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World War II:
Rise of Totalitarian Rule in
Europe
Ms. Humes
8th Period – Contemporary American History
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What were the problems faced by
the Weimar Republic?

After WW1, Germany became a democracy, called the
Weimar Republic. German leaders drafted the constitution in
the city of Weimar in 1919.

Weimar Republic faced significant economic trouble and
uncontrollable inflation.

Political leaders and the German people were angry over the
Treaty of Versailles, specifically because of the reparations.


Reparations: paying money as a way of making amends for
wrong-doing.
Within Germany, internal disunity among the people.
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Weimar Republic – An Economic
Nightmare

According to the Treaty of Versailles (1919), Weimar Republic
and its allies owed United Kingdom/France/Italy/United
States reparations for “damages” that occurred during World
War I.

Weimar Republic fell behind on raparations payments
because Germans were using passive resistance as a form of
protest; they refused to work in French-occupied, coal-rich
Ruhr Valley.

The Weimar Republic government printed large amounts of
money, which led to inflation and the Mark to lose its value.

For example, if something cost 100 marks in July 1922, by August
1923 it cost 944,000 marks. Also, salaries rose by billions of
marks!
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Flag of the Weimar Republic
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Why was the Weimar Republic weak?
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Germany had several small
parties with different political
agendas that were trying to
emerge in the new democracy.

Democratic socialists that ruled
came under intense scrutiny
from both political sides
(Communists & Conservatives)

Some people blamed German
Jews for the economic and
political problems.
 Scapegoats: A person who is
blamed for wrongdoings,
mistakes, or faults of others

Picture from Weimar Republic
“Blaming Jews”
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Who could possibly solve all of
Germany’s problems?

An energetic and charismatic
leader who promised to solve
the economic crisis and
restore Germany to its former
political greatness.
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How did the Nazi’s rise to power?
Causes
Effects
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Shattered German economy
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Widespread unemployment,
homelessness, hunger
Nazi party recognized as a
powerful force

Hitler appointed chancellor of
Germany
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TOTALITARIAN REGIME!

Fall of democracy
+ How could you describe the Nazi Party’s
political, social, economic, and cultural
policies?

Political:
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Social:
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Nazi’s felt that the Jews were the greatest enemies to the Aryans (light-skinned Europeans).
Hitler and the Nazi’s believe that the Aryans were the best group.
 Jews were defined as a separate race, not separate religion.
 Jews were defined as anyone with a Jewish grandparent.
Economic:
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Nazi Party were extreme nationalists that wanted a supreme ruler who would exude power.
Nazi’s also attacked the beliefs of Communists and Socialists.
 Führer – German word for Leader
 Nationalism – patriotic feeling, principles, or efforts (an extreme form)
Hitler put people to work to combat the Great Depression by domestic development
(building highways and housing and replanting forests).
Cultural:
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State-controlled the educational system and press. Both praised Hitler’s accomplishments
and tried to indoctrinate young Germans.
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Propaganda
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Title: “Jugend dient dem
Führer.”

Translation:
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“Youth serves the
Leader”
Propaganda:
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Information, especially of a
biased or misleading nature,
used to promote or
publicize a particular
political cause or point of
view.
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Why did the rise of totalitarian rule
in Eastern Europe take shape in
the
1920s
and
1930s?
 Small countries whose rural, agricultural economies lacked
capital ($$) to industrialize.

Social and economic inequalities separated poor peasants
from wealthy landlords; great economic disparities
developed between the small upper class and the majority
lower class.

People didn’t have political experience with the democratic
process.
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Countries were hit hard by the global depressions; tensions
from WWI hindered economic cooperation between
countries.