Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
92 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Germany 1918- 45 |
Was the Weimar republic doomed from the start? |
|
|
How did Germany emerge from the defeat at the end of the First World war? |
The German revolution (Oct- Nov 1918) |
|
|
. |
. |
|
|
What was the Spartacist uprising? |
- January 1919 - Was lead by Karl Leibknecht and Rosa Luxemburg -Group of communists that wanted wealth to be distributed equally between the population - They wanted to overthrow Erbert's government and establish a communist style government based on soldiers' and workers' councils - Some of their methods included and organised strike (50,000 people), armed street fighting, forming Revolutionary Committee and seizure of Berlin newspaper offices |
|
|
Why did the Spartacist Uprising fail? |
- The Spartacists could not agree weather they should use delay or immediate violent seizure of power -Death of Leibknecht and Luxemburg - Loyalty of the army and the ruthless methods that the Freikorps who seized the spartacist headquaters |
|
|
What was the significance of the Spartacist uprising? |
- Showed the weakness of the new government because it had to reply on an independent group (the Freikorps) over which it had little control - Led to more communist rebellions which were similarly dealt with by the Freikorps - Communism remained a significant influence in German politics throughout 1920's- 1930's |
|
|
Who were the Freikorps? |
- Ex soldiers - Anti- Communist views - Volunteer group - Well equipped with violent methods - 4,000 members in Jan 1919 |
|
|
What were the main features of the Weimar constitution? |
Article 48: - This allowed the president to rule by decree in times of emergency - Arguably this gave the president too much power and allowed him to discard democratic system of the government - Between 1929- 33 Presidential decrees wee used with increasing regularity (this undermined respect and confidence in the new parliamentarydemocracy) |
|
|
Proportional representation: - This system ensured that the proportion of votes received by a political party would be equal to the proportion o seats allocated in the Reichstag - One advantage was that it was considered to be fair - Disadvantages include: . Small extremist parties being able to gain a foothold in the Reichstag . It encouraged voting for a wide range of parties which meant that it was incredibly hard for one part to get 50% or more of the vote . Governments were coalition governments which meant that they were short-lived which created political instability. (9 general elections during the years which is around 1 every 18 months |
Forward- looking features: - Equal voting rights were granted to all Germans - Civil rights were granted such as free speech, free worship and the holding of public meetings |
|
|
What were the 4 main features of the Weimar Constitution? |
1. The people would elect a President 2. This President was head of the army 3. The President appointed the Chancellor 4. Article 48 |
|
|
What was the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the Republic? |
. |
|
|
What was the impact on the army? |
- Many of the discharged soldiers joined the Freikorps as a way of continuing military life - This concerned the Allies because they thought the numbers enrolled in the Freikorps were part of the 100,000 limitation - When the Weimar Government tried to implement an allied request that the Freikorps be disbanded there was a revolt called the Kapp Putsch |
|
|
What was the Kapp Putsch? |
- March 1920
- Was lead by Dr Wolfgang Kapp - They wanted to overthrow the Weimar government and replace it with a Nationalist government - The government was unable to rely on their army for support so they fled to Dresden (Berlin) - Government appealed for assistance from the Berlin workers |
|
|
Why did the Kapp Putsch fail? |
A general strike in Berlin bought the capital to a halt (transport, public utilities, civil services etc) It paralysed Berlin, therefore stopping the attack. |
|
|
What was the significants of the Kapp Putsch? |
- The government survived but it was not able to restore peace using its own law- enforcing agencies - The army did not support the putsch but it did not assist the government either |
|
|
What was the impact on the economy? |
- 6.6 billion reparations introduced in 1921 were claimed to put too much of a strain on the already burdened economy - Weimar Government claimed that Germany was already deprived of ways to make wealth and already had war debts so it was impossible to pay the reparations - German population of Rhur refused to work and French then expelled 100,000 Germans - Rhur was main wealth- producing areas and revenue of government fell - Government decided to print money which lead to hyperinflation during 1923 |
|
|
What was Hyper inflation and who came out well and who came out badly? |
- Hyperinflation was a very big rise in prices, wages and salaries - Winners were owners of goods and properties that held its value and also those who owed people money (debtors) - Losers were pensioners on fixed incomes, savers, those who were owed money (creditors) and those who were payed at long intervals |
|
|
What was the response of the Weimar governemnt to hyperinflation? |
- Passive resistance of the Ruhr was ended - The currency was stabilised with introduction of new money (Rentenmark) - Reparation payments to Allies were resumed |
|
|
To what extent did the Republic recover after 1923? |
. |
|
|
What and when was the Dawes plan? |
- April 1924 -Linked reparation payments with economic performance - Provided American loan of 800 million gold marks - Germany only had to pay what it could afford in reparations - Permanent currency (Reichmark) replaced the Rentenmark - Inflation then fell, industry expanded, exports increased - By 1928 industrial production exceeded pre-war levels |
|
|
Why was there a renewed economic crisis? |
- Despite advances unemployment remained high, farming sector never recovered and economic revival was based on American loans - After Wall street crash of 1929 the American economy went into recession and loans to Germany were recalled - Germany has to cope with world depression and pay back loans to America - German unemployment levels rose to 6 million (one third of workforce) |
|
|
What was the return to political instability? |
- Because of depression many of the achievements of the period 1924-9 unraveled - Communist Nazis figure rose to 31% in 1930 and then to 52% in 1930 - Support for moderate parties began to contract |
|
|
What were the achievements of the Weimar period? |
. |
|
|
What were the political achievements of the Weimar period (Stresemann's era)? |
- Stresemann was a Foreign Minister in 1923 and died 1929 - Germany was still regarded with distrust and suspicion in 1923 but by the time of his death Germany was engaging on equal terms - France left Ruhr in 1925 - Locarno treaties of 1925 placed Germany on equal level with others -1926 Germany was introduced to League of Nations - 1929 the Young Plan reduced reparations to only 2 billion |
|
|
What were the cultural achievements of the Weimar period? |
- 1920's was decade of cultural revival - New democratic republic that committed civil liberties - Censorship was lifted which encouraged artists, writers, directors etc to be more open about critical interpretations of topical issues - Expansion in number of night clubs, restaurants etc - Creative developments regarded with shock by right wing of German politics |
|
|
Why was Hitler able to dominate Germany by 1934? |
What did the Nazi Party stand for in the 1920s? |
|
|
What was early history of Nazi party? |
- Jan 1919 was establishment of German Worker's party by Drexler - Sep 1919 when Adolf Hitler joined party - Feb 1920 when the party published its 25 point programme - Jul 1921 when Hitler replaced Drexler - Aug 1921 when Hitler founded the SA - Nov 1923 was unsuccessful attempt to seize power of Beer Hall or Munich Putsch |
|
|
What were some of the things included in the 25 point programme? |
- Union of all Germans to create Greater Germany (expanding Germany's frontiers) - Destruction of Treaty of Versailles and Saint Germain - Nationalising public industries - Profit sharing in heavy industries -Formation of strong central government - German citizenship reserved for people with German blood (excluding Jews) - Immigrants that are non- German would be expelled from country |
|
|
What was the Munich Putsch? |
- November 1923 - Leader is Adolf Hitler - The objective was the violent overthrow of the Weimar government |
|
|
Why did Hitler believe the Munich Putsch was going to be successful? |
- Weimar government was unpopular in 1923 - Hitler believed that General Ludendorff would be capable of persuading the army to support the Putsch - Hitler also thought that members of Bavarian government would join him |
|
|
What happened in the Munich Putsch? |
- 8 November Hitler and 600 Storm Troopers forcibly entered a meeting between Bavarian Prime Minister, Gustav Kahr and local businessmen - Kahr held at gunpoint and persuaded to announce that he supported revolution - Kahr went back on promise to Hitler - Hitler staged march through streets of Munich - Armed police bought the mark to an end and Hitler and Ludendorff were arrested |
|
|
Why did Munich Putsch fail? |
- Army remained loyal to Weimar government - Nazi party only had 3000 members (small) - Before Putsch government too action to depose left- wing state governments - This helped determine loyalty of Bavarian politicians |
|
|
How did Munich Putsch benefit Hitler? |
- His trial was publicised which spread the word of the Nazi party - Also convinced Hitler that he has to take over by constitutional means - He did this by expanding, slowly gaining supports and building up power base in Reichstag |
|
|
What was the Mein Kampf? |
- Hitler was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment but only remained in prison for 9 months - In this time he wrote a book called Mein Kampf - It was a book on his political views and an autobiography - It became a bestseller and gave Hitler income |
|
|
What were the Nazi tactics from 1924- 9? |
- Nazis changed any policy to gain popularity and addressed issues that supporters wanted - Used propaganda to promote issues - Membership increased form 3000 to 100,000 - Nazis prepared to take advantage of and favourable situations like Wall Street crash |
|
|
Why did Nazis have little success before 1930? |
- Initial vote of 6.5% in May 1924 would be due to publicity of his trial - In Dec 1924 vote went to 3% - May 1928 vote was 2.6% - Downfall was due to improvement that took place in Weimar republic - Stresemann steered Republic away form economic crisis of 1923 and Germany started to recover - Due to things improving Germans could not see a reason to switch their support to Hitler |
|
|
Why was Hitler able to become Chancellor by 1933? |
How did the world economic depression help the Nazis? |
|
|
- High unemployment and wage- cuts, poverty were on large scale and Weimar coalitions look blame - This made people change support for parties that were critical of Weimar coalitions (communists and Nazis) - Nazis were second larges party in Reichstag after Social Democrats - Next 18 months economy continued to deteriorate and Nazis used this as opportunity to attack coalition government |
- Nazi propaganda machine was now working at full capacity - Depression boosted Communist party who blamed root of problem was capitalist system - Played to Nazi's hands who defended existing order and portrayed Communists as scheming revolutionaries - Wealthy industrialists contributed to Nazi Party to prevent Communists form taking power |
|
|
What were the political manoeuvrings 1932- 3? |
- July 1932 Nazis became largest party - Franz Von Papen was appointed Chancellor but did not have nazi cooperation so could not devise a stable coalition - Secondary election was held in November - Von Schleicher (former army member) appointed chancellor but had same problems - 1933 Hitler became chancellor and Von Papen vice chancellor - Hitler got 3 cabinet positions and 12 ministers (no majority) |
|
|
How did Hitler consolidate his power in 1933-4 ? |
- Took 18 months to get absolute power - General election 5th March 1933 - Lots of SA violence against Communists and opposition parties |
|
|
What happened at the Reichstag fire? |
- 27 Feb Reichstag building burned down - Dutch communist arrested - Hitler claimed it was proof of plot against the state and persuaded Hindenburg to issue emergency decree - This decree suspended personal freedoms and increased police and also made public fear Communists |
|
|
What happened at the general election of March 1933? |
- Hitler with police and control over newspapers hoped for 50% vote - Got 43.9% and needed support of nationalists now |
|
|
What was the enabling act? |
- March 1933 - Hitler introduced Act which would establish his dictatorship - Achieved 2 third of support necessary - SA and SS stood with weapons where votes were taken - 441 to 94 (social democrats dared to oppose) |
|
|
What were potential problems with his legal dictatorship? |
- Unions could organise general strike - Opposition parties could regroup and challenge Hitler - Civil service could have stalled procedures and make it hard to pass Nazi laws - State government could have pursued non- Nazi policies - Army could have organised a coup authorised by Hindenburg |
|
|
How did Hitler consolidate his power March 1933- August 1934? |
- May 1933 trade unions were abolished and leaders arrested (funds and equipment seized) - May 1933 Nazi- led German labour Front was set up in place where all workers had to go ( strike became illegal) - July 1933 all other political parties had been banned (one- party state) - Civil service was purged of Jews and enemies of state to make it loyal - April 1933 Nazi state governors were appointed with powers to make state laws - State parliaments were abolished in in 1934 |
|
|
What problems did Hitler have with the Army and SA? |
- Danger army would launch Coup against him -Rohm wanted to merge SA and army - Rohm was expressing disappointment with Nazi policies and was in favour of second revolution
|
|
|
What did Hitler do about these problems? |
- 30 June - Rohm and SA leaders were arrested and shot - Few hundred other high ranking SA men and Von Schleicher were murdered by SS |
|
|
What were the effects of this? |
- Army would no longer doubt that Hitler favoured them - SA bough under control of Hitler's leadership - August 1934 Hindenburg dies and Hitler proclaimed himself Chancellor and Reich Fuhrer - Ever soldier was required to swear oath of loyalty to Hitler |
|
|
The Nazi Regime |
How much opposition was there to the Nazi regime? |
|
|
How did trade unions oppose Nazis? |
- Despite being banned in 1933 some people (with links to left-wing groups) continued to work in secret - They organised illegal strikes, demonstrations and works-to-rule |
|
|
How did right-wing groups oppose Nazis? |
- Conservative opposition group called Kreisau Circle - Organised secret discussions and meetings on how Germany would be governed after Hitler's removal - Members included army officers, aristocrats and professional people |
|
|
How did the army oppose Nazis? |
- General Beck's plan to overthrow Hitler was helped by bloodless takeover of Czechoslovakia - Failed assassination of Hitler in July 1944 resulted in 5000 executions |
|
|
How did the churches oppose the Nazis? |
- Number of churchmen spoke out against Nazi regime in 1941 - Catholic Bishop spoke out about forced sterilisation, euthanasia and concentration camps - Euthanasia was stopped - Protestant Pastor formed rival church to Nazi Reich Church and spent 8 years in concentration camp |
|
|
How did youth oppose the Nazis? |
- Pirates and Navajos provided anti- Nazi refuge for teenagers - They picked fights with Hitler youth members, graffitied walls and spread pamphlets - White rose group took similar action |
|
|
How did Left wing groups oppose Nazis? |
- Communist and Social Democrats had underground networks after 1933 - Anti-Nazi actions included leaflet handouts, printing of illegal newspapers, deployment of posters and slogans - Industrial worker strikes were encouraged |
|
|
How effectively did the Nazis deal with their political opponents? |
. |
|
|
How did concentration camps deal with opponents? |
- Large-scale prisons for critics of Nazi regime - Included political opponents, gypsies, beggars, tramps, Jews and gays - Prisoner used in slave labour - Many deaths due to torture and harsh treatment - Final Solution these camps were used to kill the Jews |
|
|
How did Nazi courts and Judges deal with opponents? |
- Nazis took control of existing court system and anyone involved had to take oath to Hitler - Jewish involved workers were fired - Courts were set up of political crimes - Anti- Nazi jokes and listening to foreign radio station were punishable by death |
|
|
How did the SS deal with opponents? |
- Led by Heinrich Himmler - Could arrest, detain someone without charge, interrogate, search and confiscate property - Responsible for running concentration camps and implementing Nazi racial policies like the Final Solution |
|
|
How did The Gestapo deal with opponents? |
- Secret state police under control of Himmler in 1936 - Most feared arm of law - Could spy on Germans b tapping telephones, intercepting mail and using info from network informers - Getting arrested could mean going to concentration camp without trial |
|
|
How did Informers deal with opponents? |
- Local Nazi officials reported on reliability of local residents - Everyone was encouraged to report anti-Nazi talk - This system created enormous fear for ordinary people |
|
|
How did the Nazis use culture and the mass media to control the people? |
Music- Military style music accepted while jazz and classical was banned Art and architecture- Art galleries had to remove expressionist paintings and had to replace with art that showed Aryan race in a good light Literature- Books and libraries were censored and there were book burning events and books about Hitler were encouraged Film and Theatre- Propaganda films introduced Newspapers- Bought under Nazi control and Jewish and anti-Nazi newspapers were shut down |
|
|
Radio- Bought under Nazi control and put in public places so everyone could hear Hitler's speeches Posters- Propaganda posters appealing to Hitler Youth, Nazi beliefs or warnings agains Jews Sport- 1936 Berlin olympics was time to show propaganda and showing off facilities Mass Rallies- Big rallies held to promote Nazi regime and encourage loyalty to the Nazis and also to reinforce the personality cult of Hitler |
. |
|
|
Why did the Nazi's persecute many groups in German society? |
- The Master Race Theory was Hitler's idea that the Aryan race was naturally superior - The efficiency requirements was the belief that undesirables like addicts, disabled etc were not contributing to society - These Undesirables were sent to concentration camps, killing mentally ill and some were sterilised |
|
|
- The Gypsies were discriminated against, arrested without cause and in 1938 required to register with authorities
- The Jews were separated from the Aryans by being purged from governments, boycott of Jewish businesses, German citizenship was denied in 1939, 1938 Jews suffered attacks on shops and houses by SA and citizens and finally anti- jewish articles were published and signs were displayed |
. |
|
|
Was Nazi Germany a totalitarian state? |
. |
|
|
What is a totalitarian state? |
- Totalitarian state is when government controls public and private life
- This included political system, economy, social, cultural and religious activities |
|
|
How did Nazis control the political system? |
- One-party state - Small underground organisations such as communists, social democrats and other outlawed political opponents - Other than these Nazi Germany successfully controlled all aspect of political life |
|
|
How did Nazis control the economy? |
- Germany's economy was largely private enterprise and many financial services and industries got independence - Government regulation especially in industries such as weapons production - Overall, Nazi control over the economy was not very big |
|
|
How did Nazis control the Society? |
- Had considerable control over women and children - Significant amount if teenagers rebelled against being forced to conform - Leisure time for adults was organised by Strength through Joy organisation - Nazi control over society was extensive |
|
|
How did Nazis control Mass media and culture? |
- Control over newspapers, radio, film, theatres and books was complete |
|
|
How did Nazis control the religion? |
- Nazis never managed to control Catholic Church - Attempts to create Protestant Reich Church was a problem because of the creation of a breakaway Confessional Church |
|
|
Can Germany be considered a totalitarian state? |
- Yes |
|
|
What was it like to live in Nazi Germany? |
How did young people react to the Nazi regime? |
|
|
What were Nazi schools? |
- Schools were placed under control of Ministry of Education in Berlin - Teachers were required to take oath to Hitler and join the Nazi Teacher's League - Jewish teachers were fired - Curriculum was changed to suit Nazi ideals - Bigger emphasis was placed on sport and physical education |
|
|
What was the Hitler Youth? |
- Established during 1920s - Many other groups like boy scouts were banned - Hitler youth was organised into boys and girls and different age groups - From 1936 membership was compulsory (1940 still 1 mil had not joined) - Boys were taught how to be soldiers - Girls were prepared for motherhood |
|
|
Who were the teenage rebels? |
- There was the Swing movement who were middle class teenagers who were tolerant of Jews, had loose morals and liked English/ American culture - These were also the Edelweiss Pirates between the ages of 14-17 and they shared a distaste for regimentation and sexual segregation - The Edelweiss Pirates also believed in freedom of expression, sang anti-Nazi songs, taunted Hitler Youth and painted graffiti on public buildings - After assassinating Gestapo chief 12 ring leaders were publicly hanged |
|
|
How successful were Nazi policies towards women and the family? |
. |
|
|
What were the measures designed to reverse progress made by women during 1920s? |
- Women were deprived of voting - Many women were forced out of their professions - Women were advised to stick to the "three Ks" (Children, Church and Kitchen) |
|
|
What measures were designed to encourage marriage and child bearing? |
- Marriage loans were given to newly married couples and as children were born the loan was reduced - Fertility award were given to women that had lots of children - Family allowances were introduced for each child born - Parenting skills classes were offered by the German Women's Enterprise |
|
|
What measures were designed for child bearing outside marriage? |
- Lebensborn programme selected unmarried women to me impregnated by pure SS men - They would then donate the child to Fuher to be reared in state institution |
|
|
Did these policies work to increase child birth rate? |
- Went up from 15 per thousand to 20 per thousand between 1933-9 - However, they had to change this policy because rearmament needs could no longer be met becasue women no longer worked - This confused many becasue Nazis were pursuing two contradictory objectives |
|
|
Did most people in Germany benefit from Nazi rule? |
. |
|
|
How did working class benefit? |
- Reduction of unemployment from 6 million to a few hundred thousand - This was achieve through public work schemes and autarky - Rearmament reduced unemployment |
|
|
How did farmers benefit? |
- They benefited from many Nazi policies like price guarantees for their produce, reduction of debts and protection against states being broken up to pay death duties |
|
|
How did businessmen and industrialists benefit? |
- Small operators benefitted from restriction of growth and number of department stores and shutting down of Jewish shops - Large firms benefitted from contracts with rearmament programme, absence of trade unions and elimination of Communist threat |
|
|
What was autarky? |
- Hitler wanted to make Germany as self sufficient as possible in 1930s to reduce food and material imports - This saved money and reduced effectiveness of Allied wartime blockades - Production of steel, rubber and oil was increased - Autarky had limited success and in 1939 Germany still had to rely on imports for some materials |
|
|
How did the coming of war change like in Nazi Germany? |
. |
|
|
How did shortages affect Germany? |
. |
|
|
How did bombing affect Germany? |
. |
|
|
How did total war affect Germany? |
. |
|
|
What was the Final solution? |
. |
