The Rise of Hitler and the Responses to the Great Depression: A Comparative Analysis

Summary

The article discusses the rise of Hitler in Germany during the Great Depression years characterized by open terror, heavy pressure, and the systematic elimination of potential opposition. It also analyzes the various responses of other countries such as Britain, France, Scandinavia and Italy to the economic crisis.

Table of Contents

• The Looming Catastrophe for the German Left
• The Consolidation of the Dictatorship in Germany
• The Response of Britain to the Great Depression
• The Response of France to the Great Depression
• The Response of Scandinavia to the Great Depression
• The Response of Italy to the Great Depression

Q&A

Q: What was the cause of the German Left’s looming catastrophe during the Great Depression years?

A: The German Left’s looming catastrophe during the Great Depression was caused by the crumbling government authority and public disorder spread by violent clashes between Nazis and Communist paramilitary organizations. Panic at the growing support for communism had gripped the middle classes while government authority was crumbling.

Q: How did the Nazis rise to power in Germany during the Great Depression years?

A: The Nazis were able to rise to power in Germany during the Depression years by underrating the tottering remains of Weimar democracy. Only the fifth or so of voters who still supported the Social Democrats, together with the few remaining liberals and some adherents of the Catholic Centre Party, wanted to retain the democratic system. About three-quarters of Germans wanted some form of authoritarian government. The Nazis promised a radical new start by clearing out the old system entirely, creating a new Germany out of the ruins.

Q: How did the British Government manage the economic crisis during the Great Depression?

A: The British Government managed the economic crisis during the Great Depression by pushing through budget cuts, tax rises, and pay reductions for public service workers as a result of a huge majority in the House of Commons. This resulted in reduced demand and deflation. However, cheap money resulting from the reduction in costs of short-term borrowing encouraged expansion in house-building that spurred demand for building materials, household furnishings, electrical goods, and other ancillary by-products, leading to significant growth in the economy.

Q: What was the response of France to the Great Depression?

A: France tried to heal its ailing economy through orthodox methods of financial retrenchment by cutting government expenditure, school-building, worker-housing, and other construction work, which led to political turbulence when cuts affected salaries, pensions, and benefits of all state employees and started to impinge on war veterans and other sectors of the public.

Q: How did Scandinavian countries manage the economic crisis during the Great Depression?

A: Scandinavian countries managed the economic crisis during the Great Depression by consolidating between parties and adopting economic policies, producing lasting significance in laying the basis for welfare policies that rested on political stability and popular acceptance. The new, pragmatic basis of consensus was used to introduce counter-cyclical economic policy aimed at combating unemployment through state spending on public works.

Q: What was the Italian Fascist regime’s response to the Great Depression?

A: The Italian Fascist regime responded to the Great Depression by increasing state intervention in the economy via expenditure on land reclamation and the drive for self-sufficiency in food, which helped to reduce unemployment but did nothing to keep costs down, improve productivity, or enhance technological progress.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the article provides an insightful analysis of the responses of different countries to the Great Depression. The article shows that while some countries were able to manage the economic crisis through pragmatic and effective policies, others were stifled by their rigid adherence to orthodox economic beliefs. Furthermore, the article highlights the tragic rise of Hitler during the Depression years and the catastrophic consequences that followed. Overall, the article gives a comprehensive view of the Great Depression years and its impact on different countries across the world.