Germany 1890-1945 Flashcards
Who were the November Criminals? Why were they called this?
The Weimar Republic
The German people believed the Weimar Republic, who signed the Treaty of Versailles, were criminals because of the problems it caused Germany.
What is meant by the term diktat? How does it relate to the Treaty of Versailles?
diktat is a German word that means dictated to and relates to the Treaty of Versailles because the German people felt they had no say in the terms of the treaty.
Give examples of how Gustav Stresemann tried to save Germany post 1923?
Dawes Plan
Young Plan
Rentenmark
Locarno Treaty
Kellogg Briand Pact
What was the Dawes Plan?
Germany borrowed money from America to pay reparations and build infrastructure.
Was the Dawes Plan successful?
Germany became prosperous and richer
German people feared they had relied on Germany too much
What was the Young Plan?
The amount Germany paid for reparations was reduced from 6.6 billion to 1.8 billion and America agreed they should also have a longer time period to pay
Was the Young Plan successful?
Yes - it meant the amount of reparations to be paid had reduced and Germany had longer to pay them
What was the Rentenmark?
new stable currency introduced by Gustav Stresemann that was tied to global value of gold
Was the Rentenmark successful?
success -> currency was accepted and stabilised economy
failure -> Germans lost savings and blamed Stresemann
What was the Locarno Pact?
agreement signed in 1925 between France, Germany and other countries that they would not go to war against each other and would help if other country was attacked.
Was the Locarno Pact successful?
it improved Germany’s international status and they became a part of League of Nations
BUT
right wing Germans criticised this for not demanding land back from TOV
What was the Kellogg Briand Pact?
65 countries agreed not to go to war with each other and help if other country was invaded. signed 1928
Was the Kellogg Briand Pact successful?
it improved Germany’s international status and they became a part of League of Nations
BUT
right wing Germans criticised this for not demanding land back from TOV
What problems did Gustav Stresemann try to solve as foreign minister?
hyperinflation
invasion of Ruhr
Germany’s international relationships
German industry
Define militarism
the belief that a country should have strong armed forces
How was Germany ruled by the Kaiser?
The Kaiser ruled over all the states in Germany. Each state sent representatives (Bundesrat) to consult with the Kaiser over new laws.
Who was Kaiser Wilhelm II?
cousin to George V
grandson of Queen Victoria
Third Kaiser
wanted Germany to be as powerful as Britain
How did the Great Depression lead to the rise of the Nazi Party?
The Great Depression had caused unemployment, businesses collapsing and banks closing.
German public were losing hope so looked to extremist parties as they believed the democratic system of Weimar were no longer correct solution.
How did German discontent lead to the rise of the Nazi Party?
The German people were unhappy with the Weimar Republic because it was uncapable of resolving economic problems. German public were losing hope so looked to extremist parties as they believed the democratic system of Weimar were no longer correct solution.
How did the appeal of Adolf Hitler lead to the rise of the Nazi Party?
Hitler was charismatic and made people believe he could make Germany strong and powerful again. He replicated a Kaiser and was an inspiring speaker.
How did the rise of extremist parties lead to the rise of the Nazi Party?
In 1917 there was a communist revolution in Russia and all businesses and farms were taken over. German communists had attempted at this. Many middle and upper class Germans felt threatened. The Nazi Party promised to deal with threat so many upper and middle class Germans began supporting NSDAP. Communists also disagreed in religion so threatened Church go-ers who began to support Hitler.
How did the Nazi party structure lead to the rise of the Nazi Party?
Hitler’s involvement in Munich Putsch sentenced him to jail time. Hitler’s trial allowed him to spread word of NSDAP. After prison, he had realised to gain power in Germany, the NSDAP would have to win power through elections.
What were the consequences of the Munich Putsch?
- Hitler sentenced to 5 years but served 9 months
- Wrote Mien Kampf
- Realised Nazis needed to win power democratically
- Trial led to growth in popularity ; 32 seats in Reichstag in May 1924
What was the Munich Putsch?
Beer Hall Putsch
8-9 November 1923
2000 supporters met by armed police
16 Nazis and 3 police men dead
When was the Munich Putsch?
8-9 November 1923
Why did farmers vote for the Nazis?
Farmers had been hit hard by Depression as people were not buying as much produce so farmers had to lower their prices.
The Nazis promised higher prices, better quality of life and higher status. The Nazis opposed Communists who would seize land which threatened farmers.
Why did women vote for the Nazis?
The Nazis appealed to women because they believed family life, good morals and self discipline were important. Nazis encouraged women to have more children and larger families.
Why did the middle class vote for the Nazis?
Middle Class people voted for the Nazis because many people’s wages had been cut due to Depression. Many feared Communist take down could destroy their livelihoods and the Nazis opposed communism. The Nazis displayed order and discipline in chaos of Weimar. The middle class like the idea of a strong leader, that mimicked Kaiser.
Why did war veterans vote for the Nazis?
Many were left unemployed and in poverty after WW1, The Nazis offered work and bread.
Most hated ToV which Hitler promised to tear up.
Why did the upper class vote for the Nazis?
The upper class supported the Nazis because they promised a powerful, wealthy nation. Hitler allowed them to run their factories as they wished and promised them plans of building weapons, battleships and fighter planes. The Nazis opposed Communists who threatened the wealth of the Upper Class.
What propaganda did Nazis use to gain power?
radio
newspapers
cinema news reports
parades rallies
posters leaflets
speeches
What policies of the NDSAP meant they gained popularity?
increased pensions ; elderly
dictatorship ; royalists
gave women role in society
anti-semitic ; placed blame
How did 1930 Reichstag election lead to Hitler becoming Chancellor?
Year after Depression and unemployment had doubled
coalition government was formed and Bruning, centre party politician was made chancellor
However he was unpopular as he reduced unemployment pay and increased taxes
This meant the Nazis gained support and had 107 votes in the election
How did violence on the streets lead to Hitler becoming Chancellor?
SA beat up in Communists and disrupted meetings
there were bomb plots, street fights, murders
Hindenburg began using emergency decrees which highlights how democracy was failing in Germany