"What factors contibuted to the rise of Hiter and the Nazis?" - need help with history essay

[removeduser_4536284751384]

I have to write an 800-1,000 word essay for tommorow entitled "What factors contibuted to the rise of Hitler and the Nazis?". Unfortunately, being hte idiot that I am, I forgot to bring home my history textbook and folder.

So what paragraphs should I be including? Here are a few I can remember:

1. The "November criminals" were claimed to have stabbed the army in the back when signing the treaty of Versailles, which was very harsh on Germany.
2. Economic difficulties - wall street crash etc.
3. Weak government that faced a number of armed rebellions

what else?

[-Albrecht der Bär-]

Germans was depresssed for the loss of WWI and resignation of kaiser and Der Führer promised bring Glory back to Germany??? Dunno Just suggesting something

[Poach]

Right...

Versailles and the loss of the First World War: Germany felt humiliated and weak, people were angry with Versailles and angry that Germany had to cripple herself both militarily and economically to repay the Allies.

Weimar Government: Widely seen as unpopular and ineffective, while not exactly their fault they were presiding over a country and economy in chaos.

Economic ruin: The country was in deep, deep recession made worse by Allied repayments.

Militarily weak: The German Military was severely restricted by the Treaty of Versailles, allowed an Army of a mere 100,000 men. Further to this, France had allied herself to powers surrounding Germany, Germany felt cut-off and exposed.

Hitler: The single most important factor in the Nazi party's rise is Hitler himself. He had a medal, was a veteran of the war. Further to this, he was a speaker of legendary skill, able to captivate crowds. He used all of the above in his speeches to great effect, and gathered much support amongst many. The Army liked him because he promised a return of their might, the Business Elite liked him because he promised them better Business laws, and the People liked him because he promised to return Germany to her former glory, to give them jobs and to end the Depression.

[daniu]

From what I remember, the voting system was structured in a way that your political party got a number of seats depending on the percentage of votes you got, without a lower limit.
That resulted in very many small parties (with like 1 or two seats), which were easy for the Nazi party to influence and/or put pressure on, so they were able to assimilate them.

(This is why in Germany today, a party needs at least 5% of the total vote to be allowed to enter parliament).

[hellheaven1987]

The true reasons are:

1. Economical failure since 1929, that was the main reason why Nazis got elected.

2. Due to the economical failure, Communism was rised dramatically. Nazi party was viewed by many middle and upper class German as the only organized party that could fully stop German communists took over the power (since they got support from German lower class, which increased dramatically during Great Depression).

Those two are the true reasons why Nazi got the votes.

[Atlassmurf]

1. Economical failure since 1929, that was the main reason why Nazis got elected.

Was the economy of Germany good before 1929?

[removeduser_4536284751384]

Was the economy of Germany good before 1929?

yes

Although its economy was in a terrible state after WWI, it had recovered under Gustav Stresemann.

[René Artois]

This isn't going to add anything useful, but i've just started doing this in my A2 history class! Trip to Berlin in October then final essay on the holocaust.

[René Artois]

Also you might want to talk about how the economy was made worse due to inaction from the government. There were attempts but no party ever had enough of a majority to pass laws (Bruning), whilst others just used the crises to their own political gain.

[Sphere]

It should be remembered though that the National Socialists never gained majority support through the democratic process. Much of their rise has to be attributed to the ruthless way they conducted politics, using assassination, threats and faked emergencies to gain power in government.

So whatever list you come up with, remember it only persuaded a minority of Germans to support the Nazi platform. The rest of German society supported either the socialists/communists (~40%) or the Christian-Democratic/monarchist parties (~20%). And indeed, without the burning of the Reichstag, and some Nazi vote rigging, the National Socialists may not have even won the 1933 federal election. It is only after Hitler gains the Chancellery and the purges, the secret police, the work camps, the propaganda campaigns etc. which followed, that a majority support for the ruling Nazi Party developed.

[littlejim13]

You might want to mention the political miscalculation and mistake, Paul Von Hindenburg made by compromising with Hitler and the Nazis and making him chancellor.

[Lord Rahl]

Is this for high school?

[removeduser_4536284751384]

Is this for high school?

yes

[Lord Rahl]

Ah, well that makes things easier. If it was for college then using one textbook would get you an "F". Maybe myself being certified to teach history in high school - I sub currently - will help you out a bit. I was a student teacher for five months too. Anyway...

I would try to steer away from what isn't in your textbook since you (probably) won't know too much about more academic stuff that is in your library (maybe). It's better that you BS on stuff you know than stuff you don't, unless you think you're that good. 800 to 1,000 words isn't that much and a good BSer can write that many words easily if they know what they're talking about.

What I tried to teach my students was the big picture of the rise of Hitler and the National Socialists. With the end of WWII Germany had completely lost its pride, power, and relevance after the Treaty of Versailles (1919). Deutschland lost its colonies, more land in Europe such as Alsace-Lorraine and the Ruhr region (and more), had its army stripped to a minimal force, and had to pay massive reparations. When the Great Depression hit the United States and then spread around the world Germany went into even more dire straits. With the successful revolution of the Communists in Russia political instability spread throughout Europe, including Germany (obviously). Right wing fascists butted heads with left wing communists for power over the impoverished and hope-wanting masses.

As other members have stated, the Nazis did not immediately gain a lot of power. It took them awhile and many failures, including the unsuccessful Beer Hall Putsch where after Hitler wrote his Mein Kampf while in jail. But the Nazis were sensational in their politics and brutal in their actions. Most of all, however, they stood for German pride and prestige. The masses might not have accepted the radical Nazi beliefs but they saw that the Nazis were men of action that could make Germany great again. The people had no money, no pride, and no hope. The economy was in shambles and politically Germany was inept. But the Nazis had organization, pride, and brought hope to the people who were just wanting someone to make things better again. Eventually the Nazis' terror tactics with the brutal SA troopers and especially the Reichstag Fire led to the Nazis gaining more power with Hitler moving up the food chain to become Chancellor.

There's a lot more to all of that and not all of what I said is that academic but as far as a high school history class is concerned you shouldn't need to get into too much detail.

[Uber Patriot]

without the SA Hitler wouldn't of got into power
need to mention them (intimidating rivals, framing the Reichstag fire etc)

[RomanSoldier9001]

without the SA Hitler wouldn't of got into power
need to mention them (intimidating rivals, framing the Reichstag fire etc)

Social Injustice and Economical Depression probaly did more things than SA or ReichStag ever did for suport of the Party.

[intel]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fear_of_Freedom

Erich Fromm is your friend. Helped me to get 100/100 in one of my final exams.

[Poach]

The SA actually became a liability once Hitler got serious with his party. They were seen as a mob, which is exactly why Hitler got rid of them after he had solidified his power base within the NSDAP and began dealing with Business and Political elites.

[hellheaven1987]

The SA actually became a liability once Hitler got serious with his party. They were seen as a mob, which is exactly why Hitler got rid of them after he had solidified his power base within the NSDAP and began dealing with Business and Political elites.

Yes, but Hitler only got rid of them once Nazi Party had established quite firmly, so it was not in the discussion of this issue.

Was the economy of Germany good before 1929?

Kind off, as Weimar could pay its repayment and still maintained the highest economical growth in Europe, thanks to American investment. During 1925 to 1929 it was generally refering as the "Golden Age of Weimar Republic" and unlike people commonly believed, German voters did give large support to political party that focus on moderate path.

It was this "Golden Age of Weimar Republic" debunks any claim that majority of German was unsatisfied Versailles Treaty or felt bad about "betray" of their soldiers, because if they did care, Nazi would already got democratically elected as the government in 1923, not until ten years then suddenly German needed to find some German pride in 1933. That is especially after considering the liberal methods of parliament system of Weimar Republic.

[Uber Patriot]

The SA actually became a liability once Hitler got serious with his party. They were seen as a mob, which is exactly why Hitler got rid of them after he had solidified his power base within the NSDAP and began dealing with Business and Political elites.

well he dealt with them only ONCE he had enough power
before that they were pretty crucial