Do you think the Nazis would have rose to power if our allies had helped Germany instead of trying to starve?

Question

them out of existence?

A good program on the History Channel shows how it was the German people who brought WWI to an end. They were rioting against the Kaiser and his financial backers. It was representatives of the people, at the order of the Kaiser, who first contacted our allies to sue for Peace> But, they were rejected because they were not military and thus were consider beneith contempt of the military officers sent to hear them.

When the war ended, instead of helping the people rebuild Germany and create a democratic government, we blockaded their ports and rails, with the purpose of starving them out of existence. Is it any wonder that it was so easy for the Nazis to take power and convince them that they had a new and better way? The German people were getting nothing from anyone else, not even information. The Nazis were all that was left.

Perhaps nothing of importance in today's society, but something of interest in what brought us to where we are today.

Answer 1

Well, it took the Nazis nearly a long time from the end of WWI to come to power, so it isn't something that happened overnight.And there were democratic governments between the end of WWI and that rise to power. But I agree with you - much of the Nazis rise to power can be put down to the onerous obligations etc. laid on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. However, you must not forget the gneral state of the world following the crash of 1929 and the resulting Great Depression which hit all countries., but Germany harder than most. Would that still have happened? And if so would the Nazis rise still happened?

Answer 2

No, that was a big mistake that was made after WWII. The US was the only country giving Germany money to help rebuild. Germany also had to pay heavy reparations to France and Britain. And then, France and Britain were paying the US back for all the supplies and money they had lent them during the war. When the Great Depression hit the US, the whole chain fell apart sending pretty much all the major countries into Depression.

As a result, most German's could barely afford enough food to survive. It took a wheelbarrow full of money to buy a loaf of bread! Hitler promised a way out, and Germans were desperate so they took it. Since he took them out of the Depression, they listened to anything he said, leading to an entire nation being swept by madness.

So to answer your question, yes I think that if all of the allies had tried to rebuild Germany, then Hitler would not have rose to power.

Answer 3

The victors namely the Allies were only interested in reparations ,that is basically the British and French. But by their misguided efforts not only did they bankrupt Germany they also were slowly cutting their own lifeline economically. It can be said that Wall St. speculation was a cause for the Great Depression but there was also unjust payments forced upon Germany which could have never been repaid by any nation in their situation. I agree in principle that on an economic standpoint we aided the Nazis to power. However, the people of Germany are also responsible but you can't condemn them in totality because they were starving for some prosperity brought about by the unjust reparations of the Allies and the incompetent but well meaning Weimar Republic.

Answer 4

The problem wasn't so much the immediate post war period, though obviously there was disuption, discontent and a fair bit of blame-placing.
Two key factors:
The worldwide depression following the America stock-marker collapse was particularly destabilising for Germany.
The polarisation of politics, as increasing support for "the reds" drew a reaction from parties and factions fearing a Bolshevist takeover as in Russia. (particular the financial and industrial business sectors)
In the midst of this, yes, there was almost certainly a failure to support democracy and the Weimar republic, especially financially, and this might have made a difference.
Or could German have gone "Red?"

The Versailles treaty is an easy target, but I have seen an analysis that suggests it was neither one thing nor the other. Not harsh enough to leave Germany crushed unable to rise (and with no room for the "undefeated but betrayed " myth of the Nazi's), but not conciliatory enough to to avoid leaving a deep resentment.
Either might have done better.

Answer 5

Yes true on the blockade, but keep in mind also that the SS and Hitler also had the socio-economic devastation of the Depression to aid him in discrediting the Kaisers regime. It could be said in a similar light that our blockade of Japanese oil caused them to attack Pearl Harbor. I might add that the relatively Nationalistic atmosphere of the USA after WW1 caused a sig nificant delay in our entering WW2, and many lives were lost as a result. The US knew that Jews were being slaughtered and did relatively nothing until 1942. Hitler was a problem as early as the mid-30's.

Answer 6

I feel that the Allies could have help to tie loose ends to secure a better relationship with the Germans.

That is why Americans think our nation should be Iraq and stay there this time to help tie those loose ends to prevent another leader arising.