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Democracy and Nazism Worksheet

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Democracy and Nazism Worksheet

Investigate how democracy in the Weimar Republic was challenged and how the Nazis dismantled it. Read the timeline and source cards, then answer using specific evidence. The Nazi dictatorship was responsible for persecution, mass murder and war; propaganda claims in this worksheet are identified as claims, not facts.

A republic under pressure

Germany became a republic in 1918, after the First World War. Its new democratic government, known as the Weimar Republic, faced political violence, economic crises and deep disagreement. The 1919 constitution used proportional representation, which helped smaller parties win seats but often meant governments depended on coalitions. Article 48 allowed the president to issue emergency decrees; it was intended for emergencies, but its frequent use later weakened parliamentary government. In 1923, after Germany struggled to pay reparations, French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr industrial region. The government encouraged passive resistance and paid workers by printing money. Hyperinflation followed: money rapidly lost its value. A Nazi attempt to seize power in Munich failed that year. During a more stable period from 1924 to 1929, economic recovery depended partly on US loans, leaving Germany vulnerable when the Great Depression began in 1929. Unemployment and hardship grew. The Nazis used propaganda, mass rallies, promises of national renewal and tailored messages to different groups. Their paramilitary SA also used violence and intimidation. The party won 2.6% of the vote in 1928, 18.3% in 1930 and 37.3% in July 1932. Hitler was appointed Chancellor by President Hindenburg in January 1933; the Nazis had not won an outright majority in a free election. After the Reichstag fire in February 1933, the government used an emergency decree to restrict civil liberties and arrest opponents. In March, the Enabling Act allowed Hitler’s government to make laws without the Reichstag. It passed amid intimidation and the exclusion or arrest of many Communist deputies. In June 1934, during the Night of the Long Knives, Hitler ordered the killing of political opponents, including SA leaders. After Hindenburg died in August 1934, Hitler combined the roles of Chancellor and President and became the dictator known as Führer.

1918 — German monarchy ends; republic established.

1919 — New democratic constitution adopted.

1923 — Ruhr occupation, hyperinflation and failed Nazi putsch.

1924–1929 — Relative stability; recovery partly relies on US loans.

1929 — Great Depression begins; unemployment rises.

January 1933 — Hitler appointed Chancellor.

March 1933 — Enabling Act passed under intimidation.

August 1934 — Hitler combines the offices of Chancellor and President.

Source cards

Source A is a campaign slogan used by the Nazi Party in 1932. It called Hitler “Our Last Hope”. The slogan was designed to persuade voters; it does not provide evidence that Hitler was Germany’s only possible solution. Source B is a historian’s summary of election results: Nazi vote share was 2.6% in 1928, 18.3% in 1930 and 37.3% in July 1932. The figures show growing electoral support, but do not explain each voter’s motives or mean that the Nazis won a majority.

1.According to the timeline and passage, name one feature of the Weimar system that could make stable government difficult, and explain why.

2.Which event most directly helped create the severe hyperinflation described in the passage?

The government printed money to pay workers during passive resistance in the Ruhr.
The Enabling Act gave Hitler power to make laws.
The US loans of the 1920s ended the republic.
The death of Hindenburg caused the Great Depression.

3.Explain one way the Great Depression helped the Nazis gain support. Use a detail from the passage.

4.Put these events in chronological order by writing 1–4: Enabling Act passed; failed Munich putsch; Hitler appointed Chancellor; Reichstag fire.

5.Source A calls Hitler “Our Last Hope”. What does this slogan suggest the Nazis wanted worried voters to believe?

6.How useful is Source B for investigating Nazi electoral growth between 1928 and July 1932? Give one strength and one limitation.

7.True or false? In July 1932 the Nazis won more than half of the votes in the election.

TrueFalse

8.Match each event to its immediate effect on democracy.

Reichstag Fire Decree, 1933
Enabling Act, 1933
Night of the Long Knives, 1934
Hindenburg’s death, 1934

Allowed Hitler’s government to make laws without the Reichstag
Restricted civil liberties and enabled arrests of opponents
Removed opponents through a wave of political killings
Allowed Hitler to combine the offices of Chancellor and President

9.Why is it inaccurate to say Hitler became Chancellor because the Nazis had won an outright majority in a free election?

10.Short historical judgement: Was the weakening of German democracy between 1933 and 1934 caused more by legal changes or by violence and intimidation? State a judgement and support it with two details.