Lecture Notes: The Rise of Fascist Movements in Germany after WWI
Weimar Republic Formation
- Weimar City: Constitutional Assembly took place here to develop post-WWI Germany's Constitution.
- Cultural Significance: Home to Goethe, Schiller, Herder, Liszt, Bach.
- Political and Economic Chaos: Radical left felt betrayed by the Republic; conservatives preferred authoritarian rule.
- Constitution: Progressive ideas like universal suffrage, direct election, freedom of speech, religion, assembly, press, and the right to own property were guaranteed.
- Article 48: Allowed the president to rule by decree during emergencies, considered a potential flaw.
Economic Turmoil
- 1922-1923: Hyperinflation and economic collapse.
- Treaty of Versailles Reparations: German economy's struggle to pay led to French invasion of the Ruhr to enforce reparations.
Adolf Hitler’s Rise
- Background: Austrian, aspired to be an artist, served in WWI, became disillusioned after the war.
- Belief in Stab-in-the-Back Legend: Far-right belief that Jews and socialists caused Germany's defeat in WWI.
- Paramilitary Groups: Emergence of groups like the SA (Brownshirts), ex-soldiers, and street thugs.
- Inspired by Mussolini: Hitler saw the effectiveness of Mussolini’s tactics and planned the Beer Hall Putsch.
- Beer Hall Putsch (1923): Failed coup attempt; Hitler was tried for high treason and sentenced to five years, serving less than one year.
- Mein Kampf: Dictated during prison, outlined his philosophy, antisemitism, and plans for Nazi Party’s rise through legal means.
Political Maneuvering
- Paul von Hindenburg: Elected president in 1925, aged and senile toward the end of his rule.
- Dawes Plan (1924): Reorganized reparations and stabilized the German economy temporarily.
- Great Depression: High unemployment, Nazi Party gained electoral success as the economy worsened.
- Hitler’s Strategy: Refused cabinet positions, aimed for Chancellorship, found legal means to power.
Hitler’s Consolidation of Power
- Reichstag Fire (1933): Building caught fire, used as a pretext to invoke Article 48, blaming communists.
- Enabling Act (1933): Gave Hitler dictatorial powers, passed with reduced Reichstag due to imprisonment of communist members.
- Night of the Long Knives (1934): Purge of SA leadership, consolidating power within Nazi ranks.
- Death of Hindenburg (1934): Eliminated last rival, consolidating Hitler’s absolute power.
Reasons for Nazi Rise
- Hitler’s Charisma: Strong oratorical skills and charismatic leadership.
- Grassroots Organization: Effective local and national organization by the Nazi Party.
- Political Fragmentation: Weimar Republic’s inability to handle the Great Depression’s severity.
- Innovative Propaganda: Utilized new media like radio and cinema.
- Historical Preference for Strong Leaders: Historical inclination towards strong rulers.
- Article 48: Utilized emergency decree powers effectively.
- Perceived Communist Threat: Communists seen as a greater threat than Nazis by industrialists.
- Treaty of Versailles: Germans viewed it as unfair, fueling nationalist sentiments.
- Luck: Hitler’s gambles tended to succeed during early years