IGCSE REVISION - GERMANY: THE RISE OF THE NAZIS

1. DEPTH STUDY
REVISION GERMANY
THE RISE OF
THE NAZIS
05

2. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
NAZIS AND THE DEPRESSION
• The Depression hit Germany hard.
• The popularity of the Nazi Party soared as a result – people thought
the Weimar government could not sort out Germany’s problems.

3. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
THE DEPRESSION CAUSED POVERTY
• The Depression caused massive unemployment in Germany – over
6 million were unemployed by 1933.
• In 1931, Germany’s biggest bank collapsed. This made paying
reparations more difficult.
• Weimar governments kept changing during this time, but none
managed to solve the economic problems.
• The Depression contributed to the collapse of the Weimar Republic.
People hoped a new government could sort out the problems.
• Extremist groups like the Nazis became more popular – they
promised strong leadership.

4. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
NAZIS INCREASE IN POPULARITY
• The Nazis promised prosperity and to make Germany great again.
This appealed to many of the unemployed, as well as to
businessman and young people.
• Some people supported the Nazis’ anti-communist and anti-Jewish
views.
• By 1930 Nazi membership grew to over 300,000.

5. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
THE ELECTIONS OF 1930 AND THE
NAZIS
• Chancellor Heinrich Bruning couldn’t control the Reichstag properly
– there was a big increase in seats for both the Nazis (who won 107)
and the Communists (who won 77).
• Bruning had to rule by emergency decree as no single party had
enough seats to control the Reichstag.

6. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
GERMANY HAD NO STRONG
GOVERNMENT
• By April 1932, conditions were serious in Germany. Millions were
unemployed, and the country was desperate for a strong
government.
• President Hindenburg had to stand for re-election. Hitler stood
against him, and there was also a communist candidate.
• Hindenburg, a national hero, said he’d win easily but didn’t win a
majority in the first election, in the second ballot he won 53%,
beating Hitler’s 36.8% of the vote.

7. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
HINDENBURG REFUSED TO GIVE THE NAZIS
POWER
• The Nazis gained a lot of votes – but they used some underhand
tactics to get them.
• Hindenburg couldn’t find a Chancellor who had support in the
Reichstag.
• He appointed the inexperienced Franz von Papen.
• In the July 1932 Reichstag elections, the Nazis won 23o seats – they
were now the biggest party, but didn’t have a majority in the
Reichstag.
• Hitler demanded to be made Chancellor.
• Hindenburg refused because he didn’t trust Hitler and kept von
Papen.

8. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
HITLER’S CLIMB TO POWER TIMELINE
• January 1932 – July 1932
• 6 million unemployed
• Hitler uses the Depression to promise better things
• Stands against Hindenburg in 1932 and loses
• Nazis largest party in the Reichstag in July 1932, with 230 seats
• July 1932 – January 1933
• Nazis lose seats in November 1932 but still largest party
• Hitler finally offered “Chancellorship” in 1933

9. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
THE NAZIS LOST SEATS IN THE
ELECTIONS
• The Nazis lost 34 seats in the November 1932 election – losing
popularity.
• Hindenburg appointed Kurt von Schleicher as chancellor.
• Von Schleicher tried to cause divisions in the Nazi Party by asking
another leading Nazi to be vice-Chancellor – Gregor Strasser.
• But Hitler stopped Strasser accepting.
• Hindenburg gave in, and offered Hitler the post of Chancellor in
January 1933.
• Hitler decided to call for another election in March 1933, hoping to
make Nazis stronger in the Reichstag.

10. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
THE NAZIS USED DIRTY TRICKS TO WIN IN
1933
• The Nazis did well in the elections because:
• They controlled the news media.
• Opposition meetings were banned.
• They used the SA to terrorise opponents.
• A fire broke out in the Reichstag building and Hitler whipped up
opposition against the communists, who said started it.
• Mass arrests of communists followed.
• Hitler was allowed emergency decrees to deal with the situation –
and used these powers to intimidate communist voters.