The soldiers mutiny quickly spread throughout the country, cities all over Germany were controlled by socialist groups.
-The food shortages and sicknesses spread throughout the country and everyone was unhappy.
5. Study the information about the German Socialists in Chapter 2, page 5. What did the three Socialist groups have in common?
They all wanted to improve workers' conditions and give democratic rights to all of the Germans, such as the right to vote.
6. In what ways were the Socialist groups different.
The methods were different.
The social democratic party wanted to support the government and try to make reforms by acts of parliament.
The independent socialists wanted to oppose the government and force it to make reforms by organising strikes.
The spartacists wanted to overthrow the government in a revolution. Councils of workers, called Soviets, would make reforms.
7. After reading Chapter 3 make a time chart of the events of the German Revolution from Nov. 10, 1918 to Jan. 15, 1919.
Nov. 10, 1918- Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated
Nov. 12, 1918-Ebert issued a statement to the German people. It said that there is no censorship, there is freedom of speach and religion, there is an eight hour work day, and the housing and food stituation will be dealt with.
Dec. 23, 1918-A large group of sailors broke into the government headquarters and held Ebert prisoner at gunpoint, demanding more pay. Ebert's troops joined the sailors so he had to give in.
Dec. 30, 1918-The Spartacists renamed themselves the German Communist Party and decided to work for a communist revolution.
Jan. 6, 1919-The German Communist Party start their revolution.
Jan. 10, 1919- The Free Corps, who supported Ebert, attacked the Spartacists in Berlin. There was fighting for three days.
Jan. 15, 1919-The Free Corps arrested Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Lievknecht, leaders of the Spartacists. They beat them and killed them.
8. At what time would you say the Communists had their best chance of seizing power? Explain your answer.
I think between Jan. 6, 1919 and Jan. 10, 1919. This was before Ebert got the support of the Free Corps, which was the group that defeated the Communists.
1. Using the documents in Chapter 1 as evidence, list the ways in which conditions in Germany worsened during the war.
-There is a picture of women in a line to exchange potatoe peelings for firewood. This shows how people had no money and they had to trade things to get firewood.
-There is a letter that shows how horrible the food shortages were. In the letter, the peson describes how the potatoes ran out, so they only ate turnips and bread, and small pieces of meat. People were starving.
-The food shortages in the army caused mutiny.
2. Give two reasons why the war caused such bad conditions for German civilians.
-The army was taking men away from their families.
-There was no money or food.
3. After reading Chapter 2, give two reasons why Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated on November 10, 1918.
-The soldiers mutiny had spread all over the country and socialist groups set up workers and soldiers councils to run the towns. There was no way for the Kaiser to gain back control of the country.
-The United States said that the Kaiser had to give up some of his power before they would think about peace.
4. Using the information you have read in this chapter, give evidence to support the statement that there was "revolution all over Germany."
-The soldiers mutiny quickly spread throughout the country, cities all over Germany were controlled by socialist groups.
-The food shortages and sicknesses spread throughout the country and everyone was unhappy.
5. Study the information about the German Socialists in Chapter 2, page 5. What did the three Socialist groups have in common?
They all wanted to improve workers' conditions and give democratic rights to all of the Germans, such as the right to vote.
6. In what ways were the Socialist groups different.
The methods were different.
The social democratic party wanted to support the government and try to make reforms by acts of parliament.
The independent socialists wanted to oppose the government and force it to make reforms by organising strikes.
The spartacists wanted to overthrow the government in a revolution. Councils of workers, called Soviets, would make reforms.
7. After reading Chapter 3 make a time chart of the events of the German Revolution from Nov. 10, 1918 to Jan. 15, 1919.
Nov. 10, 1918- Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated
Nov. 12, 1918-Ebert issued a statement to the German people. It said that there is no censorship, there is freedom of speach and religion, there is an eight hour work day, and the housing and food stituation will be dealt with.
Dec. 23, 1918-A large group of sailors broke into the government headquarters and held Ebert prisoner at gunpoint, demanding more pay. Ebert's troops joined the sailors so he had to give in.
Dec. 30, 1918-The Spartacists renamed themselves the German Communist Party and decided to work for a communist revolution.
Jan. 6, 1919-The German Communist Party start their revolution.
Jan. 10, 1919- The Free Corps, who supported Ebert, attacked the Spartacists in Berlin. There was fighting for three days.
Jan. 15, 1919-The Free Corps arrested Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Lievknecht, leaders of the Spartacists. They beat them and killed them.
8. At what time would you say the Communists had their best chance of seizing power? Explain your answer.
I think between Jan. 6, 1919 and Jan. 10, 1919. This was before Ebert got the support of the Free Corps, which was the group that defeated the Communists.
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