Describe Qs Flashcards
1
Q
Two problems faced by Kaiser Wilhelm II’s government up to 1914?
A
- The growth of socialism and trade unions. Workers were unhappy with low wages and poor working conditions. By 1914, over 3 million workers had formed trade unions and organised strikes to try to force the government and business owners to improve pay and conditions. A new political party, the SPD, became popular among workers, and promised to promote socialism and sharing of power and wealth among the people.
- Naval laws. The kaiser wranted to build a world empire and challange Britain’s naval dominance. A number of laws were passed to allow more warships to be built and which led to an arms race with Britain. Although nationalists were happy, other parties complained that too much was being spent on the military, and that more should be allocated to improvement of living and working conditions. Germany’s national debt increased, and taxes had to be raised which was unpopular.
2
Q
Two problems faced by government in dealing with hyperinflation?
A
In order to pay its repartation debts, the government started to print more money which became devalued as a result. The cost of bread rose from 2 marks in 1919 to 200 million marks by 1923.
1. They had to think about how to compensate the middle classes whos bank savings were wiped out.
2. And how to compensate elderly people living on fixed pensions who could no longer buy what they needed as their pensions became worthless.
3
Q
Two problems faced by Jews living in Germany 1933-1939?
A
- The Nuremberg Laws of November 1935. All jews were stripped of German citizenship. They were not allowed passports, not allowed to marry non-jewish Germans and were banned from professions in 1936.
- Schools. Jewish children were forced out of German state schools. They were also banned from public spaces in 1934.
4
Q
Two probloems faced by Germany government during the Great Depression?
A
- Mass unemployment. Unemployment in Germany rose from 1.3m in 1929 to 6m by 1932 as demand for German shrunk. Germans became unhappy with the Weimar Government who couldn’t agree how to help the unemployed, and get the economy out of depression. As more and more jobless people were forced into poverty, the level of discontent with the Governmen’t perceived inaction grew.
- Political problems. As unemployment grew and unemployment benefits were cut, people were increasingly drawn to the policies of extremist parties who promised to solve these problems. Weimar’s democratic system of proportional representation also made it difficult to make decisions because there were many different political parties which all had different views. Parties rarely won a majority, so coalitions had to be made which were ineffective and led to watered-down compromises.
5
Q
Two problems faced by German Government before 1914?
A
- Workers were unhappy with low wages and poor working conditions. By 1914, over 3 million workers had formed trade unions and organised strikes to try to force the government and business owners to improve pay and conditions. A new political party, the SPD, became popular among workers, and promised to promote socialism and sharing of power and wealth among the people.
- Germany’s economy was weak, and the national debt and taxes were very high. The kaiser wranted to build a world empire and challange Britain’s naval dominance. A number of laws were passed to allow more warships to be built and which led to an arms race with Britain. Germany’s national debt increased, and taxes had to be raised which was unpopular.
6
Q
Two problems faced by Germany following kaiser’s abdication in 1918?
A
- The TOV. Germany had to deal with the implications of the TOV including the loss of 13% of its land and 7 million people. It’s airforce was banned, and it’s army was limited to only 100,000 men. They also had to pay massive reparations of 6.6 billion pounds.
- Economic instability. Geromany’s economy was in a terrible state and the country was virtually bankrupt. It was in huge national debt and had high wellfare payment commitments. Rising inflation resulting from the occupation of the Ruhr was devastating (Government promised to pay the workers who were on strike, but it was running short of money because industry in the ruhr wasn’t producing iron, steel and coal. The government started to print more money to make its payments which created a vicious inflationary cycle.)
7
Q
Two problems faced by German people during WW2?
A
- Rationing. By November 1939, food and clothing were rationed. Supplies were needed for soldiers so there were severe food shortages. Goods like soap and toilet paper were in short supply, and people were limited to only one egg per week. Meat was also very scarce.
- Bombing and refugees. Thousands had lost their homes during the devastating bombing raids by the U.S and Britain. Many became homeless refugees. There was no electricity, water or transport in many German cities.
8
Q
Two problems Hitler faced establishing his dictatorship after Jan 1933?
A
- Hitler had to eliminate his political opposition. As chancellor he was not in complete control of the country. He could be removed from office by president Hindenberg and, because Germany was a democracy he could only make laws with the Reichstag’s approval, and the Nazis were in the minority.
- High unemployment. Due to the lasting negative impacts of WW1 and the depression, unemployment in Germany had risen to over 6 million by 1932. Hitler inherited a problem that successive Governments and Chancellors failed to solve.
