Hitler’s rise & consolidation of power revision http://ibhistory.weebly.com/nazi-germany.html Hitler and Stalin things in common - Both ruthless, opportunistic, tactically flexible - Both underestimated - Boh had to win over their own parties first Hitler - Born in Austria Beaten by father Had sizeable fortune Incredible memory (like Stalin) No link to anti Semitism Shy misfit State of the country prior to WW1 Germany before WW1 - Prior to 1871 made up of a lot of small states (cluster of 25 german-speaking states) - Unified in 1871 - Franco-Prussian war victors - Very capitalist - Imperialist - Industrial - Embryonic - Foreign policy: Bismarck chancellor under Wilhelm I - friends w everyone - Wilhelm II has an aggressive foreign policy (came to power in 1890) Germany on the eve of WW1 Political system (Kaiser, Chancellor, the Reichstag - what were the powers and functions of each) - Prussia’s victory over France in 1871 precipitated unification and the creation of Imperial Germany under Wilhelm - Kaiser: (Emperor) head of army & state Wilhelm I from 1871-88, Friedrich III during 1888, Wilhem II from 1888 to 1918 - Imperial Germany was technologically and industrially advanced, with some progressive social policies – however, it was also strongly shaped by militarism, nationalism and government authoritarianism - Pre WWI: an imperial court co-existing with a weak and deeply conservative legislature, in which the Bundesrat (federal council) exerted more influence than the Reichstag. - A one-party state, which had abolished political parties and trade unions, and only had to fear the complaints of the church, which it also duly suppressed. - Before and during most of WWI Germany was an imperial monarchy but also with a parliament, called the Reichstag. - Although the Reichstag had some influence real power resided with the monarch, Kaiser Wilhelm II. - When it became obvious that the war was lost in 1918 the Kaiser was forced to abdicate under pressure by the German high command. - He went into exile to avoid prosecution as a war criminal by the victorious allies. Political parties - Conservatives (traditional, nationalists, authoritarian) - Free conservatives (commercial, industry, wealthy) stood for same as conservatives - National liberals (industrial middle classes) - Liberal progressives (middle classes) in favour of parliamentary gov. - Centre party (Catholic, middle and low classes, anti-Prussian and anti socialists) - SDP (social democrats, Marxists) Economic growth - The economic powerhouse of Europe by 1914 - Technological revolution - Steel, engineering, chemicals - Spin-off industries in energy, electricity, petroleum - Oil-based engines, siemens (electricity), pharmaceutical - Massive urbanization Pressure groups as a result - Nationalists (colonial interests) - Pan-German (German influence in Europe) - Navy (campaign to promote navy) - Economic (industrialists and Agricultures) Rise - Hitler influenced by a cult/secret group - Known to be very racist and anti-semitic - Believed in the Teuton people who had psychic powers - Germanic origin - Became base for the myth of Arian people - The group becomes politically active after the WW1 defeat - Set up the DAP (German Workers Party) - Hitler was a government spy and was tasked to observe them - Takes party over very quickly - Members of the party see him as very inspiring - Goering was in the party and later becomes a member of the Reichstag - Rudolf Hess - Heinrich Himmler - Alfred Rosenberg - Dietrich Eckart - Hess and Eckart quickly came to believe Hitler was the long-awaited saviour - The patronage of the Thule Soc. aided Hitler greatly Dietrich Eckart - Supported Hitler massively - Influential poet/playwright - Extreme right views - Spotted Hitler’s oratory gift and started to work to refine him - As Hitler embarked on aggressive propaganda drive (first responsibility in the party) Thule society was abandoned in favour of the Nationalist Socialist movement Both worked to develop party together - Changed its name and gave it a 21 point program - Grandmaster of the party (Sebottendorff) owned the Eher publishing house which Hitler later bought, turning the newspaper into the Nationalist Observer, became a major weapon in nazi propaganda 1932 Nazi party struggling - A community of Interest of Dyestuff Industry incl. - Group of 25 leading industrialists who helped Hitler financially - In return, Hitler promised he would abolish trade unions and establish free trade - Historians believe this is significant to his rise - Danger of seeking for profit getting entwined with Nazism Political turmoil between 1928 and 1933 - Richard Evans says WSC of 1929 broke down societies globally - Hitler campaigning against Young’s plan at that point - Using it as another argument against current politicians - Grand coalition breaks down which allows extremist parties to have a chance - Left want to introduce more welfare to help people through crisis - Right wanted cutbacks - Hindenburg appoints conservative Bruning - Used article 48 to rule - Makes conditions worse Article 48: Reichstag is bypassed, no democracy Politics oversaw by a tight circle around Hindenburg July 1932 Nazis have 32% and 230 seats, commies only 89 seats Streets are a jungle November 1932 decline in Nazi vote and increase in communist vote Nazi still the largest party in Reichstag Historian views - - - Wehler: structuralist approach, suggested how the system, largely authoritarian, in place in the 1900s was the main cause that facilitated and enabled Hitler’s rise, and that said system was exploitable due to its deeply rooted deficiencies. He says it normalized an authoritarian Germany before Hitler came into play. Broszat & Mommsen: structuralist approach, why was Hitler able to build such an outstanding power base? They didn’t deny Hitler’s importance, but considered that the main factor is the people: studied “ordinary” Germans, studied 3rd Reich from bottom up. Some historians argue that Nazism is a result of capitalism, and used it as an argument to support communism. Main structuralist historians to quote - William Shirer - Ian Kershaw Hitler Consolidation of Power 1933-34 - Reichstag fire ● Accused communists ● Leads to emergency powers - March 5 General Election, gets more seats (still no majority) - Enabling act March 1933 - To gain the vote he threatens people, bans communists from vote, and does many side deals including with the catholic church - 440 votes for, 90 against - Only party that tries to stand against him is social democratic party, but to no consequence - SPD Wels criticized enabling act - Emergency decree: possible to restrict all basic civil rights and freedoms - Articles 114, 115, 117, 118, 123, 124 and 153 of the constitution of German Reich - No need for parliament to pass laws (article 1) - Suspends constitution (article 2) - Reich Cabinet has all the power to create laws, and it is controlled by chancellor (article 3) - suspended until further notice - Reforms ● Political parties banned ● Trade unions banned ● Local gov reformed ● Law courts reformed - Hindenburg dies, Hitler combines role of chancellor and president, becomes dictator - Night of the long knives 1934 ● 85 killed - Oath of allegiance (like kaisers) Goebbels - “Shape and mold the people until they become our slaves” - Created a machinery of indoctrination - Controlled the press - Banned undesirable newspapers - Daily press conference where he told writers what to write in tomorrow’s newspaper - Radio systematically promoted - Radio was nicknamed Goebbels gob - Promoted cult around pop stars - Surprised by how fast Hitler gained power through enabling act Jan 34 - State parliaments are abolished May 33 - Trade union leaders arrested June 33 - SDP banned April 33 - HItler creates gestapo - Local gov reorganized (Gaus set up) April 34 - People's court set up
