Transcript File
Causes of WWII 1. Economic Problems in Germany: Hyper -inflation • Germany was forced to pay war debts for WWI to the Allied nations • Germany borrowed the money • Eventually, all the countries wealth was paying off war debts • Printed $$ to pay off debts – massive inflation • 1922 – 300 marks to buy $1 US • 1923 – 50,000 marks to buy $1 US Economic Problems People began to barter and trade goods and services rather than use money Advertisement from Schmidt’s Deli Cabbage Dill Pickles Wieners 1918 Price 1923 Price 4.50 marks per kg 2.80 marks per kg 6.60 marks per kg 13 million marks per kg 12.7 million marks per kg 15.4 million marks per kg The value of $ This picture shows a woman using German marks as fuel in her furnace. Kids using bundles of marks as building blocks. Payroll money being transported in laundry baskets 2. Political Instability • Economic problems lead to political instability • 3 main political ideologies (beliefs about role of government) emerge: • Communism • Social Democracy • Fascism (National Socialism – Nazi Party) Communism • Purpose of government is to serve the needs of the people • Government should be run by workers – democratic in principle • Industry and agriculture should be owned by the state • No private property allowed • Supporters: workers, unemployed, some teachers/professors Social Democracy • Purpose of government is to balance the needs of the people with rights of private business in a capitalistic economy • Government run by elected representatives • Treaty of Versailles must be honored • Constitution guarantee rights of minorities, workers and freedom of press • Supporters: workers, some professionals, religious minorities Fascism / National Socialism (Nazis) • Needs of the state (country) come before needs of individual • Government should be run by the wealthy and supported by the army • Private ownership of business allowed – but government reserves right to dictate terms • Democracy is a problem • Jews, foreigners, communists are responsible for Germany’s problem • Supporters: army, unemployed, big business & wealthy 3. Treat of Versailles • Treaty of Versailles imposed severe conditions on Germany • New boundaries, reparation payments and military restrictions were seen as unjust • Germans felt humiliated by Treaty – bitterness and anger 4. Depression and Unemployment • 1929 Stock market crash – world wide depression • Germany could no longer afford American products • US banks could no longer lend to German businesses – German business went bankrupt – job losses • Living standards fell drastically – families in Berlin were living in tents, farmers guarded their fields with rifles The Rise of Hitler • In Germany, Adolf Hitler had been regarded as a fringe political player – did not have popular support • In the midst of this economic and political crisis the people of Germany began to listen to Adolf Hitler