Page 1 :
Chapter-3 History, Nazism and the rise of Hitler, , BIRTH OF THE WEIMER REPUBLIC: Germany fought the First World War (1914-1918) along, with the Austrian empire and against the Allies (England, France and Russia)., , Germany initially made gains by occupying France and Belgium. However, the Allies won, defeating Germany and the Central Powers in 1918., , A National Assembly met at Weimer and established a democratic constitution with a federal, structure. The republic, however, was not received well by its own people largely because of the, terms it was forced to accept after Germany's defeat at the end of the First World War. Many, Germans held the new Weimer Republic responsible for not only the defeat in the war but the, disgrace at Versailles., , The Effects of the War — The war had a devastating impact on the entire continent both, psychologically and financially. From being a creditor, Europe became a debtor. The supporters, of the Weimer Republic were criticised and became easy targets of attack in the conservative, nationalist circles. Soldiers came to be placed above civilians. Aggressive war propaganda and, national honour became important., , Political Radicalism and Economic Crisis: The birth of the Weimer Republic coincided with, the uprising of the Spartacist League on the pattern of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. The, Spartacists founded the Communist Party of Germany., , Political radicalisation was heightened by the economic crisis of 1923. As Germany refused to, pay the war reparations, France occupied its leading industrial area, Ruhr. Germany retaliated, with printing paper currency recklessly. The value of the mark collapsed. Prices of goods soared., There was hyperinflation., , The Years of Depression, , 1924-1928 saw some stability, yet it was built on sand. Germany was totally dependent on, short- term loans, largely from the USA. This support was withdrawn with the crash in 1929 of, the Wall Street Exchange. German economy was hit badly. The middle class and working, population was filled with the fear of proletarianisation., , The Weimer Republic had some inherent defects :, , 1. Proportional Representation, , 2. Article 48 — which gave the President the powers to impose emergency, suspend civil rights, and rule by decree., , HITLER’S RISE TO POWER, , Hitler was born in Austria in 1889. He earned many medals for bravery in the First World War., The German defeat horrified him. The Treaty of Versailles made him furious. He joined the, German Workers Party and renamed it National Socialist German Workers’ Party. This later, came to be known as the Nazi Party., , Nazism became a mass movement only during the Great Depression. The Nazi propaganda, stirred hopes of a better future. Hitler was a powerful and effective speaker. He promised the, people a strong nation where all would get employment.