Chapter 3: Nazism and the Rise of Hitler - NCERT Solutions
Exercise
Q1. Describe the problems faced by the Weimar Republic.
Answer - The Weimar Republic faced many serious problems:
● It was blamed for Germany’s defeat in World War I and signing the Treaty of Versailles, which was seen as humiliating.
● Severe economic problems like hyperinflation in the early 1920s ruined many people's savings.
● Political instability with frequent changes of government and the rise of extremist parties.
● Unemployment and poverty grew during the Great Depression.
● Weak democratic traditions and opposition from both the far left and far right threatened its survival.
● It was blamed for Germany’s defeat in World War I and signing the Treaty of Versailles, which was seen as humiliating.
● Severe economic problems like hyperinflation in the early 1920s ruined many people's savings.
● Political instability with frequent changes of government and the rise of extremist parties.
● Unemployment and poverty grew during the Great Depression.
● Weak democratic traditions and opposition from both the far left and far right threatened its survival.
Q2. Discuss why Nazism became popular in Germany by 1930.
Answer - Nazism became popular due to several factors:
● The economic hardships caused by the Great Depression made many Germans desperate.
● The Nazis promised to restore Germany’s former glory and reject the Treaty of Versailles.
● They used propaganda to exploit nationalist feelings and anti-Semitism.
● The Nazi party organized mass rallies and presented a strong leadership image under Hitler.
● Many people feared communism and saw the Nazis as a defense against it.
● The economic hardships caused by the Great Depression made many Germans desperate.
● The Nazis promised to restore Germany’s former glory and reject the Treaty of Versailles.
● They used propaganda to exploit nationalist feelings and anti-Semitism.
● The Nazi party organized mass rallies and presented a strong leadership image under Hitler.
● Many people feared communism and saw the Nazis as a defense against it.
Q3. What are the peculiar features of Nazi thinking?
Answer - Nazi ideology had several peculiar features:
● Belief in the racial superiority of the Aryan race and anti-Semitism.
● A desire for territorial expansion to provide living space (Lebensraum) for Germans.
● Strong nationalism combined with authoritarianism and rejection of democracy.
● The cult of personality around Hitler as the Führer.
● Anti-communism and opposition to liberalism and socialism.
● Belief in the racial superiority of the Aryan race and anti-Semitism.
● A desire for territorial expansion to provide living space (Lebensraum) for Germans.
● Strong nationalism combined with authoritarianism and rejection of democracy.
● The cult of personality around Hitler as the Führer.
● Anti-communism and opposition to liberalism and socialism.
Q4. Explain why Nazi propaganda was effective in creating a hatred for Jews.
Answer - Nazi propaganda was effective because:
● It portrayed Jews as the enemy responsible for Germany’s problems.
● It used simple, repeated messages in rallies, newspapers, films, and posters.
● It exploited existing prejudices and stereotypes.
● It blamed Jews for economic crises, unemployment, and social unrest.
● The propaganda created fear and unified Germans against a common scapegoat.
● It portrayed Jews as the enemy responsible for Germany’s problems.
● It used simple, repeated messages in rallies, newspapers, films, and posters.
● It exploited existing prejudices and stereotypes.
● It blamed Jews for economic crises, unemployment, and social unrest.
● The propaganda created fear and unified Germans against a common scapegoat.
Q5. Explain what role women had in Nazi society. Return to Chapter 1 on the French Revolution. Write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the role of women in the two periods.
Answer - Role of women in Nazi society:
● Women were expected to focus on 'Kinder, Küche, Kirche' (children, kitchen, church).
● Their main role was to be mothers and homemakers to increase the Aryan population.
● Women were discouraged from working in professional jobs.
● The Nazi state promoted policies encouraging marriage and childbirth.
Comparison with the French Revolution period:
● During the French Revolution, women actively participated in protests and political clubs, demanding rights.
● However, they were largely denied political power after the revolution.
● In Nazi Germany, women’s roles were restricted more strictly to traditional domestic duties.
● Both periods limited women’s political rights but differed in women's social activism.
● Women were expected to focus on 'Kinder, Küche, Kirche' (children, kitchen, church).
● Their main role was to be mothers and homemakers to increase the Aryan population.
● Women were discouraged from working in professional jobs.
● The Nazi state promoted policies encouraging marriage and childbirth.
Comparison with the French Revolution period:
● During the French Revolution, women actively participated in protests and political clubs, demanding rights.
● However, they were largely denied political power after the revolution.
● In Nazi Germany, women’s roles were restricted more strictly to traditional domestic duties.
● Both periods limited women’s political rights but differed in women's social activism.
Q6. In what ways did the Nazi state seek to establish total control over its people?
Answer - The Nazi state established total control through:
● A police state using the Gestapo to spy, arrest, and eliminate opposition.
● Control of the media, arts, and education to spread Nazi ideology.
● Youth organizations like the Hitler Youth to indoctrinate children.
● Use of propaganda to manipulate public opinion.
● Suppression of trade unions and political parties other than the Nazi Party.
● A police state using the Gestapo to spy, arrest, and eliminate opposition.
● Control of the media, arts, and education to spread Nazi ideology.
● Youth organizations like the Hitler Youth to indoctrinate children.
● Use of propaganda to manipulate public opinion.
● Suppression of trade unions and political parties other than the Nazi Party.