Chapter 3 Hitler's Germany

CHAPTER 3 : HITLER’S GERMANY

*)BACKGROUND INFORMATION! - ​ Treaty of Versailles (TOV) was signed in 1919 and TOV was an unfair treaty towards Germany. - German representatives were forced under ultimatum to sign the unfair treaty. *)Terms of The Treaty Of Versailles WAR GUILT CLAUSE Territorial Reduction Demilitarisation Reparations Formation of LON Self-determination Germany to accept Complete War Blame for starting World War I Germany lost all overseas colonies in Africa and Asia Pacific. Germany Lost Alsace-Lorraine And profits from Saar Coal Region to France Germany giving up territory between Germany and East Prussia to form the Polish Corridor to give Poland independent access to sea Germany not allowed to unite with Austria Germany Armed forces restrictes to : -Size of Army : 100,000 men -Size of Navy : 15,000 men Not allowed to have : 1.) Air-force 2.) Tanks 3.) Submarines Pay full compensation For WWI 269 million gold Reichmarks League of Nations Set up to maintain world peace People previously belonged to Austria-Hungary in Central Europe with a common identity were given the right to govern themselves.

1) ​ What problems were caused fragmentation of the Weimar Government? 3 Structural weaknesses of Constitution and Proportional Representation. Proportional Representation Coalition Governments Article 48 of Weimar Constitution -People voted for a party instead of Specific Candidates - Parties gained seats based on number of votes won - Democratic and fair system but resulted in high degree of fragmentation in parliament - All parties came together to form a government - A number of parties had extreme ideas and were not willing to compromise -Coalition keep breaking up leading to frequent changes in governance - Allowed the president to dissolve both houses of parliament and rule by decree for six months in ‘Time of Emergency’ -Civil Liberties could be suspended - What constituted as emergency was not defined

- Too many small parties competing without a party gaining majority - Difficult to pass laws as there were 20 different coalition government from 1919-1933 - Hitler exploited the emergency power legally and to remain in power

2) ​ Why was it difficult for strong government to exist during the era of the Weimar government? 2 Main causes that Caused Weimar to be weak other than Structural weakness mentioned above Hyperinflation! - Post-war Germany struggled with poverty, high unemployment and fragile economy. The reparation payments were therefore an unwelcome burden, highly unpopular with the German People. The government kept up by printing more money. On December 1922, Germany failed to make payment. France and Belgium invaded th