2.3 The rise of Mussolini and Hitler (part 1)

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2.3 The rise of Mussolini and Hitler (part 1)

Goals for this lesson

At the end of this paragraph you can...

• explain the three major problems faced by the Weimar Republic.
• show which characteristics fascism and national socialism share and where they are different.
• use sources to show the ideas of fascism and national socialism.
• explain what a totalitarian state is using fascism and national socialism as examples.

Where were we?

• Germany defeated in WW1.
• Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated and left for the Netherlands.
• New government formed led by social democrats.
• They signed the 11/11/1918 ceasefire.

Weimar Republic

• = New German Reichstag government without a monarch.
• Capital = Weimar.
• Not in Berlin because of all the unrest in Berlin.
• Responsible for ending the war.
• Possible communist revolution in Germany.

Three main problems:

• 1. The Versailles Treaty.
• The new government was blamed for the harsh terms.
• 2. Political problems.
• Three groups wanted to get rid of democracy: National socialists (nazi's), communists and the old elite (nobles).
• 3. Economic problems.
• Transition from total war economy to normal economy + paying reparations.

What do you know about Hitler from the time before he became the leader of Germany?

Who was 

Adolf Hitler?

• He was born in Austria (1889).
• Soldier in WW1.
• Disgusted by the Versailles Treaty.
• Joined the national socialist after the war.
• He wanted to pursue a career in art but was rejected from the art college twice. 

Painting by Adolf Hitler (1912)

NSDAP

• Nationalsocialistische Deutsche Arbeiderpartei 
• Ideology = 'Real' Germans in the nation are equal. Make Germany powerful  again. Outsiders are unwanted.
• Wish to end the Versailles Treaty.

Sturmabteilung (SA)

Characteristics

• One leader.
• Extreme nationalism.
• Fight against many things (us <--> them). 
• Race theory + antisemitism.
• Violence is an acceptable solution to problems (SA).

Ludwig Fritsch, Chemnitz. Died 8 april 1932

''It is worth dying for all this.'' ... ''bury me in my brown shirt.''

Heinrich Grasmeher, Streden. Died 11 july 1932

''I fought with joy for the movement, and I die gladly for Adolf Hilter.''

The rise of Hitler (1922/1923)

• Germany failed to pay reparations -> France occupies German factories.
• The German government told workers to go on strike and that they will get paid.
•  Government stats printing money -> hyperinflation.

Bierkeller Putch

• 1923: Failed insurrection by the NSDAP.
•  Hitler was send to 'prison'.
• During his sentence he wrote Mein Kampf to outline his plans for Germany.