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Germany - DEFINITIONS/shorter answers Flashcards

1
Q

Define prerogative state (in context)

A

only what Hitler wants to happen will happen. nothing happens with without Hitler’s approval. (inefficient)

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2
Q

Define polycratic regime

A

governing with too many people and departments. unclear and chaotic running of a country.

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3
Q

Define autarky (in context)

A

being self-sufficient. Hitler wanted an autarkic Germany where they don’t need to trade with other countries.

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4
Q

Define social Darwinism

A

Nazi ideology. Survival of the fittest where the ‘Aryan’ race is the most superior

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5
Q

Define cumulative radicalisation

A

when something grows more and more radical through time / every year. EG: 1920s- Hitler blames Jews for Wall St crash. 1940s - mass extermination of Jews

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6
Q

What is meant by working towards the Fuhrer?

A

Competing to please Hitler. Many rivalries occurred within large Nazi powers because of this. Hitler enjoyed this sense of social Darwinism despite it being an awful way to run Germany.

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7
Q

Explain what is meant by a non-interventionalist dictatorship.

A

Hitler could be the dictator without having to always actively dictate. He ruled with fear therefore no one challenged him.

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8
Q

Give 3 examples of denazification in FRG

A

1)swastika was banned
2)all 22 Nazi leaders but 3 were convicted
3)new flag

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9
Q

how did germans continue to suffer after WW2? (FRG)

A

economic crisis —> starvation, high mortality rates. + Germans were used as forced labour as part of reparations.

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10
Q

what were intellectual reparations in FRG?

A

most advanced scientists from Germany were stolen by USA / Britain to be used in their programmes.

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11
Q

What was the Marshall plan?

A

the US gave aid ($13billion) to Western Europe after WW2 (1948)

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12
Q

what were the 3 US goals of the Marshall plan?

A

1) prevent the spread of communism
2) trade!
3)wanted allies in case of a WW3

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13
Q

name 3 features of the West German constitution

A

1) President = titular head of state. (less power)
2) MPs need at least 5% of the vote
3) AMS electoral system. hybrid system: 50% FPTP 50% PR

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14
Q

German phrase meaning economic miracle

A

Wirtschaftswunder

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15
Q

What was the Hallstein Doctrine?

A

West Germany did not care to have relations with East Germany. look to the west!

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16
Q

What is Ostpolitik?

A

West German attitude to seek for better relations with East Germany.

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17
Q

What is the Stufenplan?

A

Stufenplan was the sequel Hitler wrote to MeinKampf in the 1920s. It described his plan to WW2. Wasn’t published until after the war.

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18
Q

Define Weltpolitik

A

Global domination

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19
Q

What was the Anti-Comintern Pact ?1936

A

Anti - communism pact. Germany, Italy + Japan. Britain was invited but did not join due to the controversial faschist members.

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20
Q

Define Anschluss

A

German unity with Austria

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21
Q

Define Pan Germanism

A

unification of all German speaking people.

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22
Q

What was the German-British Naval Agreement 1935

A

Britain allowed Germany to expand their navy (this was against the treaty of Versailles) as long as it did not exceed 2/3 of British navy.

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23
Q

What happened at the Munich Conference? September 1938

A

Britain and France continued to follow appeasement by giving the Sudetenland to Germany. Czechoslovakia was not invited to the Conference.

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24
Q

Explain Hossbach Memorandum 1937

A

It is a conversation between Hitler and his politicians where he clearly outlined his plans leading up to war. Army generals Blomberg + Fritsch disagreed with Hitler’s plan and were immediately fired.

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25
list the 6 initial chancellors of the FRG era in order
-ADENAUER -ERHARD -KIESINGER -BRANDT -SCHMIDT -KOHL
26
name 3 of Adenauer's successes
-he reconciled with France + Israel -put west Germany into NATO 1955 -saved 20,000 German prisoners of war from Russia -created economic stability, increased living standards -successfully handled migrant crisis -construction law: built 4m new homes -made good relations with USA, Israel -paid victims of Nazi war crimes
27
name 2 'failures' of Adenauer
-he wasn't overly critical of the Berlin wall for selfish reasons -he promoted former Nazis into government positions
28
name 2 successes of Erhard
-stimulated economic growth,1948 currency reform - "father of the social market economy" -slowly started opening up to the East -highlighted importance of relations with USA & Israel
29
what is the one failure of Erhard as chancellor?
there was a recession in 1966, unemployment and inflation increased.
30
identify 2 successes of Kiesinger
-he headed the GRAND COALITION -he promoted political stability -he created emergency legislation to crack down on RAF terrorists
31
-name the 2 major failures of Chancellor Kiesinger
-some people thought he acted too authoritarian which caused student protests. -he was exposed as a former Nazi in 1969
32
name 1 success of Brandt
-OSTPOLITIK -went to Poland + East Germany trying to atone
33
name 2 failures of Brandt
-he struggled to deal with the RAF terrorists, increased student protests -East German spy was found in his office - Brandt resigned.
34
name 2 successes of SCHMIDT
-destroyed the RAF terrorists. -got West Germany to be part of the G6 (6 biggest economies in the world)
35
name a failure of Schmidt
- he agreed for America to station nuclear weapons in West Germany, causing young people to protest. -young people liked the goals of the RAF terrorists so weren't entirely pleased when they were destroyed
36
identify 2 successes of chancellor KOHL
-took down Berlin wall - German unity -expanded social marker benefits -ensured the EU expanded -introduced tax reforms so people had more money in their pockets
37
summarise the Dolchtoss theory.
Ebert + the Weimar government were called the 'November criminals' who had stabbed Germany in the back by signing the Treaty to take power from the Kaiser & army
38
Who were the Sparticists?
KPD ran by Rosa Luxembourg & Karl Liebknecht (extremists). aimed to turn Germany into a communist country
39
How successful were the Nazis in the 1928 election?
2.6% of the vote
40
describe the Gestapo
secret police. plain clothes. would search for anti-Nazis.
41
how did the Catholic Church resist the Nazi regime?
-remained independent of the regime -protested in newspapers + against Hitler Youth -reversed the decision to remove crucifixes from classrooms
42
describe the WHITE ROSE MOVEMENT
-group organised by students at Munich University -anonymous leaflets & graffiti campaigns against Nazis -Hans + SOPHIE SCHOLL arrested 1943. People's court sentenced them to death
43
describe the EDELWEISS PIRATES
- Anti-Nazi youth group -working class -beat up Nazi officials -sheltered people hiding eg Jews
44
what were the EINSATZGRUPPEN?
(SS) soldiers carrying out killings of Jews
45
What was the significance of STALINGRAD (ww2)
Hitler refused to organise withdrawal of his troops despite great defeat. 250,000 soldiers died for no reason. This was the turning point in WW2
46
Who were the key figures in the July Bomb Plot?
Stauffenburg, Beck, Fromm, Tresckow, Speer
47
Why did the July Bomb Plot fail?
-Brandt moved the briefcase further from Hitler -only had time to activate 1 bomb instead of 2 -moved conference room to wooden room rather than concrete bunker -Fromm hesitates to call orders
48
describe the RED ARMY FACTION
-set up by students who felt they weren't being listened to -wanted to end consumerism, Vietnam War etc -used violent tactics like firebombs & assassinations, 30+ banks robbed -28 people maimed in bombing campaigns
49
What was the German Autumn 1977?
-murdered chief prosecutor & chief exectutive of a bank -former Nazi kidnapped -RAF supporters hijack plane + demand release of RAF prisoners -police storm a plane - they free hostages but kill 3 people -3 imprisoned RAF members found dead in their cells
50
By 1929, how many members did the Nazis have?
over 100,000
51
what were the German unemployment figures after the Wall Street Crash in correlation the Nazi seats in the reichstag?
unemployment figures increased with Nazi seats: -1930: 3mill unemployed, 107 Nazi seats -July 1932: 5mill unemployed, 196 Nazi seats -Nov 1932: 6mill unemployed, 230 Nazi seats
52
how did the Reichstag fire assist Hitler becoming a dictator?
late February 1933, Reichstag fire. Van der Lubbe supposedly did it --> Dutch, disabled communist. Helped Hitler prove that the communists wanted to overthrow the government. Convinced Hindenburg to sign the enabling act
53
describe life for women in the Nazi era
-they wouldn't work, stay at home & look after family -supposed to breed more 'aryan' children -kinder, kuche, kirche -abortion was banned -rewards were given to mothers with more children.
54
when was conscription introduced by Hitler?
1935
55
what was the RAD?
'national labour service' all young men 18-25 had to join for 6 months given jobs in public works. uniforms. conditions weren't great
56
simply NAME at least 3 laws/groups which were responses to extremism in the FRG
-1951 Article 131 -1968 Emergency Law -1972 GSG9 Group -1972 Anti Radical Decree 1977 BEFA
57
What was article 131 of FRG constitution 1951?
banned KPD + socialist right party
58
What did the EMERGENCY LAW 1968 allow the police to do ? in FRG
police able to randomly stop and search West German citizens
59
Who were the GSG9 group? 1972
elite counter-terrorist unit. Saved 86 hostages in 1977
60
What was the Anti Radical Decree? FRG 1972
It kept RAF - sympathisers out of state jobs
61
what was the 1977 BEFA system?
computerised surveillance
62
How many times did President Hindenburg use ARTICLE 48 in 1932, and in his whole reign?
66 times in 1932. 137 times total
63
What was the Ebert-Groener Pact?
Ebert funded the army so that they would protect him , (Luxembourg gets murdered)
64
Who were the Swing Youth?
-middle class anti- nazi youth group -listened to Jazz music
65
who was Dietrich BONHOEFFER?
German theologian who was involved in an attempt to assassinate Hitler in July 1944
66
What was the Beauty of Labour Programme?
designed to make factories cleaner, safer and more efficient for workers
67
How was the price of bread affected by hyperinflation in early Weimar years?
November 1918 - 1 mark November 1923 - 200 billion marks
68
What was Stresemann’s DAWES plan
USA loaned Germany 800 million gold marks to aid economic recovery
69
What was Stresesmann’s YOUNG plan?
reparations were extended to 1988 they were reduced to 1/4 of the initial amount
70
How much did the 1936 Berlin Olympics cost and why?
$30million -100000 seat track -new stadium -6 gymnasiums -paid Leni Riefenstahl to film the games - $7million
71
When did economic minister SHACHT resign?
1937
72
What was the KdF / strength through joy movement?
designed to provide workers with cheap leisure opportunities
73
name 4 successes of Nazi economics
-RAD scheme helped to build public services -remilitarisation employed people -MEFO BILLS, free weapons -Autobahn success -1936 Berlin Olympics -Daf - no strikes in Nazi Germany
74
name 4 failures of Nazi Economics
-failed attempt at autarky -failure of improving farms/farmers lives -invisible employment -military spending caused inflation to rise 20% -guns and butter debate created economic disagreements between Schacht + Goerring (Shacht sacked) -wasted materials on final solution -didnt employ women in wartime workforce until 1943 -polycratic state: chaos and confusion
75
What was the Daf / German Labour Front
Hitler banned all trade unions May 1933, replaced with DAF. All workers had to join of they could not work
76
What changes were introduced by the DAF
-strikes were illegal and offenders would be sent to concentration camps -working hours increased to 60+ per week -workers cant ask for more money -workers couldn’t leave a job without permission
77
which employment statistics prove that the Nazis decreased unemployment?
1932 - 6million unemployed 1935 - 2million unemployed
78
Why was it successful that the Nazis used left and right wing economics?
-funded by wealthy capitalists who feared communism, like Boss, Krupp -fiscal stimulus (spending lots in the Great Depression) favoured by leftists
79
Give 2 pieces of evidence for the economic miracle in the FRG
-tax drops from 85% to 18% -unemployment 1950: 11%,1960: 1.2% -marshall aid gave $13billion to WG -car ownership. 1950: 2m 1965: 12m
80
what does SPD stand for and what did they represent
social democratic party -originally a Marxist party -wanted to improve conditions for the German workers -wanted to end the dominance of the Church + aristrocracy
81
what does ZP stand for and what did they represent
zentrum (centre party) - supported weimar republic - wanted to improve conditions for the poor - advanced the rights of German Catholics
82
what does DDP stand for and what did they represent
German democrats - national party - in favour of democratic republic
83
what does KPD stand for and what did they represent
communist party of Germany - support communist Russia - extremely left wing - favour working class rights - want to abolish capitalism
84
what does DVP stand for and what did they represent
German People's party - centre (moderately right wing) - opposed Weimar constitution - acted democratically
85
what does DNVP stand for and what did they represent
German National People's Party - extremely right wing - wanted restoration of the Kaiser - introduction of military service, remilitarisation
86
Who won the january 1919 election?
SPD - 37.86% ZP second place
87
give 3 features of the Weimar constitution
- proportional representation voting system - Kaiser is abolished, Germany ruled by President - Article 48 - All men / women over 21 could vote. Universal suffrage - Parliament = Reichstag
88
What was Article 48
an emergency power for the President to temporarily suspend the democracy if necessary
88
what is Proportional Representation
electoral voting system : no votes are wasted. political parties that lose still have MPs - gives more power to smaller parties
88
How many Presidents were there in Weimar?
2: Ebert + Hindenburg
89
how often did the Reichstag elections happen?
every 4 yrs
90
In Weimar how often were Presidents elected
every 7 years, but had no maximum term
91
How did the original Nazi party come about?
- Hitler spied on the DAP (German Workers Party) but likes what he hears and joins the party - DAP becomes NSDAP - set up by Anton Drexler Munich 1919 - they were national socialists who also hated Jews, Weimar and Treaty of Versailles
92
who set up the NSDAP (Nazi party) and when
Anton Drexler 1919 / 1920
93
what was Hitler's first role in the NSDAP
chief of propaganda in 1920
94
how did Hitler make the NSDAP more professional?
- set up a permanent office in Munich - buys 2 newspapers to spread anticapitalist propaganda - used SA (sturmabteilung) dressed in brownshirts to parade the streets thuggishly as show of force. attacked communists
95
what groups did the Nazis originally appeal to and why
1) lower middle class = protect from big bussinesses 2) middle class = protect traditional values + wealth from communism 3) working class = promised 'work and bread' 4) Protestants = protect Germany from Catholics
96
what event allowed Hitler to persuade Hindenburg to sign the Reichstag Decree
the Reichstag fire
97
what was the Reichstag / emergency decree
- Nazi-controlled police could arrest anyone suspected of opposing the government, hold people without trial, close newspapers etc.
98
How did the Nazis initially use the Reichstag decree ?
- arrested 4000 + communists - banned KPD - shut down political opponents' newspapers + meetings - sent thousands of political opponents to concentration camps
99
what did Hitler ban in May and June 1933 as a result of his Enabling Act
- banned trade unions (no more workers rights - banned all political parties except the Nazis - imprisoned leaders of parties - ended democracy!
100

Modern History (7 decks)

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