NCERT 9th Class (CBSE) Social Science: Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

Question: Who were called the ‘November Criminals’? Why?

The stab-in-the-back myth (German: Dolchstoßlegende, pronounced (About this sound listen)) was the notion, widely believed and promulgated in right-wing circles in Germany after 1918, that the German Army did not lose World War I on the battlefield but was instead betrayed by the civilians on the home front, especially the republicans who overthrew the monarchy in the German Revolution of 1918–19. Advocates denounced the German government leaders who signed the Armistice on November 11, 1918, as the “November Criminals” (German: November­verbrecher).

Question: Write a one page history of Germany
(a) as a schoolchild in Nazi Germany
(b) as a Jewish survivor of a concentration camp
(c) as a political opponent of the Nazi regime .

Answer:

1. As a Schoolchild in Nazi Germany I have been conditioned behave in a particular manner since I was three years old. First I given a flag to wave, to show my patriotism. I was told that men’s women’s roles in life were totally different. We were told that the for equal rights of men and women was a thing of the past as it WOIJIC destroy our society today. We boys were taught to be aggressive. masculine and steel hearted, while the girls were told that they had become good mothers and rear pure-blooded Aryan children.

   The girls had to maintain the purity of the race, distance themselves from Jews, look after the home, and teach their children Nazi values.

   They had to be the bearers of the Aryan culture and race.

   I had to take an oath of loyalty to Hitler, proclaiming him as the savior of the country. I have been told that after finishing school, I will join the Hitler Youth Organisation. This will be followed by military services, which is compulsory.

2. As a Jewish Survivor of a Concentration Camp Thanks to the Lord for saving my life. I am happy to have survived three years of torturous life in the concentration camp. Of course, I am now very weak and ill, but I am still alive.

   So many of my friends, relatives and even family members died before my eyes due to the bad treatment meted out to them in the camp. They were regularly beaten, left to starve and worked in very harsh conditions. Many of them were sent to the gas chambers and I was always afraid of my number coming next. Luckily I have survived to tell this tale.

3. As a Political Opponent of the Nazi Regime Since the Nazis have captured power, they are making life hell for all people who do not follow their doctrine. I do not understand what they will gain by trying to conquer other nations.

   The bombing by the British on our homes has killed many of my relatives and friends. Aggression on other countries will definitely cause war with them and we will also lose men and property in war. The way the Nazis are going about increasing their power, I feel, in the long run, we will lose out, as this war will make all other nations to go against us. I hope Hitler sees sense and stops this war soon .

Question: Describe the problems faced by the Wiemar Republic.

Answer: The Wiemar Republic formed the German Government after the First World War, which Germany lost. The republic faced two kinds of problems

1. Economic Crisis The war had been very costly for all concerned. The damage and human casualties, along with post-war depletion of resources, consequent debts and war compensation led to this crisis.

   Hyperinflation made the German Mark valueless and caused immense hardship to the German people.

2. Political Crisis Although the National Assembly framed a democratic Constitution, it was too weak. Proportional representation and Article 48 resulted in the creation of a political crisis and finally the death of the Wiemar Republic.