Transcript The collapse of the Weimar Republic
Germany at war’s end
Kaiser abdicates (1918) Weimar Republic proclaimed, 1919 Accepts peace dictated by allies Treaty of Versailles Executive-Elected President And Hand picked Chancellor Legislative-Reichstag- law making group
Key points to the Weimar Constitution
1. The German Reich is a republic. State power comes from people 13. National law takes precedence 22. Delegates are elected by universal, equal, direct elections men and women.
41. President is elected by all Germans
48. President may use army in cases of disturbance or danger. May suspend Fundamental rights in times of danger. Reichstag can demand these rights back 53. Chancellor shall be appointed by the President 109. All Germans Equal in front of the Law 118. Every German can express opinion freely in word, writing, print or image 135. All inhabitants enjoy full religious freedom
Discuss
What are strong points of the Constitution and where do you see weakness?
1918-1923
Problems of revolts from right and left Eventual suppression 1923 Ruhr crisis: France & Belgium occupy in order to extract reparations Workers strike – with approval of German government Inflation and hyper-inflation: money printed to cover costs
Dawes plan (1924):
Rescheduling of German reparations payments – make them manageable U.S. loans to Germany ○ Enable Germany to make payments to France ○ Enabling France to repay U.S.
1924-1929
Stabilization of currency Attempts to make Weimar work: Broader coalition between different political parties Period of relative success: Political stabilization Accommodations reached with neighboring countries (Locarno Pact)
White Board
How will the American Stock Market Crash affect Germany
1929-1933
US Stock Market Crash US no longer sends aid to Germany, German economy slows: mass unemployment Extreme parties – right and left – gain support Communist & NSDAP(Fascist) Government becomes more divided and less effective
1932 Election and Nazi take Power
KDP
Fragmented Politics 1932
SPD (Social Centre: NSDAP (NAZI Communist Democratic PARTY) Party Party
-End Weimar -gov ran by workers -More benefits and wages for workers -End support for religion -Keep Weimar redistribution of wealth -Against Treaty of Versailles -reduce military spending -Christian Democrats -Improve military -Less taxes on Business -Protect Catholic Church rights -End Weimar -Rebuild Military -Unify all German Speaking Lands -Reject Versailles -Nationalist
Discuss
Why does a bad economy cause extremist groups to rise?
Hitler and NSDAP
Served in German army, World War I 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, arrested and imprisonment Writes “Mein Kampf” Becomes leader of National Socialist Workers Party (NSDAP), Nationalist, Anti Semitic, anti- Treaty of Versailles, Militaristic
1932 Presidential election:
Hindenburg defeats Hitler 53%-37% Becomes a national Political Figure
1932 Parliamentary Elections
First election: NSDAP wins 37% 2 nd election called 2nd 1932 election: NSDAP wins 32% Hitler is chosen as chancellor Majority Minority?
Hindenburg places Hitler as Chancelor
Hitler assumes office Jan. 30, 1933 Rapidly consolidates power by successively eliminating his opponents
1933 The NSDP Gains full Control
New elections called (Nazis win 44%) Reichstag fire :emergency legislation, suspending civil liberties, banning communists party Enabling Act, 1933 transfers power to chancellor All other Parties are strictly controlled and some are banned
White Board
What article in the constitution allowed for this to happen
1934-35
Hindenburg dies in 1934 Hitler as chancellor & president New role of
Fuhrer Supreme Leader
endorsed by plebiscite: ○ 38 million for, 5 million opposed Nazi control of government, society Public and private organizations merged into Nazi organizations: Increasing use of terror by SS, Gestapo
NAZI Policies and directions
Economic policy – rearmament, public works(roads, Bridges,…) creates jobs, Improves economy Moves against Jews, minorities Restrictions on numbers of Jews in professions Nuremberg laws (1935) remove citizenship Kristallnacht, 1938 Foundation laid for war Rearmament in violation of Versailles, 1933
Anschluss
with Austria 1934 Reoccupation of Rhineland, 1936