Warm-Up

DO NOT WRITE THE Q’S BUT ANSWER IN COMPLETE SENTENCES.

1)What changes in grocery purchases did your family
make over the four week period?

2) What things might you do to change the situation that

your family is in currently?

3) What was the cause of the rapid inflation (rise of

prices) in Germany?
 The German Election of 1932
• By 1932 the German economy was in ruins. They were no longer receiving
money from the United States and the government’s solution of printing
extra money had done nothing but cause massive inflation.

• For example, many Germans were choosing to use their money as fuel for
their furnaces to heat their homes because it was simply worthless.

• The German unemployment rate was extremely high and many Germans
were unemployed.

• This was the atmosphere that the German people went with to the voting
booth in 1932. The voter turnout was extremely high – 84% of eligible
voters cast their vote in this election.
 The German Election of 1932 (cont.)
• There were three main candidates running for
President in Germany representing the three main
political parties. Below is a detailed description of the
three party platforms

What is a party platform?

A party platform is a list of aims or goals of a political
party
 POLITICAL PARTY A
• This party wishes to maintain the Republic and to allow Germany to take
its place among the free governments of Europe.
• We support the present German Republic so that freedom, democracy,
and justice will live in the hearts of our German countrymen.
• We will honor all of Germany’s obligations (including money owed from
World War I) so that Germany’s honor and respect will not be decreased in
the eyes of the rest of the world.
• We plan to create more jobs through public work projects (ex: building
more parks, etc)
• We will establish unemployment payments for those without a job for 6
months
• We will cut government spending in order to lower taxes.
• We believe that any who disagrees with us should have the right to
express those disagreements (freedom of speech.)
 POLITICAL PARTY B
• We are committed to the overthrow of the presently existing, oppressive
Republic and all of its economic and social institutions. (In other words,
we want to overthrow the government). The party favors:
• We want to get rid of all private property
• We want the government to take over all of the land in the country and
then use it for the common good of everyone.
• We want all factories to be owned by the government so that they can be
run for the benefit of all people.
• We want to build an alliance with the Soviet Union and unite against
capitalism.
• We believe that the cause of all German problems is the fact that the
French, British, and American capitalists are using the Germans in order
to get rich themselves.
 POLITICAL PARTY C
• We want to immediately get rid of the Treaty of Versailles
• We want additional land and territory (colonies) for our growing German
population
• Non-citizens can live in Germany only as foreigners.
• Only citizens can have the right to vote or hold public office.
• It is the government’s job to provide citizens with an opportunity to
support their families. If it is impossible to do this then all foreigners must
be kicked out of the country.
• No additional foreigners shall be allowed into the country after August 2,
1941.
• The education system must be completely redone to teach citizenship.
• All newspapers must be published in German and owned by German
citizens.
Now debate each of the party platforms by completing the following charts as a family
group. List two strengths and two weaknesses for each.

PARTY A
Strengths: Weaknesses:

PARTY B
Strengths: Weaknesses:

PARTY C
Strengths: Weaknesses:
Now that your family has discussed the three choices in
the election, you need to record below who you are
choosing to vote for and WHY. (you need at least two
reasons!)

We chose to vote for Party ____ because of the following

two reasons:

•
 Let’s Vote!
• When your group is called, identify who
you voted for and WHY you chose that
candidate.
The Polls are closed . . .
. . . Calculating the votes
 Who did we elect?
Political Party A Pro-Weimar Republic
= (democratic)

Political Party B = Communist Party

Political Party C = Nazi Party

 The Results (cont.)
• Election of 1932: Nazis become largest party in the
Reichstag.
• Hitler, as their leader, demands to made Chancellor.
• German President persuaded that Hitler, with his popular
appeal, could be kept under control.
• In 1933, Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany.
• Hitler immediately begins creating more power for
himself.
• Within 2 months Hitler given full legislative powers.
• In 1934 Hitler declared the Fuhrer—new position that
 Main Idea
The Treaty of Versailles (which placed enormous
reparations on Germany) and the Great Depression
(which further worsened Germany’s economy) led to
the rise of a totalitarian dictator—Hitler.
More Discussion Questions . . .
• What is the power of the vote?
• Why do you think people choose not to vote in
the United States today?
• Should something be done about the lack of
voter participation? Why or why not?
 References
• Information about the Election of 1932:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_presidential_election,_1932