. . . are often blamed for part of Germany's woes in the years preceeding Hitler's rise to power. Germany had thrown a great deal of its resources into that conflict and yet was asked to pay reparations which further empoverished the country. It also helped many Germans perceive themselves as being picked on and can be credited, in part at least, with forging them into an anti-rest-of-Europe nation. Made it easy for Hitler.

Funny, I wonder if the economic hardships imposed on the people of Iraq in the run up to Shrub's Iraq will be viewed in a similar manner . . .

The way that their point read, they were saying that it helped lead to Hitlers' rise.

Inflation, in my opinion, was only part of the issue... and I think you're really downplaying the effect that it can have.

Problems don't always have affects when they're present.  In fact, one could make the same calender point about you since you're effectively stating that it had no effect because Hitler came to power later...

Technically, you're proving his point because effects happen after causes.

it's not like an "If A then B" statement. There were many steps that led from A (inflation) to B (Hitler). But if A had never been, then B would have failed to emerge as well.

The inflation in Germany in the 1920's led to greater problems when the depression finally hit in the early '30s. If said inflation had been kept better in check, both here in the US and abroad, the conditions would not have gotten to a point where someone like Hitler (or Stalin, or Mussolini, or Prescott Bush for that matter) could rise to power.

payments became a problem once the Great Depression hit.  True the diarist didn't get it completely right, but the Great Depression was a catalyst for the rise of Hitler (as the hyperinflation, where Germans lost their entire savings was still only 10 years before, and they had a long memory of how painful it was).

started well ahead of the US. Germany never really got itself together after WW1, & Britain went into depression in 1925. I seem to recall that it had something to do with a Chancellor putting them back on a gold standard, and telling striking miners to eat grass. Winston something or other; wonder what happened to him?

College...

In Germany, the rise of Hitler and his Nazi Party was unquestionably connected to the Great Depression. - Norman Davies, Ibid.

I'll take his word for it.
But thanks. All points of view are welcome.

Hyperinflation created the circumstances that allowed the Nazi party to grow in size and influence.  Sure they didn't get to power until 1933, but Mein Kampf was written in 1926.

moving towards it, in the 1920's. He became the Fuhrer of the National Socialist party in 1921. The Great Depression came to Germany in 1930, and yes, the destruction of German currency preceding it through hyperinflation was a massive influence on political events in Germany at the time. Let's say you've just sold all your stuff to the Jew down the street running the pawn broker's, because inflation is eating you alive. You think you might be tempted to join a party that tells you all of your troubles were caused by Jews, and the communists who were running the government when hyperinflation destroyed the German middle class? In those circumstances, I probably would.

The inflation that happened in Germany in the 1920s wiped out many of the German citizenry’s life savings making them more receptive to Hitler’s massage of nationalism. So it did play a role in helping him come to power.

My parents (and grandparents of course) are immigrated from Germany. When I asked them about WW II, both cited    the experience of hyperinflation and reparations among the general populace as being big factors that lead to Hitler having such a huge following. He promised prosperity to people who had been having a rough time for many years. The concept of 'well that was the 20s and now we are in the 30s and the hyperinflation is ancient history' was not at all a concept in most people's minds. The fear of it's return was very real.