Germany Flashcards
What triggered the German Revolution and the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1918?
Germany’s military defeat in WWI and widespread unrest led to the November Revolution. On 9 November 1918, the Kaiser abdicated, and Friedrich Ebert (SPD) became Chancellor, declaring the Weimar Republic.
What were the key weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?
Proportional representation caused weak coalition governments. Article 48 allowed the President to rule by decree — used 136 times between 1930–32.
How did the Treaty of Versailles (1919) affect Germany?
Germany lost 13% of its land, 12.5% of its population, and had to pay £6.6 billion in reparations. The army was limited to 100,000, and Article 231 (War Guilt) blamed Germany for WWI.
What caused hyperinflation in 1923?
The Ruhr occupation by France led to passive resistance. The government printed money, causing inflation — bread cost 200 billion marks by November 1923.
What were Stresemann’s key achievements (1924–29)?
Introduced the Rentenmark (1924), negotiated the Dawes Plan (800 million mark US loan), and Young Plan (reduced reparations). Germany joined the League of Nations in 1926.
How did the Great Depression help Hitler rise?
US loans ended (Dawes Plan), unemployment rose to 6 million by 1932. The Nazi vote grew from 2.6% (1928) to 37% (July 1932). Hitler promised jobs and stability.
How did Hitler consolidate power (1933–34)?
Reichstag Fire (Feb 1933), Enabling Act (March), banned trade unions, Night of the Long Knives (June 1934), Hindenburg died (Aug) — Hitler became Führer.
What were Nazi policies on women and youth?
Women were encouraged to stay home, rewarded with the Mother’s Cross (bronze for 4 kids, gold for 8). Hitler Youth and League of German Maidens trained children in Nazi ideology.
What impact did Nazi economic policies have?
Unemployment fell from 6 million (1933) to 0.3 million (1939). RAD (Labour Service), rearmament (1935–39 spending rose to 26 billion marks), and Autobahns provided jobs.
What was the Final Solution and when was it decided?
At the Wannsee Conference in January 1942, Nazis formalized plans to exterminate Jews. Approx. 6 million Jews were murdered by 1945.
