Democracy and Nazism, 1918-1945 Flashcards
What was the German Reich established in 1871 referred to as?
The German Reich established in 1871 was referred to as the Second Reich.
What was the First Reich?
The First Reich was the Holy Roman Empire, which lasted from 962 until 1806.
How was the Holy Roman Empire structured?
The Holy Roman Empire was a loose confederation of mainly German states ruled over by the Holy Roman Emperor.
Who was the ruler of Austria during much of the Holy Roman Empire’s history?
For much of the history of the Holy Roman Empire, the emperor was also the ruler of Austria.
Who were the Kaisers during the Second Reich?
The Kaisers during the Second Reich were:
• Kaiser Wilhelm I, 1871-88
• Kaiser Frederick, 1888
• Kaiser Wilhelm II, 1888-1918.
What is the Reichstag?
The elected lower house of the German parliament.
What is universal male suffrage?
A system in which every adult male has the right to vote in elections.
Who was Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg?
An aristocratic landowner and professional soldier who became a hero after defeating a large Russian army at the battle of Tannenberg in 1915.
What position did Hindenburg hold in 1916?
He became chief of the general staff.
What did Hindenburg do after Germany’s defeat in 1918?
He shifted the blame for this humiliation onto the politicians who took power after the abdication of the Kaiser.
Who was General Erich Ludendorff?
A key figure alongside Hindenburg in the German victories against the Russian army.
What significant action did Ludendorff take in 1916?
He joined Hindenburg in engineering the overthrow of Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg.
What role did Ludendorff play in the German government during the war?
He became a member of the military committee which effectively ruled Germany until the end of the war.
What were Ludendorff’s political views?
He was reactionary in his politics and an implacable opponent of the new republic established after the abdication of the Kaiser in November 1918.
What does the Western Front refer to?
The Western Front refers to the battlegrounds of Belgium and northern France, where British and French troops fought the German army.
What does the Eastern Front refer to?
The Eastern Front refers to the conflict between Russia and the forces of Germany and Austria-Hungary.
What was the state of Germany before 1871?
Before 1871, Germany consisted of a number of separate states of varying sizes.
What significant event occurred in 1871 regarding German states?
In 1871, Prussia brought most of the German states together into a new German Reich (Empire) dominated by Prussia.
What did many German-speaking people desire before unification?
Many German-speaking people wanted the separate states to unite to form a strong, united, and independent German nation-state.
What were the political beliefs of most German nationalists?
Most nationalists were also liberal, envisioning unification through democratic elections and popular consent.
How was unification of Germany ultimately achieved?
Unification was achieved by the military victories of the Prussian army in wars against Denmark, Austria, and France.
What dilemma did German nationalists face after unification?
The new German Reich excluded Austria and was ruled by the Prussian Kaiser, not by an elected government.
What democratic element existed in the new German government?
The new government had a Reichstag elected by universal male suffrage, although it had little real power.
What political tensions arose in the German Reich from 1871 to 1914?
Political tension grew as the Reichstag became the focus for opposition parties challenging the Kaiser.
What economic changes occurred in Germany after 1871?
The German economy grew rapidly, making Germany one of the most powerful states in Europe and a leading industrial nation by 1900.
What social changes did industrialization bring to Germany?
Industrialization led to the emergence of a wealthy middle class and an increasingly discontented working class.
How did workers respond to their conditions in Germany?
Workers formed trade unions to campaign for higher wages and better conditions, and increasingly voted for the SPD.
What was the status of the SPD by 1912?
By 1912, the SPD had become the largest single party in the Reichstag.
What characterized the political landscape of Germany leading up to WWI?
Germany became increasingly divided socially and politically, with fragmented politics and many parties representing different interest groups.
What was the public response to the Kaiser’s declaration of war in 1914?
There was a wave of popular support, as most Germans saw their country as a victim of encirclement by the Allies.
What challenges did the German government face during WWI?
Severe food shortages and rising prices damaged civilian morale, leading to a crisis in Germany.
What impact did the USA’s entry into WWI have on Germany?
The entry of the USA added pressure on Germany, tipping the balance in favor of the Allies.
What was the outcome of WWI for Germany?
Germany faced military defeat, leading to the end of the Kaiser’s rule and the establishment of a democratic system.
What was the Weimar Republic?
The Weimar Republic was a democratic system established in Germany after military defeat and political revolution.
What challenges did the Weimar Republic face?
It faced economic crises and political divisions, particularly after 1929.
What led to the rise of the Nazi regime?
Following Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in January 1933, the Nazi regime established a political dictatorship.
What were key elements in sustaining the Nazi dictatorship?
The creation of a police state and the use of propaganda were crucial in establishing and sustaining the dictatorship.
What was the impact of Nazi policies on marginalized groups?
Nazi policies led to the persecution and genocide of Jewish people and other marginalized groups across Europe.
How did the genocide end?
The genocide ended with the military defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.
What reflection does this book encourage regarding democracy?
It encourages reflection on how governments work and the challenges democratic states face.
What is a republic?
A system of government in which the Head of State or President, is elected into office.
What is an armistice?
An agreement to suspend fighting in order to allow a peace treaty to be negotiated.
