4.4.2 Germany
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4.4.2 Germany
The diagram above shows a comparison of how Italy, Germany, and Japan's pursuit of national self-interests led to the development of ultranationalism, both within each nation and as part of their foreign policies leading up to World War II. View the tabs below to learn about the factors that caused Germany to develop ultranationalism leading up to WWII, and continue to take notes using the 4.4 Notebook Organizer.
Germany and the Treaty of Versailles
©Thinkstock As you learned in Unit 3, most Germans resented the terms of the
Versailles Treaty. The terms were dictated to Germany by vengeful nations (especially France and Britain) and were considered too harsh.
The Treaty was a huge blow to German national pride. Germany had no choice but to accept the treaty because failure to do so came with the threat the Allies would invade. The Treaty struck many blows to Germany.
The Treaty was a huge blow to German national pride. Germany had no choice but to accept the treaty because failure to do so came with the threat the Allies would invade. The Treaty struck many blows to Germany.
- The German people wanted desperately to regain national pride, international power, and prestige.
- Germany was friendless in Europe. Its former allies, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, had disintegrated.
- Germany had to give up land to Poland and France.
- France demanded Germany pay its reparations.
The Treaty of Versailles did not pave the way for friendly relations between Germany and its neighbours. The Treaty of Versailles' rules meant Germany
- had to take full responsibility for the war,
- had to pay for all the war damages (set at $33 billion in 1921),
- had to reduce its army to 100 000 men,
- could not have an air force or submarines, and was limited to six large ships,
- lost territory in Europe on all sides,
- was split and lost many areas to Belgium, Denmark, Poland, and Czechoslovakia,
- lost all her colonies outside Europe, and
- was not allowed to unite with the Germans in Austria (known as "Anshluss"–the German word for "union").
Germany and the Great Depression
When the Great Depression hit in 1929, all European countries, including Germany, suffered economically.
| Have you read about the Great Depression? Ensure you review the resource page here to develop a better understanding of the economic factors that impact nations' pursuits of self-interests. |
| Watch the video "The Depression and Germany" to catch a glimpse of the Great Depression's impact on Germany's people and economy. |
Germany was hit very hard by the economic disaster called "The Great Depression". Their economy was particularly fragile because it was just beginning to recover from a depression caused by the results of World War I. Since Germany had been saddled with large reparation payments from the Treaty of Versailles, the government had been forced to levy large taxes in order to continue operating the country. This had created great hardships for the country and its citizens.
Much of the industrial heartland of the Ruhr River had been negatively affected by the loss of the coal and power-generating area of Alsace-Lorraine (right). Unemployment was very high in Germany. Protectionist tariffs were keeping the weakened German industries away from possible markets in other countries.
As the Great Depression spread throughout the world, it deepened an already depressed German economy.
The German people rush the Savings Bank of Berlin and try to withdraw their savings after learning of the National Bank's collapse.
The German people watched helplessly as job prospects drastically diminished and their currency (called the Reichsmark) lost its value. German money lost its value when the government, in the hope of stimulating the economy and getting
people spending again, printed more money without anything of value to support it, such as exports or increased trade.
Since the currency's value kept decreasing, the German people had to use greater sums of money to buy the basics. Wages, however, did not keep up with the rise in prices, even when there was work available. With very few jobs, the prospects of the people were increasingly diminished.
Since the currency's value kept decreasing, the German people had to use greater sums of money to buy the basics. Wages, however, did not keep up with the rise in prices, even when there was work available. With very few jobs, the prospects of the people were increasingly diminished.
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Go to your textbook, Understanding Nationalism, and read "Germany after World War I" on page 136. This page will further your understanding of how ultranationalism develops. |
Adolf Hitler and Nazism
Hitler addresses the Hitler youth at a rally in 1938.
© Library of Congress
Adolf Hitler joined the German Workers' Party in 1919, which was eventually called the National Socialist German Workers' (Nazi) Party. He was attracted to the Party's strong nationalist values, as well as the pro-military and anti-Semitism
stances.
Adolf Hitler took control over Germany in 1933 and created a country based on Nazism. Hitler, just as Mussolini did in Italy, used the fear of communism to gain support from the German middle class and business people who were afraid they would lose their wealth if the communists gained power.
Click the tabs below to learn about Hitler's rise to power and the growth of Nazism in Germany. Add point-form notes to your 4.4 Notebook Organizer.
Adolf Hitler took control over Germany in 1933 and created a country based on Nazism. Hitler, just as Mussolini did in Italy, used the fear of communism to gain support from the German middle class and business people who were afraid they would lose their wealth if the communists gained power.
Click the tabs below to learn about Hitler's rise to power and the growth of Nazism in Germany. Add point-form notes to your 4.4 Notebook Organizer.
One of the results of Hitler’s rise to power during the Great Depression was a major change in German foreign policy toward expansionism and militarism. Hitler had been a soldier during World War I, and was disillusioned by the Treaty of Versailles, particularly by the war guilt clause. He made no secret that he planned to ignore the Treaty of Versailles.
By 1933, European nations realized it was impossible to stop Germany from obtaining more weapons and rearming its forces. Years after Hitler had taken control of Germany, he stated, "...I have torn page after page of the Versailles Treaty
from its binding."
© Library of Congress
The slogan below Hitler on the Nazi propaganda poster (right) says "One People, One Empire, One Führer!" .The slogan expressed the Nazis’ vision of a Germany in which all German people were united in one nation,
a German identity that could be molded by the Nazis into ultranationalism to suit their own ends.
After the Treaty of Versailles, other countries such as Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Russia had many Germans within their borders. The Nazi goal was to unite all Germans into a greater Germany. This meant that Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Russia were all going to have to yield to Germany’s will. It also meant that the terms of the "hated treaty" (Treaty of Versailles) was to be ignored by Germany.
After the Treaty of Versailles, other countries such as Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Russia had many Germans within their borders. The Nazi goal was to unite all Germans into a greater Germany. This meant that Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Russia were all going to have to yield to Germany’s will. It also meant that the terms of the "hated treaty" (Treaty of Versailles) was to be ignored by Germany.
© Library of Congress
Explore each of the tabs below to review the basic ideology of the Nazis and take point-form notes in your 4.4 Notebook Organizer. How did the Nazis' political beliefs reflect the characteristics of ultranationalism?
The Nazis' basic ideology included the following.
Lebensraum translates to "living space". In order to unify all Germans across Europe, more "living space" (in the form of land and resources) was needed to include all Germans outside Germany into one state.
Hitler and the Nazi Party vowed to reverse and outright defy the terms laid out in the Treaty of Versailles.
- Anschluss: German word for "union"–reunite Germany and Austria
- Rearmament: increase the size of Germany’s military forces (militarism)
- Militarize the Rhineland: put German troops into this area of Germany
Aryan Supremacy: Anti-semitism (the hatred and opposition to Jewish people) was used to make Jews the scapegoats for Germany’s problems.
The Nazis believed the German people belonged to a "pure Aryan race" that was superior to all other races. The Nazis believed it was their job to rule over inferior races. The Nazis were extremely anti-Semitic, which meant they were totally opposed to Jewish people and denied them all rights. Anti-Jewish propaganda was everywhere, trying to convince Germans that the Jewish people were responsible for Germany’s problems. Eventually, the Nazis introduced a plan of genocide to exterminate all Jews called the Final Solution.
National Socialism (also called Nazism or Fascism*) included the following.
- Absolute loyalty and obedience to Hitler and to Germany
- Racial purity ("pure blood") typically meant Germans only, and specifically those with particular characteristics. Anyone else was to be oppressed or eliminated.
- Equality only for Germans deemed racially pure
- State (government) control of the economy
Fascism is characterized by ultranationalism, racism, militarism, and elitism. The definition of Fascism is: "a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism" (Dictionary.com).
After Hitler was in control of Germany, he took over all of the powers of government to become a dictator. He became known as "Der Führer" (The Leader). The state (in other words, Hitler) was to have supreme power over the people.
He used propaganda, force, and terror to convince anyone who disagreed with his program. The Gestapo, or secret police, eliminated any opposition to the Nazi Party. The SS (the State Security Police) became Hitler’s personal bodyguards.
Hitler and the Nazi party wanted an independent and economically strong Germany, especially after suffering through the financial struggles and hardship from the severe reparations levied against Germany through the Treaty of Versailles.
Plans for self-sufficiency was laid out in the Four Year Plan, and included the following.
- Increase agricultural production
- Offer workforce training and investment
- Ensure complete government regulation and control of imports and exports
- Independently produce raw materials and resources
Hitler and his Nazi Party were able to convince Germans to support them because the Nazis promised to
- get rid of the Treaty of Versailles,
- rebuild the German economy,
- reduce political instability in Germany,
- make Germany strong in the international community, and
- get rid of communism in Germany.
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Go to your textbook, Understanding Nationalism, to read "Adolf Hitler in Germany" on page 138, "Ultranationalist Values in Germany", and "Anti-Jewish Laws" on page 139. These pages will
further your understanding of how ultranationalism develops. Continue to take notes using the 4.4 Notebook Organizer. |
Digging Deeper
In Nazi Germany, the symbols and gestures displayed below were used to convey the image of Germany as a superior nation. Flags with swastikas were everywhere.
© Library of Congress
Unique gestures and greetings often play dual roles. They represent loyalty and a way of bonding fellow citizens. However, this sense of friendship and belonging can often take on a more sinister meaning when crossing into a representation of ultranationalism.
In Nazi Germany, the rallying cry was Sieg Heil, which means 'Hail Victory'. This phrase fit well with Nazi party policy which advocated the use of violence and war to eliminate the enemies of the state needed to establish ‘the New Order’. Crowds shouted this phrase at carefully-staged rallies. The salute of rigid arms that went with this cry indicated at once both strength and chopping or destruction of opposition.
Today in Germany, using the above symbols and gestures in written form, vocally, or extending the right-arm even without the phrase are illegal and are criminal offences punishable with prison sentences. The same is true for expressions that might be mistaken for "Sieg Heil". Usages for art, teaching, and science purposes are exempt from punishment.
| Aside from symbols and gestures, did you know ultranationalism can start with or gain strength with the nation's youth? Explore the links below to learn about the strength a country's youth can have when a nation pursues ultranationalism.
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1935: Hitler's army and air force are built. Hitler condemned the disarmament clauses of the Versailles Treaty. He announced compulsory military service to create a large German army. He also declared the existence of the Luftwaffe
(German for air force). All these announcements were in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
1936: Hitler took the Rhineland. Hitler condemned the Rhineland provisions of the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaty. The Rhineland was an area of Germany that remained occupied by French soldiers after World War I. Hitler ordered German troops to march in and re-occupy the Rhineland. Hitler’s orders were that if the French forces tried to stop them, the German troops were to leave. The French did nothing, giving Hitler a bloodless victory.
1936: Hitler took the Rhineland. Hitler condemned the Rhineland provisions of the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaty. The Rhineland was an area of Germany that remained occupied by French soldiers after World War I. Hitler ordered German troops to march in and re-occupy the Rhineland. Hitler’s orders were that if the French forces tried to stop them, the German troops were to leave. The French did nothing, giving Hitler a bloodless victory.
© Library of Congress
1936: Germany and Italy developed a partnership. Mussolini and Hitler formed an official friendship. They likened the German and Italian friendship to a powerful axis (axis is plural for axle) around which the rest of the world’s nations would revolve.
1938: Hitler and "Anschluss". With the help of Austrian Nazis, Hitler made Austria part of Germany. "Anschluss" is German for "political union". This was again in defiance of the Treaty of Versailles that had stated there would be no German anschluss with Austria.
1938: Hitler and appeasement. In a conference held in Munich, Germany, along with Italy, Britain, and France, Hitler demanded the Sudetenland be given to Germany. The Sudetenland was an area of Czechoslovakia where a large number of German-speaking people lived. In an effort to avoid a war with Germany, Britain and France gave in to Hitler’s demands. This appeasement of Hitler’s demands by Britain and France led to Germany taking not only the Sudetenland, but eventually all of Czechoslovakia. Hitler’s expansionist policy had been successful without involving Germany in a war. Britain and France had caved to Hitler’s demands.
1939: Germany annexed Czechoslovakia. Germany annexed (adds to Germany) all of Czechoslovakia. Hitler marched German soldiers into the remainder of Czechoslovakia, violating the Munich Agreement. The British and French only protested.
The British and French, still wanting to avoid a war with Germany, continued to appease Hitler.
1939: Germany invaded Poland. Hitler had little opposition to its invasion of Poland since the United States was following a policy of isolationism. Hitler also believed Britain and France were no threat. Britain and France had been busy appeasing Hitler as Germany
1939: Germany invaded Poland. Hitler had little opposition to its invasion of Poland since the United States was following a policy of isolationism. Hitler also believed Britain and France were no threat. Britain and France had been busy appeasing Hitler as Germany
- took back the Rhineland and the Rhur,
- became involved in the Spanish Civil War,
- was rearmed,
- took over Austria and Czechoslovakia.
German soldiers enter the Sudetenland.
© Library of Congress
The way seemed open to Hitler for Germany to take over Poland. In a false claim that Poland had attacked Germany, Hitler ordered the German armed forces into western Poland.
1939 : France and Britain declared War on Germany. Britain and France finally decided to stop Hitler’s expansionist policy. World War II began. Britain, France, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand formed the Allies. More countries joined the Allies as the war progressed. The United States joined after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the Axis.
1939 : France and Britain declared War on Germany. Britain and France finally decided to stop Hitler’s expansionist policy. World War II began. Britain, France, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand formed the Allies. More countries joined the Allies as the war progressed. The United States joined after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the Axis.
German army crosses the Polish Frontier
© Library of Congress
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