Origins and Rise of Hitler- Note Guidelines
Use pages 63-72 in “Authoritarian and Single Party States” by Waller and Todd to make notes using the following headings:
How did the political circumstances of Germany after 1918 contribute to the rise of Nazism?
The new government set up after the abdication of the Kaiser
• “Stab in the back’ theory
• Disappointment at Peace settlement
• Proportional Representation
• Constitution- especially Article 48
Challenges to the New Government
• Spartacus League- left wing challenge
• Reaction of the conservatives to the new government
• Kapp Putsch and ‘White Terror.’
• Munich Putsch
What part was played by economic conditions of 1919-29 period?
• Reparations
• Passive Resistance
• Hyperinflation
• New currency and Dawes Plan
• Problems in agriculture in 1920s
• Wall Street Crash- effect on Germany
How did the Nazi party develop between 1919 and 1929?
• Formation of NSDAP
• Role of Hitler
• Formation of the SA
• Munich Putsch- its impact on Germany and on the Nazi Party
• Change in party tactics- Fuhreprinzip
• Formation of the SS
• Reaction to the Young Plan
• Support for the Nazis in 1928 (before the Great Depression)
How far did the circumstances of 1929-33 open the way for Hitler’s rise to power?
• Impact of Great Depression- unemployment figures
• Response of Muller’s Government
• Nazi messages
• Changes in chancellors between 1930-33
• Increasing divisions among political parties
• Nazi gains in the Reichstag in 1930
• Hitler’s challenge to Hindenburg in the presidential election
• Nazi gains in the Reichstag in 1932 –July and November
• Increased support for the Communist Party (KPD)
• Failure of von Papen’s Chancellorship
• Failure of von Schleicher’s Chancellorship
• Reason why Hindenburg decided to appoint Hitler as Chancellor
• Reichstag Fire
• Emergency Decree
• March 1933 election
• Ceremony at Potsdam
• Enabling Law
•