2. Today’s lesson – Impact of the Great Depression
We are developing our knowledge and understanding of
the impact of the Great Depression on Germany
By the end of today’s lesson I should be able to:
1) Describe problems faced by Germans during the Depression
2) Explain why the Great Depression helped the Nazis take power.
Today’s lesson involves:
Note taking
Exam Question
3. After Hyperinflation
After the devastation of hyperinflation, the
introduction of the new currency led to a
improvement in the German economy.
The years from 1924 – 1929 are sometimes
called Weimar’s Golden Years.
Support for extremist parties fell during this
period, especially the Nazis who frayed to the
political wilderness.
4. The Dawes Plan
Part of the key reason behind the recovery
was the introduction of the Dawes Plan
orchestrated by US Banker & German
chancellor Gustav Stresemann.
This allowed America to lend money to
Germany.
Stresemann used the economic recovery
to improve relations with other countries
such as joining the League of Nations in
1925.
5.
6. Video Task
Watch the following video introducing us to the Great Depression.
Answer the following 2 question(s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv7IP2qL0gg
1) What happened to America?
2) Why did this impact Germany?
3) What was a trade war? What was the impact of this?
7. The Great Depression
In October 1929, the American economy
collapsed during the Wall Street Crash resulting in
global economic problems – including Germany.
8. Impact of the Great Depression on Germany
Many Germans felt the depression was even worse
than hyperinflation.
Huge numbers of businesses collapsed hurting rich
Germans and increasing unemployment.
As well as job levels falling, homelessness and poverty
levels hugely increased.
9. Unemployment
By 1932 there were six million Germans unemployed.
There was particularly high levels of unemployment amongst farm
and factory workers.
Young people also struggled with 60% of university graduates having
no job.
The German Government struggled to deal with the crisis as they
could not get loans from the USA (And had to repay some of the
loans from the Dawes plan).
10. Government reactions
The Weimar Government eventually had to cut the benefits given to
unemployed people.
Other government actions at this time included reduce public spending
and cutting pensions for older people & war widows.
Some regional governments collapsed because they could not agree on
actions to fix the problem.
11. Why did this lead to the rise of the Nazis?
Due to the depression, Germans again turned towards
extremist parties.
Support for the Communist party increased but the Nazis saw
the biggest gains.
They were especially backed by upper and middle classes that
feared the growth of Communism.
The Nazis introduced new policies to improve people’s lives.
They even opened soup kitchens to feed hungry people.
As a result of this the Nazis became the largest party in the
Reichstag in 1932 with Hitler becoming chancellor in January
1933
