Germany - Unit 1

Question 1

What political situation existed in Germany when it went to war in 1914?

Answer 1

Political strain with a truce among parties in the Reichstag supporting Kaiser Wilhelm II

The kaiser was not a capable war strategist, leading to a military dictatorship by the high command.

Question 2

Who led the military high command in Germany during World War I?

Answer 2

Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff

They began to run Germany as a military dictatorship, ignoring the Reichstag.

Question 3

What was the outcome of the ‘Revolution from Above’ suggested by Ludendorff?

Answer 3

Formation of a new government led by Prince Max of Baden

This government inherited significant economic difficulties and was closer to losing the war.

Question 4

What were the conflicting desires faced by German governments from 1918 to 1989?

Answer 4

German unity vs. regionalism and strong government vs. political debate

Each government struggled to balance these conflicting desires.

Question 5

What was the fate of the Weimar Republic in the 1920s?

Answer 5

It surmounted many political challenges only to collapse

This collapse led to the rise of the Nazi dictatorship.

Question 6

What significant political change occurred in Germany on 1 November?

Answer 6

Armistice signed ending World War I

This marked a pivotal moment in German history.

Question 7

How many Nazis were elected to the Reichstag on 14 September 1930?

Answer 7

107 Nazis

This election was a significant step in the Nazi Party’s rise to power.

Question 8

What event is referred to as the Night of the Long Knives?

Answer 8

The purge of the SA leadership by Hitler on 30 June 1934

This solidified Hitler’s control over the Nazi Party.

Question 9

What happened on 2 August 1934?

Answer 9

Hindenburg dies; Hitler becomes Führer

This marked the consolidation of Hitler’s power in Germany.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The new government formed after the ‘Revolution from Above’ was led by _______.

Answer 10

Prince Max of Baden

This was a transitional government during a time of crisis.

Question 11

True or False: The Reichstag had significant power during the military dictatorship in World War I.

Answer 11

False

The military high command ignored the Reichstag.

Question 12

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 12

The treaty that officially ended the war between Germany and the Allies, signed on 28 June 1919.

Question 13

How long did the Treaty of Versailles cast a shadow over German politics?

Answer 13

21 years.

Question 14

What were some fears associated with the Treaty of Versailles during its drafting?

Answer 14

People feared it would lead to another war.

Question 15

What land did Germany lose in Europe due to the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 15

• All land gained at the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
• Upper Silesia
• Alsace and Lorraine
• Eupen and Malmédy

Question 16

Which union was Germany forbidden to pursue as per the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 16

The Anschluss with Austria.

Question 17

What military limitations were imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 17

• The Rhineland became a demilitarised buffer zone
• Army limited to 100,000 troops
• No tanks or heavy artillery
• Fleet restricted to warships under 10,000 tonnes
• No submarines or air force

Question 18

What responsibility did Germany have to accept under the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 18

Responsibility for damage caused to the Allies.

Question 19

What were reparations in the context of the Treaty of Versailles?

Answer 19

Compensation paid by a defeated country for the damage it caused during war.

Question 20

What amount was fixed for German reparations in 1921?

Answer 20

132,000 million gold marks.

Question 21

What significant event occurred on 7 May 1945?

Answer 21

End of the Second World War in Europe.

Question 22

When was the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) established?

Answer 22

22 May 1949.

Question 23

When was the German Democratic Republic (GDR) established?

Answer 23

7 October 1949.

Question 24

What major construction occurred on 12-13 August 1961?

Answer 24

The Berlin Wall went up.

Question 25

When did the Berlin Wall fall?

Answer 25

9 November 1989.

Question 26

Fill in the blank: The Treaty of Versailles was signed on _______.

Answer 26

28 June 1919.

Question 27

What is an armistice?

Answer 27

An agreed truce, or pause in a war to give time for negotiation for peace.

Question 28

Who were the Spartacists?

Answer 28

A communist group led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg that wanted a workers' revolution in Germany.

Question 29

What is a council in the context of political movements?

Answer 29

A small group representing workers (from factory workers to sailors) in place of political parties, usually campaigning for reform.

Question 30

What does the term 'Soviet' mean?

Answer 30

The Russian for 'council' or 'committee'; Russian workers' soviets became part of the revolutionary government.

Question 31

What does it mean to abdicate?

Answer 31

To give up power and/or responsibility, specifically when a ruler gives up their throne.

Question 32

What significant political change occurred in Germany from 1918-19?

Answer 32

The creation of the Weimar Republic.

Question 33

What was the Ebert-Groener Pact?

Answer 33

An agreement where the army would support the government as long as the government opposed the more left-wing ideas of parties in the Reichstag.

Question 34

What were the main socialist groups in the Council of People's Representatives?

Answer 34

* Social Democrats (SPD) led by Friedrich Ebert * Independent Social Democrats (USD) led by Hugo Haase

Question 35

When was the armistice signed by Matthias Erzberger?

Answer 35

On 11 November 1918.

Question 36

What social reforms did the new government implement?

Answer 36

* Established an eight-hour working day * Allowed independent trade unions * Set up help for ex-soldiers to find work * Widened health and unemployment benefits

Question 37

What was the outcome of the Spartacist Revolt in January 1919?

Answer 37

The uprising collapsed, and leaders Liebknecht and Luxemburg were captured, beaten, and murdered.

Question 38

Fill in the blank: The Freikorps was a private army made up of _______.

Answer 38

[ex-soldiers, unemployed youths, and other discontents]

Question 39

True or False: The government faced fewer problems than the previous one after its establishment.

Answer 39

False.

Question 40

What did many Germans fear regarding communism?

Answer 40

They were petrified of the Red Plague of communism spreading from Russia.

Question 41

What event marked the beginning of the Weimar Republic?

Answer 41

The abdication of the Kaiser.

Question 42

What was the significance of the elections fixed for 19 January 1919?

Answer 42

It was a move to establish a new Reichstag and a new constitution.

Question 43

What led to the resignation of many USPD council members?

Answer 43

The growing rift between the SPD and the USPD over how radical their policies should be.

Question 44

What were the private armies formed by political parties in 1919 called?

Answer 44

Freikorps (Free Corps) ## Footnote These were armed groups, including the SPD's Sozi, formed by returning soldiers who refused to return military equipment.

Question 45

What violent event occurred in October 1919 involving a political leader?

Answer 45

Hugo Haase, the USPD leader, was shot outside the Reichstag ## Footnote This incident highlights the violent nature of electioneering during that period.

Question 46

Which organization was involved in the murders of two Weimar government figures?

Answer 46

Organisation Consul ## Footnote They were associated with the murders of Matthias Erzberger in August 1921 and Walter Rathenau in June 1922.

Question 47

What was the general sentiment of the middle class in Germany during the post-World War I period?

Answer 47

Frightened and at their wits' end ## Footnote Many were confused and seeking direction after the war's end.

Question 48

What were the two major political forces supporting the new free state in Germany?

Answer 48

Social Democracy and the Centre Party ## Footnote These parties were seen as crucial for supporting the republic, although not sufficient alone.

Question 49

What was the voter turnout percentage in the January 1919 election?

Answer 49

82.7 percent ## Footnote This indicates a strong desire for participation in choosing the government.

Question 50

Which parties formed a coalition government after the January 1919 election?

Answer 50

SPD, Centre Party, and German Democratic Party (DDP) ## Footnote The SPD did not achieve the majority it hoped for, necessitating this coalition.

Question 51

What was the political stance of the German National People's Party (DNVP)?

Answer 51

Conservative, nationalist, and monarchist ## Footnote They opposed social reform and were anti-republican, supporting the army.

Question 52

Who led the German People's Party (DVP) after its restructuring in 1919?

Answer 52

Gustav Stresemann ## Footnote This party was moderately conservative and primarily represented the wealthy industrial middle class.

Question 53

What type of policies did the Centre Party advocate?

Answer 53

Conservative values with social reform ## Footnote They opposed left-wing policies and were against communism.

Question 54

Fill in the blank: The German Democratic Party (DDP) aimed to sow the seeds of _______.

Answer 54

[freedom, peace, and work] ## Footnote This reflects the DDP's campaign message during the 1919 elections.

Question 55

True or False: The Centre Party's election posters depicted the benefits of communism.

Answer 55

False ## Footnote Their posters instead highlighted the threats and horrors posed by communism.