Germany After WWI

- To understand why WWII broke out and why the people turned to a Nazi regime, we have to understand the conditions in Germany

1. The Treaty of Versailles-Countries like France and England wanted to ensure that Germany would be so weak that they would never be able to wage another war

-Woodrow Wilson believed the defeated countries should be treated with justice and honour to avoid a war of revenge in the future

-They considered the loss of colonies, territory and reparation payments unjust

-War Guilt clause was a stain on German honour

THE PEOPLE OF GERMANY FELT HUMILIATED!!!!!

“VENGEANCE… today in Versailles the disgraceful Treaty is being signed. Do not forget it! The German people will, with unceasing labour, press forward to reconquer the place among the nations to which we were entitled! Then shall come vengeance for the shame of 1919!” –German Newspaper

2. Economic Problems-Germany had borrowed large sums of money to finance the war…led to dept

-To pay off the dept, the German government started printing off more money

-The rapid printing of money was not supported by real economic value… this caused service inflation and prices went up

-In 1922 it cost 300 marks to buyOne American dollar. By 1923 itCost 50,000

-It took a shopping bag full of money to pay fare on a streetcar

3. Depression and Unemployment-As soon as the Germany economy started recovering from inflation, the Depression hit

-After the crash of the stock market, Americans could no longer afford to buy German goods

- Many German businesses went bankrupt and people lost jobs

-People lived in severe poverty

-Hitler saw his chance… the Germans were bitter aboutInflation and economic trouble

“Believe me, our misery will increase! The government itself is the biggest swindler and crook. People are starving on millions of marks! We will no longer submit! We want a dictatorship!”

4. Political Instability-After WWI Germany had more than a dozen political parties

-No party was strong enough to undertake rebuilding a war-torn country

-There were 3 main parties: Communists, Social Democrats and National Socialist (NAZI)

Communists Social Democrats

National Socialists

(NAZI)Beliefs -Government

should be run by the councils of workers- industry and agriculture should be government owned and run-The power of the military should be reduced-Workers should be powerful and protected

-Government should be run by elected representative from all parties-A few key industries should be owned by the government-The Treaty of Versailles should be honoured-The Constitution must guarantee the rights of minority groups and workers

-Government should be run by the army and the wealthy-Industry should continue to be privately owned-Increased military power-Democratic government should be outlawed-Activities of Jews and foreigners should be restricted

Supporters Factory and agriculture workers , pacifists and some intellectuals (teachers, professors)

Some workers, professionals, Roman Catholics, some business people

Army, unemployed, big business, farmers, aristocrats