The Radical ThirtiesCanadian Politics and the Rise of Fascism

The Radical Thirties

Agenda Learning Goals

Post-WWI GermanyThe Rise of the NazisPrairie Politics

Understand the development of new political parties in Canada.

Learn how the conditions in Germany after WWI led to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party

Germany After WWI

The Treaty of Versailles

The Treaty of Versailles, which ended WWI also made a number of harsh demands on Germany.

These included war reparations and the creation of a democratic government in Germany. The new government also had to deal with extremist groups and hyperinflation.

Challenges: War Reparations

Germany was forced to pay war reparations. This meant that Germany and its allies had to pay for all of the damage caused during the war.

These reparations totaled $132 billion gold marks or $400 billion in today’s dollars!

Challenges: Democratic Government

Germany also had to become a democracy, after centuries of being a monarchy ruled by an emperor.

Post-WWI Germany became known as the Weimar Republic and was extremely democratic. At one point there were over 20 political parties in the Reichstag or German parliament, causing political chaos

Challenges: Hyperinflation

To pay its war debts, Germany began to print more money. This caused the price of goods to rise and the value of it currency, the mark, to fall.

For example, a pair of shoes which cost 12 marks in 1913 cost 32 trillion marks in 1923. With the mark having no real value, many middle-class people lost their life savings.

It became common for people to use wheelbarrows to take their pay home or fuel their stoves with marks!

Dada Art

In response to the chaotic times, artists in Switzerland and Germany founded Dada Art. It rejected all previous artistic forms and was closely linked with Communists

Dada Art

Often using found objects, Dada Art rejected middle-class values.

It blamed these older values for causing WWI and promoted itself as a kind of “anti-art.”

Create Your Own Dada Art!

Having seen some examples of Dada art, you will create your own!

In pairs or groups, create one piece of Dada art. Remember that your artwork could be as simple as a found object or non-sense poems,

The Rise of Hitler

How did Hitler Rise to Power?

Stock Market Crash Failure of Democracy

The 1929 Stock Market Crash destroyed Germany’s fragile economic recovery.

With a 30% unemployment rate, people were reduced to extreme poverty

The democratic system of Weimar Germany was too unstable.

Politicians were unable to deal with problems such as hyperinflation and later the Depression.

Why Hitler?

Fear of Communism

Many middle-class people feared that radical communist workers would overthrow the government.

The Nazis were unafraid to use violence to suppress communist activity and people increasingly turned to them because of this.

Why Hitler?

Nazi Campaign Tactics

The Nazis were excellent at promoting themselves and their cause.

They held huge rallies which were well choreographed and created an image of power and order.

The Reichstag Fire

In January 1933, Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany.

In February, the Reichstag is burned down, likely by Nazi supporters.

Using this as an excuse, Hitler arrests leading Communists and passes the Enabling Act, which lets him pass laws at will.

Hitler as Führer

In 1934, Hitler launches the “Night of the Long Knives,” in which his rivals in the Nazi Party are arrested. Many are later executed without trial.

In August, following the death of the German president, Hitler combines the positions of chancellor and president—the Führer. He then officially becomes dictator of Germany.

Radical Politics in Canada