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HISTORY > GERMANY TIMELINE > Flashcards

GERMANY TIMELINE Flashcards

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1
Q

1871 - Germany is united, Bismarck is chancellor and Wilhelm I is Kaiser

A

PRUSSIA: Controlled 2/3 of New German Empire

KAISER: Could dissolve Reichstag, command army + foreign policy

REICHSTAG: Elections every 3 years, gave consent to all laws, could not demand the dismissal of Kaiser.

BUNDESRAT: 58 reps from 25 state govs, had to approve new laws.

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2
Q

1873 - May Laws against Catholic Church in Prussia

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Regulations to bring Catholic Church under control

  • Catholic education under supervision
  • Catholic orders dissolved
  • Priests required to prove loyalty to state

OUTCOME: Catholics thrived - Zentrum success in 74’ election (Won 91 seats)

Ended by Bismarck: He favoured close alliance with Catholic Austria + after agriculture + industrial depressions of 1870s, B was anxious to abandon liberal policy of free trade.

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3
Q

1878 - Assassination attempt on Kaiser + Anti-Socialist Law passed

A

Law passed in October 78’
- B made attempt to curtail growth of German Social Democracy
- After attempts of Wilhelm’s life - B blamed the SPD
Law banned social democratic associations, meetings + newspapers

RESULTS = Hit SPD hard, 15,000 socialist activists imprisoned
- SPD broadened appeal as non-revolutionary party, SPD vote x2 (78-90’)

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4
Q

1888 - Wilhelm II becomes Kaiser after brief stint by Frederick

A

Within 2 years he broke with Bismarck

  • He damaged his reputation by meddling in German foreign policy on basis of elections
  • Also a no. of public blunders, e.g Telegraph affair (1908)
  • Also hurt by Eulenburg affair (1907) when he was accused of being gay
  • Most important contribution to German military expansion was commitment to create a navy to rival Britains
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5
Q

1890 - Bismarck dismissed + SPD becomes most popular party in Reichstag

A

Wilhelm clashed with Bismarck over foreign + domestic policy
- Many historians believe that Wilhelm’s aggressive foreign policy after he removed B was a major cause of WWI

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6
Q

1908 - Daily Telegraph Affair

A

Came at a time where Britain was already worried at the buildup of German navy

Kaisers talking points:

  • The German people, in general do not care for the British, who are “mad as hares”
  • German naval buildup would continue but wasn’t aimed at Brits
  • Encourage opposition parties to attack Von Bulow for allowing letter to be sent
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7
Q

1912 - Social democrats become largest party in Reichstag

A

After the anti-socialist law ceased to exist in 1890, the SPD grew rapidly
- in 1912 the party won 110 seats, during WWI a group of members left to form the Independent Socialist Party (USPD)

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8
Q

1913 - Zaburn Affair produces protests against the military

A

In response to some local military bullying, the towns people protested

  • lieutenant cut down shoemaker, was acquired for self-defence
  • Led to vote with majority of 293 to 54 in attempt to put Chancellor out of office but it was defeated
  • This close to WWI, shows how strong the democratic opposition to militarism was
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9
Q

1914 - Germany declared war on Russia, WWI begins

A

Event widely known to cause it was Franz Ferdinand shot to death by Bosnian

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10
Q

1918 - Kirk Mutiny & workers revolt; social distress

A
  • German admiralty given order to instigate one last major North Sea battle
  • (Oct 29th) Sailors abroad 2 major shops at Kiel failed to return
  • (Nov 3rd) Sailors at Kiel, joined by city workers took control of shops & formed elected councils - echoing 14 point peace program by Woodrow Wilson
  • Led to abdication of German royals, incl Wilhelm II
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11
Q

1919 - Spartacus uprising amidst chaos + Ebert become president + ToV signed + Weimar constitution

A

Defeated in WWI, humiliated, short of food + influenza epidemic - Germany was in critical state

  • Newly formed gov by left-wing Ebert with policies many deemed too generous of R/Wing
  • Luxembourg + Liebknecht were dissatisfied with actions of postwar SPD gov, promising reform over revolution
  • L&L led Spartacus uprising to overthrow gov - ended by Freikorps
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12
Q

1920 - Kapp Putsch fails + communist risings in Ruhr + Hitler becomes Nazi leader

A

Kapp opposed all that Ebert stood for, especially after humiliation of ToV settlements.

  • Kapp Putsch was direct threat to Weimar gov, assisted by Freikorps men, seized Berlin & proclaimed new right of centre nationalist party being established, w/ Kapp as chancellor
  • Ebert had to leave Berlin, once again undermining his status & emphasising weak position in Germany
  • Ebert called strike of Berlin, and ended it.
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13
Q

1923 -

A

French invaded Ruhr because of failure to honour terms of ToV

  • Much to be gained from Ruhr, as it housed 3/4 of Germany’s steel & coal production.
  • Weimar ordered ‘passive resistance’, general strike to freeze industrial production
  • Not only sabotaged French but whole economy as gov promised to still pay workers
  • Govs last resort was to pay these salaries by printing bank notes - fuelled hyperinflation in 23’
  • Forced Weimar to extinction + led to Hitler instigating Munich Putsch (Nov 23’)
  • H + 600 storm troopers forced Kahr + Lossow to agree to rebel, H went to Munich
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14
Q

1924

A

DAWES PLAN -

  • 1st decision was to return Ruhr to control of Germans
  • 2nd, reparation payments restructured, after yr 1 only 1bn, after that 2.5bn
  • 3rd, restructuring of Weimar’s bank
  • Americans agreed to loan Germany lots of money
  • Main weaknesses: it was short term; hence 1929 Young Plan
  • Also relied on Weimar economy rallying
  • Any disaster would have knock on effects e.g 1929
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15
Q

1925

A

Hindenburg becomes president (25-34)
His terms were wracked by Political instability, economic depression, and the rise to power by Hitler
-(Locarno) Germany, France, Belgium, GB, Italy, agreed peace in Western Europe
-Germany accepted borders with France + Belgium
-Germany accepted Rhineland would be demilitarised

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16
Q

1926 - Germany joins LoN

A

Locarno treaty paved way for acceptance into LoN

  • A move which recognised Germany’s power (& the leagues weaknesses)
  • Credit to Stressmann
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17
Q

1929 - Young Plan + Stressmann dies + Wall Street crash

A

Young Plan: wars attempt to support gov of Weimar Germany

  • Even after Dawes Plan, Germany were in no position to fulfil requirements
  • Young Plan reduced reparations to 112bn, money set to be paid over 59 yrs, 473m paid each yr
  • Prior to Wall Street Crash, been desire by US to see Weimar develop as an economic entity. US could become a valuable trading power with Germany
  • After Wall Street Crash (June 31’) payments suspended
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18
Q

1930 - Bruning rules Germany by decree + Nazis = 2nd largest + street fighting with communists

A

Hindenburg appointed B in hope it would solve economic situation

  • Bruning most feared social disorder by despair of economic depression
  • Unemployment was rising, he feared people would take to the streets which would play into Nazi hands
19
Q

1932 - 6m unemployed + Nazis gain 230 seats

A

By 32’, over 30% of workforce unemployed

20
Q

1933 - Hitler appointed chancellor + Reichstag fire + Reichstag elections; Enabling Act + Boycott of Jewish shops

A

33’ elections, H promised to abolish unemployment. By the time he got into office, economy was picking up.

  • Introduced the ‘people’s car’
  • Reichstag fire by communist, H used this as a way of convincing public of an attempted communist revolt.
  • Enabling Act allowed cabinet to introduce legislation without going through Reichsag
21
Q

1933 - TU + political parties banned + GER leaves LoN

A

Hitler saw TU exercising more power over the workers he called
-Withdrew from LoN, claimed Germany were already disarmed

22
Q

1934 - SA purged in NOTLK + Hindenburg dies

A

Even with enabling act, Hitler felt worried the army hadn’t given an oath of allegiance

  • By summer 1934, SA had 2m men
  • Rohm had spoken about taking over the regular army & absorbing it into the SA
  • SS then became a feared force
23
Q

1935 - Conscription introduced + Nuremberg Laws persecute Jews

A

Conscription enabled German Army to train 300,000 conscripts a year.
-By 38’ it had 36 infantry divisions of 600,000 men
-In 39’ the German Army had 98 divisions ready to invade Poland
NUREMBURG LAWS:
-Defined people with few relatives as Jews, then stripped them of citizenship + human rights
-Banned marriage of Jews & non-Jews

24
Q

1936 - 4 yr plan + Himmler in charge of SS, SD + Gestapo

A

Berlin Olympics showed how Hitler could tone down racial discrimination
-4 year plan leading up to war included: increased Agric production, retain key sectors of work force, Gov regulation of imports & exports, to achieve self-sufficiency in production of raw materials

25
Q

1938 - Hitler purges army leadership + (NOV) Jewish property + synagogues attacked

A

Kristallnacht - After German ambassador was killed

  • Laid out blueprint for destruction of all home + businesses
  • 20,000 Jews arrested
26
Q

1939 - Hitler Youth compulsory + WWI begins

A

13-18 Hitler Youth
“Military athletics”
Marching, bayonet drills, grenade throwing, pistol shooting

27
Q

1942 - ‘Total War’ implemented + Wansee conference = SS establish extermination camps

A

June 41’ - Barbarossa campaign - attack on Prussia - after defeat (42’) in Stalingrad

  • Every aspect of Economy to contribute to war campaign
  • No professional sports, magazines
28
Q

1944 - July: Staffenberg attempts bomb plot against Hitler

A

After Russian success at Stalingrad, people felt Germany was doomed
-Placed bomb in map room, July 20th Hitler survived

29
Q

1945 - Hitler suicide + Potsdam + Nuremberg trials begin

A

Most famous on 26th Nov, when 22 major Nazi criminals stood

  • Potsdam: (July-Aug) saw more marked differences between allied power
  • Was agreed that each occupying power would take reparations from each zone.
  • Overturning earlier decision to coordinate zones particularly & economically through Allied control Council
30
Q

1947

A

Bizone - Jan 47’, Britain + USA merged zones, until g 40m Germans

  • Political division was accelerated by USA’s decision to:
  • Lead the West in resisting communist expansion enshrined in Truman Doctrine
  • Support the Truman Doctrine w/ financial assistance - The Marshall Plan
31
Q

1948

A

Mid 48’ French agreed to merge their zone with Bizone, creating ‘Trizonia’

  • USA + GB pushed ahead with plans to create a new German currency
  • The Deutschmark. These moves were bitterly opposed by USSR
  • Between 48-49’, restrictions on former Nazis were removed
  • Berlin blockade:(20th June) road + railway passenger traffic to & from Berlin halted USSR retaliated to currency reforms
  • Saw it as commitment to divide Germany
32
Q

1949

A

(MAY) USSR finally ceased blockade

  • Blockade had removed any reservations they had about merging their zone with the bizone
  • Also, sped up formal Western defence, & realised EDO would be too small - Led to NATO (April)

Blockade ensured creation of 2 separate German states in 49’ - FRG (West) & GDR (East)
-Adenauer (CDU) with Basic Law constitution
-Ulbricht (GDR) he was head of socialist unity party
49’ elections: CDU/CSU won 31% of vote. SPD with 29% was 2nd largest
Adenauer formed gov with FDP

33
Q

1950-51’

A

Adenauer began 5R’s
(50’) construction law provided grants + subsidies for a massive house-building programme; 4m new homes by 57’

Reintegration: Millions of refugees reintegrated
Restitution: Compensation paid to victims of Nazi crimes
Restoration: (51’) ‘131’ Laws allowed former Nazis employment - 150,000 people

34
Q

1952-53’

A
  • Payed 100bn DM to Israel
  • By 53’, was clear that P democracy in FRG was working, with just 3 major parties (CDU,CSU,SPD & FDP)
  • 5% rule helped reduce no. of lesser parties
  • 53’ elections increased CDU’s lead over SPD from 400,000 to 4.5m
35
Q

1955-56-57

A

By 55’, Adenauer brought a return to sovereignty + obtained membership of NATO in 56’ + reintroduced a military force –> BUNDESWEHR
•57’ election saw A at peak of domestic popularity winning 277 votes, taking 50.2% - Enabling CDU to rule as a single party for 4 years

36
Q

1961-62

A

•In 61’, GDR erected a wall dividing the E&W Berlin
-In 61’ elections, CDU/CSU vote fell to 46%, while FDP increased vote from 7.7% to 12.8%

Spiegel Affair (62')
•Ordered arrest of editors of Der Spiegel after it published article condemning inefficiencies of Bundeswehr --> police took heavy action, seizing journalists --> provoked demonstrations & resignations of FDP ministers in A's cabinet. 
- CDU/CSU coalition couldn't survive. FDP's price for return for dismissal of Adenauer, it was granted
37
Q

1963

A

49-63’ was a period of stable W.Germany
A encouraged the development of a modern consumer society & furthered European integration
(Erhard) 63-66’
•Period as chancellor often considered a relative failure in comparison to his time as Economics ministers under A.
+ Emergence of R/Wing National Democratic Party (NPD) increased political uncertainties
•(OCT 66’) E presented package of financial proposals to tackle 65’ econ recession, it was rejected by FDP coalition.
•E resigned in Nov 66’, making way for Grand Coalition between CDU/CSU.

38
Q

1966

A

Temporary alliance between CDU/CSU & SPD was forged in December, creating ‘Grand coalition’ under Kiesinger to address the exon crisis.
•CDU/CSU had highly talented team of ministers, including Brandt as foreign minister & deputy chancellor
•His chancellorship was able to steer a pragmatic middle way between increasing student agitation on the left & rising NPD on the right.
Allowed reformation of communist party (DKP). Both decisions kept mainstream political debates within framework of constitutional system.

39
Q

1968

A

Coalition allowed committee of Bundestag, W/reps from each land, to take emergency measures at times of extreme civil unrest
–> there was a fear that this might become another article 48. Protested by the L/Wing
(Sept) allowed official W.German communist party (DKP) to be formed.
•Coalition also achieved a great deal of unanimity on exon, achieving a reversal of econ recession & also implemented a social modernisation, & liberalising criminal law.

40
Q

1969

A

Bundestag elections saw majority for SPD & FDP who took 48.1% of vote •Willy Brandt (SPD) & Scheel (FDP) agreed to create a socialist - liberal coalition gov
•Promised to be chancellor of domestic reform
EDUCATION: School leaving she raised to 16, (1971) educational support law for poorer families + tax incentives offered to those prepared to relocate + social housing budget incr over 1/3.
• voting age lowered to 18; censorship + laws against gays relaxed; criminal law overhauled
•However, he exacerbated inflation

41
Q

1972

A

Brandt’ gov was plagued by wave of terrorism
•Also controversies over Brandt’s Ostpolitik & some coalition deputies deflected to CDU/CSU

(April) he only just survived vote of no confidence
• SPD vote incr to 45.8%, emerged as strongest party
•CDU/CSU vote decreased to 44.9%, Brandt re-elected as chancellor

42
Q

1973-74’

A

Brandt struggles to control rising inflation, made worse with oil crisis from November –> led to inflation & unemployment
•Some enjoyed his ‘risk more democracy’, reform & expand education, reduce voting age; improve welfare state, extend workers rights.
•On return visit from Cairo, B learned one of his closest advisors had been arrested by E.German spy –> he resigned on May 74’.

43
Q

1974 pt.2 & 1982

A

Schmidt (74-82) was a conservative social democrat with little sympathy for L/Wing of his party or ‘green’ issues
•Schmidt had to deal with a no. Of economic problems + further political division over how to address these + his agreement to have US medium range missiles in Germany
•’Greens’ were born in 79’
•Greatest crisis = Mogadishu (77’)
•By autumn 82’, SPD fortunes were in decline, while CDU/CSU had been reinvigorated under Kohl.

44
Q

1982-89’ - Kohl (CDU)

A 
Election on 6th March 83' returned 58 seat majority for the CDU/FDP coalition 
•CDU gaining 48.8% of vote & FDP 7% (this was a turning point)
•Kohl tended to look backwards to restore CDU's political dominance & authority. He continued Ostpolitik as basis of FRG's relationship with E.Germany
(Social problems) Kohl preferred using less gov regulation & lower taxes as the best means of ensuring rising living standards - although, created a growing underclass of socially deprived. Unemployment = 8% --> his solution was to tell immigrants to leave

(Corruption) Flick affair - FDP finance minister exempted Flick Corporation (one of Germany’s largest businesses) from tax payments in return for financial contributions to FDP
(Bitburg) During Reagan visit (85’), Kohl arranged ceremony of reconciliation at small cemetery

1987 election: CDU vote decrease to 44.3%, coalition saved due to strong vote for FDP of 9.1%
- Kohl was saved by collapse of E.Germany (89’)

HISTORY (8 decks)

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