Chapter 4 History of Germany Flashcards
What years are meant by the term “Weimar Republic”?
1918-1933
What was going on domestically in Germany after WWI had ended and who were the opposing sides?
Civil war continues; Communists and social-democraticists
Why is this time called “Weimar Republic”?
- Constituent Assembly was being held in Weimar to draft constitutions , as communist in Berlin fought against government troops;
- Cultural centre; the country of poets and thinkers
What main factors brought down the support for the new republic?
- lacked broad support
- Treaty of Versailles: Austria cannot join German Reich; ~⅙ of land was given to France and Poland; Air force and tanks are prohibited
- Hyperinflation of 1923, high unemployment (44% in 1932)
What were Hitler’s goals?
- to provide law and war to workers
- liberation to the Weimar system
- creation of living space (Lebensraum) in the east
Why was Hitler able to stay in power for 12 years?
undeniable domestic and foreign policy successes and achievements
- reduction and eventual elimination of unemployment
- Foreign policy: revising the Treaty of Versailles and creation of German air force in 1935; occupation of Rhineland; Anschluss of Austria (德奧合併) and Sudetenland in 1938; cede of German-speaking part of Czechoslovakia to the Third Reich
→ Increase in popularity
How long was Germany officially divided into East (GDR) and West Germany (BRD)? Which zones by the victorious WWII Allies made up East and West respectively?
1949-1990 (41 years); Soviet union, USA
What were the main differences between East and West Germany (political and economical)?
FRG - parliamentary democracy; Free market economy;
GDR - Soviet-style semi dictatorship; state-owned industrial plants, farms were collectivized
What is the “Wirtschaftswunder” (economic miracle)? Explain the major reasons.
extraordinary sustained economic boom in the 1950s; 1960s 3rd largest economy
Cause: Traditional German work ethic; good labor-management relations; large workforce, Marshall plan
