Germany, The Depressed One

Examine the impact of the Great Depression upon One European Country of your choice.
The Great Depression was a fatal blow to all European countries as well as the United States (US). Germany was going through a traumatic time during this period in which they had to pay off the Treaty of Versailles (ToV) debt and a political reformation. The state of Germany’s economy led to a political reformation which left German citizens unemployed and causing demonstrations which broke out throughout the whole country with left wing extremists attacked right wing radicals. This left Germany in chaos as union leaders pushed to become national leaders, people hated their government and the government was impaired and could do nothing to satisfy its people. Germany was a disaster. The economy of Germany proved to be explosive as people even burnt money to keep themselves warm as wood was too expensive.

Germany’s debts were impossible to keep up with. Their debts from the ToV were so hard to keep up with, that the government had to print an enormous amount of money to pay it off. This caused hyperinflation which meant that things started to cost bizarre amounts which could go up to millions and trillions. On top of the reparations, Germany had a deadline to meet to pay off their loans from the US. Germany obtained loans from the US during World War I (WWI) in order to fight, but, after the Wall Street Crash in the US, the US demanded its loans to be payed back in order to prevent further unemployment and maybe help their economy. This made Germany’s currency inflate to the maximum level. The Central Bank of Germany had to borrow an extensive sum of money in order to keep up with their payments. Another factor which affected the economy was the unstable governmental system. The Weimar Republic was somewhat stable, but new parties were increasing in size as citizens sought to promising individuals whom could guarantee change. The main party was the Nazi party followed by the Communist party. The tension between the two led to an unstable ruling party with the Nazi’s being able to challenge Von Hindenburg, the president.

The chaotic economy of Germany gave room for parties to rise and challenge the authority. The Nazi party led by Adolf Hitler was the strongest one with an increase of seats in the Reichstag every few months. The Nazi Party was the favored party of the people with Hitler at the top. The economy helped boost Hitler’s popularity because he promised a way out of it. One of his campaign posters said “Our Last Hope – Hitler”. The Nazi Party was so popular because they challenged the legitimacy of the Weimar Republic and most of the citizens hated Jews, so Hitler repetedly blamed them and told the people that they would be exterminated in which he gained much popularity from the people he led. Hitler was appointed the head of the Nationalist Socialist government in which he became increasing in power. The Great Depression proved to boost Hitler through his campaign and take charge of an all powerful nation which was on a very thin line. However, although a political reformation was in process, the ordinary people of Germany were unemployed and in a state of panic and chaos.

The majority of the citizens within Germany were under Nazi influence. Bomb attacks were common as well as assassinations against Communists and Jews. The Weimar Government could not control their people. The Nazi’s were too numerous and too deadly to handle even when the Weimar gave them everything they had. Almost 30% of Germany’s population was unemployed and looking for work.

“The German working class is now going through a far severer period of economic and moral depression than even the most pessimistic tables of statisticians can describe. It takes an insight into the conditions of the average proletarian family to establish this. Vegetable-butter (margarine) is found everywhere at the workingman's table instead of butter. The diet is entirely devoid of eggs. Only the most meager portions of meat find their way to the worker's stomach. Malt coffee has displaced bean coffee, and so on without end” - Developments in Germany, The Militant, February 1, 1930

The quote above describes how unnatural and cheap the food was during the period of time. German people had no other option but to survive and eat whatever is available and cheap. Malt Coffee, margarine and rare occasions of meat all prove to be a case where survival instincts come into play. “Only the most meagre portions of meat find their way to the workers stomach” This clearly shows that Germans were not healthy and needed something to be done quickly. Rationing was a last resort for the government.

Rationing was ordered due to food shortages and this agitated the people causing further protesting. The political reformation made the people like this. The heavy influence of newly founded parties, promising a glimmer of hope to get out of their crazed situation, made the German people very susceptible to believe anything. Hitler saw this and influenced many of them to follow his steps. Street clashes between Nazi and Communist followers were frequent. Whether it would be burning a house down, bombing targets or even assassination, the people saw this as the only way to make a better Germany. The politics can be seen to be the cause of the peoples actions. The people felt that they have to be a part of something in order to get an outcome.

In conclusion, the state of Germany’s economy led to a political reformation which left German citizens unemployed and causing demonstrations which broke out throughout the whole country with left wing extremists attacked right wing radicals. This proved to be fatal for Germany and left it in a chaotic state in which anything could happen. A new leader arose from this, hyperinflation destroyed the economy and the people were outraged. The effects of the Depression were felt all around the world, but especially in Germany did it hit the most. Not just because of the Depression, but because of the prologue to the war. The ToV, paying off the US loans and no stable governmental system added to the Depression making it extremely difficult for anyone to have a normal day to day life.