The 1929 Crisis, Nazi Rise, and Steps to World War II
The Crisis of 1929 and the Rise of Nazism
The Crisis of 1929 significantly impacted Germany, exacerbating social unrest and unemployment. The middle class felt threatened, leading to widespread fear. In the 1932 elections, the Nazi party gained significant support. Conservative military leaders invited Hitler to lead a right-wing coalition government.
3.2. Nazi Power
Despite having only two other Nazi ministers initially, Hitler quickly consolidated power. He suppressed democracy, eliminated opposition, established a war economy, and pursued an aggressive foreign policy. To suppress democracy, Hitler dissolved the Reichstag and called for new elections. In February 1933, a State of Emergency decree abolished democratic rights, hindering political parties’ campaigns. Although the Nazis only secured 44% of the vote, Hitler banned all political parties except the Nazi Party and its organizations. The Reichstag passed an emergency law allowing Hitler to enact laws without parliamentary approval. By November 1933, Germany became a one-party state. After Hindenburg’s death, Hitler declared himself Führer (leader). Workers were forced into the German Labor Front, and churches were tolerated as long as they supported the regime.
To eliminate opposition, Hitler purged the radical wing of his party, led by the SA, which rivaled the army and sought to end capitalism. This was resolved in 1934 during the Night of the Long Knives, where the SA leadership was killed, securing the army’s support and eliminating the threat of radical capitalism. Many conservatives opposed the Nazi regime. The SS and Gestapo took the lead in repression. Hitler, with the support of his closest collaborators, wielded absolute power.
The Steps to War
The Steps to War were marked by events in Japan, Germany, and Italy, which opposed the Paris Peace and challenged the League of Nations. These events included Japan’s aggression towards China, German rearmament, the Spanish Civil War, German annexations, and the invasion of Poland.
The Aggression of Japan to China
Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931. By 1937, Japan invaded the rest of China, starting the Sino-Japanese War, which continued until 1945 and was linked to World War II.
German Rearmament
Hitler’s rise to power led to Germany’s violation of the Treaty of Versailles through rearmament. The Nazi goal was to annex Austria and parts of Czechoslovakia.
The Italian Invasion of Abyssinia
Italy attacked Abyssinia, a member of the League of Nations. Economic sanctions were imposed but were difficult to enforce, failing to deter Italy.
The Spanish Civil War
In 1936, a military uprising occurred in Spain. Hitler and Mussolini supported General Franco’s rebel side. Great Britain and France did not intervene, and the Republic only received military support from the USSR. This conflict solidified Germany and Italy’s positions.
The Annexation of Germany and Italy in Eastern Europe
Germany occupied Austria and forced Czechoslovakia to accept annexation, leading to the creation of Slovakia. Italy conquered Albania.
The Invasion of Poland
In 1936, the Rome-Berlin Axis was formed, later joined by Tokyo (Axis bloc). The signing of the non-aggression pact between Hitler and Stalin allowed Germany to invade Poland on September 1, 1939, marking the beginning of World War II.