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How did the Nazi's exploit and challenge the Treaty of Versailles?
Economic Situation
- The Treaty of Versailles put massive economic strain on Germany.
- It meant to an extent that Weimar was never able to become economically strong (Hyper-Inflation, the Depression, Trade deficit...etc)
- Thus people lost faith in the Weimar system of democracy and turned to Extremists.
- Germans had never experienced democracy prior to 1918, their experience of it was negative.
Diktat
- Germany had no say in the content of the Treaty - Hence it was a 'Diktat' (Dictation)
- Germany was given two options sign the Treaty or be invaded by the allies.
- Forced to accept responsibility for the War and thus was responsible for paying reparations.
- Deeply unpopular, Hitler used this sentiment to rally support for his party
The 'Stab In the Back' Theory
- Propaganda against those who signed the Treaty or 'November Criminals'
- Hitler repeatedly expressed opinion that the Marxists and the Jews were responsible for the treaty.
- Used to justify persecution of these groups.
Under The Third Reich
- Propaganda used to portray Hitler as the liberator of Germany from the Versailles Treaty.
- Hitler used his new national platform to capitalise on anti-Versailles sentiments and used them create a 'national consciousness'.
Violations of the Treaty
- 1933 - Stopped paying Reparations (Nazi Government refused to pay them)
- 1934 - Beginning of rearmament
- 1935 - Reintroduction of Military conscription, Army, Luftwaffe and Navy re-established
- 1936 - Reoccupation of the Rhineland
- 1938 - Anschluss with Austria
- 1938 - Annexation of the Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia)
- 1939 - Attacks and Annexes Moravia and Bohemia (Czechoslovakia)
- 1939 - Invades Poland (Leads directly to World War II)
[Category:History Revision Notes|Nazism and the Treaty of Versailles]]
