Rise of Hitler and Nazi Germany

Rise of Hitler
1. External factors
The fear of communism
Communism attracted many support from the Germans during the Great Depression as it
offered attractive solutions to the problems. Many upper and middle class were afraid of being
in communist state as this means taking land and money from them to distribute to the
poor and this will not benefit the rich industrialists. Many of these rich industrialists started to
support the Nazis and provided funds to them to ensure that the communists will not rise.
This benefitted the Nazis as he used the money to stage more rallies allowing him to spread
him propaganda and gaining more support from the Germans.
Link: Hence, the fear of communism led to the rise of the Nazis because many rich
industrialists who were anti-communist supported them and provided them with
necessary funds to garner the support of many Germans. The hardships of the Great
Depression made many Germans willing to support extremist parties like the Nazi Party
which seemed to offer more effective ways of solving Germanys problems. The massive
from the Germans and the rich industrialists allowed the Nazis to rise to power.
Impact of great depression in Germany
Germanys economy relied heavily on US loans to pay for reparations but in 1930 the Wall
Street crashed in USA leading to great depression. This exposed the economic-weaknesses
of the Weimar Government as the government was unable to ensure the livelihood of the
Germans. Many Germans were living in terrible conditions as thousands of them became
unemployed thus causing economic hardship. In 1932, 6 million of the Germans were
unemployed. Many of them who were unemployed during the great depression felt that the
Nazi Partys policies offered chance of new jobs in a stronger Germany that they could be
proud of as well as hope for better life. People switched their support to the Nazis.
Link: The Weimar government was also proved incapable of tackling economic problems
during the Great Depression. This caused people to lose faith in the Weimar government
and turn to political parties that promised to solve all these problems for them such as
the Nazi Party promised to end unemployment and make peoples lives better. These
promises were very attractive due to the economic conditions at that time. Hence
Germans voted for the Nazis and this helped the Nazis to gain the most number of seats
in parliament and eventually rose to power.
Weaknesses of Weimar government
The weaknesses of Weimar government includes the instability of coalition government.
Having a government with a very short life span was very disruptive to the day-to-day running
of the country. They spend more time trying to form coalition instead of running the country.
As the Weimar government was made up of many coalition parties and as such the coalition
party was weak, indecisive and did not last long. Thus, they could not help Germany to
prosper. The opposition by the right and left was also another reason why Weimar govt. was
weak. The right wing felt that Germany should not be solely responsible for WW1. They
wanted Germanys industry and army to be strong again. When the Weimar govt. signed the
TOV, right-wing disagreed on the terms of TOV and blamed the politicians. The Weimar
government was also challenged by the communists. The communists tried to overthrow the
govt. by staging armed uprising and govt. was attacked by the communists.
Link: The Weimar was weak and contributed to the political instability because of the
flaws inherent and external threats in the Weimar republic. Over time, the people grew
dissatisfied with the Weimar Government that had proven to be weak, indecisive and
incapable and sought alternative systems of governments. This meant that people
gradually turned to Hitler and the Nazi Party who openly opposed the Weimar
government and offered counter ideas from the democratic system. Thus, in addition to
the problems created by the Great Depression, the failure of the Weimar government to
provide strong and stable leadership did enable Hitler to win support from the people
and he eventually rose to power.
2. Internal Factors
Nazi Strengths
Hitler was a great political speaker and a charismatic leader. He spoke in vast rallies and
mesmerizing and inspiring many to support the Nazis. He seem to understand their
problems and have viable solutions and promised to revive German pride and glory. Hitler
was skillful at making deals with politician. Nazi party became the biggest political party in
Germany in 1932, and he refused to cooperate with any political parties unless he was
offered the post of Chancellor of the government. Hitler presented himself as a decisive,
strong and capable leader. Hitler organized the Youth movement and the SA and SS into
much disciplined organization. The SA and SS in particular showed off their disciplined and
orderly marching skills together with their propaganda songs during rallies and parades to
show that they are a formidable force to be reckoned with. Hitler also reorganized the Nazi
party. Hitler reorganized the party to compete in German elections. He set up party branches
around all over Germany and set up a youth organization to appeal to youths. He also arrange
large public meetings to attract more members.
Link: Hitlers plans and leadership abilities led to the rise of Nazis because Hitlers
messages was attractive to the Germans as he told people what they wanted to hear.
There was something for everybody .He was decisive and his decisiveness contrasted
with the weak leadership of the Weimar government. He was able to convince the
Germans that he understood their problems and would help them. Thus, the people were
convinced that Hitler would be their saviour. This won him a lot of support from the
masses and aided his rise to power.
Weighing and Conclusions
In conclusion, I feel that the strengths of the Nazi Party were more responsible for the rise of
Hitler in the long run. This is because the impact of the strengths of the Nazi Party would
extend much wider and longer, compared with the exploitation of the fears of
communism. After the Nazis gained power, the communists would be eliminated and their
influence would diminish. However, the strength of the Nazi Party also served as a viable
political alternative to the communists. Their partys influence was also capable of influencing
Germans support away from the communists.
Nazi State
Political Impact of Nazi State
F1: Reichstag Fire
On 27th Feb, the Reichstag caught fire. The Nazi took the opportunity to blame the
communists for the crime. Several leaders of the communist party were arrested and charged
with arson and attempting to overthrow the government. Hitler saw this as an opportunity
to deal with his rivals. Therefore he convinced the President to grant him emergency powers.
Therefore, Civil liberties such as freedom of press were suspended. Hitler also arrested the
Communists and other political opponents. This greatly affected the election campaigns of
the other political parties in the preparations for the March 1933 elections. As a result, on 5
March 1933, the Nazis won 43.9 per cent of the votes in the Reichstag.
LINK: The Reichstag Fire eliminated the main rivals of the Nazi Party - the communists
form the Reichstag and heightening peoples fear for communism. It gave him an
opportunity to imprison many communist leaders, which stopped them campaigning
during the election. He was to consolidate his power as he has managed to eliminate his
rivals, reducing their threat and chance to win the March election leaving him free to
amass all the power in Germany.
F2: The Enabling Act
Without the communists the Nazi Party, the Nazi Party won 44 percent of the vote in the 1933
March elections with the support of Hugenbergs Nationalist Party. Hitler decided to pass the
Enabling Act which will give him great power as he would be allowed to pass laws without
the approval of the president. The Enabling Act was passed as the SA and SS only allowed
Nazi Supporters to vote and the enabling act was passed. Using his great political authority
Hitler banned the Communist Party and Social Democrat Party to take part in any
elections in the future.
Link: Enabling Act by passed the President and thus gave Nazi Party more authority in
passing laws. Hitler could rule as a legal dictator. All these actions enabled Hitler to
achieve totalitarian control of Nazi Germany as he ensured that there were no any
political opponents opposing him. This enabled Hitler to strengthen his political position
as there were no political opponents left to challenge him.
F3: One Party Rule
On May 1933, Hitler passed a law making the Nazi Party the only legal party in Germany.
Hitler became a legal dictator. There would be no more elections in Germany. Nazi officials
took charge of local government. Trade Unions were dissolved and their leaders
imprisoned. The SA & SS dealt severely with anyone who stepped out of the line
Link: Banning political parties made Germany a one-party state and destroyed
democracy in the country. After this action, Germans could no longer get rid of Hitler in
an election and the Nazis can also run the country in any way they like. This eliminated
his political opponents permanently even at local laws.
F4: Night of the long knives
Ernest Roehm was loyal to Hitler but was unhappy that he was not given a significant role in
the new government. He claimed that the SA would take over the army which triggered an
internal rivalry. Others in the Nazi Party felt that Ernest was becoming too powerful and see
him as a threat. To Hitler the SS was more important. Therefore, Hitler made a pact with the
army that they would swear an oath of allegiance to him if he removed Roehm. The SS
arrested and killed Roehm and other SA leaders, as a result 440 men was executed.
Link: Hitler was worried that the SA, led by the ambitious Ernst Roehm, was getting too
powerful, posing a threat to his leadership. Therefore the night of long knives, eliminated
the potential internal threats in the Nazi Party and leaving those who are loyal to him.
Hitlers handling of SA helped him to win over the support of the German army, thereby
strengthening his power within and outside party.
F5: Creation of Fuehrer Position
Hitler sought to further to consolidate his power after President Hinderburg died in 1934. The
Weimar constitution stated that a President must be elected, Hitler thus merged the powers of
the President with those of the Chancellor and pronounced himself as the Fuehrer the Supreme
leader of the German leaders. After Hindergburgs death they held a plebiscite to see whether
the Germans were approval of Hitlers new power and most Germans were in complete
acceptance of his power.
Link: Hitler gained total control over Germany, he also became the only leader of
Germany and was above the law. Therefore Hitler took advantage of Hindenburgs death
to assume complete political power of the government and ruled as a dictator.
Nazi State Social impact
F1: Propaganda
Joseph Goebbels was appointed the minister of Propaganda. He developed extremely
successful campaigns such as repeating simple slogans, images and posting of portraits and
images over and production of films in order to portray a positive image of Hitler and Nazi
party to gain the support of Germans.The Nazis spent huge sums on newspapers, leaflets
and poster campaigns. They also orchestrated large political military rallies to build support.
These were vast, highly organized events with banners and marching bands which stirred up
the emotions of German who attended. Propaganda was used to appeal to deep-seated
desires for national unity and order. Racist, anti-Semitic and anti-communist feelings were
stirred up. This led to a sharp increase in German nationalist sentiments amongst the
Germans.
Link: It was effective because Propaganda allowed Germans which supported the Nazis to
be informed on how correct their choice was with an emphasis on the strength of the
party and the leadership to gain their continual support. Those who opposed the Nazi
Party had to be convinced that it was pointless continuing with their opposition. Hence,
this enabled Hitler to gain the peoples loyalty and secure his hold the people, increasing
the popularity of Nazi Party.
It allowed Hitler to gain more power in Germany because Propaganda ensured that the
people were won over or intimidated into accepting Nazi rule. With the support of
Germans he can now have more power carry out any the policies he want in Germany,
without any oppositions.
F2: Rise of Secret Police
The Gestapo was the Nazis secret police force and was staffed by members of the SS. They
are responsible for finding and removing people who oppose the Nazi Party. Their actions
were not accountable to any court or laws. They had unlimited power of arrested and put
into concentration camps without trial. Every German town was divided into divided units
called quarters. The Germans live under the constant supervision of the Warden who will
visit their houses gather information. People who were found not loyal enough were
arrested by the Gestapo and many were sent to the concentration camp; where Germans
were tortured and abused.
Link: It was effective because when Hitler stuck fear in the people into submission and
control the society so that the Germans would not dare to oppose or challenge his
authority for fear of arrest, punishment or being sent to concentration camps
It impacted Germany because Germans lose all their rights as a citizen as they were in
complete control of Nazi Party. People also lived in constant fear and suspicion because
there were many informers working for the Nazis. Therefore, Germans lost many of basic
human rights such as freedom of expressions and ideas.
F3: Censorship
The Nazis exercised strict censorship on what could be published and screened. The Reich
Chamber of Commerce was also set up and dealt with literature, art, music, radio, films
and newspapers. Media content could only produce by a member of Reich Chamber. Editors
were closely monitored and anti-Nazi newspaper were shut down. They also ransacked
libraries and shops and burnt any books in public that they found unacceptable. Which means
the Nazi censored everything the Germans read, watch or listen to. The Nazis controlled
all the radio, so that all opinions heard on air were theirs, broadcast of Hitlers speech were
repeated for propaganda purposes. Listening to other foreign stations was punishable by
death.Such censorship also made the enforcement of the Nazis doctrine on the Germans
and their control of public opinions easier.
Link: It was effective because censorship only allowed the circulation pro-Nazi ideas
among the Germans and any information hostile to the Nazi party was kept away from
the people. It also eliminated the freedom of thoughts, speech and opinions in Germans.
By constantly feeding the Germans with the positive information about the Nazis and
enforcing Nazi doctrines on the people, the Nazis were able to win the support of the
Germans and control public opinions easily.
F4: Persecution
Once Hitler came to power the Jews suffered terribly. He portrayed the Jews as sly cowardly
and evil people. The night of broken glass was used as an excuse to perform genocide
on the Jews. On 1938, a Nazi diplomat was shot down a Jewish boy, Hitler used this as an
excuse for ordering a campaign of terror to be unleased on Jews in Germany. More than
twenty thousand Jews were arrested and sent to concentration camps, Nazi looted and
destroyed thousands of Jewish shops, homes and synagogues were burnt. Mass murders
of Jews were also carried out in other Eastern European countries. Besides the Jews, the
Nazis also persecuted other minorities such as Gypies, homosexuals and handicapped and
the disabled. They viewed these people as inferior or social parasites and threats to the
purity of Aryan race.
Link: This instilled great terror in the Germans as many innocent people were killed in
the process of genocide. The Germans had no choice but to be loyal to the Nazis as they
did not want to get killed by the Nazis. The minorities also suffered hardships as they
were subjected to inhumane treatments and deprived of basic human right.
F4: Role of Women
Under the Weimar Government, women had equality and could hold political and
bureaucratic roles. When the Nazis came to power, women were confined to the role of being
good wives and mothers, as well as bearing children, women were excluded from politics
and economics. Women were also discouraged from pursing university studies and all the
womens association were banned. German girls were made to undergo vigorous training
in domestic tasks and they can only join the Nazi Party as cooks or nurses.
Link: Hitlers view of ideal society and role of women restricted the lives of women
causing a loss of freedom. Many women saw Hitlers action as oppressive and hence
they suffered under Nazi rule as they are forced to conform to Hitlers stereotypical view
of women.
F5: Hitler Youth
The Nazis viewed the youth as essential to the future and well-being of Nazi Germany. Youth
organizations such as the Hitler Youth was formed to ensure that the youth would grow up to
fight faithfully for the Nazi regime. The youths would be groomed to become the future
leaders of SS and SA. By 1923, it had 2.3 million members. The youths were indoctrinated in
anti-Semitism and Nazi ideology.
Link: Hitler controlled the minds of people he managed to train youths to be loyal
citizens and conform to Nazi standards and ideology. The youths led a very controlled
and restricted lives under the Nazi rule and was deprived of freedom.
Economic Impact of Nazi
F1: Re-employment
There are over five million people who were unemployed and was suffering from a major
crisis in the farming sector. The minister of economics helped to reorganize Germanys
finance such that new jobs can be created. He initiated public works such as building of roads,
motorways and public buildings. Nazis involved the Reich Labour Service an agency to
reduce unemployment. It not only reduced unemployment while providing infrastructure and
facilities to the public
Link: Re-employment impacted Germany because it helped to create jobs and
unemployment only fell to 0.25 million in 1939. This boosted economic recovery and
provided many Germans with the means of livelihood which in turn helped them to
recover from the Great Depression as well as saving Germans from hunger, poverty and
economic hardship.
Hitlers rule was successful in resolving economic crisis in Germany and lifting people
out of poverty and he also delivered on his electoral promise to bring economic
recovery.
F2: Rise of big industrialists
Under the New Plan of 1934, industries were important to Germanys economy were
subsidized and imports were banned. The production of important goods such as oil, steel,
coal and explosives increased. Companies were given government contracts to make these
items and these industries supported the government. Trade unions were also banned and
the employers no longer had to worry about conflicts with workers. Workers were also under
strict control of government. Massive amounts spent on the rearmament boosted incomes of
companies involved in the production of war material.
Link: The rise of big industrialists impacted Germany because this contributed to the
boost in the economy as these big industries thrived and prosper. These industries
supported the government by providing funds as well as war materials. Thus, the Nazis
were able to control rich industrialists and winning their support as well.
F3: Control of Trade union
Workers forced to join a workers organization controlled by Nazi called DAF or the German
work front which united the employers and the employees in a single body. Workers were also
strictly controlled by the DAF. They were not allowed to strike or for pay rises or better
conditions. Workers were not allowed to change jobs thus the economy became stabilized.
Prices were stabilized, and more industries had workers, there were also fewer strikes.
Link: Control of trade unions impacted Germany because the economy of Germany was
stabilized, the Germans had work and fewer strikes. Therefore, it not only improved
Germanys economy but also stabilizing the society. [ +ve impact ]
Link: Workers lost a platform to protect their interests, lost their freedom to change jobs
as well as reduction in wages and benefits. Nazis strict control and monitoring of
German workers meant a loss of freedom and affected them adversely.
F4: Organization of workers leisure time
Schemes like strength to joy and Kraft durch Freude provided cheap theater and cinema
tickets and organized course, cultural and sports event. The state scheme by which
workers could save five Marks a week towards a cheap car appealed to the workers. Beauty of
Labour improved working conditions of women in factories for women and the working
conditions in factories were improved under the scheme. Washing facilities and low cost
canteens were set up for the workers.
Link Organization workers leisure impacted Germany because workers had leisure time
to relax and they can work in better conditions, they also benefitted from a wide range of
recreational activities planned for them.
F5: Militarisation
In 1935, the Nazis introduced conscription for the army which reduced the unemployment
drastically and by the end of 1939 there were 1.4 million of men in the army. This created
many jobs as men were required to make war materials such as weapons, equipment and
uniforms. Hitler also decided Germany needed a modern air force- Luftwatte, and this decision
helped to boost the economy and provided employment.
Link : Militarisation impacted Germany because it helped to prepare Germany for world
war 2 as well as creating jobs for the Germans to bring them out of poverty.
SUMMARY
( +ve Impact ) EX: As a result, Hitler received popular support. They could do what the
Weimar couldnt. He was seen as a great leader to be respected. Hence, Hitler was able to
garner support from the people in Germany and allow him to establish total control over
them.

Did Hitlers rule benefit Germany?

Benefit [+ve] Did not Benefit [-ve]

1. Militarisation 1. Rise of Secret Police
2. Organization of workers leisure time 2. Censorship
3. Re-employment 3. Persecution
4. Rise of big industrialists 4. Role of women