Lesson 1 of 4: The Rise of Hitler - Circumstances in Germany In this lesson, we studied how the circumstances in Germany contributed to Hitler's rise to power. First, we made connections between what we studied in Chapter 1 (Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations) and the start of Chapter 3. Then, we looked at the three major issues in Germany: the weakness of the Weimar Government, the problem of hyperinflation, and the severe impact of the Great Depression.

1. The Rise of Hitler

2. Primary Objective
WHO
(or WHAT)
was responsible for the rise of Hitler?

3. Chapter Overview
Favourable Circumstances
in Germany
vs.
Hitler’s ability

4. Video Introduction to
Germany after WWI…

5. Background: TOV & LON
In threes or fours, number yourselves 1 to 3 (or 1 to
4)
• Person 1: How did the TOV affect Germany’s military?
• Person 2: How did the TOV affect Germany’s territory?
• Person 3: How did the TOV affect Germany’s prestige?
• Person 4: What was Germany’s involvement in the
LON?

6. Background: The Weimar Govt
The Weimar Government
• Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated at the end of WWI
• New government known as the Weimar
Government took over
• Leaders of the Weimar Government signed TOV

7. Favourable Circumstances
in Germany
1. Weaknesses of the Weimar Government
2. Hyperinflation
3. The Great Depression

8. Weaknesses of Weimar Govt
Sub-factors (for elaboration)
• Lack of public support
• Opposition from the Political ‘Left’ and
‘Right’
• Structural weaknesses

9. Weaknesses of Weimar Govt
Lack of public support
• Weimar Government were seen as traitors – ‘The
November criminals’
• German military accused them of a ‘stab in the
back’*
*Because Germany was never invaded during WWI, the army
felt that the politicians had betrayed Germany by surrendering

11. Weaknesses of Weimar Govt
Opposition from the Political ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ (1)
The ‘Left’
• Pro-Communist
• Influenced by the Russian
Bolsheviks
• Demanded for workers’ rights
• Example: Spartacist
Rebellion*
The ‘Right’
• FASCISTS
• Desired military rule
• Wanted strong dictatorial
rule
• Demanded the restoration
of German power
• Example: Kapp Putsch*
Weimar Government
• Democracy and open elections
• Balance between rights and
national stability
*for further details, see pages 68-69

12. Weaknesses of Weimar Govt
Opposition from the Political ‘Left’ and ‘Right’
Left-wing Rebellions
The Spartacist Rebellion in 1919
• Communist group called Spartacists tried to seize control of Berlin
• Weimar Govt could not control the rebellion on their own
• Asked the Freikorps (a right-wing group) to crush the rebellion
Other examples of left-wing rebellion include the creation of the ‘People’s
Government’ in Bavaria, and the Red Army rebellion in 1920

13. Weaknesses of Weimar Govt
Opposition from the Political ‘Left’ and ‘Right’
Right-wing Rebellion
The Kapp Putsch in 1920
• Former army officers (led by Kapp) successfully overthrow the government
• Weimar Govt has to flee
• Putsch only ends when factory workers (supported by the
Communists) go on strike, stop the country’s economy and force Kapp
to step down

14. Weaknesses of Weimar Govt
Structural weaknesses
1. Proportional representation
• Places in parliament given based on percentage of vote,
rather than simple majority
• Result: Many small parties, no majority party
2. Coalition government
• Small parties had to come together to form a government
• Difficult for parties to come to a consensus (agreement)
3. Article 48
• President allowed to dissolve parliament in an
‘emergency’
• Basic rights (e.g. personal freedom, free opinion) could be
suspended

15. Favourable Circumstances
in Germany
1. Weaknesses of the Weimar Government
2. Hyperinflation
3. The Great Depression

16. Hyperinflation

17. Hyperinflation
• Germany often didn’t have enough money to pay its
reparations in 1923
‘Not enough money? Just print more!’
What’s the problem?
• German government printed more money
• Value of the German currency (the mark) collapsed
(For examples, see table on p.70)
• This caused hyperinflation (i.e. money has no value)

18. Hyperinflation
Effect:
• Value of the German mark collapsed (see p.70)
• Poor people suffered terribly
• Savings and pensions of the middle class were
wiped out
 Weimar government lost the confidence &
support of the middle class

19. Favourable Circumstances
in Germany
1. Weaknesses of the Weimar Government
2. Hyperinflation
3. The Great Depression

20. The Great Depression

21. The Great Depression
What was the Great Depression?
In 1929, the American economy collapsed when the stock
market crashed.
Why did this affect Germany?
To rebuild itself after WWI, Germany took many loans
from America. In 1929, America wanted Germany to
repay all its loans immediately.
What happened next?
The German government went bankrupt. Millions lost
their jobs. The entire country went into crisis.

22. The Great Depression
Effect:
• The coalition govt could not decide what to do
• President Hindenburg refused to use Article 48
• People wanted more decisive action
Decline in support for moderate parties
Rise in support for extreme parties like the
Communists & Nazis

23. Favourable Circumstances
in Germany
1. Weaknesses of the Weimar Government
2. Hyperinflation
3. The Great Depression

24. Erm… so what?
Now you know the details…but how did this help Hitler?
(in Mr Cheong’s words: EXPLAIN EXPLAIN EXPLAIN!)

25. What does this source tell you about how the
Nazis came to power?
Nazi
swastika
German
words:
‘Versailles’,
‘War Guilt’,
‘inflation’,
‘Communism’,
etc.
Name of the
Nazi Party
(NSDAP)

26. Coming next…