Germany Flashcards
Describe two problems faced by Kaiser Wilhelm II’s governments in ruling Germany up to 1914
(4marks)
Trade unions: felt they weren’t being treated fairly, getting angry with Kaiser. Problem as if they go on strike, Germany fall apart because no money or resources as 3.3 million of them.
Growing power of socialists: hard to secure majority for government in Reichstag (Reichstag left wing but Kaiser right wing). SPD received worker’s votes as wanted social reforms and laws to improve worker’s rights. popular and new political party
Describe two problems faced by the german government in dealing with hyperinflation
(4 marks)
Ruling difficult due to social problems: people became poor due to inflation, price of bread increased from 0.6 marks 1918 to 201 billion marks in Nov 1923, causing starvation
Danger of political protest: Munich Putsch, Hitler interrupted meeting in beer hall in Munich, posed threat to Republic
Explain two ways the germans were affected by hyperinflation.
unemployment: businesses collapsing caused unemployment . As prices were being raised, businesses couldn’t keep up with high demand for money. People with wages had to renegotiate everyday and eventually their wages couldn’t keep up with raising prices. Businesses forced to decrease production, and lay off workers.
People with savings lost all value. Relied on interest from savings to live on. As value of money fell with the little interest they earned, it soon became worthless. Could no longer afford to pay for basic necessities
What happened during the Munich Putsch?
On the night of 8 November 1923, Hitler and 600 SA members burst into a meeting that Kahr and Lossow were holding at the local Beer Hall. Waving a gun at them, Hitler forced them to agree to rebel - and then let them go home.
The next day, Hitler and 2000 supporters went into Munich on what they thought would be a triumphal march to take power. However, Kahr had called in police and army reinforcements.
Hitler fled but was arrested two days later
Promised to overturn ToV, destroy communism and restore German national glory.
16 Nazis died, Hitler and Lundendorff arrested
Why did the Munich putsch fail?
Poorly planned - Kahr was allowed to leave the building and withdrew support the following day
Government responded quickly - army crushed revolt. When Nazi marched into Munich they were met with force. 16 Nazis killed and Hitler arrested
What was the impact of the Munich Putsch on Hitler?
Trial lasted 24 days, and was sentenced to prison for 3 years
Spent time in prison sorting out ideas, wrote book called Mein Kampf which became bestseller, and seeing as many visitors as he wished. He was released after only 9 months.
Failure and time in prison made him change strategy, realised couldn’t take power forcefully so would have to win power democratically.
Describe two problems facing jews living in Germany during the years 1933 to 1939
(4 marks)
Loss of civil rights such citizenship with introduction of Nuremburg laws: Jews not aloud to vote, marriage between jews and non-jews banned
No protection from unrestricted use of violence against them by Nazis: Jewish businesses attacked all over Germany and Austria
Describe two problems faced by German Government during the Depression
(4 marks)
People were desperate so began to listen to extreme parties promising radical solutions: people angry with Weimer system of government that couldn’t cope with problems, extremist parties such as nazis flourished
Affected all parts of society: thousands hungry, desperate people, many homeless as couldn’t pay rent and unemployment went over 6 million between 1930 and 1932. Hard for government to find jobs for people
Describe two problems faced by Germany before 1914
(4 marks)
Worker’s pay and rights: Trade unions organised strikes to put pressure on Kaiser and government to try and improve pay and conditions
Growth in socialism: new political party SPD received worker’s votes. wanted social reforms and laws to improve worker’s rights. Big party in Reichstag and some held even more extreme views wanting revolution
Describe two problems faced by Germany following Kaisers abdication in 1918
(4 marks)
Germany needed a new type of government and constitution: democratic republic which would allow ordinary people to vote and have voice in politics. Proportional representation to make fair, but hard to make decisions
Government threatened with overthrow and civil disorder: Spartacists, left-wing group, tried to bring about a Communist revolution in Germany and were put down by Free Corps
What ways were lives of women in Germany affected by nazi social policies
(8 marks)
Encouraged to be mothers and work around house. e.g. Nazis claimed women should follow KKK, meant children, church, kitchen. Married women forced to leave jobs so relied on husband, women become increasingly reliant on men
Received encouragement to have many children. Financial incentives to large families e.g. Nazis gave marriage loan if women gave up work immediately to have children. Awards such as gold cross given to women who had many children with greater awards for more children gave birth to. women increasingly had to stay at home to look after children
What were the Nazi policies toward religion?
Most Germans Christians. Nazis and Christianity clashed due to different beliefs and values.
1933 concordat with Catholic Pope said Catholic Church and Nazis would not interfere with each other. Hitler broke agreement , Priests harassed and arrested, youth clubs and schools closed down.
1937 Pope issued ‘With Burning Anxiety’ statement read out in catholic churches that said Nazis hostile to Christ and his Church
Nazis continued to persecute Catholic priests
Hitler admired by some Protestants known as ‘German Christians’, who wanted to see their church under Nazi control. Ludwig Muller (leader) became first ‘Reich Bishop’. Often wore Nazi uniforms and slogan ‘ the swastika on our chests and the Cross in our hearts’
Some totally opposed to Nazis. Confessional Church openly criticised Nazis. Nazis arrested 800 members and Neimoller (formed church) sent to concentration camp and church banned
In what ways did the lives of people in Germany change during the First World War?
(8 marks)
Change happened gradually over time. at first, war greeted with enthusiasm. Rationing started 1915; war weariness and discontent did not make impact until 1917. Changes in attitudes more obvious due to lasting effects of Blockade, lack of military success.
Support for socialism increased, by 1918 German people had to face political upheaval. People felt betrayed by leaders as men were killed and injured and women had to take on new roles and responsibilities. Led to rise in Nazi party as sense of dillusionment and anger
In what ways were the lives of people in Germany affected by WW1?
Left devastating effect on economy. Heavily in debt - had to pay reparations to allies, put huge strain on countries finances. Led to inflation, barely afford basic necessities
Social + cultural changes - men killed or injured in war, women had to take on new roles + responsibilities. led to sense of dillusionment and anger, felt betrayed by leaders. Created political unrest - led to rise in Nazi Party
In what ways were the lives of German people affected by events during the early years of the Weimar Republic, 1919–1923?
(8 marks)
effects varied across different
groups of people; returning soldiers were humiliated by the Treaty of Versailles; politicians were vulnerable to assassination; ordinary people faced insecurity in the government and the economy.
people were unhappy with the government after the First World War; people were openly opposed to the new government and made attempts to over throw it with armed revolts such as kapp putsch
In what ways were the lives of young people affected by Nazi policies?
(8 marks)
the lives of young people were affected in many ways like the lives of older people. But the Nazis concentrated on young people because they could be influenced through school and HY. Nazi propaganda aimed to make them loyal Nazis and many were brainwashed into believing in the Nazi ideology.
Eugenics taught students how to improve their race and about the Nazi belief in the inferiority of black people, eastern europeans, and Jews
Every subject used to put forward Nazi propoganda and beliefs
Young people who joined the Hitler Youth after 1939 experienced a military and harsh regime. Not all young people liked the Nazis and eventually they had to pass laws in 1939 to make membership of the Hitler Youth compulsory.
Boys learnt how to march, fight with knives, fire a gun, and keep fit
Girls learnt how to keep fit, cook good meals and care for babies, to prepare for motherhood
In what ways were the German people affected by the Second World War?
as Germany began losing the war from 1942 onwards, life for civilians became more and more difficult.
Labour shortages: women drafted to work in factories as men fighting war. 1944, 7 million foreign workers had been brought in to work as slave labour in factories
Bombing: no electricity, water or transport, panicked people looked for refuge in safer places, also caused flooding and gas explosions, and constant danger of unexploded bombs
Rationing: Supplies needed for soldiers. By November 1939, food and clothing rationed e.g. people limited to 1 egg per week, hot water 2 days a week
In what ways did the lives of the German people change during the Stresemann era
(1924-1929)?
under Stresemann, Germans gained a stable currency in the Reichsmark but the middle classes still blamed him in the government for the loss of their savings in the hyperinflation of 1923.
Dawes plan: arranged for USA to lend Germany 800 million gold marks to restart reparations. French and Belgian troops left Ruhr
Young plan 1929: Cut German reparation down to 2 billion
Also used American money to build new factories, houses, schools and roads. However large groups of Germans such as the farmers still had a low income and did not benefit from the extra factory jobs that American money helped create.
Although Germany regained some of her international status through the signing of the Locarno pact in 1925 (Britain, France, Belgium and Italy not to invade eachother), and joining the League of Nations in 1926, many right-wing groups criticised Stresemann for not really gaining back land taken under the Treaty of Versailles.
In what ways were the lives of the German people affected by the Nazi police state?
(8 marks)
in reality the Nazi police state was operated by the people themselves. Germans were frightened by rumours about what happened to people who criticised the Nazis or protested. So, they policed themselves, assisted by a network of informers. They might gain an advantage by reporting someone because it moved suspicion away from them. The Nazis did not need
so many actual policeman or Gestapo because the general public lived in a state of fear and watchfulness.
What was the impact of the first world war on Germany?
Virtually bankrupt: borrowed money from USA to pay for war.
War left 60,000 war widows and two million children without fathers. War pensions would cost government a fortune
Divided German society:
some factory owners made a fortune during war, while German workers had restrictions placed on their wages.
Women worked in factories during war, some thought damaged traditional family values
Germany had become more politically unstable:
Before war, Germany had been stable, rich nation, now mutiny and revolution
Many ex-soldiers and civilians felt Germany could have won war, felt betrayed by politicians (november criminals) who ended it
Describe two problems Hitler faced as Germany leader when he became chancellor in January 1933
(4 marks)
restricted to only two Nazis in cabinet. Meant he couldn’t have many controlling govs policy so wouldn’t have everything completely his way as others had different ideas
Hindenburg appointed von Papen as vice chancellor which would limit his power as wouldn’t be able to make decisions on own. Not all Reichstag Nazis so Hitler still have to convince other politicians in Reichstag of his ideas
