Causes and Consequences of Hitler becoming Chancellor of Germany

Who was Hitler's fourth target?

Ernst Rohm and the SA. The SA had been the thugs of the Nazi Party(They fought street battles and had terrorised opponents) Now that the Nazis were in power, the members of the SA and their commander, Ernst Rohm, expected a reward for their work.

What were the effects of rearmament on the German people?

Factories on the verge of bankruptcy prospered, new technologies were developed, especially in aeronautics and rocketry, jobs were created in fact Germany had almost full employment after 1934, Germany became an almost self sufficient nation by producing substitutes to goods.

Who were Hitler's third targets?

Former Rivals - Politicians who had prevented Hitler's ascension to power.

Reactions to the 1933 Geneva conference?

France doubted Hitlers sincerity and believed he was a serious threat to them and the peace in Europe, they refused his demands. Angered by France's actions and the conferences unwillingness to treat Germany as an equal member of the European community, Hitler withdrew from the conference and Germany from the League of Nations.

Why were disarmament talks brought to an end?

France was unwilling to agree with Britain's offers and countries continues to point the finger at Germany.

How did Germans react to war guilt?

Outraged - Germans believed that all great powers were responsible in some way.

When did Hitler invade Poland?

September 1st 1939, Britain and France responded by declaring war - WW11 began.

Key facts of the Night of the Long Knives?

Over 200 people were killed during the purge and thousands more were sent to concentration camps.

What did the 'The Reichstag Fire Decree' suspend in the 1919 German constitution?

The emergency law, written by the Nazis, suspended aspects of the German Constitution in regard to freedom. Put Germany into a state of emergency.

What law did hitler create the day before President Hindenburg's death?

President and Chancellor would be merged into one. Hitler was now head of state, head of the government and supreme commander of the armed forces.

What were the effects of rearmament on the military?

The german army now stood at 550,000 men, conscription was reinforced for all men over 18, 2,500 war planes were unveiled. In 1935 Hitler was spending 8 million Reichmarks on the military up from 1933 - 2.7 million. By 1939 over one million men were in the army

Lebensraum definition?

The territory which a group, state or nation believes is needed for its natural development. Nazi's adopted this worldview.

How did Germans react to disarmament?

They were outraged - Under the 14 point peace plan all countries were meant to disarm. Under the Treaty of Versailles only Germany had to.

Kershaw quote on Hitlers removal of political rivals.

"All would-be opponents could now be absolutely clear that Hitler would stop at nothing to hold onto power"

Georges Clemenceau Quote #1

"America is far away, protected by the ocean. Not even Napoleon himself could touch England. You are both sheltered; we are not....."

Hitlers quote at the 1933 Geneva conference?

"Nobody wishes for peace more than i"

Burleigh quote on hitler taking advantage of Germany.

"Only in a country in the depths of economic crisis could have taken Hitler seriously"

Burleigh quote on the death of the Weimar Republic

"The remnants of the Weimar constitution were for convenience & to foster an impression of continuity and legality"

Sir Ian Kershaw quote on the aftermath of the Reichstag Fire.

"The road to dictatorship was now wide open"

Georges Clemenceau Quote #2

"There are 20 million Germans too many"

David Lloyd George Quote #2

"We propose to demand the whole cost of the war from Germany"

David Lloyd George Quote #1

"We want a peace which will be just, but not vindictive..... Above all, we want to protect the future against a repetition of this war"

Kershaw quote on Article 48.

"With one brief paragraph the personal liberties enshrined in the Weimar Constitution were suspended indefinitely"

Who were Hitler's first targets?

Critics, especially members of the press.

Who is the Prime Minister of Britain and his beliefs?

David Lloyd George, Took the middle ground, Germany must pay for its actions, didn't want to cripple the German economy (wanted to see them return to the European union as a responsible member not a bitter one), wanted reduction of the german navy so Britain remained unchallenged on the seas.

Define The German State?

Declared a 'Democratic State' and Republic, abolishing the previous Monarchy. Divided into 17 states, each with their own government. Universal suffrage granted to all German citizens 20+.

Define The Reichpresident?

Elected every 7 years by popular vote, Head of the German state, Commander in chief of the armed services, Appoints and dismisses the Chancellor, can dissolve the Reichstag and call new elections.

What were Reich-interior Minister Wilhelm Frick, 3 methods of rearmament?

1. Dummy companies 2. Training schools under civilian names to train people in aviation and sailing 3. Money put into existing business that serve to produce goods for military purposes

The three offers from Britain to Germany in regard to rearmament?

1. German army increse to 200,000 2. French army reduction to 200,000 3. Germany allowed airforce half the size of French.

Hitlers 3 central demands at the World Disarmament Conference?

1. Germany have military parity with other western powers. 2. Complete revision of the Treaty of Versailles. 3. Germany be allowed to update its military technology to match other nations.

What 3 things did Hitler promise that Nazi rearmament would do?

1. Tackle the effects of the great depression by increasing jobs across Germany. 2. Increase the military strength of Germany 3. Rebuild Germany's national pride

How long did the 'temporary' suspensions of the the Reichstag Fire Decree last?

12 years until Hitler's death in 1945. Germany was in a permanent state of emergency from 1933 until 1945.

What was non aggression pact with Britain, when and why was it denied?

1934 - Hitler wanted Britain as a friend (same ethnically) Hitler offered Britain, Guarantee of empire, non aggression pact and Naval agreement. Britain was tempted but was not ready to take the offer.

When did Hitler go public with the new army

1935

When did Hitler rejoin The Sudetenland

1938 - Once part of the German empire, now part of Czechoslovakia, a nation created in 1919, 3 million Germans who were a minority. Hitler was determined to rejoin them he claimed they were being 'persecuted by the Czechs'.

When does Hitler become Chancellor?

30th January 1933.

When did hitler introduce his new law, The Enabling Act?

23 March 1933

When was the Reichstag fire?

27th February 1933.

When does President Hindenburg die?

2nd August 1934.

Renouncing the Treaty of Versailles - Key Background

According to Part V of The Treaty Germany had to disarm (allowed an army of 100,000 men, navy of 15,000, 6 battleships, 12 destroyers and 12 torpedo boats). Other restrictions were conscription was abolished, weapon imports and exports were banned, poison gas and tanks were banned and German troops were prohibited from being on the Rhineland.

What happened to Germanys colonies after WW1 and how did germans react?

All colonies Germany had in 1914 were put under a mandate and removed from German rule. Outraged, Only Germany had to give up its overseas empires (France and Britain kept theirs)

What is the League of Nations and what did Germans think of it?

An association of countries that maintained 'peace' around the world. Unhappy - Germans knew LoN was means of forcing them to abide by the terms of the treaty.

What did Disarmament include?

Army reduced to 100,000 men, Conscription is banned, Navy limited to 6 ships and No tanks, heavy artillery, gas weapons, airforce or submarines.

When does hitler become Fuhrer?

August 1934.

How did Austrians change their identity?

Before 1938, Austrians had tended to see themselves as German in every aspect. After the end of the war, Austria created a unique identity, as of 2001 over 90% of Austrians are anti unifications.

Define The Reichchancellor and his Cabinet?

Chancellor appointed by the President from within the Reichstag, needs the support of the majority of the Reichstag. Job is to propose new laws, oversees Ministers, Day to Day running of the State .

When was the night of the long knives carried out by the SS?

From 30 June-2 July 1934,

Why did Hitler carry out the Night of the Long Knives?

Hitler and the Nazi Party now had to tie up all the loose ends that had been created since 1923 (They had made many enemies over the years)

Second consequence of the Reichstag fire (underlying)?

Hitler had President Hindenburg use Article 48 to pass the Reichstag Fire Decree a day after the fire (Hindenburg had been shaken by the fire and was easily persuaded)

Who is the Prime minister of France and his beliefs?

Georges Clemenceau - Realist, nicknamed the Tiger, wanted revenge for France (for the destruction caused by the Germans in WW1 and humiliating defeat in the Franco-Prussian War 1871), also believed in 'never again' (but he interpreted as making the german military weak so they couldn't attack France or anyone else again)

What is part 2 of Renouncing the Treaty of Versailles?

German Unification.

Reparations and the German reaction?

Germans has to pay full cost of the war. Outraged - Germans felt they were being forced to sign a 'blank cheque'.

How did Germans react to disarmament and why?

Germans hated disarmament - Militarism was a part of German tradition, Germans considered themselves to be a strong nation with a prideful military force, without an army germans felt weak and defenceless. Since 1920 Hitler had been very vocal about how bad disarmament would be for Germany, Hitler and the Nazi party promised to rebuild Germanys national pride - This would mean rearmament.

What was a Weaknesses of the assurance of true freedom?

Germany becoming democratic did not guarantee that democracy would work. This part of the constitution gave all citizens undeniable freedoms by law and opponents of democracy almost unlimited freedom to express their opposition to it (Communists and Nazi's)

How much land did Germany loose because of the treaty and how did they react

Germany lost 13% of its land and 7 million people. Outraged - Germans were now part of other 'inferior nations'.

What is Article 48?

Gives the Reichpresident capacity to rile by decree in emergencies

Example of Hitlers Old Enemies and what happened to him?

Gustav Ritter von Kahr had insured Hitler was sent to prison. Von Kahr was taken into the woods near Munich and hacked to death with pickaxes.

When did Hitler send troops to The Rhineland?

Hitler sent 32,000 troops in 1936. The Rhineland was always German they just were prohibited military forces there (Treaty of V). Britain and France ignored this stating that "Germany was walking into its own backyard" and believed it was nothing to go to war over.

How did Hitler create Anschluss (union with Austria) in 1938?

Hitler was unable to unify them in 1934 prevented by Benito Mussolini. But in 1936 they became friends and nothing could get in his way. Hitler ordered the Austrian Nazi Party to make trouble in Austrian cities it worked and made the Austrian government look like they were unable to maintain law and order. Austria not in a good way, economically weak after the dissolution if the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1919.

What is Anschluss and how did Germans react to its ban?

No unification with Austria (Preventing a strong German speaking nation) Unhappy - Germany wanted the right to make agreements and treaties with whomever they wanted.

How did Hitler play his attack on the communists so well?

He did not ban the German Communist Party from the Reichstag or the elections voters who would normally vote for the communists would instead vote for the Social Democrats this split the left wing vote.

Example of Hitlers Former Rivals and what happened to him?

Heinrich Brüning was also ordered to be arrested by the Gestapo - he was tipped off and he fled Germany. He settled in the USA where he became a critic of Hitler and warned of his plans for war

What was Hitlers opinion on the Treaty of Versailles?

Hitler (like many Germans) was angered at this loss of land to other nations that were considered weak and inferior by him and Germany. Germans living in those places he called "prisoners and minorities in their own lands". He believed all German speaking people must be united in a single land.

What happened during and after the Munich Agreement?

In return for the Sudetenland Hitler promised to halt further expansion into Czechoslovakia. Later on the Munich agreement was completely disregarded by the Germans (Hitler annexed the rest of Czechoslovakia). By 1939 Hitler had added more land and some 15 million people to Germany.

Short term cause of Hitler becoming chancellor?

Instability of the Weimar Republic

What were the Weaknesses of Proportional Representation?

It allowed for the formation of many splinter parties. Since Germany had many small political parties and a few large ones it made it hard to maintain strong governments, it was basically impossible for one party to rule alone so coalitions were needed. Since 1870 Germany had two major political parties by 1919 they were unwilling to compromise on their policies.

What was The Polish Pact, when and why was it proposed?

January 1934 - Non aggression pact, reasons for it were it upset France who had an alliance with Poland it also bought time and created a false sense of security.

When was the night of the long Knives?

June 1934.

Define the Reichstrat?

Less important organ (Upper House), made up from 17 State representatives. Power to initiate, delay or veto laws.

Define the Reichstag?

Main organ of government (effectively an Lower House). Members elected from various political parties every 4 years. Proportional representation (60,000 votes = Seat). Voted on laws presented by the Chancellor.

When did Austria become a province of Germany?

March 13th 1938. On April 10th a scheduled election took place 99% were in favour of Anschluss.

Who was charged for 'The Reichstag fire' ?

Marinus Van Der Lubbe

What was the Demilitarisation of the Rhineland and what was the German reaction?

Military resources must be repositioned to the east bank of the Rhine river. Germans were Unhappy, The right of Germany's freedom with borders had been taken away.

Who were Hitler's second targets?

Old Enemies.

Example of Hitlers critic targets and what happened to him?

One journalist was Fritz Gerlich who had been writing critical articles about Hitler and the Nazi Party since the parties formation. He was sent to Dachau Concentration Camp in 1934.

What is part 1 of Renouncing the Treaty of Versailles?

Rearmament

Long term consequence of Hitler becoming chancellor?

Renouncing the Treaty of Versailles

Define The Supreme Court?

Settles different interpretations of laws created by the Reichstag under the guidelines set out by the constitution.

What did Rearmament during the Weimar Republic include?

Since 1920, they been secretly rebuilding the German military in violation of the treaty of Versailles. This period of rearmament was not just to help rebuild the economy & help the industrialist but to prepare Germany for its eventual return to global power. An example of this was the training and equipping of the German police int a paramilitary force (reserve army).

Short term consequence of Hitler becoming chancellor?

Solidification of Power

Effects of the night of the long knives?

The German Army, who had feared the SA, pledged their support for Hitler. The SA was neutralised and became little more then flag bearers at parades.

What and when was The Saar Plebiscite?

The Saarland was an important coal producing region of the Rhineland. In 1935, Saarlanders were given the chance to vote on wether to return to Germany, join France or remain under LoN control. 90% voted to rejoin Germany.

Long term cause of Hitler becoming chancellor?

The Treaty of Versailles

First consequence of the Reichstag fire (immediate)?

The Unleashing of Hell - Hitler now had the perfect excuse to unleash hell on the Communists, Hitler used propaganda to turn Germans against 'the Red menace', He used the theme that the fire was apart of the massive communist conspiracy to bring down the state. Communist books newspapers and pamphlets were banned. Within a day of the fire, 4000 communists had been arrested including members of the German Communist Party.

What was the historical impact of Anschluss?

The Victim theory - After 1945 Austria adopted a victim mentality. This mentality allowed Austria to escape much of the de-Nazification - Austria has been highly criticised for lazy attempts to track down Nazi war criminals.

What were the Weaknesses of Traditional German Institutions?

The constitutions didn't restrain the power of Germanys traditional systems like The civil service, armed forces, university ect. Germany created a democracy but those who opposed it had power and influence (pillars of old Germany). Traditionalists blamed Germany's problems on democracy - Loyalty to the fatherland required disloyalty to the republic.

What were the Weaknesses of the role of the President?

Under the constitution the president had large powers as head of state (complete commander of armed forces, appoint and dismiss chancellor, dissolve Reichstag). and gave him authority to overrule the system.

What is Article 232 of the Treaty of Versailles?

War Guilt

Define The Bill of Rights?

Was added to the constitution. Outlined broad freedom like Liberty, Speech, equality, freedom, religion and banned censorship.

Who is the President of the USA and his beliefs?

Woodrow Wilson - Idealist, wanted peace with no winners or losers using 14 point peace plan, believes in the idea of 'never again' meaning no war of the scale of WW1. Created the League of Nations, which purpose was to discuss peaceful ways to avoid future war