3.1 Germany prepares for war

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• Leerjaar 3

3.1 Germany prepares for war

Goals for this lesson

At the end of this lesson you...

• can explain how Hitler rose to power in Germany.
• can explain the 'appeasement' policy used by the UK and France.
• can explain how Hitler's goals caused World War II.

[2.3]

Fascism

National Socialism

Extreme Nationalism

One leader

Race theory

Anti democratic

[2.4] Put these events in the correct order

1

2

3

4

5

Wall Street Crash

Mass production -> mass consumption

Banks go bankrupt

People try to save money instead of spending it

Umemploy-ment rises to 25%

Back to Germany

• We left Germany after hyperinflation and a failed coup in 1923. 
• So how did Germany solve their first economic crisis?
• Dawes Plan 1924.

1929 Germany

1929 Germany

Second crisis 

for Germany

• 1929: The Great Depression hits US.
• US wants Dawes loans repayed.
• Germany can't repay US and make reparation payments at the same time.
• A second massive economic crisis hits Germany.

The alternative?

•  People are unhappy with the economy and with the Weimar Republic.
• Hitler promises to solve everything.

Hitler's rise to power

• Hitler became more popular due to crisis and propaganda.
  
• 1933: Hitler wins elections and becomes Chancellor.
  
• 1933: Reichtag fire -> communists blamed.
  
• 1933: Enabling Act -> Constitution 'temporarily' suspended to face communist threat. 

Totalitarian state

• Germany became a totalitarian state.
• = government that exercises total influence over its citizens (more than just political).
• Indoctrination through propaganda.
• Punishing opponents (terror). 

Hitler as führer

• Lebensraum = enough space for the German people. This would force Germany to conquer other countries.
• Hitler began rearming the military.
• 1936: remilitarisation of the Rhineland.

What was the first country that Germany invaded?

Poland

Soviet Union

France

Belgium

Denmark

Norway

Austria

Czechoslovakia

Luxembourg

Ukraine

Anschluss

• 1938: Austrians vote in referendum to join Germany.
• German army triumphantly marches into Austria. 

If you were the United Kingdom or France, how would you react?

Do nothing and say nothing

Do nothing, but say you condemn it

Condemn it and inpose sanctions

Condemn it and send military support to allies bordering Germany

Condemn it and declare war on Germany. Invade the German state with an allied force.

Appeasement

• = Policy by the UK and France to give Hitler his way to avoid another war.
• Clearest example is the 1938 Munich Conference: Hitler wanted Sudetenland. France, UK, Italy and Germany decided Hitler would get his way on the condition that there would be no more expansion.