No. 3 Rise of Hitler and Nazi

What does Nazism represent?

Nazism is the German form of fascism, especially that of the National Socialist (German: Nazionalsozialist) Workers’ party under Adolf Hitler. Both fascism and Nazism reject ideologies like democracy, liberalism and Marxism. German Nazism, emphasized the Aryan race or “Volk” principle to the point where the state seemed to be simply a means to an end. Aryanism was not an attractive idea for Italians, who were not considered a Nordic population, but there was still strong racism and genocide in concentration camps in Italy, long before either was in place in Germany. Nazism employed a similar style of propaganda, including military parades and uniforms, and the Roman salute just like Fascism.

Explain Fascism.

The term 'Fascism' was first used by Benito Mussolini in 1919 which came from the Italian word 'fascio'.

Fascists advocate the creation of a single-party state, with the belief that the majority is unsuited to govern itself through democracy and by reaffirming the benefits of inequality. Fascist governments forbid and suppress openness and opposition to the fascist state and the fascist movement. Fascism opposes class conflict, blames capitalism and liberal democracies for its creation and communists for exploiting the concept. Fascism fashioned itself as the "Complete opposite of Marxian socialism" by rejecting the economic and material conception of history, the fundamental belief of fascism being that human beings are motivated by glory and heroism rather than economic motives, in contrast to the worldview of capitalism and socialism. Fascist valued the nation most hence, the Facist felt that all individuals and groups living in the same nation should put aside all differences and look after the needs of the nation first. Democracy is not well-liked by the Fascist as it limit the power of the nation. Fascism believe in having a strong leader whereby he/she could make decisions without going through the people or parliment.

Describe the rise of Hitler (the fascist movement – mid 1920s to early 1930s)

Death of Gustav Stresemann on 3 October 1929- Gustav Stresemann contributed a lot to Germany's stability and prosperity back then. His death made the Weimar Government lost a capable politician. Germany was very dependent on US loans on rebuilding the country and paying reparations. Added on to this, the |Great Depression in the USA on 29 October 1929 affected Germany greatly. Many businesses were forced to close causing millions of Germans to lose their job.

Hitler carry out several forms of activity in order to gain more support from the people. He used propaganda with the help of Joseph Goebbels by repeating simple messages many times to get people to believe what the Nazis told them. Nazis also bought the radio station and made the prices of radios cheap and installed radio loudspeakers in the public so whenever Hitler made speeches, orders were given to everyone to switch on their radio to listen. Hitler also carried out censorship whereby only publications could only be publish with the approval by Ministry of Propaganda. Hence, Germans have very limited range of things to read as almost all publications were bias. Nazis also used colorful rallies which gave an impression of power and unity to the public. This builds up a sense of security for the Germans as compared to when they are under the rule of the Weimar Government. Youths were also "brainwashed" by the government since young. At young age, the minds of the children are still shaping. If they were fed with fabricated informations of the Nazi Party and how good is Hitler, they will tend to grow up with the idea of it. When they grow up, they will be very loyal to the Party and also to Hitler, which garner many support for Hitler and hence bring about the rise of Hitler.

Explain the Beer Hall Putsch

The Beer Hall Putsch (also known as the Munich Putsch, but in German referred to as the Hitlerputsch or the Hitler-Ludendorff-Putsch) was a failed attempt at revolution that occurred between the evening of 8 November and the early afternoon of 9 November 1923, when Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler,Generalquartiermeister Erich Ludendorff, and other heads of the Kampfbundunsuccessfully tried to seize power in Munich, Bavaria, and Germany. Putschis the German word for a punch, or blow.Hitler used the anger against the Berlin government in Bavaria as attempt to overthrow the regional government in Munich in prelude to the take-over of the national government. This incident is generally known as the Beer Hall Putsch.

Two days after the putsch, Hitler was arrested and charged with high treason. Hitler's trial began on 26 February 1924, and Hitler and Hess were both sentenced to five years in Festungshaft (literally fortress confinement) for treason. Festungshaft was a type of jail that excluded forced labor, featured reasonably comfortable cells, and allowed the prisoner to receive visitors almost daily for many hours. It was the customary sentence for people whom the judge believed to have had honourable but misguided motives. However, Hitler used the trails to spread his ideas. The judge was impressed by what he had said and decided to sentence a lighter sentence, Hitler only served a little over eight months and was fined 500RM.

Describe the rise of Hitler (consolidation of power – early 1930s to late 1930s)

February 1933 Reichstag fire- The Reichstag caught fire on 27 February 1933. The Nazis blamed the Communists for the fire even though many people think that the fire was set by the Nazis. Hitler therefore used this as an excuse to gain more power. He claimed that the country is in grave danger and asked for emergency powers to deal with the communist threat.

5 March 1933- The Nazis won the most number of seats in the Reichstag with 43.95% of votes (approx. 288 seats). They did not gain 2/3 of the majority, this made Hitler more determined to win a total control of the Reichstag.

23 March 1933- Hitler asked the Reichstag for even more powers, thus the Enabling Act was passed which gave Hitler dictatorial powers for 4 years. The Enabling Act allowed Hitler to ignore the Constitution, Reichstag and President. However in order to pass the Enabling Act, Hitler needed 2/3 majority of the Reichstag. With response to this, Hitler outlawed the Communist party and arrested his opponents to prevent them fro voting against his plan. Hitler achieved his aims and was granted the Enabling Act on 23 March 1933.

April 1933- Hitler used the Enabling Act to pass new laws whereby all members of other political parties are replaced with Nazi Officials.

May 1933- Hitler used the Enabling Act to ban all trade unions and reorganised it into a Nazi-controlled organisation, DAF. Social Democratic Party was dissolved too.

July 1933- Hitler used the Enabling Act to ban all other political parties. Germany hence become a country ruled by only one political party, the Nazi Party (led by Hitler). Hence, Hitler had the entire Germany within his control.

29&30 June 1934- Night of Long Knives. Hitler had Ernst Röhm, leader of SA and many other SA leaders arrested and executed of fear that their rising popularity among the Germans may overthrow Hitler. Thus, Hitler's possible rivlas are removed.

7 November 1938- A Polish Jew killed Ernst vom Rath, a low ranking official in France. Hitler used this as an excuse to organise a night of violence against the Jews in Germany. Jewish homes were ransacked and many Jews were attacked. More than 90 Jews and killed and approx. 30 000 were arrested and placed in concentration camps. This event removed one of Hitler's "eye sore".

CREDITS:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Nazism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler's_rise_to_power

http://www.nazism.net

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/beer_hall_putsch_of_1923.htm

history textbook: Crisis and Conflict