NAZISM

The term Nazism is derived from its full name

“National socialism” from which it is abbreviated
in its German form. Thus NA from Nationalism
and Zi from Socialism.
 How did the Nazi party came
into power
 Failure of Weimer Republic
 After the defeat in WW1, Germany was surrendered on 11
nov, 1918. The Kaiser escaped to Holland and a
provisional gov’t under Ebert was established, who was a
mild socialist (jan 1919).
 Ebert became the 1st President of the Republic. A
democratic national assembly was elected which framed
the constitution of 1919.
 But the Republican gov’t was not successful. With the
passage of time problems emerged and no one was happy
with the Weimer Republic. The Weimer constitution lasted
until 1933 when it was destroyed by Hitler.
 Failure of Weimer Republic

 In 1924 under the Dawes plan US provided huge loans to

Germany and it seemed to be recovering from her defeat.
 But when Wall Street crashed in oct 1929, Germany had
disastrous effects , producing unemployment,. The Gov’t
was unable to cope with the situation and by the end of
1932 the Weimer republic seemed on the verge of collapse.
 Meanwhile Hitler and his party had been carrying out a
great propaganda campaign blaming the gov’t for all the ills
of Germany and setting out Nazi solution to the problem.
 In Jan 1933 President Hendenberg appointed Hitler as the
Chancellor and soon afterwards Hitler saw to it as the
democracy ceased to exist, the Weimer republic was at an
end , and from then until April 1945, Hitler was the dictator
of Germany.
 Why did the Weimer Repulic
collapsed
 There were many political and economic
reasons which resulted in the collapse of
Weimer republic,
 1, It had accepted the humiliating and
unpopular Versailles treaty.
 2, There was a traditional lack of respect for
democratic gov’t. The view was that during
war Army had not been defeated but had
been betrayed, “stabbed in the back”, by
the Democrats who had needlessly
accepted the Versailles Treaty.
 Why did the Weimer Repulic
collapsed
 3, the political parties had very little experience of how to
operate a democratic parliamentary system. Almost all
the Parties have differences that became so bitter that
almost every party organized its own private army,
increasing the threat of civil war.
 4, economic problems;
 in 1919 Germany was close to Bankruptcy because of the
enormous expense of war.
 Germany’s attempt to pay reparation installments made
matter worse. In august 1921 after paying 50 million
Frank in due, it requested permission to suspend
payments until the economy recovered. France refused
and in 1922 Germany could not manage the full annual
payment.
 Occupation of Ruhr
 Ruhr was the heart of German industry as it
produced 30% of the Coal, iron and steel of
Germany. However in Jan 1923 French troops
occupied Ruhr in an attempt to seize goods
from factories and mines. The German gov’t
ordered the workers to follow the policy of
passive resistance, and so German industry in
Ruhr was paralyzed. The French failed in their
aim but the effect on German economy was
catastrophic and the Mark collapsed.
 Occupation of Ruhr
 The normal rate of exchange was
4Frank = 1dollar
 Reparation difficulties had caused the
Frank to fall in value, so that by 1922,
191.8 frank = 1 dollar
 By July 1923 with the Ruhr at a standstill,
16000f = 1 dollar
 By Nov 1923
4200000 = 1 dollar
 and thus frank was completely worthless.
 Economic problem
 Financial situations finally stabilized when the new
Chancellor Streasmann introduced a new currency
known as the Rentenmark in 1924.
 The Dawes plan (U.S provided 40 million frank) and the
Young’s Plan (oct 1929 which reduced the reparation
total from 6600 million frank to 2000 million frank)
helped in stabilizing the economy.
 But behind this success was a fatal weakness. The
prosperity was merely dependent on American loans,
following the Wall Street crash (oct 1929) the world
economic crises developed.
 U.S.A stopped any further loans and began to call-in
many of its short term loans, already made to Germany.
 Economic problem
 This shook the German economy once
again and by the middle of 1931
unemployment was approaching 4
million. The gov’t came under severe
criticism from almost all groups in society.
And by the end of 1932 had thus been
brought to the verge of collapse.
 Background of Adolf Hitler

 Austrian Origin
 His father was a Jew and of Austrian origin. Got
separated from his mother. His mother while working
at different places took him along her. A failed
education and the death of his mother in 1908 left
him without any income.
 WW1
 On the outbreak of war Hitler was in Munich and
joined the army in 1914’s conscription. He found in
war a degree of companionship( that he had not
enjoyed before) and an outlet for his national
sentiments. He had a good military record and
wounded twice.
 Background of Adolf
Hitler
 Munich
 In 1919 he was posted to Munich as an
army education officer. While he was there,
he made a reputation as a mob orator,
attacking Weimer and democracy, the
threat of communism and Jews.
 He emphasized the idea of racial and
biological unity (of das volt) and the great
destiny of purified Germany. It was in these
years that the basic structure of Nazi
movement was developed.
 The establishment of National Socialist
German Party

 Hitler built up an existing group with similar

views and launched it as the Nazi party in1922.
the original group had a membership of 50. by
1922 it had 6000 members.
 Backing from the Army and Manufacturers
 The money for the Private army and newspaper
came not only from personal friends but also
industrialists and businessmen who were
attracted by Hitler’s anti- communist stance. He
was also supported by the army and in 1922
gained the invaluable support of the General
Ludendoff.
 Rise of Hitler and Nazi party

 The fortunes of the Nazi party were linked closely to

the economic situation. The more unstable the
economy the more seats the Nazi party won in Reich
(German parliament). E.g.
 March 1924……32 seats (economy unstable after
1923 inflation)
 December 1924…..14 seats (economy recovering after
Dawes plan)
 1924…………… 12 seats (comparative prosperity)
 1930…. 107 seats (unemployment mounting, Nazi 2nd
largest party)
 July 1932…. 230 seats (massive unemployment,
Nazi single largest party)
 Violence in the election of March 1933

 After the election of 1932, Hindenburg

appointed Hitler as the Chancellor of Germany.
The election campaign of March 1933 was an
extremely violent one. The Nazis now in power
were able to use all the apparatus of state,
including press and radio to gain majority.
 Senior police officers were replaced with
reliable Nazis and 5000 Auxiliary policemen
were called up. They had orders to show no
mercy to communists and other enemies of
state.
 Fire on Reichtage
 Six days before the election Reichstag was badly
damaged by a fire. Communists were blamed for
this. Hitler used the fire to stir-up fear of
communism and as a pretext for the banning of
the party.
 However in spite of all these efforts, the Nazis
still failed to win an overall majority. The Nazis
won 288 seats, almost 40 short of an overall
majority. Hitler was still dependent on the
support of Nationalist party which won 52 seats.
 But as it turned out it was Nazis best
performance in the free election.
 What made the Nazis so
popular?
 The Nazis offered national unity, prosperity and full employment
by ridding Germany’s troubles ….….Marxists and above all Jews.
 They promised to overthrow the Versailles settlement and built
Germany into a great power once again. This would include
bringing all Germans ( in Austria, Poland and Czechoslovakia)
back into Germany.
 The Nazi private army (storm troopers) was attractive to young
people out of work, it gave them a small wage and uniform.
 Wealthy landlords and industrialists encouraged the Nazis
because the feared a communist revolution.
 Hitler himself had extraordinary political abilities. He possessed
tremendous energy and will power and a remarkable gift for
public speaking. A full version of his views was set-out in his
book “ Mein Kampf ” my struggle.
 How Hitler remained in power for 12
years
 A) Enabling Law
 The legal basis for his power was enabling law, forced through
the Reichstag on 23 March 1933. this law stated that the gov’t
could introduce laws without the approval of Reichstag for the
next four years. All laws would be drafted by the Chancellor. This
meant that the Hitler was to be a complete dictator for the next 4
years. But since his will was now law, he would obviously be able
to extend the 4 year period.
 B) Policy of Forcible coordination
 Hitler followed a policy of forcible coordination which turned
Germany into a totalitarian state. All the aspects of life were
totally controlled by the gov’t, using a huge police force and the
notorious Gestapo ( secret police).
 Main Features of Nazi totalitarian state were…..
 1,All the parties except National socialist party were banned, so
there was one party system.
 Main Features of Nazi totalitarian state
were…..

 The separate state parliament lost all powers. Most of their

functions were taken over by the “ Nazi special Commissioner”
appointed in each state by the gov’t.
 The civil service was purged ; all Jews and other suspected
enemies of the state were removed.
 Trade unions were abolished. The gov’t dealt with all the
grievances, and strikes were not allowed.
 The education system was controlled, so that children could be
indoctrinated with Nazi opinion. School textbooks were rewritten
to fit in with Nazi theory. History was distorted to fit in with
Hitler’s view that “ Great things could be achieved only by force”.
Human biology was dominated by the Nazi race theory. Teaching
staff was closely watched to make sure they did not express
opinions which strayed from the party lines. All the German youth
learned that “ the Fuhrer (ruler) is always right” and their first
duty was to obey him.
Main Features of Nazi totalitarian state
were…..

 All communications were controlled by

the Minister of propaganda, Dr. Joseph
Goebbels. Media, Press, and art were all
supervised. In such a way mass support
was assured.
 Religion was brought under state control,
since the churches were a possible
source of opposition.
 C, Hitler’s policies were popular with many
sections of the German people

 His arrival in power caused a great wave of enthusiasm.

He took care to foster this enthusiasm by military
parades, fireworks displays and processions.
 Hitler was successful in eliminating unemployment. This
was the most successful reason for his popularity. When
he came to power the unemployment figure mounted to 6
million, but as early as july 1935, it had dropped to under
2 million and by 1939 it had disappeared completely.
 Wealthy industrialist and businessmen were delighted
with Hitler and the Nazi party because of their anti-
communist policies.
 Finally Hitler’s foreign policy was a brilliant success. With
each successive triumph, more and more Germans began
to think of him as infallible.
 Foreign Policy of Hitler

 Hitler aimed to make Germany into a great power again and this
he hoped to achieve by destroying the hatred Versailles
settlement, building up the army, recovering lost territory ( such
as the Saar and the Polish corridor ) and bringing all the Germans
within the Reich. The last aim would involve the annexation of
Austria and the acquisition of territory from Poland and
Czechoslovakia, which had large German minorities as a result of
Versailles settlement.
 The first step he took in his foreign policy was...
 1, Withdrawal of Germany from disarmament
conference => in 1933 Hitler withdrew Germany from the
world disarmament conference and the League of Nations, on the
ground that France would not agree to German equality of
armaments. At the same time he insisted that Germany was
willing to disarm , if other states agreed to do the same and that
he wanted only peace.
 Foreign Policy of Hitler
 2, Non-aggression pact with Poland => In January 1934 Hitler signed a
non aggression pact with the Poles, who were showing alarm in case the
German tried to take back the Polish corridor. Britain took it as a further
evidence of Hitler’s peaceful intentions and it guaranteed Polish neutrality
whenever Germany should move against Austria and Czechoslovakia.
 3, Failure of Anschluss (union) July 1934 => Hitler suffered a set-back
in his ambitions of Anschluss between Germany and Austria. The Austrian
Nazis encouraged by Hitler staged a revolt and murdered the Chancellor
Engelburt Dollfuss. However when Mussolini moved Italian troops to the
Austrian frontier and warned the Germans off, the revolt collapsed.
 4, Return of SAAR to Germany (Jan 1935) => The SAAR was returned
to Germany after a Plebiscite. Nazi propaganda made most of the success
and Hitler announced that now all causes of grievances between Germany
and France had been removed.
 Reintroduction of conscription (March 1935) => Hitler’s first
successful breach of Versailles came in March 1935 when he announced the
reintroduction of conscription. His excuse was that Britain had just
announced increase in airforce and France had extended conscription from
12 to 18 months.
 Foreign Policy of Hitler

 Anglo-German Naval Agreement (June 1935) => Hitler

offered Britain to limit German Navy to 35% of the strength of
British Navy. Britain eagerly accepted it in the resulting Anglo-
German naval agreement. Without consulting her two allies
Britain had condoned German rearmament which proceeded with
gathering momentum.
 Sending troops to demilitarized zone (March 1936) =>
Now Hitler took the calculated risk of sending troops into the
demilitarized zone of Rhineland, which was a breach of the
Versailles and Locarno. No resistance was offered beyond the
usual protest.
 Alliance with Italy and Japan => In 1936 Hitler consolidated
Germany’s position by reaching an understanding with Mussolini
(The Rome-Berlin Axis) and by signing the Anti-comintern pact
with Japan (also joined by Italy in 1937) resulted in the Rome-
Berlin-Tokyo Axis.
 Foreign Policy of Hitler
 Anschluss with Austria (March 1938) =>
It was Hitler’s greatest success to date. Matter
came to a head after Austrian Nazis
demonstration. When Austrian Chancellor
announced a plebiscite whether or not
Austrian should remain independent. Hitler
decided to act before this took place, in case
the vote went against union. German troops
moved in and Austria became part of
Germany. It demonstrated the value of the
new understanding with Italy.