Reasons the Nazis gained power - economic difficulties

2. Versailles reparations
As punishment for losing the
First World War, Germany had
to pay massive reparations to
the victorious sides.
132 billion marks was a huge
figure that would not have
been paid off until 1986.

3. Reparation difficulties
Germany had also been badly
damaged by war so struggled
to pay the reparations.
As a result, France and
Belgium invaded the Ruhr
area of Germany to take
resources such as coal.

4. German reaction
Following the Ruhr invasion,
German workers went on
strike. The Weimar
government agreed to pay
their wages.
To pay for this, Germany
printed more money.

5. Hyperinflation
As the government printed
more money, in 1921 prices
started increasing quickly.
This made it harder for people
to afford basic items.
By 1923, these price increases
had caused hyperinflation.

6. Hyperinflation
Hyperinflation is where prices
increase by a massive amount
in a short period of time.
In January 1922, an American
dollar ($1) was worth 80
German marks. By November
1923, $1 was worth 4,420
million marks.

7. Effects of hyperinflation
Hyperinflation destroyed lives.
It wiped out people’s savings,
caused huge unemployment
and left people unable to afford
items such as food or fuel.
Some people did benefit though
by easily paying off loans.

8. Arguments for influence
The economic chaos caused
by hyperinflation led to more
support for extremist groups,
including the Nazis.
This led to the Nazis gaining a
higher profile in Germany.

9. Arguments against influence
The Weimar government eventually
ended the chaos with the
introduction of a new currency (the
Rentenmark).
In the following few years the
German economy was stronger, and
Nazi support fell.

10. 1929 Depression
Hyperinflation eventually
ended and for a few years
Germany was prosperous.
However in 1929 the Wall
Street Crash led to financial
problems across the world,
including huge unemployment.

11. The Depression
In Germany, the Depression (as
it was known) brought back
huge unemployment; 6 million
people had no job by 1933.
German people were scared of
a possible return to
hyperinflation.

12. The Depression
Many Germans especially
suffered during the Depression.
Farm and factory workers were
most likely to lose their jobs
due to businesses collapsing.
Also around 60% of university
graduates were unemployed.

13. Arguments for influence
Repeated economic problems
in the 1920s caused Germans
to lose faith with democracy.
Instead they supported groups
– such as the Nazis – that
opposed democracy and
promised change.

14. Arguments against influence
However it was not just the
Nazis that saw an increase in
support due to economic
problems in Germany.
The Communists also saw a
surge in their support from
the working classes.

15. Arguments for influence
Nazi support fell during 1924-
1929, when the Germany
economy was strong. The Nazis
were the smallest party in the
Reichstag in 1928.
Some historians say that without
the Depression, Hitler would
never have come to power.

16. Arguments against influence
The Treaty of Versailles caused
hyperinflation; without this
Germans would not have panicked
as much during the Depression.
Other parties could have benefitted
from this but mainly the Nazis did
so e.g. by offering soup kitchens.