1G. Germany In Transition Flashcards
When was the Weimar constitution drawn up
August 1919
Who could vote in the Weimar Republic
Men and women over 20
3 November 1918
The kiel mutiny
Describe the kiel mutiny
Frustrated German soldiers mutinied instead of following orders to attack the British royal navy and this sparked rebellions all over Germany until Germany government collapsed
Terms of the ToV (war guilt)
Article 231 (the war guilt clause) stated that Germany had to accept black for starting WW1
How much did the ToV say that Germany had to pay
£6, 600 million
Land terms of ToV
Germany lost 13percent of her land including: the Saar region (rich in coal) which was given to France for 15 years, all overseas colonies and Belgium
What percent of Germany’s iron resources were lost as a result of WW1
48
How many German citizens were absorbed into other countries as a result of the ToV
6 million
Military terms of ToV
Army reduced to 100,000 volunteers, no submarines or air force,navy reduced to 6 battleships and 6 light cruisers, Rhineland demilitarised and allies to occupy for 15 years
How was the Reichstag elected in Weimar constitution
Proportional representation
How often was president re-elected under the Weimar constitution
7 years
Article 48 of Weimar constitution
Gave powers to the president to suspend the constitution in an emergency
Problem with system of proportionality
No political party having majority. So governments were formed of several parties called coalitions resulting in weak and unstable Gov. during crisis
How many times did president Ebert use article 48
136 separate occasions
June 1919
German government forced to sign treaty of Versailles (diktat)
11 November 1918
WW1 ends and Armistace signed
Dolchtoss
(Stabbed in the back)
Term to describe politicians who signed the armistice
November Criminals
Leaders of Sparticist uprising
Karl leibknecht and Rosa Luxemburg
Date of Sparticist Uprising
5-12 January 1919
Describe Sparticist uprising
50000 members of post World War One communist party rebelled in Berlin and attempted to overthrow the Weimar government
What happened to Sparticist uprising
Crushed by Freikorps who brutally murdered leaders + thousands more
Describe the Kapp Putsch
Right wing Germans who resented the Treaty of Versailles blamed the Weimar Republic for humiliation. Dr Wolfgang Kapp and rebel members of the Freikorps seized power in Berlin for 4 days
How was the Kapp Putsch defeated
Army refused to attack the Freikorps so only defeated when Berlin workers went on strike
How many politicians did national terrorists kill
356
Why did Freikorps assassination squads kill politician Mathis erzberger
He was a prominent social democrat who supported the treaty of Versailles
Why did the national terrorists get off lightly
Judges also preferred the Kaisers government
When was the Kapp putsch
13-17 March 1920
When was the Sparticist uprising
January 1919
When was the Munich putsch
1923
Describe the Munich Putsch
n 8 November 1923 Hitler and the SA surprised a meeting of the Bavarian government in Munich by striding into the meeting, firing a pistol into the ceiling and bullying the Bavarian leaders into joining what Hitler called ‘a national revolution’.
How many killed in the Munich putsch
16
Sentence given to Hitler after the Munich Putsch
5 years but let out after 9 months
Who benefited from hyperinflation
Businessmen, farmers, foreigners
When was Gustav Stressemann appointed foreign secretary
1923
Year of Dawes plan
1924
Dawes plan
The USA agreed to give Germany loans to help its economic recovery. It also changed the terms of reparations payments
How much money was loaned to Germany under Dawes plan
$3,000million
When did Stresseman introduce the rentenmark
November 1923
How did stresseman calling off passive resistance help German economy
Calling off the ‘
passive resistance
’ of German workers in the
Ruhr
. This helped Germany’s economy because goods were back in production and the Government could stop printing money to pay striking workers.
The young plan
1929
Reduced reparations from 6.6 billion to 1.8 billion
And extended length Germany had to repay to 59 years
Locarno pact
1925
With Britain, French and Belgium agreeing to keep existing borders
When was Germany given a permanent place in league of nations
1926
Kellog- Briand Pact
Agreed armies would only be used for self defence
When was Hindenburg elected
1925
Significance of Hindenburg elected president
Old conservative order now accepted the Republic
Who didn’t feel the rise in employment during the golden age of Weimar Republic
Lawyers, Civil Servants, teachers
+ in April 1928 184000 middle class workers were seeking employment
What did government do for the housing crisis 1924-1931
2 million new homes built and 200000 more renovated
By 1929 state spending was 33 x more than in 1913
Unemployment insurance Law
1927
Required workers and employees to make contributions to a scheme for unemployment
Example of why women in Germany had most advanced legal rights in Europe
Women over 20 could vote and the government introduced equality for the sexes and equal pay in professions
How many female doctors in 1933
3,000
Developments in architecture in golden age
The Bauhaus school founded by Walter Groupius was one of the most influential all architecture and design was an opportunity to introduce beauty and quality to allvisual art movements. He became famous for his iconic door handles and his theory that all architecture and design was an opportunity to introduce beauty and quality to all
Development to cinema in Weimar golden years
An expressionist style became common in films. They often had unrealistic sets and exaggerated acting techniques
What was the Nazi party called originally
The German workers party
When was the DAP founded and by who
1919
Anton Drexler
How many members did the DAP have as off 1919
50
What was Hitler’s role in the DAP
Recruitment and propaganda
When did Hitler get elected as Party Chairman for the Nazis
1921
What was in the 25 point programme 1920
- abolishing the treaty of Versailles
- social Darwinism ( the Aryan race was superior and Jews were Subhuman
- Autarky- Germany should be self sufficient
- the need for Lebensraum
By how much did Nazi numbers grow between 1920 and 1923
1,100 -> 55000
What year is Nazi party reestablished after being banned following the Munich putsch
1924
How did Nazi numbers grow between 1925 to 1928
27000 -> 100000+
How many seats did Nazis win in 1924
32
How many seats does Nazi party win in 1928
12
Date of Wall Street crash
1929
Impact of the Great Depression on employment
Over the winter of 1929-30 number of unemployed rose from 1.4 million to 2+ million
And industrial production halved
What happened in March- July 1930 that worsened the spiral of decline and unemployment
Chancellor Muller resigned and Bruning replaced him. His policies were ineffective and he cut government expenditure,, wages and unemployment pay
Name of German communist party
KPD
How many seats did Nazis have in 1932
319/608 in the Reichstag
Second highest to communist party
How many newspapers were owned by Nazis in early 1930s
120
When does Hitler become Chancellor
30 January 1933
Who supported the Nazi party and why
Wealthy businessmen- frightened by increase in support for the communists they begun to finance the Nazis
The middle class- alarmed by failure of democracy they decided that the country needed a strong government
Nationalists- also blame the treaty of Versailles
Rural areas
Three main themes of propaganda
The Fuhrer cult- Hitler always presented (by Goebbels) as Germany’s Saviour
Volksmeinshaft - the Nazis would cheat one community that would make religion or social class less relevant
Scapegoating the Jews for Germany’s downfall
Role of the SA in increasing Nazi popularity
Intimidating the Nazis political opponents especially communists by attacking them at their meetings
Providing opportunity for young unemployed men to become involved in the party
Protecting Hitler as he made speeches
How many SA members were there in 1932
400 000
How many general elections between 1930 and 1932
3
Order of Chancellors under Hindenburg between 1930 and 1933
Bruning
Von Papen
Schleicher
Hitler ( papen made a deal with Hitler and persuaded Hindenburg to allow a Hitler/Papen government. Hitler became Chancellor and Von Papen vice Chancellor believing he could control Hitler)
Why does Hitler call an election for 1933
When he became chancellor there were only two other Nazis in the cabinet of 12
Date of Reichstag Fire in relation to general election
One week before
27th February 1933
Who was arrested for the Reichstag Fire
Marinus Van der Lubbe
How did the Reichstag fire help the Nazis consolidate power
- Hitler and Goebbels used the opportunity to claim that the communists were staging a takeover
- hitler persuaded Hindenburg to sign the decree for the protection of people and state which suspended basic civil rights and allowed the Nazis to imprison large numbers of their political opponents
- ## all communist and socialist newspapers banned
Date of Enabling act passed
23 March 1933
What did the enabling act mean for Hitler
He had full power of government for 4 years
How many seats did Nazis win in March 1933
288
Still not majority so a coalition formed with the National Party
Date trade unions were banned
2 may 1933
First concentration camp set up
March 1933 Dachau
Law against formation of other parties
14th July 1933
Date of night of the long knives
30th June 1934
Which key individuals were shot on the night of the long knives
Von Schleicher, Gregor Strasser, Ernst Rohm and other leaders of the SA
How many shot by ss during knight of the long knives
400
When did Hindenburg die
August 1934
When did the National Labour service become compulsory for all men aged 18-25
1935
This was extended to Women in 1939
Aim of the national Labour Service
Encourage national socialism and provide Germany with a cheap labour force
How many km of autobahns was constructed and how many jobs did this supply
7,000km
80,000
How many were listed as unemployed out of a workforce of 25million
35,000
Cost of rearmament in 1939
26 billion
What happened to usage of oil, iron and steel
All tripled
What did RAD involve
- 6 months training
- military uniform
- live in camp s
-received pocket money only - do military/ physical excersise everyday
Invisible employment
1.4 million in the army (by 1939) as conscription re introduced
Jews and Nazi opponents Held in concentration camp
After trade unions were banned in May 1933 what were they replaced by
The German Labour Front
DAF
How Many members did the German labour front have in 1939
22 million
Benefits of the DAF
Workers given relatively high wages, job security and social and leisure programs
In 1938 the DAF introduced a Volkswagen scheme to give workers an opportunity to but their own car
Not a single person ever got their car as production shifted to military production in 1939
Strength through Joy (KdF) programme
Set up to provide leisure activities for German workers
Included concerts, sporting events, and holidays
How many went on KdF holidays in Germany 1938
10million
Beauty of work
Programme by the KdF to improve working conditions. It organised the building of Canteens, swimming pools and sports facilities
Nazi view of women
Women expected to remain home look after family and produce children to secure the future of the Aryan Race. They shouldn’t wear makeup, work or have political opinions. They were encouraged to keep healthy and wear their hair in simple buns or plaits.
The three Ks children, kitchen and church
The Lebensborn programme
Set up to force unmarried women to become pregnant by racially pure SS men
Law for the Enforcement of Marriage 1933
Gave newlywed couples a loan of 1,000 marks and allowed to keep 250 marks for every child they had
Mothers Cross
Given to women who had large numbers of children
Bronze for 5
Silver for 6 or 7
Gold for 8+
Women’s employment
Introduction for the Law of Reduction of Unemployment gave women financial incentives to stay home.
However, female labour was cheap and in 1937 women employment increased as men joined the army
How did Hitler us the education system to indoctrinate the youth
- all textbooks had to be approved by the ministry of education
- mein kampf became a standard school text
- teachers had to join the Nazis Teachers League and swear loyalty to Hitler
- Nazi theme presented through every subject
- 15% time devoted to physical education
When did membership of the Hitler youth become compulsory
1939
So 7 million members
What year where Jewish students expelled from German schools
1938
What year were Jews banned from all public spaces
1934
1935 Nuremberg laws
Series of laws against Jews e.g they could not marry a non-Jew
What catalysed Kristallnacht
On 8 November 1938 a polish Jew assassinated a German in the German embassy, Paris. Goebbels used this for retaliation against Jews in Germany
How many Jews killed in Kristallknacht
100
How many Jews sent to concentration camps following Kristallnacht
20,000
How many Jewish businesses destroyed as a result of Kristallnacht
7, 500
And Jews were no longer permitted to own any
What happened to Jews on 30th April 1939
Jews were evicted from their homes and forced into designated ghettos.
And in September 1939 they were forced to hand in their radio sets so they could not listen
To foreign news
When was the last time SS formed
1925 as a bodyguard for Hitler
Members of SS in 1934
50,000
Members of the SS by 1939
250,000
When was Gestapo set up
By who?
1933 by Goerring
How many were under arrest for political crimes by 1939
160,000
Hitler control of legal system
- all laws interpreted according to Nazi ideology
- judges had to become members of the nationalist socialist league for the maintenance of law
- judges had to swear an oath to the Fuhrer
- The minister of Justice would check if judges had been too lenient
- in 1934 a new people’s court was established to try for cases of treason
-Hitler excercised his power to alter sentences if they were too lenient
How did Goebbels use propaganda to indoctrinate people with Nazi beliefs
- used radio, cinema to glorify the actions of Nazis and discredit any opponents
- annual mass rallies were held in Nuremberg to promote the power of the Nazi
- posters put across Nazi message mostly directed at the young,
- books were censored by the Nazis and in 1933 20000 books burnt (written by Jews, communists and other opponents)
- all non-Nazi newspapers closed down
-‘degenerate’ art banned
Hitler’s foreign Policy aims
- unite all German speaking people to create a greater Germany
- promise to scrap the ToV
- lebensraum
- Anschluss
- destroy communism
When did Hitler withdraw from the League of Nations
October 1933
The Disarmament conference 1932-4
60 nations discuss how to reduce chance of war. Germany wanted each nation to reduce its arms to match her
Non-aggression pact with Poland
1934
Agreed to accept Polish borders + encourage trade
As a result Hitler did not fear an attack from Poland
What did Hitler renounce in 1935
The Treaty of Versailles in 1935
Conscription reintroduced and navy and airforce openly built up.
Hitler aimed for an army of 550000 men
What did Hitler argue for he rearmament
Self-defence against France and Soviet Union who were building up their armed forces
Britain- Germany naval treaty 1935
Allowed Germany to increase its fleet to 35% of Britain
What date did Hitler reoccupy the Rhineland
March 1936
Why did Britain and France nor react when Hitler reoccupied the Rhineland
Preoccupied with the Abyssinia crisis and did not physically react
This convinced Hitler that Britain and France would not react to any further aggression
The Rome - Berlin Axis 1936
Italy and Germany agreed to work together on matters of mutual interest i.e stopping the spread of communism
The anti- Comintern pact 1936
Hitler signed a treaty with Japan. The main aim was to limit a spread of communism and influence of Soviet Union
Had did Hitler create Anschluss with Austria
He had encouraged the Nazis in Austria to stir up trouble for the government. Ordered Austrian Nazis to bomb public buildings & stage marches. Hitler bullied the Austrian chancellor into accepting 2 Nazis onto his cabinet & accept closer economic ties with Germany. Chancellor resigned in March 1938 and was replaced by the leader of the Austrian Nazis, Seyss-Inquart. He asked Hitler to send German troops to Austria to help restore order
On 12th March 1938
German troops marched into Austria and proclaimed Anschluss
Why did Britain and France not prevent Anschluss
Followed policy of appeasement
How many Germans in the Sudetenland
3 million
Why did Hitler have Czech Nazis stir up trouble in Sudetenland
Hitler was also concerned that Stalin would try to invade Germany through Czechoslovakia.
The Munich Conference
Germany France GB and Italy September 1938 agreed to settle disputes in Sudetenland peacefully
The Pact of Steel May 1939
Hitler and Mussolini full military alliance & economic cooperation. Hitler looking to destroy Poland but needed neutrality of Soviet Union. Hitler feared Stalin would make an alliance with Britain.
Nazi Soviet pact
August 1939. Ribbentrop (Nazi) and Molotov (Russian) Foreign Ministers met to agree terms:
Agreed not to support any third country if it attacked the other.
Both agreed to consult each other and not to join an alliance aimed at the other.
Agreed to (secretly) invade Poland.
Soviet Union allowed to occupy Baltic states.
When did Germany invade Poland
1st September 1939
