Question. 1. Describe the problems faced by the Weimar Republic ?
Answer i) Weimar was not received of its own people largely because of the term it was forced to accept after Germany was defeated at the end of First World War.
ii) The socialist catholics and democrats who supported it were mockingly called the november criminals.
iii) The Weimar Republic crushed the uprising of soviet of workers with help of war veteran organization called free corps. iv) There was economic crisis of 1923. The prices of goods soared. this crisis is known a hyperinflation. On 24 October, 13 million shares were sold. This was a start of Great economic depression. The effects of this worst hit the Germany’s economy. iv) Politically too, Weimar was very fragile. Its constitution had some inherent defects. There was a liberal use of Article 48.
Q. 2. Discuss why Nazism became popular in Germany by 1930.
Ans. I) During the great depression Nazism became a mars movements. Banks collapsed business shut down. In such situation where people were threatened with destitution. Nazi propaganda stirred hopes for a better future. ii) In 1928 the Nazi Party got only 2.6% votes but by 1932 it had became the largest party with 37% vote in Reichstag the German parliament. iii) Hitler was a powerful speaker. His passion and his word moved people. He promised to build a strong nation & gave employment for those who are looking for work and a secure future for the youth. iv) Nazis held massive rallies public meeting to instill the sense of unity. The Red banner with the Swastika the nazi salute & rounds of applause after speeches were all part of his spectacle of power.
Q. 3 What are the peculiar features of Nazi thinking ? Ans. The state is above all people. People exist for the state rather than state for the people. ii) Opposing to both democracy and communism.