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1
Q

When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?

A

June 1919

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2
Q

What was article 231?

A

A part of the ToV that blamed Germany for WW1

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3
Q

What were strengths of the Weimar Constitution?

A

Men and women had the vote at 20
Laws were democratic
All parties were represented (proportional representation)
Number of seats was determined by the number of votes a party had
President was elected every 7 years (they could choose the chancellor)

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4
Q

What were weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?

A

President had too much power due to article 48 (could suspend the constitution and keep a chancellor in power without support of the Reichstag)
Proportional representation led to slow decisions
Weimar Government nicknamed the ‘November Criminals’
Army leaders wanted the Kaiser to return for their statuses to remain

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5
Q

What were some impacts of the ToV on Germany?

A

Germany lost 13% of their land
Army capped at 100,000 soldiers
Army were not allowed to occupy the Rhineland
Forced to pay £6.6 billion in reparations (£6,600 million)
48% of iron ore are given to other nations
Article 231 War guilt blamed Germany
Only allowed 6 battleships
No airforce
No submarines
No union with Austria

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6
Q

What is Dolchstoss?

A

Being ‘stabbed in the back’

–> The army felt stabbed in the back after German politicians signed the Treaty of Versailles

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7
Q

What is Dictat?

A

The Weimar Government not being present at the making of the ToV

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8
Q

Who were the Freikorps?

A

Paramilitary groups formed of former WW1 soldiers who refused to give up their weapons

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9
Q

What is a Putsch?

A

A riot in an attempt to seize power with force

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10
Q

Describe the Spartacist Uprising

A

Led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg
Wanted to establish a communist state
1919 Spartacist demonstrations led to the death of 16
Attempted overthrow the Weimar Government (6th Jan 1919)
Liebknecht and Luxemburg were captured and killed
Inspired other communists uprisings

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11
Q

What was the Kapp Putsch?

A

Led by Wolfgang Kapp and Ehrhardt
Wanted to form a right wing government
Kapp gained support from Luttwitz (army general)
Kapp seized Berlin
1920 March 13th WG moved to Dreschen then Stuttgart
WG encouraged workers to go on strike
Trade unionists supported the government and Kapp had little support and collapsed
Army still had power and few officers were punished (they still had authority)

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12
Q

What was the Ruhr crisis? And what was its impact?

A

When Belgian and French troops occupied the Ruhr in 1923 due to Germany failing to pay reparations
This led to the value of marks decreasing
Workers began to go on strike
More money is printed

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13
Q

What did hyperinflation lead to?

A

People with savings and fixed incomes were broke
WG were blamed
Rise in food prices benefitted farmers
Foreigners could change their currency for a lot of marks and this allowed them to afford things normal Germans could not

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14
Q

How did Gustav Stresemann help the economy?

A

Introduced a new currency (Rentenmark)
Dawes Plan
The Young Plan

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15
Q

What was the Dawes Plan?

A

Agreement between France, Britain, USA and Germany to change the payment terms
Agreed in 1924 August (named after Charles Dawes for setting up the plan)
Points: Ruhr was to be evacuated by troops
USA would give loans to Germany
Reparations would begin at 1 billion marks and increase
Came into effect during September 1924

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16
Q

Why was the Rentenmark introduced?

A

Because hyperinflation completely destroyed the value of the mark
This was later converted into the Reichsmark

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17
Q

What was the Young Plan?

A

The regular level of payments was too much for Germany, this led to the decrease in reparations to £1.85 billion
The time Germany had to pay was increased to 59 years

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18
Q

What is the Locarno Pact?

A

Stresemann attempted to improve relationships with France and Britain to try and remove harsh features of the treaty
Germany signed in 1925 with Britain, France, Belgium and Italy
Began a cooperation between France, Britain and Germany
Led to no more French/Belgian armies in Germany
Can cause resentment from right wing nationalists

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19
Q

League of Nations (abroad success)

A

Germany was given a permanent seat on the League of Nations in 1926
German nationalists felt betrayed

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20
Q

What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact?

A

1928 Germany signed Kellogg-Briand Pact with 64 other nations
Agreed on armies for self defence
Disputes were settled peacefully
Improved relationships with UK, US and France

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21
Q

Who was Gustav Stressemann?

A

The foreign minister

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22
Q

Compare election results for Social Democrats and the Nazi Party in 1924 and 1929

A 
Social Democrats (1924) 100
Nazi Party (1924) 32
Social Democrats (1929) 153
Nazi Party (1929) 12
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23
Q

What were some social and economic developments in 1924-29?

A

Unemployment Insurance Law (1927) provided assistance to vulnerable people (eg: war veterans)
By 1928, homelessness had reduced by 60%
Improvement in housing (between 1924 and 1931, 2 mil houses were built)
Unemployment Insurance Law failed to aid middle class workers

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24
Q

What was the position of women in 1924-29?

A

Women had more rights
Equal education, opportunity in government and equal pay
Women in employment rose from 31.2% to 35.6% from 1907-1925
By 1933, 100,000 women were teaching and 3000 were doctors
Women were able to go out unescorted, able to drink, smoke and wear what they wanted

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25
What were some cultural changes in 1924-29?
``` Censorship removed Art showed everyday life Golden age of cinema, Metropolis, etc Science fiction films develop Encouraged poetry/literature from both the right and left ```
26
What were some of Hitler's early ideas?
``` Aryan race Germany aren't to blame Nationalism Destroying communism Jews were out to spread communism ```
27
What was the 25 point programme?
Political manifesto holding all of Hitler's ideas (made by Hitler and Anton Drexler)
28
What is Völkisch?
The idea of pure German people
29
How did Hitler become the leader of the Nazi Party?
He was able to grow the party largely in 1920 through his speeches They were so influential that he became leader in 1921 July
30
What was the Sturmabteilung (SA)?
'Storm-troopers', a protection squad for Nazi speakers, led by Ernest Röhm Also nicknamed the 'Brown shirts' due to their brown shirts lmao
31
Reasons for the Munich Putsch
To assimilate power Hitler hated the WG The increase in Nazi Party support Hitler believed many would support him over the WG
32
What was the Munich Putsch?
Happened on 8-9th of November 1923 600 SA members burst into a meeting that Von Kahr and Lossow were holding at beer hall They were forced to agree to rebel SA took over newspaper offices On the 9th of November, Hitler went to Munich Von Kahr called the police and Hitler was arrested after the death of 16 SA members
33
What were consequences of the Munich Putsch?
Hitler was imprisoned for 5 years (only served 9 months) Hitler's trial was long (more publicity) Nazi Party is turned into a 'democratic' party Nazi Party support decreases Nazi Party was banned Hitler wrote Mein Kampf
34
What did Brüning do?
He raised taxes and decreased wages
35
Why did support for Nazis increase?
Propaganda, Nazis owned over 120 newspaper rallies (appeared everywhere) Financial support from businessmen, newspaper tycoon permitted Nazis to slander Chancellor Bruning
36
Outcome of the July 1932 election
Nazis win with 230 seats | Von Papen doesn't want to give up post to Hitler
37
Outcome of September 1932 election
Nazis win with 192 seats
38
Why does Von Papen resign? And who is he replaced by
Not able to command a majority in the Reichstag, Hindenburg views Von Papen as weak Replaced by Schliecher
39
Why does Von Papen meet with Hitler?
He wants power and tells him to form a Nazi-nationalist government with him as vice chancellor
40
When does Hitler become chancellor?
30th of January 1933
41
When was the Great Depression?
1929-1933
42
Impact of the Great Depression in Germany?
6 million were unemployed 5 banks went bust Decrease in Weimar support --> Increase in extremist support
43
Who was the head of propaganda?
Joseph Goebbels
44
What was the Reichstag Fire?
On 27th of February 1933, Reichstag was burned down (Communists were blamed for it, MARINUS VAN DER LUBBE)
45
How did Hitler use the Reichstag Fire to his advantage?
Gets Hindenburg to give him the emergency decree (allowed Nazis to imprison anyone) He arrests 4,000 communists and shuts down communist newspapers Hitler can control the police force
46
What was the Enabling Act?
Passed on the 23rd of March 1933 Marked the end of the Weimar Government It gave Hitler and the Nazis full power for the next 4 years It resulted in the suspension of civil liberties, allowed censorship, made it illegal to be a part of any party except the Nazi Party
47
How did Hitler keep power over different realms?
Decided that each state was to be ruled by a Reich governor | This spread the Nazi image
48
What was the Night of the long Knives?
The purge of Hitler's political and military rivals Ernest Röhm and members of the SA were executed as they posed a threat to Hitler About 400 were murdered Von Schleicher was murdered due to his socialist views
49
Who were the SS?
Hitler's bodyguards
50
When does Hitler become Führer?
By the end of 1934 August
51
What did the army have to do to Hitler?
Swear allegiance to Hitler
52
What was the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD)?
Compulsory low paying work to help during the Depression for men aged 18-25 Women included in 1939
53
What was the German Labour front (DAF)?
Leader was Robert Ley All strikes were banned and wages were decided by the Labour Front Workers had high wages and received records of their employment history Membership of the DAF was essential to get a job 22 million belonged to the organisation
54
What was Strength through Joy (KdF)?
Organisation used to replace trade unions Improved leisure time for German workers Included cultural trips Provided at a low price
55
What was Invisible unemployment (examples)?
Jews were dismissed from their jobs Unmarried men under 25 were forced into RAD Women were dismissed from their jobs when married Nazi party opponents were placed in concentration camps
56
What was rearmament?
Hitler used conscription (forcing others to join the army) in 1935 Took thousands of young men into the military service Army grew from 100,000 to 1.4 million by 1939 3.5 million marks spent on rearmament in 1933
57
What was the role of women according to Nazi ideals?
``` Didn't wear make up Brought up children and did all household duties Heavy hipped and athletic Blonde, didn't smoke Didn't go to work Took no interest in politics Wore flat shoes and long skirts ```
58
What laws were passed in 1933 and 1938?
1933- Law of Encouragement of Marriage (gave loans to young couples, 1/4 of a loan for each child born) 1938- Divorce law (allowed if a husband or wife couldn't have children)
59
What were the three K's?
Kinder, Kirche, Küche (children, church kitchen) | Told women the roles they had in society
60
How were textbooks written?
Written to fit Nazi view of history | All textbooks approved by the minister of education
61
How did lessons start?
Everyone had to salute Hitler and say 'Heil Hitler'
62
What was the Nazi Teacher's League?
Community where teachers had to swear an oath to Hitler By 1937, 97% of all teachers had joined They had to promote Nazi ideals
63
What was the Hitler Youth (males)?
Organisation that was aimed towards 10-18 year olds Learned Nazi songs, athletics, hiking, camping, map reading, marching, military skills Allowed boys to become soldiers
64
Background of the Hitler Youth movement:
All other youth clubs were banned Membership was compulsory in 1939 By 1939 there were 7 million members
65
What was the Hitler Youth (females)?
Aimed towards 10-18 year olds Same as boys but learnt marital, motherhood skills Trained girls to be able to care for children and handle a marriage
66
Why was the Hitler Youth movement made compulsory?
Because no one would join it initially
67
What was the social treatment and persecution of German Jews?
Prevented from breeding with aryans (1935) Jews were blamed for Germany losing Second class citizens School children ridiculed for being Jewish In 1938, Jewish Children were expelled 1933, Jewish books were burnt 1934, Jews were banned from public spaces 1935, Jews banned from restaurants 1937, Hitler publicly attacked Jews
68
What was the economic treatment and persecution of German Jews?
1933, Jews banned from inheriting land Jewish shops were vandalised by SA Jews were banned from 'professional' jobs (eg: doctors) Jews were banned for giving private tuition to Germans in 1936
69
What was the political treatment and persecution of German Jews?
1933, Jews were removed from Government jobs 1935, Law of Protection forbade German and Jew sexual relationships Not allowed to vote Used as political scapegoats
70
What was Kristallnacht?
November 9th 1938 Herschel Grynszpan (Jewish teenager) shot the first official he saw in German Embassy in Paris Goebbels used this to plan his attack towards Jews Suggested that Jews were conspiring against Germany Goebbels organises a Pogrom (attack on Jews) 267 synagogues burnt 91 Jews murdered at least Nazis took 400 million from the Jewish community Remaining freedoms of Jews are removed
71
What was the aftermath of Kristallnacht?
Jewish children evicted from their homes and forced into ghettos Jews fined 1 billion Reichsmarks Can no longer own businesses
72
What was the Schutzstaffel? (SS)
``` Controlled by Heinrich Himmler in 1936 Originally formed in 1925 (acted as bodyguard unit for Hitler) Members wore black Had more than 50,000 Aryan members Grew to 250,000 by 1939 Cause acts of violence of various groups ```
73
What was the Gestapo?
Set up in 1933 by Goering Went under control of the SS in 1936 Imprisoned all of those suspected of opposing the Nazis Secret police force Bugged telephones People could make up lies about others By 1939, 160,000 people were under arrest for political crimes
74
What was the Sicherheitsdienst? (SD)
Set up in 1931 under Heinrich Himmler Aimed to discover actual potential enemies to Nazis Attracted many professionals Allowed Hitler to get rid of real enemies Threats can easily be eliminated
75
How were prisoners in concentration camps separated?
Black triangles were vagrants Red ones were political prisoners Pink ones were homosexuals
76
Name 3 methods of Nazi propaganda
Books were censored by the Nazis, 20,000 books were burnt, only 2500 writers left in Germany 250 million people went to the cinema in 1933, Goebbels took control of the film industry Posters were placed everywhere, mostly targeted the youth with messages praising the Nazi Party
77
What were some examples of censorship?
Non-Nazi newspapers were closed down (1600 closed by 1935) Jazz was seen as 'black music' and banned, German folk music was encouraged Theatre was concentrated on Germany history
78
What were Hitler's foreign policy aims?
``` Reverse the ToV Unite all German speaking people Lebensraum Anschluss Destroy communism ```
79
What was the Return of the Saarland?
January 1935, a democratic vote that people of the Saar decided to re-unite with Germany
80
Describe the re-occupation of the Rhineland
7th March 1936, Hitler denounced the Locarno Pact and occupied troops in the Rhineland Britain and France were both occupied with the Abyssinian Crisis
81
Describe the Rome-Berlin Axis
October 1936, involved Rome and Berlin Aim was to work together and to stop the spread of communism in Europe Hitler and Mussolini became allies
82
Describe the Anti-Comintern Pact
November 1936, involved Germany, Japan and Italy Wanted to limit communist ideas around the world Encouraged Japan's further expansion into China and brought these countries together
83
What was Anschluss?
Germany's union with Austria Hitler encouraged the Nazi Party in Austria to cause chaos (1936-7), they would bomb public buildings in January 1938 Hitler forced Schuschnigg (Austrian chancellor) into accepting 2 Nazi members to have closer economic ties with Germany Schuschnigg held a vote for Austrians on the future of their country (8th March 1938) Hitler threatened to invade Austria --> Schuschnigg resigned, replaced by Arthur Seyss who asked for Hitler to send troops to restore order (12th March 1938) Anschluss was proclaimed (13th March 1938)
84
What percentage of Austrians voted for Anschluss?
99.75%
85
Why did Germany want to invade the Sudetenland?
It had factories to produce weapons and vehicles It was the border between Germany and Czechoslovakia Would make it easy to protect Germany from invasion
86
What was the Munich Conference?
Chamberlain, Hitler, Mussolini and Daladier met in Munich and promised that they would never go to war again and that the Sudetenland would be handed over to Germany Germany received over 33% of Czechoslovakia's population Agreed 29th September 1938
87
What was the takeover of Czechoslovakia?
March 1939 German troops used force for the first time to invade another country People started realising what Hitler was doing
88
What was the Pact of Steel?
Mussolini and Hitler form the Pact of Steel (May 1939) Formed military alliance against France and Great Britain Hitler makes sure Mussolini helps him in war
89
What was the Nazi Soviet-Pact?
Signed on 23rd August 1939 Agreed to not help a third country if it attacked the other Promised not to join an alliance that attacked the other Secretly invaded and divided Poland Fewer enemies for Hitler to fight Made future invasion to Soviet Union harder
90
Why did Hitler invade Poland?
Resources, living space Poland was protected by France and Britain Gave Hitler a warning to retreat or a war would start

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