Nazism and Rise of Hitler - Long Answer Questions
The leader of the Nazi Party and dictator of Germany (1933-1945). His policies led to WWII and the Holocaust.
The harsh peace treaty signed after WWI. Germany was blamed for the war, lost territory, army limited, and had to pay huge reparations (£6 billion). It humilated Germany.
The democratic government set up in Germany after WWI. It was weak and unpopular because it signed the humiliating Treaty of Versailles.
A situation where prices rise phenomenally high. In 1923, Germany printed too much money, and the Mark became worthless (people carried cartloads of money to buy bread).
In Feb 1933, the German Parliament building was burnt. Hitler blamed communists and used the Fire Decree to suspend civic rights.
The law that established dictatorship in Germany. It gave Hitler all powers to sideline Parliament and rule by decree.
The state-sponsored systematic murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazi regime. Also Gypsies, disabled, and others were killed.
Living Space. Hitler believed Germany needed more territory (especially in the East/Russia) to settle Germans.
A pact signed in 1940 between Germany, Italy, and Japan (Axis Powers).
According to Nazi ideology, they were the master race (blond hair, blue eyes) at the top. Jews were at the bottom.
Nazi organization for boys to indoctrinate them with Nazi ideology (war, aggression, hatred for Jews).
The German army was defeated by the Soviet Red Army. It was the turning point of WWII.
Prisons where people were detained without due process of law. Often death camps with gas chambers.
The Nazi plan to exterminate all Jews.
He committed suicide in his bunker in Berlin in April 1945 as allied forces closed in.
Hitler's Propaganda Minister.
Specific type of message aimed at influencing the opinion of people (posters, films, speeches). Nazis were masters of it.
A plan by USA to bail out Germany from the economic crisis (1924).
The crash of the US stock exchange. It started the Great Depression, which hit Germany hard and helped Hitler rise.
He was a powerful speaker. He promised to undo Versailles, restore dignity, and provide jobs.
Nazism and Rise of Hitler - Important Facts
First World War: 1914-1918.
Germany fought with Austria-Hungary.
Allies: England, France, Russia (later US).
Kaiser William II abdicated.
Weimar Republic had Article 48 (Presidential Rule).
Proportional Representation was a defect.
Nazism is National Socialism.
Hitler wrote 'Mein Kampf'.
Nazi salute and Swastika were symbols.
Red banners were used.
Hitler became Chancellor on 30 Jan 1933.
Fire Decree suspended rights.
Communists were sent to camps.
Night of Broken Glass (Kristallnacht).
Hjalmar Schacht was the economist.
Volkswagen (People's Car) introduced.
Germany reoccupied Rhineland in 1936.
Germany annexed Austria in 1938 (Anschluss).
Germany invaded Poland on 1 Sep 1939 (Start of WWII).
USA entered war after Pearl Harbor (1941).
Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima/Nagasaki (1945).
Nuremberg Tribunal tried Nazis.
Crimes Against Humanity.
Jews were stereotyped as usurers/killers of Christ.
Ghettos were segregated areas.
Gas chambers looked like showers.
Shoes meant sorting victims.
Charlotte Beradt wrote 'Third Reich of Dreams'.
Pastor Niemoeller wrote 'First they came for...'.
Jungvolk involved children below 14.
Motherhood was glorified (Cross of Honour).
Media was manipulated.
Eternal Jew (Film) spread hatred.
Ordinary Germans were often passive.
Mahatma Gandhi wrote to Hitler.
Genocidal war caused mass death.
Gypsies (Roma/Sinti) were targeted.
Blacks were persecuted.
Euthanasia programme killed disabled.
SS (Protection Squads) wore black uniforms.
Gestapo was secret state police.
Police state creates fear.
Democracy is fragile.
Economic crisis fuels extremism.
Dictatorship destroys freedom.
Nazism and Rise of Hitler - Important Dates/Terms
WWI Ends
Treaty of Versailles
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Germany invades Poland
Germany invades USSR
WWII Ends