Hitler's Final Speech at his Trial for Treason, March 27, 1924

"Then, gentlemen, not you will be the ones to deliver the verdict over us, but that verdict will be given by the eternal judgment of history, which will speak out against the accusation that has been made against us. I know what your judgment will be. But that other court will not ask us: Have you committed high treason or not? That court will judge us, their quartermaster-general of the old army, its officers and soldiers, who as Germans wanted only the best for their people and Fatherland, who fought and who were willing to die. You might just as well find us guilty a thousand times, but the goddess of the eternal court of history will smile and tear up the motions of the state's attorney and the judgment of this court: for she finds us not guilty."

 In his speech he addresses to the court that he is proud of what he had done (attempt to overthrow the Republic) for the beneficial of Germans  and even the court finds him guilty he refers to “eternal court” which might include God as well as Germans will not find him guilty. This passage shows that Hitler is trying to get support from the public by saying that he is right and he did that only to improve or uplift German and destroy Republicans as well as Marxism and mentions that the people who had fought for their country and love their Fatherland would understand. He is portraying himself as a hero in this statement who is willing to do anything for his country.

Reference:

“Hitler’s Final Speech at his Trial for Treason, March 27, 1924”, Facing History and Ourselves, 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
http://weimar.facinghistory.org/content/hitlers-final-speech-his-trial-treason-march-27-1924

Similarities and Differences among Three Political Parties

Similarities

The similarities of these three parties (Communist party,  The Nazi party, Social-Democratic party) was they were claiming that they would make a better Germany than it was at that period and wanted the support of German people; however they had their own  principles to do that.

Differences:

Communist Party: They were the left wings who were radical anti-Republicans. They were favoring Russian style Communist dictatorship. They wanted to change the nation towards progress by abolition of private property, establishment of land reform programs and government control of the land and business industry so that they can distribute for the common good as well as people could benefit rather than capitalists. They were strong supporters of progressive taxation, government social welfare programs and labor unions including equality and economic opportunity for women. They were less nationalistic, militaristic and anti-Semitic than the right parties. They said, “The cause of your misery is the fact that French, British and American capitalists are exploiting German workers to get rich themselves. Germans unite to get rid of this terrible burden.”

 Nazi Party: They were anti-Republican right wings who were strong nationalists, supported large military and anti- Semitic and were opposed to social welfare programs, labor unions and progressive taxation. They wanted to change the nation by abolition of Treaty of Versailles, excluding Jews from the member of nation, expanding land and territories for their surplus population as well as the full responsibility of the government to give its people live decently and earn their livelihood. Also they wanted the reconstruction of the national system of education which would make people more loyal towards their country; wanted to exclude all foreigners and media control by the Germans and its own German language. The Nazis were in favor of economy directed by industrialists and landowners with large estates.

 Social Democratic Party: They were left wings but supported the Republic and democracy. They supported the government of that period and wanted to make that government more successful in freedom, democracy and in justice. They wanted to create more jobs, give unemployment compensation for 6 months, cut government expenditures taxes as well as freedom of speech. In other words they wanted the nation to be more liberal and supported the social welfare programs to make Germany a better nation.

 Reference

 “Political Party Platform”: Facing History and Ourselves. 2011. Web. 25 Nov.2012.

   http://weimar.facinghistory.org/content/political-party-platform

Passage from “Politics as a Vocation”:

Passage from “Politics as a Vocation”:

 

The leadership of a state or of a party by men who (in the economic sense of the word) live exclusively for politics and not off politics means necessarily a ‘plutocratic’ [rule of the wealthy, after the Roman god of wealth and the underworld, Pluto—Prof.] recruitment of the leading political strata. To be sure, this does not mean that such plutocratic leadership signifies at the same time that the politically dominant strata will not also seek to live ‘off’ politics, and hence that the dominant stratum will not usually exploit their political domination in their own economic interest (pp. 85-6)

 

Meaning:

 

This passage means the people should make up government and political parties who do not rely on politics to support their families. Even though they do not need politics to physically survive, these men still seek opportunities to make money off of politics. They usually exploit their political position in their own economic interest. For example, supporting the corporate company and giving the extreme tax cuts to get benefit from them whereas making them richer.

 

Why I chose this Quote

 I chose this passage because it shows us the nature of the politicians who are either rich or are middle class, both of them do as it benefits to them not the public.

Weimar Political Parties

1. Catholic Center Party:

It was more diverse party but had uniformity to protect the interests of German’s Catholics who were of 34% of population. So the largest numbers of supporters were Catholics, some Protestants who were included in legislative delegation including 1% of Jews also voted the Catholic Party. Catholic women also highly voted. The Center Party was vital to the stability of Republic and was the part of every Weimer government. Its leader served as chancellors for nine administrations and was included in each of the twenty-one cabinets that ruled during the fourteen years of the Republic. With the change in the leadership of the party in 1928, it drifted towards its more conservative wing which evolved into the Bavarian People’s Party and was positioned itself in opposition to the Weimer government.

 2. Communist Party(KPD)

Communist Party was the left wing sided and founded in 1981 in the midst of revolutionary chaos. The party’s earliest members came from the radical Spartacist group but were crushed by Social Democratic army. They were opposed to the existence of Weimer Republic and were antagonistic to the democratic leftist social Democratic Party. The Communists were in favor of a Russian style dictatorship and during the Weimer crisis years, its voting strength grew as unemployed people were more attracted. Although the party had feminist agenda and were opposed to anti-Semitism and were Jews leaders could not get a huge number of support from women and Jews.

 3. German Democratic Party (DDP)

They were members of protestant middle class and often from professional group of lawyers, doctors and liberal academics. The party supported the Weimer Republic and was resistant to militarism and anti-Semitism. Jews and protestant highly supported the party and while the party fits on the left side of the political spectrum, it stressed its moderation. There was a rise in Weimer Republic support in 1919 and later eroded the support of Weimer’s end period. This party was in decline later on because of the death of its prominent leaders Max Weber and Friedrich Newmann. Though of its declining support, the party played an important role during the Weimer years and was a participant in coalition governments. Later the Party reconstituted itself as he State Party.

 4. German Nationalist People Party (DNVP)

The supporters of this party were Protestants and a mix of landowners and industrialists with crafts people and civil servants and farmers who followed the wealthy landowners. Also attracted the more conservative elements among the white collar clerical and retail sales workers. It was militaristic, resistant to republic government, opposed to attempts to fulfill the terms of the Versailles treaty and anti-Semitic.

5. German People’s Party (DVP)
It represented owners of small and middle-sized business, white collar workers and Protestants. It lacked the rural base of the nationalists and was more moderate in its nationalism and less extreme in its anti-Semitism. The party had a core group who were willing to support and participate in Weimer coalition government which kept conservatives like Gustav Stresemann as party leader while other members were never reconciled to the new Republic.

 6. National Socialist German Workers Party ( NSDAP-Nazi)

It was founded in 1919 as the German Workers Party and moved forward as Adolf Hitler emerged as its speaker and leader. This party initially attracted young military who were unable to reintegrate themselves into the civilian society and economy. Also they had a support of middle class people, shopkeepers, artisans and white-collar workers. The party was opposed to the Weimer Republic and in 1923 Hitler tried unsuccessfully to seize the government by force but failed and later attempted a strategy of gaining power through the electoral process without changing its fundamental opposition to democracy and republican government. Anti-Semitism and the threat that the Jews represented to Germany were at the core of the Nazi ideology.  Although Hitler was Catholic there were fewer Catholic supporters than Protestants where as women support grown faster. By 1932, the Nazis had become the most popular political party and they had the largest legislative delegation. This party was funded by industrialists because they hated Communism.

 7. Social Democratic Party (SPD)

This party was supported by blue-collar trade union skilled workers, progressive white-collar workers and intellectuals as well as Catholics and Protestants were both attracted. In some parts working class families voted this party in large numbers; also landless farm workers, working class women, some Jews. From 1919 to 1932 this party received the most votes in national elections and had the largest legislative delegation. They were committed to reform Weimer society and hoped to make Weimer more egalitarian and was opponent of anti-Semitism during the Weimer years.

 

Article 48

If a state (8) does not fulfil the obligations laid upon it by the Reich constitution or the Reich laws, the Reich President may use armed force to cause it to oblige.
In case public safety is seriously threatened or disturbed, the Reich President may take the measures necessary to reestablish law and order, if necessary using armed force. In the pursuit of this aim he may suspend the civil rights described in articles 114, 115, 117, 118, 123, 124 and 154, partially or entirely.
The Reich President has to inform Reichstag immediately about all measures undertaken which are based on paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article. The measures have to be suspended immediately if Reichstag demands so.
If danger is imminent, the state government may, for their specific territory, implement steps as described in paragraph 2. These steps have to be suspended if so demanded by the Reich President or the Reichstag. Further details are provided by Reich law.

 Meaning

It means that the President can use the armed force if the state does not follow the rules of Reich constitution or its laws and the President has the power to suspend civil liberties in case of crisis. However if Reichstag did not think that it is appropriate then the President has to suspend his action.

 Importance

 This shows that the President has given too much power which is dangerous for the public as well as Reichstag itself. The explanation of using armed force and taking necessary measures to reestablish law and order if the public safety is seriously threatened or disturbed is appropriate but suspending the civil rights is indicating towards autocratic step, not democratic. I think the Reichstag were scared of the rebellions of right and left wings so they passed such kind of law to be able to control them, and is highly controversial  because of this law Nazis were able to turn the country towards dictatorship.

Weimar Constitution

Article 148

All schools have to work towards ethical education, patriotic spirit, personal and occupational fitness in the spirit of German nationality and international understanding. In the instruction at public schools it has to be taken into consideration not to hurt the feelings of dissenters. Civics and teaching by doing are school subjects. Every pupil, upon graduation, will be given a copy of the constitution. Secondary education, including Volkshockschulen (general education schools open to everyone) have to be promoted by Reich, states, and communities.

 Meaning

It means that all schools should have such programs and education material that would focus towards German nationality and have patriotic spirit and all schools are under control of the government. It also talks about making the students aware of the constitution as it says that a copy of the constitution is given upon graduation. In addition, it gives a touch of democracy as it is conscious not to hurt the feelings of dissenters.

Importance

It is important to make students conscious about their rights as well as know their countries’ rules and regulations, and also making a education system in such a way which reflects patriotic spirit and loyal towards nationality encourages the future generation to love their nation and do whatever they can to save it if necessary. It respects people who disagree with this system which is important in democracy. However, too much intervention of the state or government can lead the education system too focus towards nationalist tendency rather than education.

3 Rights Given in the Weimar Constitution that are not found in the Bill of Rights.

Article 139
Sunday and other state holidays are designated as days of rest from work and spiritual collection and are, as such, protected by law

Article 146
Public schooling has to be organized organically. Middle and high schools are based on an elementary school common for everybody. For the organization of the school system the variety of occupations, for the acceptance of a child into a school his talent and inclination, but not the economic and social position nor the religious confession of his parents are authoritative.
Within the communities, at the request of Erziehungsberechtigten (21), Volksschulen of their confession or world outlook have to be established, if this does not obstruct the regular operation of the school.
The wish of those Erziehungsberechtigter has, when possible, to be considered. Further details are specified by state legislation, according to principles laid down in a Reich law. Reich, states and communities have to provide funds to allow poor children access to middle and high schools, to grant financial aid to parents, whose children are regarded qualified for the education on middle and high schools, until their education is ended.

 Article 151
The economy has to be organized based on the principles of justice, with the goal of achieving life in dignity for everyone. Within these limits the economic liberty of the individual is to be secured.
Legal force is permissible to realize threatened rights or in the service of superseding demands of public welfare.
Freedom of trade and industry will be realized according to a Reich law.

Weimer Constitution is more similar as US Constitution; however German Constitution contains additional sections that outlines the details of legislation and administration which are lacking in US Constitution. Weimer Constitution was the considered the best Constitution written at that time but also includes the controversial Article 48 that mentions that the President has the power to suspend civil liberties in times of crisis.