Germany

German Social Democratic Party

• The German Social Democratic Party (SPD) was founded in 1875.
• After decades of repression, the SPD was legalized in 1891, and quickly grew into a powerful mass party.

German Social Democratic Party

• By 1912, 1 million German workers were members of the SPD, while another 4 million voted for it, sending over 100 socialist deputies to the German parliament.

Impact of the Russian Revolution

• 1918 was a year of devastating economic hardship for German workers and catastrophic killing of soldiers in WWI.
• The idea of a Russian-type socialist revolution based on workers' councils became very popular among millions of workers and soldiers.

Impact of the Russian Revolution

• In November 1918, sailors mutinied and set into motion a rebellion in the army.
• Workers launched a general strike, quickly leading to the overthrow of the Kaiser, the collapse of the German government, and the proclamation of the German Republic.
• Workers' councils were formed in dozens of cities in imitation of the Russian soviets.

Impact of the Russian Revolution

• Like in Russia, the Kaiser (Tsar, King) was forced out and Germany was left with two powers: the Reichstag (parliament or congress) and the workers councils.
• Unlike in Russia, the German Social Democratic Party was dominated by Reformists (Mensheviks) who dominated the German Reichstag and did NOT support the workers councils

Impact of the Russian Revolution

• The Social Democratic Party (SPD) built an alliance with wealthy capitalists and worked to make sure the councils did not become a dual power.
• The revolutionaries left the SPD and formed the German Communist Party (KPD) but they did not have a lot of support.

End of WWI

• The revolution in Germany leads to the end of WWI. Just like in Russia, the terms of the peace were very harsh.

Treaty of Versailles

• Representatives from Italy, France, the UK, and the United States met in the palace of Versailles in France to draw up the peace treaty. Germany was not allowed to negotiate the settlement.

Treaty of Versailles

• Article 231. Germany and her Allies accept the responsibility for causing all the loss and damage to the Allied Powers.
• Article 233. Germany will pay for all damages done to the civilian population and property of the Allied Governments.

Treaty of Versailles

• Reaction to the Treaty in a German n newspaper:“[T]oday German honor is being carried to its grave. Do not forget it! The German people will, with unceasing labor, press forward to reconquer the place among the nations to which it is entitled. Then will come vengeance for the shame of 1919.”

Hyperinflation

• Inflation is when money loses its value. During an inflation, you need more money to buy the same item .
• Because of hyperinflation (extreme inflation), German money had become virtually worthless in the 1920s.

Nazi Party Formed

• In February 1920, the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazis) was formed and came up with a 25-point program.
• In 1920, the Nazi Party was very weak. In fact, it did not get enough votes to have any representation in the Reichstag (parliament or government).

Nazi Party Platform included:

• Abolition of the Treaty of Versailles
• Land and territory for surplus population
• German blood as a requirement for German citizenship. No Jew can be a member of the nation.
• Non-citizens can live in Germany only as foreigners.
• Only citizens can vote or hold public office.

Nazi Party Platform (continued):

• The government ensures every citizen live decently. If it is impossible to provide food for the whole population, then immigrants must be expelled.
• No further immigration of non-Germans.
• All newspapers must be published in the German language by German citizens and owners.

Beer Hall Putsch

• Hitler became the leader of the Nazis in 1920.
• The Nazis began to grow more powerful. They recruit tens of thousands of armed supporters, and began attacking unions and leftist parties like the Communist Party (KPD)
• In November, they attempt a coup (takeover) of the government and fail.

Mein Kampf

• Imprisoned after the Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf which outlines the goals of the Nazis.
• He writes that one cannot be both a German and a Jew and that the Jews are hurting Germany. He also writes that Germans are part of a superior race and that Germany should have never signed the Versailles Treaty.

Hitler

• After being released from prison in 1925 Hitler and the Nazi party grew in size and popularity.

The Great Depression

• 1/3 Germans out of work.
• Wages were very low
• Many Germans relied on the government and charities for food
• People were desperate, searching for alternatives.

1932 Election

• The Nazi Party wins 37% of the votes.
• For the first time, the Nazis are the largest and most powerful political party in Germany.
• Still, over half of the German citizens do not vote for the Nazis and they do not have enough seats in the Reichstag to pass laws without other political parties.

Hitler becomes Chancellor

• German President Paul von Hindenburg understands that he will need the support of the Nazi Party to get any laws passed. As a result of the success of the Nazi Party in the elections, President Hindenburg appoints Hitler to the position of Chancellor—the head of parliament.

Hitler's Takeover

• In February, the Reichstag building is set on fire. Hitler quickly blames the Communists, his loudest opponents.
• Using the fire as a justification, Hitler convinces President Hindenburg to invoke Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution. This allows Hitler to pass emergency laws without the approval of the Reichstag.

Hitler's Takeover

• Hitler uses the emergency power of the president to issue two laws. The first law allows the government to search and confiscate private property. The other law allows him to arrest anyone belonging to rival political parties, especially communists.

Concentration Camps

• Hitler opens a jail for people he thinks are plotting to overthrow the government, especially members of the Communist Party.
• These jails were called “concentration camps” because they concentrated a targeted or undesirable group of people in one place where they could be monitored.

Hitler Becomes Dictator

• With many of his opponents in Jail, Hitler announces the Enabling Act. The Enabling Act gives Hitler dictatorial powers for four years.
• In 1934, President Hindenburg dies. Hitler proposes a new law that would combine the role of president and chancellor in a new position called the Führer.

Secret Police

• Hitler organizes a secret state police called the Gestapo to “protect public safety and order.” Gestapo police can arrest people and place them in jail without any oversight by a court or judge.