PDF file: History - Advanced Higher - Germany - Education Scotland

Source N
Writing in 1934, a middle class member of the SA, reflects on how his family was
affected by the Great Depression.
I was born on 14 May 1910 in Wurselen of Catholic parents … Because of the
financial crisis within my family - my father and three of my siblings had recently lost
their jobs - I had to break off my studies. During the following years I tried to obtain
a position commensurate with my education, but without success. Only some two
years after my school exams was I able to obtain work at the Goulay mine, where I
had previously worked frequently during my school holidays. Although the work has
absolutely nothing to do with my training, I am none the less happy to be able to
support my parents to a degree. My father is still unemployed and my brother only
got back to work a couple of weeks ago. What I will achieve professionally and how I
shall make use of my skills and knowledge is still not clear to me.
Source O
Albert Speer on why he joined, along with his mother, the National Socialist Party in
1931.
Here it seemed to me was hope. Here were new ideals, a new understanding, new
tasks … The peril of communism which seemed inexorably on the way, could be
checked, Hitler persuaded us, and instead of hopeless unemployment, Germany could
move toward economic recovery. He had mentioned the Jewish problem only
peripherally. But such remarks did worry me although I was not an anti-Semite … It
must have been during these months that my mother saw an SA parade on the streets
of Heidelberg. The sight of discipline in a time of chaos, the impression of energy in
an atmosphere of universal hopelessness, seems to have won her over also.
Source P
Address by Hitler to German industrialists, January 1932.
Unemployment is driving millions of Germans to look on Communism as the logical
theoretical counterpart of their actual economic situation. We cannot cure this state
of affairs by emergency decrees. There can only be one basic solution: a realisation
that a flourishing economic life must be protected by a flourishing, powerful state.
Today we stand at a turning-point in Germany’s destiny. Either we work out a
body-politic as hard as iron from the conglomeration of parties, or Germany will fall
into final ruin.
Source Q
The Nazi Propaganda department issues a directive during the presidential election
campaign of Spring 1932.
… Hitler poster. The Hitler poster depicts a fascinating Hitler head on a completely
black background. Subtitle: white on black - ‘Hitler’. In accordance with the
Fuhrer’s wish this poster is to be put up only during the final days (of the campaign).
History: Germany: Versailles to the Outbreak of World War II - 1918-1939 (AH) 71