Industrial Nations in the Slump Essay Example

entered Munich intending to rebel against the Republic government. While imprisoned, Hitler expressed his opposition to various elements such as the new Republic, democracy, Marxism, liberals, pacifists, Christian moral values, the rule of law, and Jews in his book Mein Kampf (my struggle).

After being released from Landsberg Castle in December 1924, Hitler decided not to immediately pursue a violent revolution led by a small group of fanatics. Instead, he focused on rebuilding the devastated Nazi Party by creating branches nationwide and forming a closely connected movement. He restructured and expanded the SA, introduced the black-shirted Schutzstaffel (SS) in 1926, and established various other organizations such as the Hitler Youth, Nazi German Student League, Nazi Teachers' League, Nazi Women's League, and Nazi Physicians' League. By 1928, Hitler had gained control of a party with 100,000 members.

It was a political movement. The only challenge to Hitler's absolute control of the movement came from the Strasser brothers, Gregor and Otto. They had their own power base in the industrialized regions of northern Germany and took the term 'national Socialism' seriously. They favored the public ownership of heavy industry and big estates. Hitler, however, had no interest in these 'red' policies. His aims were to seize power and then destroy. The effects of the Depression on Germany led to the "Grand Coalition" splitting apart in March 1930. This occurred under the mounting strain of rising unemployment. The Social Democrats refused to accept the cuts in unemployment benefits.

The disagreement resulted in the termination of a successful coalition government, exposing the deep-seated animosity that many influential Germans harbored towards parliamentary democracy. Parliamentary democracy was deemed unfit to handle a national crisis.

Hinenburg made it evident that if the majority of the Reichstag opposed Bruning's policies, he would dissolve the parliament and initiate fresh elections. The Social Democrats refused and obstructed the formation of the new government.

The Reichstag underwent policy changes in 1930, led by Hindenburg, which ultimately led to its dissolution. As a result, Germany scheduled a general election. The September 1930 election showed the profound effect of the economic slump on people's morale. Many individuals believed that only extreme measures and strong leaders could help them overcome their desperate circumstances, leading to significant support for the Communist Party (KPD) from unemployed working-class men. It is worth noting that the Nazi Party's 25 Points Program was first introduced in 1920.

During 1930, the Nazis gained popularity by attracting a diverse group of individuals through promises to address various societal concerns. They offered solutions for unemployed workers, distressed farmers, anxious middle classes, and disheartened young people. The Nazi party blamed the Jews for Germany's problems. Hitler's exceptional public speaking abilities made him an influential figure, leading to over 6 1/3 million votes for the Nazis in September 1930. Hitler received support from three distinct sources.

1) The middle class, in a state of panic, not only feared losing their businesses or jobs but also believed that the Communist and Social Democrats had intentions to destroy them by reducing them to the level of the proletarian masses.

2) The small landowners, whose property and way of life were endangered due to the sudden decrease in agricultural produce prices, were drawn to the Nazi party's electoral promises of higher tariffs on imported foreign foods and lower interest rates on loans.

3)

Additionally, there were new young voters who saw no prospects for themselves within a feeble democracy that was despised by both its army and its businessmen, as well as by President Chancellor Bruning who led a government supported in the Reichstag by the Social Democrats and ended reparations.

His policy was to deflate the economy, making life in Germany even more difficult than before. Through 'emergency decrees', Bruning decreased wages, reduced unemployment benefits, and raised taxes. The Allies stopped demanding reparations in July 1932. Meanwhile, the financial crisis of 1931 had caused many German banks to fail, industrial production had declined, and 5 million workers were unemployed, including Bruning himself.

In May 1932, Hindenburg dismissed Bruning and replaced him with Franz von Papen. Papen was interested in striking a deal with the Nazis for their support. The agreement was made that Hitler would be invited to join the government, but Hitler insisted on becoming Chancellor. However, Papen declined his request.

Papen advised Hindenburg to dissolve the Reichstag and call for a general election in November due to the presence of two powerful extremist parties, namely the communists and the Nazis, who were determined to disrupt its functioning. Eventually, Hindenburg became convinced that Papen could handle Hitler. Therefore, on January 30, 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of the German Republic. The main objective of the German Communists was to gain control over the working class and they believed that Hitler would assist them in accomplishing this goal. They expected that once Hitler assumed his role as Chancellor, workers would actively support communism. This belief persisted until early February.

In 1933, Hitler demanded new elections for the Reichstag

and appointed Hermann Goering as the Prussian Minister of the Interior. This move granted Goering authority over a majority of Germany's police force. Additionally, Goering enlisted 50,000 auxiliary policemen who were devoted to the Nazi regime. On February 27th, an arson attack occurred at the Reichstag building.

Hitler believed a communist revolution was imminent and convinced Hindenburg to enact the "for the protection of the people and the State" emergency law. This law abolished freedom of speech and press. On March 5th, Hitler's Nazi party won a major election victory with 288 Reichstag seats. In March, Hitler called for an Enabling Act in the newly formed parliament, seeking authority to establish his own laws.

The Act was passed and German democracy was killed.

Important:

1. the Nazi movement in Germany would become a model for radical groups in other countries gripped by the Depression of the thirties.
2. the German revolution of 1933 let loose a destroyer who wouldl eventually set off another great war.
3. the Nazi seizure of power is even for us today history's most terrible lesson in the speed and ease with which democracy and the rule of law can be overthrown.