Political ideas Belief Position on Democracy

Examples in Germany

Leaders

Communism

All in society should be treated equally

Don’t believe in it – want a worker’s revolution!

Spartacists

Luxemburg & Liebknecht

Socialism All in society should be treated fairly

Yes! Elections, equality and free speech all encouraged.

Social Democrats

Friedrich Ebert

Fascism The social order must be preserved as it is

Don’t believe in it – will use military force instead.

The Nazi Party

Adolf Hitler

The Political Spectrum – Germany in 1919

What is this? What is this? Write down your ideas in your book. Clue- this is one

of the most important documents of the 20th Century!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Which groups do you think

would be attracted by the different titles?

Hitler emerging from a Nazi Party meeting.

1919, Hitler joined German Workers’ Party1921, Hitler became leader & changed name to National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazis)SA (Sturm Abteilung) to protect Nazi meetings & attack opponents25 Point Programme1922, 3,000 members

The manifesto in detail1.We want all Germans to live in a "Greater

Germany”.2.We want Germany to be treated the same

as other nations, and we want the peace treaties of Versailles and Saint-Germain to be cancelled.

3.We want land and territory (colonies) to feed our people and to settle our surplus population.

4.Only Germans may be citizens of the Germany. Only those of the German races may be members of the nation, their religion does not matter. No Jew may be a citizens.

The manifesto in detail1.We want all Germans to live in a "Greater

Germany”.2.We want Germany to be treated the same

as other nations, and we want the peace treaties of Versailles and Saint-Germain to be cancelled.

3.We want land and territory (colonies) to feed our people and to settle our surplus population.

4.Only Germans may be citizens of the Germany. Only those of the German races may be members of the nation, their religion does not matter. No Jew may be a citizens.

Munich Putsch Overview:

Hitler used his private army to try and seize power. On the 8th November 1923 Hitler, General Lunndendorf (a German war hero) and a number of his SA marched into a meeting in Munich’s Burgerbrau (beer hall) and declared a ‘National Revolution’.

Few people supported Hitler and the government in Berlin sent the army to put down the putsch.

When the government troops confronted the SA shots were fired and 16 SA members were killed.

Hitler escaped but was wounded.

The coup was badly organised and had little chance of success.

Hitler was arrested and put on trial for treason.

Key Point: After the Beer Hall Putsch Hitler concludes that he will have to win win power

rather than seize it!

Hitler knew how to whip up those crowds jammed closely in a dense cloud of cigarette smoke- not by argument but by his manner: the roaring and screeching and especially the power of his repetitions delivered in a certain infectious rythmn….….He would draw up a list of existing evils and imagionary abuses and after listing them, in higher and higher crescendo, he screamed ‘and whose fault is it? It is all….the….fault…of the Jews!’The beer mugs would swiftly take up the beat, crashing down on the wooden tables.C Zuckmeyer, A Portrait of myself

Hitler knew how to whip up those crowds jammed closely in a dense cloud of cigarette smoke- not by argument but by his manner: the roaring and screeching and especially the power of his repetitions delivered in a certain infectious rythmn….….He would draw up a list of existing evils and imagionary abuses and after listing them, in higher and higher crescendo, he screamed ‘and whose fault is it? It is all….the….fault…of the Jews!’The beer mugs would swiftly take up the beat, crashing down on the wooden tables.C Zuckmeyer, A Portrait of myself

Hitler’s Oratory skills

Why did Hitler have support in Munich in 1923?

Hitler put on trial – defends his case and achieves national fame Nazis become 3rd largest party in Bavaria (Judge is a known right-wing sympathiser) Hitler given 5 years and serves only 9 months Ludendorff let off as he was after Kapp Putsch Hitler kept in good conditions at Landsberg Whilst there he dictates Mein Kampf

Munich Putsch

consequences

When I resume active work, it will be necessary to pursue a new policy. Instead of working to achieve power by an armed coup, we will have to hold our noses and enter the Reichstag against Catholic and Communist members. If outvoting them takes longer than out shooting them, at least the result will be guaranteed by their own constitution. Sooner or later we shall have a majority and after that- Germany.Adolf Hitler in conversation with Kurt Ludeke.

Against idea of democracy - looked on as weak. Desire for a

strong leader

Determination to overthrow humiliating terms of Treaty of Versailles

Blamed Weimar’s ‘left-ish’ politicians for Germany’s humiliating surrender.

Create a ‘Greater Germany’ ~ to unite all German-speaking peoples into one Germanic state, even if not part of Germany before.

Blame Jews for all of Germany’s problems.

Create a fear against Communism – smash the USSR, destroy communism.

‘Lebensraum’ ~ create ‘Living Space’ in Eastern Europe.

Belief that ‘Aryanism’ is the highest spiritual reward

Nazis & Elections:Nazis & Elections:

Label the posters aimed at the

unemployed; factory workers; families What did the Nazis promise workers? What did the Nazis promise factory owners and industrialists?

‘brot und arbeit’

Why did Germans vote for the Nazis?

Populist policies and rhetoric were

employed to discredit opponents and develop

support.

Military uniforms demonstrated strength

at a time when the government was weak.

References to

traditional values and reminders of ‘Who was to blame’ for the economic crisis

built support.

Use of force against

communists and Trade unionists

was popular with businesses

Once we have power, we shall never again give it up, unless we are carried out as corpses.

Joseph Goebbels, diary entry Aug 1933

What can we learn from this source about the Nazis thoughts about elections and democracy?

What can we learn from this source about the Nazis thoughts about elections and democracy?

Heinrich Brüning Hermann Mueller

The Chancellors

(1930-32)

The Chancellors

(1930-32)Kurt von Schleicher

Franz von Papen

What can we learn from this source about Hindenburg’s thoughts about Hitler becoming Chancellor?

What can we learn from this source about Hindenburg’s thoughts about Hitler becoming Chancellor?

President Hindenburg

“This Bohemian corporal wants to become Reich Chancellor? Never! At most he can be my Postmaster General. Then he can lick my arse on the stamps.”President Hindenburg

“This Bohemian corporal wants to become Reich Chancellor? Never! At most he can be my Postmaster General. Then he can lick my arse on the stamps.”President Hindenburg

No danger at all. We’ve

hired him for our act.

Franz von Papen, 30th January

1933.

What can we learn from this source about Von Papen’s thoughts about Hitler becoming Chancellor?

What can we learn from this source about Von Papen’s thoughts about Hitler becoming Chancellor?

Consolidating Power:Consolidating Power:

On 27th February the

Reichstag caught fire. When they police arrived they found

Marinus van der Lubbe on the premises.

On 27th February the

Reichstag caught fire. When they police arrived they found

Marinus van der Lubbe on the premises.

What happened?

I can only repeat that I set fire to the Reichstag all by myself. There is nothing complicated about this fire. It has quite a simple explanation. What was made of it may be complicated, but the fire itself was very simple.Marius van der Lubbe, statement at his trial (23rd November, 1933)

Why might this paper be biased?

What do you think the cartoonist is trying to say in this picture?

To think about:

‘The election will certainly be the last for the next ten years. It will probably be the last for the next hundred years.’Herman Goering (a leading Nazi), speaking to a group of bankers and business men in March 1933. They donated DM 3 million to the Nazis for the election.

The SA began to demand more from Hitler.

Rohm was getting too ambitious, he wanted the SA to take control of the Army.

Many ordinary Germans disliked the SA and viewed them as violent thugs.

Hitler knew he had to have the support of the army if he was ever to be President.

INPUT:

Hitler can't walk over me as he might have done a year ago; I've seen to that. Don't forget that I have three million men, with every key position in the hands of my own people, Hitler knows that I have friends in the Reichswehr, you know! If Hitler is reasonable I shall settle the matter quietly; if he isn't I must be prepared to use force - not for my sake but for the sake of our revolution. Comments made by Ernst Roehm to Kurt Ludecke (January, 1934)

Hitler Goebbels Goering the SA

Rohm The armySwastika

Hitler Goebbels Goering the SA

Rohm The armySwastika

Night of the Long Knives:

30th June 1934

Night of the Long Knives:

30th June 1934

What can YOU learn from this?What can YOU learn from this?

I gave the order to shoot those most guilty of this treason and I further gave the order to burn out down to the raw flesh the ulcers of our internal well poisoning. If anyone asks why I did not resort to the regular courts of justice for conviction of the offenders, then all I can say is this: in this hour I was responsible for the fate of the German people, and thereby I became the supreme judge of the German people.

Adolf Hitler, July 1934

I gave the order to shoot those most guilty of this treason and I further gave the order to burn out down to the raw flesh the ulcers of our internal well poisoning. If anyone asks why I did not resort to the regular courts of justice for conviction of the offenders, then all I can say is this: in this hour I was responsible for the fate of the German people, and thereby I became the supreme judge of the German people.

Adolf Hitler, July 1934

Nazi Control:Nazi Control:

Hitler becomes supreme leader.

In August 1934 president Hindenburg died. Hitler became both Chancellor and president and gave himself the title Fuhrer, which means supreme leader.

Every member of the armed forces had to swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler.

Two weeks after the death of Hindenburg, 90% of German people approved of Hitler.

Terror is the best political weapon for nothing drives people harder than a fear of sudden death.

Music FEAR

Heinrich Himmler

Obsessed with racism

Head of the Gestapo after 1936

SS leader

Set up the first concentration camp at Dachau in 1933

Responsible for much of the Holocaust

How did the Nazis’ establish a POLICE state?

The SS

The Courts

Concentration Camps

The Gestapo

How did the How did the Terror State Terror State

Work?Work?Gestapo Spies inform on you

When you are released you tell everybody what has happened to

you

You are imprisoned for up to six months doing hard physical labour.

You are handed over to the SS who run the concentration camps.

By signing this form you are giving your consent to be put into a concentration camp

Days or maybe weeks later you are interviewed and asked to sign form D11

You are arrested and thrown into a cell at the police station

You are woken up by the Gestapo at 1 am in the morning and told that you have 5 minutes to pack your bags.

FEAR

Nazi Social Policies:Nazi Social Policies:

Baldur von Schirach, head of the Hitler Youth, wrote a prayer that had to be said by school children before meals.

Baldur von Schirach, head of the Hitler Youth, wrote a prayer that had to be said by school children before meals.

Fuehrer, my Fuehrer given me by God, Protect and preserve my life for long.

You rescued Germany from its deepest need. I thank you for my daily bread.

Stay for a long time with me, leave me not. Fuehrer, my Fuehrer, my faith, my light

Hail my Fuehrer.

Fuehrer, my Fuehrer given me by God, Protect and preserve my life for long.

You rescued Germany from its deepest need. I thank you for my daily bread.

Stay for a long time with me, leave me not. Fuehrer, my Fuehrer, my faith, my light

Hail my Fuehrer.

“The National Socialist state demands that teachers teach German children about the racial question. For the German people, the racial question is the Jewish question.”Fritz Frink, pamphlet for teachers, 1937

Hitler Youth had been created in the 1920's. By 1933 its membership stood at 100,000. After Hitler came to power, all other youth movements were abolished and as a result the Hitler Youth grew quickly. In 1936, the figure stood at 4 million members. In 1936, it became all but compulsory to join the Hitler Youth. Youths could avoid doing any active service if they paid their subscription but this became all but impossible after 1939. 

Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth)

Girls, at the age of 10, joined the

Jungmadelbund (League of Young Girls) and at the age of 14 transferred to the

Bund Deutscher Madel (League of German Girls). Girls had to be able to run 60 metres in 14 seconds, throw a ball 12 metres, complete a 2 hour march, swim 100 metres and know how to make a bed.

Girls, at the age of 10, joined the

Jungmadelbund (League of Young Girls) and at the age of 14 transferred to the

Bund Deutscher Madel (League of German Girls). Girls had to be able to run 60 metres in 14 seconds, throw a ball 12 metres, complete a 2 hour march, swim 100 metres and know how to make a bed.

"Every girl belongs to us"

Gir

ls In

Nazi

G

erm

an

y

J R Tunus wrote about the activities of the Hitler Jugend. He stated that part of their "military

athletics" (Wehrsport) included marching, bayonet drill, grenade throwing, trench digging, map reading, gas defence, use of dugouts, how to get under barbed wire and pistol shooting.

School teachers complained that boys and girls were so tired from attending evening meetings of the Hitler Youth, that they could barely stay awake the next day at school. Also by 1938, attendance at Hitler Youth meetings was so poor - barely 25% - that the authorities decided to tighten up attendance with the 1939 law making attendance compulsory.